Question 1 =]

In what ways does your music magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of existing music magazines?

In order to use and develop forms and conventions of existing music magazines, I analysed many different music magazines from different genres of music to see how they used them, in order to apply these conventions to my own magazine. I closely studied how the use of different fonts, colours, images and layouts, effect the impression of the magazine left on the buyer. Therefore I based these features on the target audience I wish to attract. As I wish to attract 16-18 year olds who are interested in Hip-Hop/R’n’B music and styles, I decided to make my whole front cover have a certain colour scheme which I, in time, carried on throughout the contents page and double page spread. Magazines such as 'Vibe' (click 'Vibe' to view cover) use this technique of a colour scheme. As this is also an R’n’B/Hip-Hop magazine I felt I should use this technique to make my magazine more professional and real. Usually R’n’B/Hip-Hop magazines tend to stay away from colours such as pink, and light purple so by using these colours as my main colour scheme I have challenged the usual convention of this genre of music magazine.

I closely analysed two different music magazine covers, with different target audiences, different genres of music and different techniques. The first I analysed was a 'Smash Hits' magazine (click 'Smash Hits' to view cover). This sort of magazine is usually targeted at 11-14 year olds. This magazine would appeal to their target audience as it has used conventions that attract that certain age group. The masthead is in big, bright, BLOCK capitals which makes it simple and easier to read. The bright colours make it more child-like and appealing to the younger audience. The general arrangement of subheadings and pictures make it look less neat and more fun and bubbly. The overall magazine cover would appeal to 11-14 year olds as the conventions used are ones used to attract a younger audience.

Analysing my second music magazine cover I found it contrasted to the first very much. The second magazine cover I analysed was 'Vibe' (click 'Vibe' to view cover). I found this to be a lot more neat and arranged. Everything, including the only picture, the subheadings and the masthead is neatly placed where it is supposed to be. This uses a particular colour scheme of Red, Black and Grey. It is a lot more sophisticated and it is clearly aimed at an older audience. The general cover is a lot more harsh and is not as bubbly and lively as the ‘Smash Hits’ cover I analysed previously.

The main images in both magazine covers are very different. ‘Smash Hits’ using a close up of an attractive young male, and ‘Vibe’ using a mid-shot of Eminem. These shots add to the overall image of the magazine itself.

To conclude, by analysing these two music magazine covers I was inspired to use certain colours, fonts and pictures. This helped me to use, as well as challenge the forms and conventions, existing music magazines use.