The front cover

I have chosen this magazine as it is a very popular and demanding mainstream music magazine containing various information and knowledge. I have picked this particular magazine because it

features heavily one of today’s well recognised and respected music artists, Calvin Harris. First I will analyse the layout of this issue of Mixmag then I will talk about and analyse the key features and

what the producers are trying to or attempting to highlight.

Mast Head- Like every other issue of Mixmag the Mast Head does not change. It is in the same position, however in each issue there is a colour change, the change is designed to match the theme and colour theme of the particular issue. In this issue they have decided to use a light Brown colour.

This, in my opinion blends in well with the main image (that of Calvin Harris with an explosion of flames behind him)

Exclusive- The exclusive is the article that will feature and appear heavily in any part of the magazine. The exclusive will be clearly obvious, like it is in this issue. “Calvin Harris” In large writing followed by the lead “ and how dance music blew up the pop charts” and this is where the picture

ties in with the exclusive.

Main Image- The main image is of Calvin Harris standing behind and clutching on a bomb detonator. The Producers and writers of the magazine our trying to capture our attention using both a strong image and a strong exclusive which closely relate. “Calvin Harris” In large writing followed by the

lead “This is the exclusive and the image is Calvin Harris with a big explosion behind him.

Main Cover Lines- The main cove lines of this magazine are allocated on the left hand side and are highlighted in bold fonts and different colours. The main cover liners are usually snippets of reviews,

competitions, facts or general quotations that are inevitably going to get the reader’s attention straight away.

Skyline- In this issue the skyline is purely about the magazine, “The world’s biggest music and clubbing magazine”. The whole point of a skyline is that us as the reader can get a quick and clear idea what the magazine is likely to be about and contain. This is not always the case; some main stream magazines use the skyline to advertise things on TV or other magazines or tag lines etc.

Extras- Magazines are only in A4 so there is not much room to fit much on. This is why magazines make a small space in the bottom right quarter to add in the little less important coverlines. In this particular issue it is used to tell us what artists are featured. This is just to draw out attention and make us want to see more.

And a magazine would not be a magazine if you did not get a free gift. In each Mixmag there is a free CD compilation, this is advertised in a box in the left quarter. “ Every month FREE MIX CD this issue CLUB 75 MIXED BY CASSIUS”. This is a promotion done by many main stream magazines to increase interest.

The Contents PageContents pages are different in every magazine you will read. They are designed to relate to the front cover in many ways but companies do not always successfully do this. The contents page of this Mixmag is very simple and “spacious” On the first contents page you can see the relation between the front cover and content page. Top left hand corner you can see Calvin Harris in a different photo with a page link that directs you to topics including Him, the photo is appropriate because on the front image you can see flames and on the image in the contents page you see sparks. In the left quarter you have another section which is heavily featured and its about clubs you should visit. Thos image is very suggestive that she is in a club for the following reasons. She has the appropriate clothing on and in the background you can see different colour lights. Contents pages in magazines are very important because they work as a “map” they tell you what is featured and where you can locate it in that particular issue. Along the bottom of this content page is information on the free gift you receive in every issue. IN every issue of Mixmag you receive a free gift (Compilation CD). ON the top of this contents page you have the skyline, this includes the date of the magazine, mast head (Contents) and in the very left the trade mark (MIXMAG).

The other side of the contents page is somewhat “Reversed” It has a large image in the right hand top quarter and in the top left has a small thumbnails of the front cover and the information of the photographer, stylist and assistants. This contents page includes more images than the contents page before. Instead of the contents being listed on the right they are listed on the left. There is another link to the previous contents page and front cover, Club 75 appear in a photo at the bottom right and it includes the group that produced the CD compilation. In these images it has the page numbers so you have a direct link with the particular cover line.

ConclusionThis magazine has a clear and understandable layout for all people. It relates closely to any of its topics and especially to its main headline which will be featured heavily. Each issue of this Magazine will be different every month because it will have a new layout and colour scheme and headline. This magazine has been developed to give the reader an update on clubs, music, fashion, technology and much more. It is aimed towards the younger generation of our world and is a very successful mainstream magazine which will continue to quench our thirst.