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Billboard Magazine Cover Analysis… The masthead is focused in the top row of the thirds. The house style of the masthead is consistent throughout all issues of Billboard. Additionally, the name of the magazine which is ‘billboard’ could connote importance of the information included within the magazine being as billboards are usually used to feed people with news and recent information. The house style used for the masthead is rather bland and simple, however, it works because it emphasises everything else on the cover as well as standing out and being clear. Furthermore, the colour used is white which emphasises that it’s new and fresh, although, it uses extra colours such as blue and green in the gaps of the lowercase letters, which are quite refreshing colours so therefore will reinforce the freshness and that it’s the newest music trends as well as giving the masthead of the magazine it’s own personal uniqueness. Also this allows the magazines masthead to be flexible from issue to issue. Furthermore, this allows the magazine to be easily recognised without any confusion. The main image is the most obvious convention which appeals to the readers because it’s the largest element on the front cover. In the image the artist ‘Carrie Underwood’ is using eye contact and looking directly towards to readers which is inviting them in. The image sets the tone to be focused on the serious side of music and it’s an extremely professional photo and she seems to be wearing extremely fashionable black clothing which emphasises that it’s modern and original as well as showing us her personal grace and elegance. The background is a rather dim colour yet effective being as it’s two-toned which will also emphasise and make the artist stand out more.

Billboard Magazine Analysis

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Billboard Magazine Cover Analysis…

• The masthead is focused in the top row of the thirds. The house style of the masthead is consistent throughout all issues of Billboard. Additionally, the name of the magazine which is ‘billboard’ could connote importance of the information included within the magazine being as billboards are usually used to feed people with news and recent information. The house style used for the masthead is rather bland and simple, however, it works because it emphasises everything else on the cover as well as standing out and being clear. Furthermore, the colour used is white which emphasises that it’s new and fresh, although, it uses extra colours such as blue and green in the gaps of the lowercase letters, which are quite refreshing colours so therefore will reinforce the freshness and that it’s the newest music trends as well as giving the masthead of the magazine it’s own personal uniqueness. Also this allows the magazines masthead to be flexible from issue to issue. Furthermore, this allows the magazine to be easily recognised without any confusion.

• The main image is the most obvious convention which appeals to the readers because it’s the largest element on the front cover. In the image the artist ‘Carrie Underwood’ is using eye contact and looking directly towards to readers which is inviting them in. The image sets the tone to be focused on the serious side of music and it’s an extremely professional photo and she seems to be wearing extremely fashionable black clothing which emphasises that it’s modern and original as well as showing us her personal grace and elegance. The background is a rather dim colour yet effective being as it’s two-toned which will also emphasise and make the artist stand out more.

Billboard Magazine Cover Analysis Continued…

• The coverlines on a magazine cover are a key point because it’s one of the few main elements in which attract the consumer most. All the coverlines follow the colour scheme apart from one visual rule break of the colour yellow which seems to be added occasionally. The main coverline is easily visible, ‘Carrie Underwood’ is in a different style font yet in white which is the same as the masthead, this colour is used as part of the colour scheme, although, it could be used to tell us about her personality and it connotes the idea of peace, calmness and possibly the recentness of her music. In addition, the other main coverlines seem to be in the colour red which is rather bright and appealing and connotes the idea of lust, sexiness and passion. The main coverlines are situated within the column of the left rule of thirds and followed by the others on the cover which are visible in a letter ‘C’ which makes it easier for the consumer to read them.

Billboard Contents Page Analysis…

• The layout of the contents page is typically using the rule of thirds which makes it neat, a clear understanding and more professional looking. The colour scheme matches the colours used within the spaces of the lowercase letters in the masthead, furthermore, the white has connotations of being new and fresh emphasising the recentness of the music. The left rule of thirds column consists of the latest music of the charts which reoccur in every issue of the magazine which gives it the edge and special uniqueness to the magazine itself compared to other music magazines. In addition, in this area of the page the magazine logo is also placed on the page which gives the page a personal effect. The three smaller sized images based in the top row of the rule of thirds are subsidiary images which give the reader an incite about what to expect in the issue. These images are accompanied by pages number that are clear and stand out, in order for the consumer to be informed on which page these particular artists are situated on. The title of the contents page is used in order to tell the reader what page they’re currently on as well as it making the page look more organised and official. The main image usually compliments the cover of the magazine, but remains quite a neutral tone and doesn’t completely fill the page which will intrigue readers to continue reading. Subheadings consist throughout the middle section of the page emphasising it’s the centre piece and main focus, informing readers what is featured in the magazine as well as having summarised information to accompany the main image and headings which are used to give the consumer more incite about the included features.

Page number.Column of the latest music in the charts.

Subsidiary Images.

Billboard Double Page Spread Analysis…

A key convention of this double page spread would be the main image which the right page consists of. The image is a medium close up shot which is modern, fresh and fashionable emphasising the recentness of the her music or maybe a new single. In addition, the effect of Alexandre Burke’s hair looks windswept which shows connotations of freedom, as well as having direct eye contact with the reader so inviting them in which could reinforce the idea of female power and dominance which would appeal to the readers being as they may look up to her as an icon. The background of the image is white which shows contrast between it and the foreground image making it more effect and stand out more to the consumer.

The left page of the spread consists of the text and a subsidiary image of the artist in which the article is about. Furthermore, the layout of it is set out in the rule of thirds which shows us the professionalism used.

The text is well organised and placed into three columns which makes it easier for the reader to read the information. There is a pull quote used on this page and it is used in the colour pink and the particular text has

been enlarged also to make it more noticeable, additionally, this could emphasise the importance of this particular quote and set the tone for the entire article or the chosen artist.

Background & Research of Billboard magazine…

• Billboard magazine’s first issue was published in the year 1894 and it tends to cover all genres of music, but mainly consists of artists and albums revolving around the charts which track the most popular albums and songs on a weekly basis. Although, it generally bases its genre on either hip hop or R&B. It is known to be the worlds most influential music media brand which is owned by the American entertainment publishing company ‘Prometheus Global Media’. The current editorial director of this music magazine is Bill Werde who works alongside the publisher Tommy Page. When Billboard was first published it was sold in the US, however, it is now also sold in the UK. In the year 2008, Billboard achieved a circulation of 18,385. In addition, Billboard magazine was proudly awarded with the 2010 National Magazine Award For Digital Media, due to the fact it has gained a tremendous digital growth year over year. An incredible fact would be that it attracts more than 4 million readers each month in more than a 100 countries.

HOUSE STYLE…

The housestyle used within Billboard varies each issue, but in one particular issue it chooses to consist of the colours chosen on the cover, throughout the rest of the issue. The masthead throughout every issue which is published, continues to use the set colours in the example to the left which increases the chance of making Billboard magazine more popular, well known and without difficulty recognisable. The colour white which is used in the masthead consistently, as well as on other pages and other text which connotes the freshness of the music which is included in the magazine, as well as it being quite vibrant and eye catching over other magazine competitors, to the consumer.