Magazine deconstruction #2

Contents Pages

 This contents page is from NME, I really like the layout of it and how simple it is, as it makes it easy to navigate and follow. I like the idea of having the images of the artists featured with quotes underneath and clear page numbers, I would like to follow a layout similar to this on in my own magazine. The black lines are simple yet manage to organize everything much more clearly, which I think is a good idea. I also like how the date is written in small numbers under the bold heading. Quotes are used beside feature images to give the audience an insight into the article they are about to read, and they are often very vague quotes, taken out of context to deliberately cause the audience to have very little understanding until they read the article. This is a persuasive technique, used to encourage the sale of the magazine to the audience.

This contents page is also from NME, I like the different colors used on the right hand side, however I think the subscription box is too big. I would like to use a subscription offer in my own magazine, however I'd make it smaller so I wouldn't take too much faces from the features. 

I like that the masthead is in the top right corner and would like to incorporate this in my magazine too, as it's not noticeable enough to distract attention but is still enough to stand out.

This contents page is from Q, I love the positioning of the page title and the date, and I think the black lines add a sense of direction and organization. I think something like this would work well in my own magazine, as it is simple enough to guide readers without looking crowded or putting them off. I also like that the feature models image is positioned to the left instead of being central as it leaves enough room for the page numbers and information on the articles.

Double Page Spreads

I love the orange and black color scheme here and the way the pictures have been made black and white. I would love to use a color scheme like this in my own magazine as I think it connotes a dark theme such as halloween, so for bands focused more around punk I think it would work well. I also love the way the article title and subheading contrast each other with the colors. 

I like that in this article, the model is facing the camera directly which draws in the attention of the reader and I would position my model similarly in my on magazine. He comes across quite intimidating, however, which is something I would try to avoid. I like the use of the drop quote being a letter, however, and may incorporate this somewhere, as well as the use of the pull quote.

I love the use of the pull quote here as it seems to create a square shape within the main body, which I think looks really effective and would like to use myself. The colors of the text directly reflects that of the photo of the model which makes the article in general flow better despite there being no overlap in the pages. I also like that the top section of the left page is left blank as it creates a sense of simplicity and gives an impression there is little text, which is likely to draw in younger viewers.

Front Covers

I love the squared layout of this front cover, however if I were to use this in my own magazine I would try to ensure a more similar lighting was behind each model so the pictures blended together better. I would also have the models stare directly at the camera like the two on the right, instead of having one look another way. I do, however, like the idea of having the model look at the sell lines as the viewers are likely to follow his gaze so they may catch their eye more. The tagline of the magazine is "new musical express", which has a formal tone to it, being written in a fixed, professional font. This further supports the idea that the magazine has an older target audience. There is a plug on the cover, saying "22 Page Special" which is likely to catch the audiences eye, persuading them that this issue is somewhat special or unlike others, so if they were to buy any of their magazines - it should be this one. "The Vaccines" is written across the centre of the page, in bold white text with a slight black drop shadow. It fits perfectly in the centre of the main image, which creates some order and adds to the formality of the page.

I like the way the models in this front cover are facing each other and it is likely to draw in an audience as people are drawn in by conflict. In my magazine I would try to avoid this as I think it would work better to have the model make eye contact with the reader so they feel more involved. I like that the barcode, date and price as listed in the bottom right corner and would like to imitate something like this in my own front cover. The price being bold makes it easier to find and I like that it stands out over the issue number, which is less important. In my magazine I would try to make sure the model didn't cover too much of the slogan as in this example it has become impossible to read.

I like that the magazine changed the color of the masthead to fit the color scheme of the week which is something I would like to do myself,  as the font is kept consistent however the changing of the color keeps a fresh and unique look. The sell-lines are quite short and one of them includes a question, which is likely allow readers to feel a sense of inclusion and I think it would work better than simple declarative sentences so I think it would be effective to include questions in my sell-lines, too.