Additional Research Task : Further Independent Music Magazine Covers

 

Research Task Seven : Independent Music Magazine Websites

 

In summary, The Wire's front cover and website work together to create a brand identity through digital convergenence between the front cover and its website, specifically the home page. The masthead is still at the top of the page in the exact same format and typography; the only difference is the colour. This creates consistency and a brand identity because you can see how the features and design are the same in both the magazine and website. 

The format and layout of the content is similar and separated by the same divider lines that are on the contents page which further shows the prensence of a brand identity. The layout is simple and clear which makes it easier for the audience to navigate around.

Hyperlinks are commonplace on a website which takes the audience to a secondary page where the content is primarily featured and it draws the reader into the website which then promotes more content to them. This is designed for the audience to extend their time spent in the website which increases the chances of them buying a copy of the magazine or purchasing a subscription. 

Reflection Point : What Have I Learned About Magazine Contents Pages?

Through my research and analysis of magaine contents pages (music and non-music), I have seen that they are tidily organised either into sections or by page number. The masthead of the magazine is almost always at the top of the page to signify what magazine it is with its code for what edition it is and the date of publish. Typically, contents pages are only one page but some magazines like Vanity Fair challenge this convention.  

The layout is simple and designed to not confuse the reader when they are looking through the contents pages. The sections are often divided by lines across the page like borders or bold numbers or letters that signify a change of topic or content. 

There is a range of content featured on the page which is supposed to entice the audience into reading more articles in the magazine. The topics also target a large variety of readers who will most certainly have different preferences and views; this maximises the potential readers the magazine could receive which would increase their revenue. However, not all the articles in the magazine are featured in the contents page because the page would be overcrowded and it leaves some discovering for the reader to do. 

The colour palette is typically minimal with black and white and if there is a pop of coulour, it is usually from the images or masthead. For example, the images in The Wire's contents pages are multicoloured and in Vogue, the masthead is in its iconic red colour. This furhter simplifies the contents page to ensure that there is no confusion when naviagting through its content or page numbers. 

The typography is consistent through the contents page and aligns with the font and colour of the rest of the magazine to have a fluid and compatible feel. It can be argued that the typography reflects the magazine's views on itself: Vogue is an iconic and traditional magazine so it uses serif font which reflects that view whereas The Wire considers itself to be modern and ground breaking so they utilise sans-serif font. 

Research Task Six : Wider Research Into Magazine Contents Pages

 

 

Research Task Five : The Wire Music Magazine Contents Pages

 

Reflection Point: What Have I Learned About Independent Music Magazine Front Covers?

From my premlinary research on independent music magazines, specifically RnR and The Wire, I have learnt that each magazine has a house style across all of their editions. The only time the style changes is if they upgrade the designs of the front covers permenantly like The Wire did at the beginning of 2023. 

In general music magazine's front cover conventions are consistent and they are repeated in each new edition. This creates a sense of familiartity with the audience which makes them more comfortable with the brand. The stability of the magazines appeals to the audience and increases the chance of a reader buying another future copy if they like the contents of the magazine; this would lead to the magazine receiving a more steady stream of revenue in a magazine print crisis which they need to keep publishing. 

Each masthead on the front covers is the same design and size but The Wire often changes its colour to fit the colour palette of each edition whereas RnR's masthead is consistently identical. The positioning of the masthead on the front cover is the same as well; it's always across the top of the page where it is most visible to audiences. Furthermore, the typography matches all through the editions because it is always sans-serif font which implies to the reader that the music is modern and new, just like the readers are wanting.

The main images used on the front covers are always of one or multiple people who are artists featuring in the magazine; this follows the magazine's ideology of promoting new artists and giving the reader easy access to underground, non-mainstream music. 

The Wire and RnR both use contrasts of colour frequently used on their front covers to make them vibrant and appealing to the audience. It also serves to attract potential buyers from long distances away and, when surrounded by many other magazines on a news stand, makes them stand out to passers-by. It also draws the audience's attention to specific page furniture, for example, the puffs on RnR promote the free CD that is attached which appeals to readers more because, compared to other competitors, they are getting more for their money. Overall, music magazines uses colour tactically to make the best parts of the magazine, which are designed to attract and appeal to readers, stand out.

Research Task 4 : How Does 'RnR' Magazine's Front Cover Appeal To Audiences?

 

This reseach task has taught me that RnR uses contrasts of colour frequently on their front covers to make them vibrant and appealing to the audience. It also serves to attract potential buyers from long distances away and, when surrounded by many other magazines on a news stand, makes them stand out to passers-by. 

The contrast of colours are also utilised by RnR to draw the audience's attention to specific page furniture, for example, the puffs promote the free CD that is attached which appeals to readers more because, compared to RnR's competitors, they are getting more for their money. RnR uses colour tactically to make the best parts of the magazine, which are designed to attract and appeal to readers, stand out.