Existing Product Research: Mojo analysed

I analysed the music magazine Mojo, to help with my research and planning of my own magazine. Some music featured in this magazine I will also feature in my own magazine, therefore I have chosen to analyse it.




Over All Look

Overall, this magazine is quite buys; with the front cover containing a lot of information and colour. The magazine is quite appealing to the eye, with simple but bold fonts. Like the other two magazines, Mojo represents the style of music that is featured inside; the layout and colours of each page are generally ‘cool’, but also not too ‘in your face’ portraying the classic rock era, which is the music predominantly featured in this magazine.

Front Cover

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme on the cover is mainly orange, black and white. The background is all white, with the writing orange and black. There is a large picture of the artist Jim Morrison from The Doors in the middle of the page, and Morrison’s head covers the ‘O’ in Mojo. This picture is in black and white, sticking to the colour scheme, and is also very eye catching and will attract the readers to the cover. The text on the cover is positioned around the picture, and is easy to read and stands out in contrast to the white background, therefore making it easier for the audiences to read. There is also some text across the middle of the page and the picture saying ‘The Doors’. This is in orange, and contrasts with the black and white photo.

Photos

The Photo on the front is an iconic, well known picture of Jim Morrison from The Doors leaning forward into the camera with his arms slightly raised near his body. This picture will be recognised by fans of this band; therefore appealing to the suitable audience, as they know instantly they like some of the music featured in this magazine. The photo is at eye level, and as well as being iconic to the band is also appealing to the audience, because he is looking into the camera - like looking at the readers, and engaging them in the magazine.

Text Picture Ratio

On the cover, generally the text is in proportion with the picture. The text is positioned on either side of the picture, and is quite bold. However, there is one bit of text reading ‘The Doors’ in large letters over the picture, because this text goes with the image, as it is stating the name of the band the man on the front is from. On the cover, the there is more text; the text is more outstanding than the picture, but this is because the picture is a large contrast to the white background and orange text, and stands out without having to be too big.

Writing Style

Again, like the other covers, the writing style is simple and in short hand. For example ‘Neil Young his new noise’; this is very down to the point. The writing style is like this on the cover because it has to be short, to fit lots of different information about the contents of the magazine; more information means a wider range of contents which could appeal to a wider audience. The writing style is also in list form, listing ’60 greatest albums’, this could show the audience that the magazine has much to offer.

Fonts

The main font on the cover of Mojo is bold and simple. This is so the writing stands out on the page, and is easy to read - the magazine will be on a shelf, and the fonts are bold so as the audience are shopping, it will be clearer for them to read. Another font, which only occurs twice is used for the words ‘and the’ above the ’60 greatest albums’. This makes the page seem more dynamic, and interesting to look at. Another font used is used for the name of the band the ‘Doors’. This font is this band’s trademark font, and this has been used on the cover to attract any people who might recognise this trademark, and therefore if they like this band they will want to read Mojo.

Contents Page

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme on the first page of the contents page in Mojo is mainly black, white and red. These are very bold colours, and makes the information stand out, and also could represent the music genre that this magazine covers - bold and eccentric. These colours also go with the black and white picture.


Photos

There is one photo on the contents page, which takes up the whole page. The photo is of Edwyn Collins, the photo is a medium longshot of him, and he is looking straight into the camera. The readers of this magazine may recognise him, and want to read this article, therefore this appeals to them.

Text Picture Ratio

The photo here takes up the whole page; but the main focus of the shot - the man - takes up just under half the space of the page. This gives the page dynamics, and also portrays the importance of music artists and music in the magazine to the viewers

Writing Style

For a contents page the writing style is quite long, and not shortened to fit on the page. This portrays that this magazine is slightly more sophisticated, therefore could portray the older generation. It also goes into detail on the contents of the article, showing that the audience of this magazine generally want to read a lot about the music, and the artists.

Fonts

The fonts on this page are all very simple and bold, again showing the simpleness of the magazine, and how it doesn't need to be exciting or showy to make the audience interested in reading it. The writing in itself is quite sophisticated and mature, again representing the older generation - the older readers.

Double Page Spread

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme for Mojo’s double page spread is generally black and white, apart from the three coloured photos. The background is white and the text is black, and there is a large picture of John Lennon recording, which is in black and white. This makes the pages seem chic and professional – which may be what this audience expects, as the magazine is aimed at an older generation. They may not be interested in looking at pictures, or interested in different colours - they just want to read a simple article.

Photos

There are four pictures on these two pages of the article. The pictures are not staged photos of the artists, rather they are old photos, of John Lennon – photos taken at the time of recording. These photos will be interesting to the reader, because they are interested in John Lennon, and the process of making and recording music, rather than looking at pictures of the artist. These photos have been used because they are some of the last few photos taken of Lennon recording, and as they are part of the older generation and therefore may like the music of The Beatles, and John Lennon.

Text Picture Ratio

The photos take up almost half the space of the page, and the text takes up just over half of the page. This is to make the page more dynamic, but still having the balance of plain, and chic. The photos and the text run diagonally down the page, making both pages have something interesting on.

Writing Style

The writing style is quite mature, and intelligent. It is also very dry, and this slightly informal manner is used as if addressing the age of the audience, and using the knowledge they may have already of The Beatles and John Lennon, because of their age, and telling them more on the subject of Lennon's last recording. This writing style is something you may expect to find in a newspaper, therefore again appealing to the audience - stereotypically the age the magazine is aimed at read newspapers.

Fonts

Throughout the article, there is only one main font. The font is simple, but with an old document feel to it, much like the font ‘times new roman’. This simple and older looking font again appeals to the audience, because it is down to the point, and easy to read. Again this is also quite older looking text, therefore portraying the older generation of readers.

Existing Product Research: Kerrang! analysed

Overall look
Overall, this magazine is very loud and in your face. It has bright, bold and eye catching colours used throughout the magazine, emphasizing the loudness of the music featured, and also emphasizing the individuality and eccentric feel this music has. Generally, looking overall at the magazine, you would tell that the main music genre featured is rock, and heavy metal - based on the artists featured, and the overall loud eccentric feel it has.

Cover

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme for this cover is generally red, white, yellow and black. These bright bold colours really attract the audience to the magazine, and really represents the loudness, and the diversity of the rock genre of music. This colour scheme makes the page seem busier, as other magazines generally have black, white and one other main colour, whereas this magazine has two bold main colours; red and yellow.

Photos

There are several photos on this page; each one of them of an artist from the rock or metal genre. The main photo is of music artist Haley Williams from Paramore. This group is an iconic rock/punk group, and therefore suitable to put on the cover. Many of the target audience will recognize this artist and for this reason be attracted to buy the magazine. The other photos also make the page seem dynamic, and are too of recognisable music bands of the same genre.

Text Picture Ratio

The text and the pictures take up about half each of the cover. This again adds to the dynamic feel of the magazine; showing it to be loud and colourful. The amount of pictures also allows more recognition from the audience when they see these bands, rather than just reading text; because their eyes will be drawn to the pictures.

Writing Style

The writing style is very short and very basic. For example, the text 'their 

private photo album revealed'. This sentence from the cover is very short, simple and down to the point. The writing style is like this, so they can fit simple information on the cover, and make it short and simple enough for the audience to be able to read if they were in a shop. Another writing style is in list form; listing the bands that will be featured in the magazine - again easy a simple to read when on the shelf, and short enough to fit on the cover.

Fonts

The masthead 'Kerrang!' is in a very urban and tainted. This gives the magazine a very urban and crazy feel to it; much like the music featured in the magazine. Almost all the fonts used on the cover are tainted, and smudged. The fonts are very similar to fonts used on the covers or for the logos of bands from the rock or punk genre - so therefore this will appeal to the audience as this type of music interests them.

Contents

Colour Scheme

Like the cover, the colour scheme here is red, yellow, black and white. This continues the general theme of the magazine, and is not different to the cover, therefore showing continuity throughout the magazine. Like the cover, these colours emphasize more the loudness of the music genre featured, and also helps to make the contents of the magazine stand out.

Photos

The main photo on this page is of music artist Marilyn Manson, another artist of the rock genre of music. Again, he is an iconic musician within this genre. In the photo he is looking straight into the camera, and it wearing all black, and eyeliner. This engages the audience with this artist, and because he is wearing stereotypical 'rock' clothes, the audience will like this even more. The other photos on this page are photos of the articles you will find in the magazine - showing and attracting the audience to read the rest of the magazine. It also has pictures of posters that you can find in the magazine; posters of artists the target audience will want to have, as they like these artists.

Text Picture Ratio

Predominantly there are more pictures than there is text on this page, because the text is fairly small. The pictures on this page will draw the reader to read the text near it, therefore being able to get information to the reader. Whereas at the bottom there is a page number, and text explaining what is featured on this page, there are also photos of the actual article, and just the name of the bands underneath. This makes it more interesting for the audience because if they like the look of the page they will want to buy the magazine and read it.

Writing Style

The writing on this page is short, and down to the point - much like the cover - so they can fit on more information about the features of the magazine. For example 'If you're an unsigned band, you'll be mad about this!'. This sentence tells the audience all they need to know, without revealing too much - making them want to read on, and buy the magazine. The word 'mad' has been used as well, showing the writing style is not formal, it's casual and laid back as if talking to a friend. This appeals to the audience because it shows the 'chilled' nature of the musicians and the fact they don't take it too seriously.

Fonts

Like the cover, again the same fonts have been used; urban and tainted. This repetition is almost like a trademark for the magazine, and again portraying the rock and punk genre of the magazine. Other normal bold fonts have been used on the smaller writing to make it easy for the audience to read, and therefore see the information.

Double Page Spread

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme on this page is different to that of the cover and the contents page because it is focusing on one band, therefore can't have the Kerrang! theme. The colours are black and white, and a light blue and red. The blue colour generally matches the overall blue tone of the photos, and the red is used for separate text boxes with information. These colours are at the same time calming, but also stand out well. This almost represents Paramore's music. It also matches a lot of the pictures - the blue matching the tone, and in most of the pictures there is a hint of red that stands out.

Photos

The photos used in these pages are mostly of random snapshots of the band on tour or recording. These types of photos are suitable for the target audience because knowing and seeing what the band do on tour, and while recording mean a lot to them as well as the music - because a lot of the readers will to be musicians. The main photo on the left is a shot of Hayley Williams, the main singer and another band member. They clearly stand out from the black background, and in the photo the other member has a guitar, and Hayley is sat on the floor on her phone. In the picture there is clearly some tension, and because of this the audience will see it and want to read on to find out about the tension, or the band's falling outs.

Text Picture Ration

On the left hand side, the picture dominates the page, with a text quote at the top, and a red box in the left hand corner. This large picture give this whole article dynamics, and breaks up the mass of the text; giving the audience something to look at too. On the other side, the pictures and text are about half and half, again giving the page some excitement, but also beginning the text of the article.

Writing Style

Overall, the style is not formal, but not too informal either. It has a relaxed, humorous feel to it, for example 'Jeremy, meanwhile, is still pondering his air miles.', but however is quite serious in giving facts and information to the audience about Paramore. A lot of the article is questions asked to the band, and of them talking about their tour, and each other. A lot of the audience will appreciate the interview-like style article because they take interest in what the band has to say, and the band's experiences.

Fonts

Practically all the fonts on these two pages are the same font. The font is simple, and bold which makes the article easy to read, and portrays to the audience that the article is down to the point, purely and simply about this band Paramore. The bold fonts also stand out and clearly shows the audience which sections are the most important to read.

Existing Product Research: NME analysed

I have analysed the front cover, contents page and a double page spread in NME to help me with the planning of my music magazine. I analysed NME, because I want to create something similar to this.

Overall Look

Overall, the cover is very simple with 3 main colours, and a picture with a white background. The contents page too is simple, with black writing and a white background. The different fonts and pictures make the page more exciting but overall it is quite simple. It has been made this way to make the magazine seem quite modern and cool. The simplicity of the colours makes the magazine seem bold, and also down to the point. The whole magazine represents the music it features, which is well know bands, that are edgy and bold in their music, and overall the magazine has this look.

Front Cover

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme for the cover is red, white and black. The photo too is in black and white. This simplicity of the colour scheme and also the boldness of the red in contrast to the black and white could represent the type of music NME feature; bold, and stands out from other types of music. This will appeal to the audience, as it stands out.

Photos

The photo is of Jarvis Cocker from Pulp. It is a mid shot, with him looking down at the camera with his two fingers up to the camera. He looks stereotypically Britpop, and even the audience/buyers that don’t know who Jarvis Cocker is, could easily presume he is from a Britpop band, as he has the stereotypical 80’s haircut, casually smart jacket with the unbuttoned shirt, and quite clearly the attitude. This recognition of someone from a British 80’s band also portrays to the audience the type of music that will be featured in the magazine, and therefore attract them to the magazine, if this is the type of music they are interested about.

Text Picture Ratio

The picture is bigger than the text, as it fills up the whole cover. The text around the picture is smaller. This is the typical layout for a magazine, and magazine readers will recognise this layout. This portrays to the audience that this is just a magazine, so they should expect to find similar stereotypes and articles that feature in other magazines.

Writing Style

The writing on the cover is quite informal and personal. The caption beneath the main text reads “The Britpop reunion we’ve been waiting for.”, which involves the audience with the word ‘we’, by making them part of the magazine. The rest if the writing is short and straight to the point for example “Inside the student riots”. This is catchy, straight to the point, and can fit on the cover. The writing is also edgy, as there is the caption ‘About f*#king time’. This shows that the magazine generally is for older readers, and also shows the magazine is edgy.

Fonts

Almost all the fonts on the cover are bold, and square. The only exception is the writing ‘About f*#king time’, which is in a font that looks handwritten. The difference with this font contrasts with the rest, showing the contrast in music the magazine features, and also the edge to the band Pulp it is talking about. The rest of the fonts make the magazine itself seem very bold, and as though it stands out. This is appropriate for their audience, because generally the music it features stands out, and are quite bold and well known, like bands such as Pulp and My Chemical Romance etc, rather than artist less people will know.

Contents Page

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme of the contents page is black and white, not including the pictures. It is a simple colour scheme, and goes with the simplicity of the cover. The pictures however, are not all black and white, they are all mostly in colour. The coloured photos on this page draw the readers eye, in contrast to the writing.

Photos

The photos are what draws the readers eye to this page. The photos are of bands, or people playing music; playing a guitar or singing. This will interest the reader, as the audience of the magazine are clearly into music. The pictures are to do with the contents, so this page makes the magazine of the seem interesting, even before the reader has read past this page. 

Text Picture Ratio

Generally the text picture ratio on this page is 50/50. The photos are roughly the same size as the text caption. This makes this page interesting and gives the page some dynamics. The reader will find the large sizes of the photos interesting to look at, and the same amount of text gives the reader enough information about the contents. It a good ratio for the magazine, because it does not have too much text in that the reader will find this page boring, and it doesn’t have too much photos, and not enough text so that the reader is not able to get an idea of the contents.

Writing Style

Like the cover, the writing style on this page is simple and down to the point. Half of the writing is made up of quotes from the articles. For example, “Kanye West: douchebag, gay fish, enemy of the state”. This is followed by a caption that reads ‘and this was meant to be a rave review’. The quote that follows was quite sarcastic, and playful, so the writing style is informal. This almost banter style of writing makes the overall feel of the magazine as not too serious, and chilled out.

Fonts

There are several different fonts on this page, some are very simple, and straight, whereas others are more fancy, and less simple. As this is the contents page, it gives the reader the impression that the magazine does not feature just one type of music, or articles, but instead includes a wide variety. It also makes this page seem more interesting, as it does not just stick to one font.

Double Page Spread

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme on this double page spread is pink, green and the writing is black. The colours are generally 'calming' colours, rather than bright in your face colours. This helps to set the 'chilled out' feel of the whole spread. It also is a contrast to the front cover and the contents page; suggesting that this band is different, and contrasting with society.

Photos

There is one large photo of the whole band of Pulp, which is what the article is about, on the left hand page. This is one of the first things the reader’s eye will be drawn to, and therefore may help the reader decide to read the article. The photo is of the band, the main singer at the front and the other members in the background. Other photos on the page include 6 shots of each member of the band. They are all head shots in black and white. These photos will be interesting to the reader, as the reader is clearly into music, and therefore wants to know about this band.

Text Picture Ratio

On the first page the text picture ratio is roughly half and half. There is one large picture of the band taking up the top half of the page, and below it is text. On the second page however there is more text than pictures. The first page is to draw in the reader, and therefore has to look interesting, which is what this ratio does. However on the other page, the reader will already be reading the article and therefore does not have to look as interesting. In spite of this there are still pictures to make the layout look interesting, and to break up the text.

Writing Style

The writing style in this article is generally informal, and is the sort of language the reader will appreciate. The writer clearly gives their own opinions, the opinions in which most of the readers will agree with. The quote ‘Pulp were the perfect pop group for an era dumbed down by the rise of boorish blokeishness’ is a perfect example of this, as these are clearly not real words, but the writer will understand what the writer means, and will appreciate it for being simple and down to the point, with a little quirkiness too.

Fonts

The fonts for this double page spread are generally plain. The main font in which the article is written is just average text you would expect to see in a newspaper article, which portrays to the audience the fact that they take the music seriously, and if people genuinely want to read about the band, then they can with simplicity. The only text that isn’t as plain is the headings, which are written in a fancier font, in italics. This makes the page more interesting to look at, and as it is the larger writing in a bolder font, it will catch the reader’s eye.

Flat Plans

These were my first flat plans that I planned out on paper. They are a rough drawing of how I would lay out my pages: front cover, contents and double page spread.






















I then changed these slightly, and redid them using publisher. I have changed the layout of my contents page, and my front cover, however my double page spread is the one with the least change.

Pitch

The name of my magazine will be NBM. This is similar to that of another music magazine, NME. ‘NBM’ stands for nothing but music, and I feel this is something that could represent my target audience, as the people I’m aiming my magazine at are people who really appreciate music, and are music fanatics.

The type of music that will feature in my magazine will be predominantly indie-rock, but also older music, like Britpop and classic rock.

My target audience will be roughly aged 17-30 mainly, but I feel it will appeal to older people as well, because of the regular features of older music. My magazine will appeal to no specific gender, as the music featured is not aimed at either gender in particular.

Generally, my target audience will be really into music, and may be studying music or something to do with this subject such as music technology or events management. As well as students, the older range of my target audience may do something to do with music as a profession such as teaching guitar.

My audience are likely to play an instrument of some sort, most likely the guitar, drums, bass or a singer - these are common instruments that are used in bands, which feature in my magazine.

My target audience will be middle class as they are educated in music, and also because they can afford to pay £3.50 for a music magazine. Also, my audience will be at university, or will have gone to university.


The specific reader I have chosen will also go to music festivals, and live gigs - they may play in a band themselves. Stereotypically, the audience I have chosen to aim my product at are classed as 'indie'. This is a stereotype that means 'independent', and this represents this group of people and also the style of music they listen to. I found images that best show people classed as 'indie' and like indie-rock:

 This band The Libertines are an example of an indie-rock band, and show an example of the clothes, and the style my audience would emulate.

This picture is another example of the type of audience that would 

read my magazine.

The Style of my cover, contents and double page spread will represent the type of music that will feature in my magazine. I plan to make my pages quite simple, with white backgrounds. I plan to also use simple, but attractive fonts. Another magazine I have researched is NME, and I plan to follow this magazine's style, as I feel that my audience and NME's audience overlap.

This is the style I am aiming to get when I create my magazine:

I feel this is very simple, and chic, yet still very bold and effective. This cover really stood out to me in my research, and I hope to achieve a look like this. 

Style Sheet

I created this style sheet as part of my planning process. I looked at different fonts, colour schemes and styles of images that I myself might use for my magazine.