Showing posts with label group work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label group work. Show all posts
Friday, 27 November 2015
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Research #1—Q Magazine Cover
Research began with the analysis of the cover of a music magazine. The magazine which was chosen was a 2008 issue of Q magazine, which is a magazine which focuses on indie music. The purpose of analysing magazine covers was to pinpoint their conventions and to identify techniques which could potentially be implemented in my own music magazine.
Still Graphics
The Q magazine logo is displayed prominently in the top left corner, as this is the place where most people first look when reading a magazine. The logo itself is simple: a white capitalised Q on a red background. Because it is so simple, it is easily recognisable.
The two featured artists, Mark Ronson and Ricky Wilson, take up most of the cover. The shot is a medium shot, which is used to show the two men's body language and clothing. Studying their proxemics reveals that the two are close to each other, which could hint at the intimacy of their interview in the magazine. They also have direct eye contact with the camera.
In the top right corner, there is a small banner of The Ting Tings, another group which is featured in the magazine.
Written Language
The colour scheme used for the typography is a metallic gold and white. The gold indicates sophistication and rarity, while the white is used for contrast against the white background.
Several different font weights are used on the cover: the heaviest for the word "DUETS", the medium weight for the names of the other artists featured in the issue on the right hand side ("MADNESS", "THE ZUTONS"), and the lightest for the subtitles. Font weight is generally used to draw the audience's attention to certain aspects of the cover.
Superimposed on the Q logo is a sticker-like graphic, proclaiming that the issue is a "196-page bumper issue" in a heavy font weight. This is a promotional move which encourages the customer to buy the magazine, as it has more content than usual.
Layout
The cover has a subtle three-column layout, which may not be immediately noticeable, as some of the text on the cover spans two of the columns. The main text spans the left two columns, and information such as the secondary articles take up the right third.
What can I use from this?
When I create my own magazine cover, I will ensure that my model has direct eye contact with the camera in order to create an intimate mood. I will also use the rule of thirds for the layout, with the magazine's logo in the top left and the masthead occupying the rest of the top third.
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| The August 2008 issue of Q Magazine (http://i28.tinypic.com/314v90g.jpg) |
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| Becky and myself analysing the cover |
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| The TAPE analysis |
Codes and Conventions
Still Graphics
The Q magazine logo is displayed prominently in the top left corner, as this is the place where most people first look when reading a magazine. The logo itself is simple: a white capitalised Q on a red background. Because it is so simple, it is easily recognisable.
The two featured artists, Mark Ronson and Ricky Wilson, take up most of the cover. The shot is a medium shot, which is used to show the two men's body language and clothing. Studying their proxemics reveals that the two are close to each other, which could hint at the intimacy of their interview in the magazine. They also have direct eye contact with the camera.
In the top right corner, there is a small banner of The Ting Tings, another group which is featured in the magazine.
Written Language
The colour scheme used for the typography is a metallic gold and white. The gold indicates sophistication and rarity, while the white is used for contrast against the white background.
Several different font weights are used on the cover: the heaviest for the word "DUETS", the medium weight for the names of the other artists featured in the issue on the right hand side ("MADNESS", "THE ZUTONS"), and the lightest for the subtitles. Font weight is generally used to draw the audience's attention to certain aspects of the cover.
Superimposed on the Q logo is a sticker-like graphic, proclaiming that the issue is a "196-page bumper issue" in a heavy font weight. This is a promotional move which encourages the customer to buy the magazine, as it has more content than usual.
Layout
The cover has a subtle three-column layout, which may not be immediately noticeable, as some of the text on the cover spans two of the columns. The main text spans the left two columns, and information such as the secondary articles take up the right third.
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| The rule of thirds, as demonstrated by this cover |
What can I use from this?
When I create my own magazine cover, I will ensure that my model has direct eye contact with the camera in order to create an intimate mood. I will also use the rule of thirds for the layout, with the magazine's logo in the top left and the masthead occupying the rest of the top third.
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