Kerrang have stuck to three main colours, black white and yellow. These colours are used frequently throughout the magazine, they are bold and striking which catches audiences attention. The yellow is also used as a highlighter to emphasize certain points, this is a suitable colour for this as the writing is still visible.

There are many images used on this contents page all showing band members giving the audience indication of who will be featuring in the magazine. All the artists in the images appear to be rock artists, showing KERRANG is a rock music magazine, the use of more than one image and them being scattered accros the left hand side of the page also makes the magazine look less formal and more like a rock music magazine.

The contents of the magazine has been narrowed down into groups to make it easier for the readers to find the page number. An enlarged quote is used using very informal language, "I'd be really slutty if I were a girl for the day", this is quite a humourous quote and will make readers want to read further into the magazine. Certain text is in a bigger font, this is so that the audiences attention is drawn to them, for example the reading and leeds festival news, a music festival which Kerrang readers would be interested in.

This magazine has included an editors letter which we have not seen in Vibe or NME magazine, this is to give the audience almost a 'friendship' between the editor and themseleves, also again making the magazine less formal. The use of many images using most of the page also draws in attention and the text is set out easily to be read.

     Vibe have used a different approach to their contents page, using a large image. This image diverts the readers attention to the contents page, the three men shown in the image suggests that they are a music band who are featured in this issue of vibe magazine. The use of this image may be to make the audience want to read about them and refer to the contents page to find out how. 

     The colours used are black, white and red, the red stands out showing the magazine masthead and taglines. The use of black and white is effective as it may represent different emotion and perhaps music genre. Vibe magazine may also like to keep their magazine more formal and less 'messy' such as NME and KERRANG magazine. 

     There is little text used in this contents page, this may attract to more readers as some are put off by large amounts of text which is used by magazines such as NME, who unlike Vibe list many types of styles readers can search for certain information in the magazine. Vibe has steered away from this and just summerised information into certain groups making it simpler and easier for readers to find certain pages. 

     The design for this contents is unusual as it features the front cover on the contents. This is perhaps to remind readers what they wanted to buy the magazine for and help them find what page they would like to read? The image also takes up the majority of the page, using small amounts of text shown at the top of the page, this perhaps is targetted to a younger audience who may be put of reading large amounts of text. 

     NME has chosen to use their house style colours for their contents page, this makes their magazine more professional and the white background used with bright lettering over the top makes text stand out. The colours have been seperated across the page, organised so that the red lettering stays on the left. 

     

     The image is shown at a low angled viewpoint, when we read the text below the image, we notice this is because this famous music venue is closing down and will be missed by many people, including music artists/bands and people who came to this venue to listen watch gigs.  The high angled shot shows its importance and how many people are fond of the venue. 

     The contents page layout is 'tidy', certain information safely placed across the page. NME have enlarged their main article and placed in the middle of the page, this is to draw the audiences attention to this article. All of the contents in the magazine is listed on the left and side to show page numbers so that readers can turn straight to that content of the magazine. Some of the stuff included in this magazine have also been summerised into groups and listed on the right hand side. This is perhaps to make it easier for the readers to find what thy want to read.  A pug is placed at the bottom of the page used for advertisement and audience attention to buy their magazine regularly. 

     

Unlike many other music magazines Q magazine's style seems more formal and neat unlike names such as NME and KERRANG who tend to use many colours, images and chaotic designs. The image used relates to the gothic theme as the church used in the background is considered to be a gothic building as many were built during the gothic era. The image is also taken on a slight slanted angle, gothic style is a breakaway from many boundaries and was something different therefore this connotes the difference of gothic style. The pose of the man is directly infornt of the church and the main focus of the spread, his unusual and relaxed style pose also shows he is the main focus.

This double page spread uses just black and white colour, this could be as Q magazine often keep their magazines simple and more formal, however it oculd also be to empahsize the fact that it is of the gothic genre, as it is known to be dark. The white text on the black background also makes the text stand out and catch the audiences attention.

The text used is based on a black background and written in white so that it appeals to the reader and stands out. Unlike NME and KERRANG magazine, Q tends to include more text in their spreads and in a small font, the word Gothic is also written in a different font style which relates to gothic style. The text also starts with a dropped capital, certain words are also highlighted to emphasize their importance to the spread.

The design of this magazine is set out that the image takes up a majority of the magazine covering the right side and continuing onto the left. This attracts the readers attention as it may also manipulate the readers into not believing that their is that much text which may put some people off of reading. The dark colour, images and text also gives of the impression of it being a gothic article.

The image on this double page spread shows who the article is about, it takes up a large amount of the spread showing Lily Allen's importance. Her dark hair and makeup and pale skin with the red checkered shirt matches NME house style colours. The camera angle is also looking slightly up at her and her body is position leaning slightly forward, this shows she is perhaps superior and important. However this is ambiguous as when reading the headline, it is like she is telling the audience a secret and her body position almost looks as if she is leaning forward to tell us a secret.

The text is set out like cut outs of a newspaper, this makes the article less formal and more playful, appealing to readers as first impressions of the magazine do not appear boring. An enlarged quote is also used for the coverline of the article, giving the audience an idea of the contents of the article. In relation to the picture the text binds in with the fact it is like she is telling a secret as she is saying it directly to the audience in an exclusive interview.

The birght white colour in the background of the magazine in contrast with the bold black and red colours makes the text and image stand out, making them the audiences main focus in the spread.

The design of this magazie has been set out so that the image takes up the whole right side of the spread and the headline also is very large and takes up a majority of the left hand side of the spread, this is perhaps so that the readers are not put off by large amounts of text. The design of this spread gives off a fun and creative feel through the fonts and placings of text and images, perhaps attracting the younger target audience with its authentic feel.

     The band members that are shown in this double page spread seem to be all male, this could suggest that they are male role models, this is shown through camera angles as the image of the lead singer shows him at a low angle, this connotes that they are a positive impression on a particular audience, perhaps young males? All images shown in this article are black and white, this is perhaps because it indicates this band is a punk/rock band and it goes with the genre of their music. 

      The black and white is also stands out to readers with the contrast of a bright red, these colours all relate to the house style of KERRANG magazine, red, black and white also connote anger and passion, relating to the genre of music. 

     For the layout of this double page spread, there are a lot images dominating most of the spread with a small amount of text, this appeals to readers as a lot of text is off-putting to read. The article also has a review on the right hand side of the spread giving the audience an idea of what the artists new songs sound like. The heading of the spread is also written in a larger and different font style, addressing the audience what the article is about, the use of different colours on certain words also suggests that they want the audiences attention. 

     The text used in the article such as the heading is an enlarged quote from the band themselves, this gives the audience a sense of welcoming and relationship from the band themselves, as if MCR on on the audiences level as they are trying to impress their fans. 

     The language used for this article is very informal, for example "a bouncy and playful romp- complete with all girl gang vocals- about the hazards of playing at Reading and Leeds festivals. Gerard wrote this anthem from this perspective of a teenager getting ready to throw a bottle of piss- tasty!" this language is expectable in this circumstance as it is in a rock magazine and the stereotypical rock singer uses foul language and can get way with it as it is seemed as 'cool'.  Another enlarged quote which is used for the heading states "we are being the best MCR can be", automatically gives the audience a sense of relationship. Also "My chemical romance invite KERRANG to their studio" and "world exclusive" make the band seem superior and as if we are very lucky to hear an interview from them and for KERRANG to be seen inside their studio. However, the article is not all informal as quotes such as "epic grandeur and theatrics" shows a more formal and professional language which may also connote that the band is very professional. 

For this magazine it has used brighter colours to rock magazines such as NME and KERRANG, the bright colours indicate that this magazine is not a rock music magazine and could be for a more upbeat type of music such as dance music. The bright colours give off a bright and happy mood, for example the bright blue sky and bright pink and yellow, they could be associated with happiness. The main image on this front colour also gives off this impression and it shows a women on holiday where most people are happy at whilst they are on holiday. For the design of the magazine the words and image fit together as the largely written information on the Ibiza summer madness CD and text about summer parties, the image fits with this as the women in the bikini is dressed for a holiday in the summer, the aeroplane in the background of the image also suggests the music magazine is based around club and dance music. The font also seems to resemble perhaps lighting which would be used in clubs as it is styled similar to a certain lighting effect. The masthead also stands out in contrast of the bright white and blue, making the magazines name clear and attract the audiences attention.  

     The image resembles this type of music magazine, which appears to be deditcated to dance music and club anthems as the women is wearing skimpy clothing which is portraying the typical 'clubbing' stereotype who wear skimpy clothing whilst on a night out. This type of music also originates from holiday places and thereforE her wearing the bikini and sunglasses shows this. The women can also be seen as a sex symbol which appeals to the male audience and also dance and club anthem music videos use attractive women therefore it gives us an idea that this magazine is targetted to clubbers and dance music listeners.

     The pose on the front of this magazine is quite a sexual, appealing to male readers and showing us the genre of the magazine. The long blonde hair also resembles the stereotypical music video girl who appears in this genre of musics videos. Her bright and bold coloured lipstick also emphasizes the sexual image that is being portrayed, appealing to male readers as her pose and makeup is very seductive and appealing to females as it is what some may aspire to be? it also appeals to the stereotypical club and dance music listeners. 

     The words used on the cover such as the title of the magazine appeal to a certain audience as mixmag connotes that this magazine is dance and club anthem music as they often mix tracks together to make this genre of music. At a glance it is clear to see what the contents of this magazine are as the strap lines are clear and suggest what is inside the magazine, the words festivals and club guide also appeals to a targetted audience of young adults as that is the lifestyle of that age group lead. This wording will stand out on a shelf to young adults as the clubbing and festival guides will appeal to them. There is also a lot of information on Ibiza flights at cheap prices appealing to readers as ibiza is known as a party place and is well known for its nightclubs. 

     The language such as summer madness addresses the target audience as it is a fun and playful word and stand out to young adults as at this that age it is the only time of their lifetimes where they can party excessively. The language used is also not very formal, suggesting it is for young readers and a casual fun magazine. 

     My overall impression of this magazine as that the strap lines and masthead give a clear indication of the contents of this magazine, the colours, language, words and images also appeal to young readers through their connotations and interests of readers. 

    

    

The colours used are an off white, black, green and red, these are all unisex colours and are also quite dark and ‘grungy’ colours, this shows it is a rock music magazine as these colours give off that impression. The colour scheme of the magazine matches the image. The masthead KERRANG looks as if it has been smashed in the lettering, this suggests it is a rock music magazine as it could be related to the typical rock band who smash their instrument and are ‘head bangers’, the exclamation at the end of the masthead title also emphasizes loudness, related to loud rock music.
The image used is a rock/scream band, this relates to the genre of the magazine. The rosette which each member of the band is wearing with the dragon in the middle is the bands logo, which also matches the colour scheme of the magazine cover. The use of the mega-phone also suggests that the band are loud and megaphones are used to perhaps shout down and get someone’s attention, this relates to Enter Shikari’s style of music. It also relates to the genre of the magazine.

The band are all acting out certain movements with their hands, this movement can be seemed as ‘hard’ and harsh almost like the genre of music. The words on the front of this cover are large and bold, the connotation of this could be that rock music is quite loud and striking the font size and type could reflect the genre of the music magazine, relating to the readers interests. The size and layout of the text is easy to read at first glance, this is more likely to catch readers’ attention. There is not a lot of text in this front cover, however the text which is on the cover includes the cover lines which is the main story inside the magazine, strap lines which only mention band names this could intrigue people and make them want to read further by just focusing on main story lines. The words “the streets are ours” come across as cocky, loudmouthed and seem appropriate as it is a rock band saying it, whereas if a youth was to say this it may seem inappropriate.

My overall impression of this front cover is that the sky line gives us an indication of who is featured in the magazine, as does the text at the bottom of the magazine, which could be seen as subheadings? However it only mentions the names of the artists and does not state what information on them will be included in the magazine. The main point of focus is the large and striking image which gives the audience a clear understanding that this issues main article is on enter shikari. The way the layout, design, text, language and image all have been designed to appeal to rock music listeners as they represent that specific audiences interest through connotation.