AS Level Media

1. Magazine Analysis –
‘Classic Pop’
KATIE WINN

2. Title-
The word ‘classic’ in the title suggests the magazine is of a high quality, traditional
and authentic, giving it a strong brand identity and creating the perception that
the information inside is of a high standard and the best of its kind. Whereas the
word ‘pop’ contrasts with this as it is a new, current concept, giving the magazine
a fresh and modern twist. The title also suggests that the magazine is targeting a
varied demographic as ‘pop’ is young and current, whereas ‘classic’ suggests it is
targeted towards older consumers. This potentially conveys how the brand is
trying to keep older pop artists more current, and mixing the genres to create an
exciting vibe.
Masthead-
Both words are have white, legible typography, making them easy to read and
simplistic, adding to the authenticity of the magazine. This type of font conveys
that the magazine is laidback and fun, and aimed more toward people who have
music as a hobby or pastime as it is not too serious. The word classic has a red,
rectangular background, this colour combination connotes importance and that it
is informative. The black background behind the word ‘pop’ makes it really stand
out and gives it an old school feel. The masthead is unconventional as it doesn't
stretch across the whole page, instead it stops just over half way.
Front Cover Analysis

3. Front Cover Analysis continued
Feature article photograph-
The feature article photograph is a group shot, meaning it automatically is
somewhat unconventional. It is a full length shot, meaning the members
can be seem from head to toe, exposing them, suggesting the article is in
depth and informative. The members are all making eye contact making
them look equal and giving the magazine a welcoming, inviting feel. The
body language of the cover stars makes them seem intimidating as they have
their arms folded or on their hips and somewhat reserved as it is a long shot
and they have expressionless faces, meaning no information about them is
revealed. The cover stars are cut out and have a white border around them,
making them stand out. The age of the cover stars is around 30-40 which
initially suggests they have a middle aged demographic. However, the
colourful background makes it seem as if the company are trying to make the
band more youthful and modern and rebrand them to appeal to a wider
variety of ages. The apparel of the cover stars allows the reader to denote a
lot of information about the band and their brand identity as the leather
makes them look edgy and intimidating, however the casual trousers and
shoes they are wearing make them a bit more relatable and less daunting.

4. Cover line-
The cover line is unconventional as it is positioned in the middle of the page,
obstructing the feature article photograph, however, this makes it clear to
reader that it is the main feature of the magazine. It is written in a basic,
large typography, which makes it stand out and easy to read. The top line is
cut off half way to add fun and to it and make it more aesthetically
interesting. The text is all capitalised which highlights its importance and
make it more attention grasping. The word “modern” is used as well as
describing them as “Gods” which highlight the diversity of the magazine’s
demographic, as they are trying to incorporate modern, new ideas to appeal
to younger readers as well as the typical ‘Duran Duran’ fan.
Puff-
The puff is an alliterative phrase - unconventionally placed in the centre of
the ‘O’ in the masthead - which helps to boost the status of the magazine and
give away more information about the contents of it. The typography of the
puff is easy to read and the colour of the font contrasts with the background
it is on, adding to the legibility, however, the main picture is positioned in
front of the masthead, intercepting the readers view of the puff.
Front Cover Analysis continued

5. Front Cover Analysis continuedFillers-
The magazine uses fillers to fill the negative space around the cover stars and add
interest to the front cover. One of the pictures used as a filler is a set of cartoon
lips, wearing red lipstick which makes it appeal slightly more to girls as the feature
article photo is targeted more at boys. Also, the red ties in with the red in the
masthead, giving it a well established house style. Also, the vintage telephone
image, gives the magazine a retro feel, appealing to an older demographic, as well
as younger.
Plugs-
The plugs are unconventional as they are placed along the top and bottom of the
magazine, rather than flushed down the sides, this makes them seem as if they are
of little importance as they do not captivate the reader. The typography used is
interesting and unique at the bottom, but basic and easy to read at the top,
suggesting it is informative, this allows the reader to understand the diversity of
the information inside the magazine.
Language-
The language used on the front cover is quite simplistic revealing the laid-back
tone of the contents. It also uses lists to give as much information as possible, and
to entice the reader by advertising as many artists as possible.

6. Contents Page AnalysisThe logo of the magazine is at the
top of the page in place of a
running head, this reiterates to the
reader what magazine it is and
reminds them about the genre.
This is done to create a
professional, organised brand
identity, suggesting to the reader
that it is a well-established,
coordinated magazine.
There are lots of pictures that take up
the main body of the contents pages,
this allows the reader to get involved
with the magazine, and take interest in
articles easily. It also makes the
magazine aesthetically pleasing. The
rigid structure of the pictures and the
title connotes that the magazine is
organised and affirms an organised
house style.
The main text is placed at the bottom
to provide extra information for the
reader, which helps them navigate
throughout the magazine, the
typography is very legible as the
colour contrasts with the background
and the font is not too elaborate.
This is done to provide the audience
with extra information if they are
interested, it provides function rather
than aesthetic appeal.
The title of the page is placed on the
left hand side, at the top of the page
which is where the readers eyes are
immediately drawn. However, it is
unconventional as it is written
vertically and the typography is very
narrow making it seem squashed,
despite adding interest and
personality to the page, it makes it
difficult to read and therefore it
could be improved by changing the
typography slightly.

7. Contents Page Analysis ContinuedThe contents page follows the same
red, black and white colour scheme
as the front cover, this creates a
strong brand identity, and appeals
to the reader as it seems
sophisticated and professional.
The main body of text is split into
sections using headlines that are in
a bold, clear typography, this
entices the reader and makes them
drawn to it, it is also stretched out
to make it wider to highlight its
importance and make it more
prominent.
The typography is always either
written in bold or capitalised, this
portrays that it is all important to
read, making the reader more
drawn to it and more interested.
All the pictures are either candid
or posed-candid to suggest the
magazine is authentic and
revealing, as they act as a teaser
for the articles inside the
magazine.
There are large, clear page numbers on the pictures which are
always either black or white to contrast with the background, this
makes it easy for the reader to navigate through the magazine
and ensures it is clear where each article is located.

8. Summary
The front cover and the contents page follow a successive colour scheme, creating a
professional, sophisticated house style, suggesting that the typical ‘Classic Pop’ reader would be
well educated and be of a high enough class to have a disposable income to spend of luxury
magazines. It follows a black, white and red colour scheme, the red is very effective as it
provokes emotions and entices the reader; the black and white also seems professional and
informative. The demographic of the magazine is varied as it targets a younger, fresher audience
with its current, bold colour scheme and lively, bright front cover. However, its peripheral
demographic includes older middle aged people in their late 40s, as that is the era that Duran
Duran was at its peak. Also, the company uses binary opposites as it shows men in leather
clothing, is an indexical sign of motor biking, which stereotypically is a manly activity, contrasting
with a pastel, typically girly background, which reveals how varied its target market is.