MAGAZINE ANALYSIS

The main image - a mid shot of Alex Turner - dominates the page showing that he is the main focus of this edition. He is dressed in clothes that tie in with that colour scheme which makes it visually appealing, however he isn't the only focus. The record he is holding relates to the story that is featured.

The right third mainly consists of smaller cover lines that are less important but still have a strong contribution to the magazine. These cover lines show that the magazine has diversity and doesn't stick to one genre. Although the main genre it covers is alternative/rock and indie, there are also artists such as Skrillex who contrast from the usual types of acts that appear.

The colour scheme used is very simple as it isn't too bright and there aren't many colours used, however, the vibrant red could suggest that the magazine is daring, fun and interesting. Paired with the light blue, it also suggests that it isn't too serious or hard to read.

The top right corner displays a plug which includes an 'ultimate guide'. The use of the word ultimate makes the reader feel as though they're getting the best possible quality from this magazine which would persuade them to purchase it

The left third of the magazine is the most important as we are programmed to read from left to right; this means that this is the first thing that the audience will notice so it's packed with things to intrigue readers. On this cover, there are cover lines which include the names of popular artists who all contribute to the same genre of indie and rock that the magazine represents. Readers who are fans of these particular artists are immediately aware that they are featured.

The magazine's masthead and logo is always usually placed in the top left corner which creates continuity and an identity for the brand. The iconic short, bold and bright red lettering is distinctive, letting regular readers identify it easily. It is also an eye-catching colour scheme which is a feature that attracts new readers as it is visually interesting.

The exclusive interview with Drake featured on the top strip is a puff. This is used to grab readers' attention and persuades them to purchase as they think that this is something which is unique to this magazine.

The name of the band featured in the splash article is written in the same font as the masthead which implies that its is just as important and signifies that it is the main story; the text for the cover line for this is the largest text on the page and it reaches all the way across, making it prominent. The phrase 'The record that changed my life' relates to the image as Alex Turner is shown holding a record.

Claiming that this 'life changing' record is going to be revealed will intrigue readers and the question used - 'what's yours?' - includes the reader and makes it feel more personal to them. As well as this, the fact that he is holding a record makes it instantly clear that this a music magazine.

The advertisement for subscription to the magazine has been designed to stand out from the rest of the page by using a black background to make the bright yellow text more visible and noticeable compared to the rest of the text which is black and plain. They have done this to draw more attention to this part of the page as this is the most important thing they want to promote to gain more regular readers because their ultimate goal is to make as much money as possible.

The magazine has been split into sections by using sub headings so the reader can find what they're looking for easily and clearly. They have also included arrows which reveal where the stories are that are featured on the cover, making the stories they noticed easily accessible.

NME's logo is consistent throughout, and here, it has been placed on a black background to create contrast so it stands out. This is good for keeping brand identity so readers can recognise it easily.

There is only one main image displayed which shows its importance and will relate to the main story on the cover. It displays Turner performing with a guitar which helps to relate to the theme of music. It also relates to the indie genre with the way it is staged with the live scene, guitar and lightiing. As this is really the only image on the page it shows that this is the main focus. Another indication that this is the main focus is the band's name - this is written in large, bold font which draws attention to it. There is also some information about the article underneath which can interest people. This short snippet about the article ends with a question which is effective as it can lead the reader to want to continue reading.

The layout of this contents page is very organised making it easy for readers to locate what they want very easily. The page is not too crowded and is quite simplistic which also makes it clear, however, it still looks professional.

The contrasting colours used for the text makes it more distinctive and easy to read and the blue text highlights the important parts and can also be helpful for readers who skim reading as this allows them to still gain the most interesting information. The text is quite small and there is a lot to read as the target audience for NME are generally of an older age which means they would be interested in reading articles, not just photos.

The blue that is scattered across the page may have connotations of male interest which could suggest that the article is aimed at a male audience. Although it may have just been used to make the pages more visually appealing.

The title of the article has been put in the darkest colour on the page meaning that the reader's attention is drawn to it and they immediately know what the article is about.

The use of guitars is important as it indicates the indie genre and it is a clear part of their identity. The cover line claims that The Vaccines are the 'biggest guitar band of 2011' - this can also link to the use of guitars in the image.

The old style and 'sepia' kind of effect used on the photograph shows that they're trying to make it look vintage which appeals to the type of person who would like this alternative/indie genre as they are generally into the vintage and retro style. The limited colour palette represents simplicity, portraying their image as something which their audiences can relate and aspire to. The general mid long shot is interrupted by the positioning of Justin Young who is out in front of the other band members as he is more recognisable due to him being the lead and frontman. However, the band still have body language which shows they are close, setting the tne for the article. They are all also looking forward into the camera which makes the reader feel a connection.

The image covers the whole of the left page, as well as the left third of the right page; covering the majority of the double page spread shows that their image is largely important to them.

The style of this double page spread looks like an old m=newspaper which shows how the magazine is trying to include old conventions but out a new twist on it; this is done by the occasional use of bright blue shapes across the page. This links in with the blue writing displayed on the right side of the page that gives the article a young, modern elemen. This makes it appealing to both younger and older audeinces.

The main focus of the cover is the name of the duo 'Daft Punk' - this clearly shows that the issue is based around them and using the futuristic style font links it to the kind of genre that the magazine is based around . As well as this, it links it to the film 'Tron Legacy' and their contribution to the soundtrack as that is the font that is used for the advertisements of the film so fans of the film would also be interested. The film is likely to be something that a Mixmag reader would be interested in, as they are typically very social, have a high disposable income and are interested in buying the latest things such as video games and tech (things that are largely involved in this film).

The background of the cover is dark and misty, which looks quite mysterious, intriguing the reader. This cover is not conventional of Mixmag; based around club and dance music, the cover is usually bright with vibrant colours, however, this cover is predominantly dark which would also intrigue regualar readers because it would seem individual and unique.

The top corner of the left third is quite important as this is typically the first thing we see as we read from left to right, top to bottom. Placing this puff here will attract the readers because straight away they see that they are getting something free which makes them feel as though it's good value for money.

This 'special edition' of the magazine is unique as there is only one main image on the cover. It features the members of Daft Punk and they are easily recognisable by what they're wearing. The iconic look from the costumes they're wearing is distinctive due to the success that they had with the song 'Get Lucky' - the video from this song features them wearing this and it was extremely popular, gaining many awards so the audience can link this with the magazine. This may attract readers because because if they are interested in this particular act, or know of their success, it may persuade them to buy it.

The masthead of this magazine is always paced across the top in large lettering which reaches across the page. The white colour is used to contrast with the dark background so it stands out.

The tagline is also always featured along with the masthead at the top of the page which creates the brand identity and lets readers see what the aim of the magazine is.

The puff used is in a bright blue which contrasts from the dark background making it noticeable. It features a plug for what's inside; typical readers of Mixmag would be interested in this as they like the partying scene so this would be useful to them.

The outfit that the woman is wearing continues the futuristic theme of the magazine, The revealing clothing also suits the clubbing and partying scene which relates to the theme of the magazine and the music its based on. The background of the image also represents this as it is busy and colourful. The page number that this story is displayed on is in large bold lettering in the bottom left of the image; this allows the reader to find the article easily if they are interested by the photograph.

The bottom strip includes information about the free CD. This may be one of the main reasons why people buy the magazine so it is important that the information abut it can be found easily. There are track names and numbers as well as information about the musci and the band which can be essential if buyers like the music and want to get into it.

In the bottom right corner there is a web address which is included to let people know that the magazine has a wide range of platforms and can be accessed in multiple ways. This is useful because although it is very small, the world is now a very tech based place, meaning that websites would be popular.

The title for the contents page does not follow the font of the title for the cover which is not conventional, however, this can make it feel modern, comtemporary, creative and different, compared to other magazines which usually keep the same fonts throughout.

The left third of the page is filled with page numbers and stories from them; this allows readers to locate particular things that they’re interested in. The header of this list claims that it is 'VIP' making the reader feel that the stories included in this section are very important, high class and worth reading. This also suggests that the stories in this magazine are of the best quality as the VIP reference relates to the partying scene where the VIP area is the place where the people of high status and celebrities are.

The black and white colour scheme makes a monochrome look which is very on trend and modern. The black suggests power and mystery, while the white could suggest coolness or simplicity, giving it a very professional, balanced look.

The double page spread instantly fits the type of magazine that Mixmag is. The image that covers the left page (which is conventional for Mixmag covers) represents the type of music that it writes about; the sunny scene at a DJ's station immediately tells us that this article is about some form of dance music. The duo's equipment dominates the photo which shows the importance of technology which is a value of the magazine and also it shows that they are modern and young. The pair appear to be fun loving and having a great time, influencing the reader to have this opinion about their music. The shot shows them at a slight low angle, showing that they are powerful and successful.

The overall appearance of this double page spread is very simple and professional, although the sunglasses in the main image and cool blue background gives the article a summery vibe which relates to the season when the party atmosphere heightens, relating to the music featured.

There are also three smaller images which are in black and white on the page. These have been placed here to show different angles of their set; these images show crowds of people, portraying how popular they are and also this can give readers a different perspective. The black and white colour is used to contrast them with the larger image so they don;'t get lost, or go un-noticed.

The title of this article uses the word 'brothers' to emphasise how close they are and also to keep their identity as their name as a duo is The Martinez Brothers. The use of colloquial language - 'gonna' - shows that the magazine is trying to engage with a younger target audience so they are using specific things to interest them instead of being a typical, standard magazine.

The writing for the article is quite small and is all black; this shows that the magazine is very confident with its style as it doesn’t feel it must go over the top with bright colours to make people interested; the content is enough. This is a magazine which is generally aimed more at people of a higher class so the content of this article about holidays, gigs and festivals will appeal to them.

Kerrang! make very good use of every third on their front cover, making it very busy with a lot of things filling the page. The main focus is a topless photo of Chester Bennington which reveals his tattoos; this links in with the genre of the magazine as rock and metal music are associated with the masculine look with tattoos. His stance and facial expression also portray the territory that comes with this type of music as he looks like he's shouting; the type of music this magazine is based around is generally quite loud and aggressive, so this fits in.

The bottom right corner continues this theme of the aggressive nature of the music as it looks as though the page has been torn which reveals a plug for what's inside the magazine.

The splash feature for this magazine is central to the front cover. The name of the band is written in large, bright yellow lettering which stands out from the rest of the page. Although people would usually perceive the type of music in Kerrang! as loud and aggressive, using emotive language such as 'emotional' shows that this edition of the magazine is revealing a different side to the music and its creators. The reader is instantly aware that the splash feature is about Linkin Park, meaning that fans will be interested. Also, by including that the reader will experience 'the 'naked' truth' they feel as though they will be getting a very raw and real version of Bennington's opinions etc because the word naked suggests that he will be metaphorically baring all and possibly being quite vulnerable, which also gives the reader a different perception that could be very interesting.

The top strip of the magazine advertises that there are posters included in the magazine. This is a way to interest the younger target audience as it is a typical teenage habit to cover your wall in photos of your favourite artists. Using words such as 'mega' and 'ultimate' make the reader feel as though they are getting the best quality for their money and also getting something that they wouldn’t be able to obtain elsewhere.

The top strip also mentions Download festival. This is an extremely popular event for anyone who is interested in the genre of music included in Kerrang! Suggesting that the posters are a souvenier can attract people who attended the festival to gain memorabilia or alternatively, it could attract people who perhaps wanted to go but couldn't; this could provide them with infomation and photos to make them feel as though they had the experience.

The cover lines which feature other bands and artists are there to show that the magazine has diversity and there is a lot of variety in what's inside the magazine. The images for these cover lines contribute to the look of the magaizne, making it versatile, elaborate, detailed and interesting.

The magazine's features have been split into sub-headings which allows the reader to navigate around easily and ensures that they don't get bored and find it tedious to flick through the whole magazine to find what they want; they can locate the stories they're interested in quickly. Most of the features have a little extra information about them instead of just a cover line to give the reader an insight into the story.

Similar to NME, the Kerrang contents page also has an advertisement for a subscription to their magazine. Ultimately, the magazine wants as much profit as possible and wants to gain a reliable, loyal client base and they realise by getting people to subscribe they can build this up, however the advertisement here is not as large as the one in NME as it is less important. Kerrang have a younger target audience which means they will probably have less income to spend every month.

More pictures are used within this contents page to make it visually interesting and more appealing to younger readers who may be put off by a large amount of writing. The pictures of the Vans shoes will also be appealing as this is a brand which readers of Kerrang would typically be into as the type of music is displays goes with the skating culture. The puff 'win' makes it clear there is a chance to gain something for free, drawing their attention immediately.

The largest and most noticeable text on the page is bright red and bold to make it stand out from the rest of the page. This makes it easy for any readers who may not know them to identify them easily and fans of the band will be interested. The promotion of their merchandise for the magazine is great as they are a highly successful and popular band so readers can link their success with the magazine and will presume it is of high quality.

The contents page uses a simple black, white and red colour scheme with hints of yellow to make it interesting. This is used to make it look professional and not too busy, yet still young and vibrant.

The top strip displays a bright yellow colour to immediately draw attention and the reader clearly can see that this is where they can locate the information that they want. The font used for the title fits with the magazine logo to create solid identity and house brand.

The style of this double page spread matches the story that it displays; the interview with Corey Taylor looks like it is written on a notebook, relating to a school environment to make it fit in with the title that claims he wanted to become a teacher The pictures on the left hand page also fit in with this as they look like a typical school kid's doodles.

There is little writing on the page, so that the article wouldn’t overwhelm a younger audience. The text has also been split into Corey's response and the interviewer's question with colour; the red text indicates that the interviewer is speaking at that point, making the structure of it easier to undertsand.

The main image of Corey Taylor takes up half of the double page spread showing that the article is based on him and he is the main attraction. He looks very different to how people would usually him as people will know him from his band where they are all dressed in extravagant and unusual disguises. This gives the impression that the reader is getting a true account from him because he's just being himself.

The envelopes that he is holding look like fan mail, showing that he is well known, popular and successful, making this an appealing article. Aswell as this, showing that he is answering questions sent in by audiences builds a better personal relationship with readers. The envelopes also tie in with the colour scheme to make it visually appealing.

The red, black and white colour scheme continues in this spread which helps with keeping brand identity. The article's headline is written in large, bold font and the words 'history teacher' have been displayed in the bright red to make it noticeable as this is a statement which would be surprising and interesting as being a teacher is classed as a dull job, compared to the career that he has ended up pursuing which is lively and exciting.

The simple layout sets the tone for the article, suggesting that it will be relaxed and easy to read just like the character featured. This is reflected in his expression as well as his causal look.