Research into similar products - Further research into Rolling Stone Magazine

I have decided to look further into Rolling Stone magazine as this is the magazine that has given me the most ideas so far. I like the layouts of these magazines and how the model is always the very centre of attention and always dressed very stylish and classy. These magazines have given me more ideas about the pose and look of my model and the layout I want my magazine to be. The masthead is very recognisable and the main headlines are always clear and linked to the cover star which all gives me inspiration.

drafting/Planning of magazine layout - Preliminary task

I have created a quick draft magazine cover to give me an idea of the layout of my magazine.

I have added a bold/clear masthead a long the top which stands out and makes an impact and my model slightly overlaps to show that she is the main focus. My model is maintaining direct address so that the magazine is more personal to the reader and the cover line is written over her to show it is about her. The cover lines frame the model so they do not draw away attention. I have also included a dateline, url, barcode and price. 

Drafting/Planning of photography/magazine layout/ Oragnisation - Picture for preliminary task

This is the photo I am using for the preliminary task. I am going to edit out the background and add in a colour to match the school colour scheme. The models red lips will match the red background.

Research into similar products - Contents page analysis

All of the contents pages I have researched into all have a main star as the focal point.

Certain articles have attention drawn to them and they stand out as they seem to be the most important as readers will want to see them most. The highlighted artists are always the biggest stars that are featured in the magazine to show that the magazine is up-to-date and on trend.

The contents pages are divided up into different categories such as the regular features and features that are specific to this issue. 

The images break up the blocks of text and make it more interesting for the reader, which gives a good first impression on the magazine as a whole as the contents page is the first page that is turned to.

Research into similar products - Magazine analysis 3 - 'Q'

On this front cover of 'Q' magazine, Cheryl Cole is dressed in black, with dark hair, pale skin and bright red lipstick. This seems to have been made into the colour scheme for the front page. The colours are also powerful, revealing her power and importance. She has been made to look edgy and has a rock vibe to it, which is represented through the metal spike ring. Cheryl Cole has been made to look like a rockstar, and this links to the coverline '3 words... Cheryl Cole ROCKS'. Because of this, the genre of music is evident, even though Cheryl Coles style of music isn't actually rock and she has just been presented in this way to suit the magazine. The text '3 words' links to Cheryl Coles single which fans of hers could relate to and it would encourage them to buy the magazine.
There is also a theme of 'three' on this cover. There are 3 different fonts, 3 colours and '3 words'.

The rock style has been continued to the double page spread, along with the colour scheme. Her pose, clothing and overall style shows her to be powerful, strong and edgy. White has been used for the background which makes her stand out and could signify a new start or a fresh change. 

Research into similar products - Music magazine analysis 2 - 'NME'

The next magazine I looked into was 'NME' magazine as I had saw Lily Allen on the cover and she is one of the artists I am focusing on.

In the main image, Lily Allen is using direct address and is in the centre of the magazine so all attention is on her. The image presents Lily Allen as edgy so she fits in with the style of the magazine, even though it isn't her usual style.

The layout is fairly simple as there is a main image, a main coverline, a masthead and then the other coverlines placed around the main image.

The style of writing is a 'punk' style which is also the look that Lily Allen is going for and it portrays her as rebellious and full of attitude.

There is a puff in the form of Lily Allens name as people will see her name and want to read the magazine and it will attract her large fan base. 

The coverlines feature artists of different genres to expand the target audience.

The style of the double page spread continues from the front cover. The font and style presents Lily Allen as anti-authority and as an independent women who will not be told what to do by society. Her facial expression and body language fits in with this as it represents aggression and power so she doesn't look bothered by what people think. 

She is wearing the same clothes as on the cover so again this shows it is a follow on from the front page. Lily Allen is dressed in a mans shirt but the fact she is wearing jewellery shows she is still feminine. 

The colour scheme fits to black, white and red to keep things simple and easy to read but still effective.

Research into similar products - Magazine 1 analysis - Rolling stone

I decided to start off with a 'Rolling Stone' magazine as this is the magazine I am focusing on.

Rolling Stone magazine has the typical conventions of a music magazine

There is a mid-shot picture of Lady Gaga as the main image who is using direct address to make the reader feel like she is looking straight at them. The main image could be classed as very controversial, but it suits Lady Gaga's style as she is controversial.

The main colours used on the front cover of this magazine are pink and purple which can therefore effect the audience which the magazine receives, as it is a colour which is associated with females.

The masthead is the name of the magazine 'Rolling Stone' even though the main image is covering half of the masthead, we know what the magazine is as most the readers are subscribers to the magazine and if not it is recognisable as it is a very well known magazine. 

The banner headline includes the image and the line 'The rise of Lady gaga' shows the story of why Lady Gaga is on the front cover and the story behind her, the headline draws the reader in as they want to find out what the full story is. 

By having a famous pop icon on the front of the magazine, it then determines the audience which the magazine receives, it would range from people who are monthly subscribers to people who are interested in Lady Gaga and her fan base who would want the story behind the front cover. 

The layout of the magazine is very basic, the cover lines are beside the main image and therefore make the whole front cover easy to understand and easier to read.

This is a double page spread on Lady Gaga from a Rolling Stone magazine. It is a simple style and contains a 2 page image with a small amount of text with Lady Gaga as the main focus point. Lady Gaga is very controversial which is represented in this image as she has lack of clothing on and is only being covered by bubbles. This image also shows her authority as she is stood above everybody as they lie around her and she is striking a powerful pose. This pose is also known as the 'Jesus' pose which is iconic and shows her importance. The pages have a pink wash over them, making the main colours pink and purple which both have girly, feminine connotations. The headline 'New York Doll' stands out on the page which shows Lady Gaga's relevance and shows her as an iconic figure.This page carries on the theme of the front page.