Components of a magazine!
- 1. Components of a magazine! IN ORDER TO INVLUDE ALL THE COMPONENTS OF A MUSIC MAGAZINE IN MY FINAL PIECE OF COURSEWORK I NEED TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY ALL THE CRUCIAL COMPONENTS NEEDED IN EVERY MAGAZINE.
- 2. Title: The lead/cover story is included in a magazine to illustrate the main story line being presented within the magazine. The story lines are specifically chosen for the particular target audience based on research, of what that specific target audience would enjoy reading, This means this has to make a bold appearance in order to attract the desired target audience which will ultimately result in more sales. The main cover story and masthead is highlighted “fashion” its typography is presented in Bold capital letters, in a bright pink colour. This attracts the audiences attention and draws the reader in. Its supported by the “Main Image” in the centre, of a female dressed in “fashionable clothing”. She is wearing make-up and has her hair down making her look feminine. She is also wearing lots of accessories which also link in with the main title of “fashion”. Her age is around 16-17 I would say, by looking at her picture. This gives us an indication of the “target audience” as people who want to “aspire” to look/dress like her would most likely be someone of a similar age. So therefore they choose this model for the main image as she will attract the target audience wanted.
- 3. Pull quotes! Pull quotes are sometimes referred to as the enlarged quotes of sub-headings present on a magazine. It could be interesting bits of information said by a celebrity or someone important the target audience would be inspired by, or simply saying something that will engage the target audience. These are usually on the front cover of the magazine to entice the target audience, and are in bold but not as big as the main title or Masthead. The target audience of this magazine is obviously of an older age, due to content. This means that the Pull quotes on the front cover not only give an idea of the genre and therefore is appropriate for the right age group, but also entices the type of target audience. By using the pull quote “sex and love” people of a certain age, and lifestyle will be attracted to this magazine, and immediately infer the content of it. This means the preferred target audience will end up buying the magazine.
- 4. MASTHEAD. The Masthead of a magazine will always appear on the front cover of the magazine. It is the magazine’s name and trademark. This is why its usually presented in a unique typography. It only usually consists of one or two words and fills the top of the front cover (although it is possible it may only be in the top ;left corner. Its very important in sales, as its positioning and attraction will make it either popular or not so popular in the competitive market. As you can see all these mastheads are iconic and bold. All of them use block capital letters which are clear, string and eye-catching to make them stand out on a shelf, and engage the target audience. The colours are also strong and bold, and not that all the colours are bright giving an idea of the genre to attract a specific target audience and to just look interesting and exciting when placed with other competitive magazine brands of a supermarket shelf.
- 5. PUFFS! Puffs are used to offer something else to the magazine for example a free give away inside. This entices the audience to buy the magazine as they are gaining some thing in addition to the magazine. The “free gift” or other puff, is designed to appeal to the magazines target audience to entice them further to buy the magazine. Its usually in a shape or colour to emphasise the words within and back the freebee stand out, so all consumers can see it and be persuaded to buy the magazine. These bold colours attract the audience and make the word free stand out, as its in bold. This will therefore attract the target audience and will persuade some to buy the magazine because of the free gift enclosed in the magazine.
- 6. BUZZ WORDS: These are usually on the front cover near sub-headings, They are in bold or in bright shapes/colours to attract the consumers eye. The use words to attract the readers attention and promote sales such as : Exclusive Free Plus
- 7. Barcode! This will be positioned at the bottom right, or top right side of the magazine. Sometimes its accompanied by the date/month, edition, price, issue number and website. It’s a crucial thing to be included on all magazine covers.
- 8. MAIN COVER LINE: This is the largest text on the front cover, after the title. Its very important as it anchors the meaning of the image-which intern will attract a specific target audience. Some cover lines may give more information about the article, while others may be one or two words, with sub lines underneath explaining them. There are around 5 or 6 cover lines, running down the side of the magazine,. These frame the main image on the front cover-so that the main image is till the focus and the cover lines don’t cover or distract attention from the image. All cover lines usually use the same typography and font. You can seethe cover lines running down the side here.
- 9. Colour schemes: Colour schemes are important, you may find that most magazines will establish their own colour scheme, which compliments the typography and genre of the magazine. This will keep the magazine focused and appeal to the target audience making them buy it. It will also add a distinctive design to the magazine and make it stand out from others. As you can see this magazine has chosen a pink colour scheme. This colour scheme stays constant throughout the entire front cover. It also compliments the simple, neat writing and the heading fashion-as it’s a feminine colour and one would presume the target audience for a fashion magazine would be female. This magazine uses harsher colours of red and black and more masculine writing which compliments the main image and the presumed target audience of males, who stereotypically would be more interested/attracted to this typography and colour scheme.
- 10. MASTHEAD. Main, mid-shot image. Issue number, priced and barcode. Cover lines!