uchechi
eluwa
AS media
studies
WGSB
Masthead
The magazine has been named ‘kerrang!’ because the name represents the sound that a power chord on a distorted electric guitar would make. As musical instruments commonly used in heavy metal music is guitars. This presents the idea that the magazine has an established target audience, and is linking to the target audience, which is people that like rock music, usually between the ages of 16- 25, predominantly male. The font also links to the idea of heavy metal or rock, because it is like the title is broken into pieces or is smashed. Which is a connotation for rock music, as rock music is seen as aggressive or distorted which is support by the fact that the title is almost seen as broken, or the design of the title is sort of seen as guitar strings which are going in all different directions, which could reflect how explosive and loud rock music is, like it effects people without them even knowing. The font also links to the fact that the target audience is predominately male because it uses sans- serif font which is seen as more masculine than serif. The white typography contrasts with the rest of the magazine, which helps to createbrand identity for the magazine, as it stands out from the rest of the page, which could reinforce the idea that rock music also ‘stands out’ from society as it is seen as very different than the other genres eg hip hop. Furthermore, the font used on the title is a bold font and in capital letters, this reflects a common convention of rock music, as rock music is portrayed as loud and bold. This reflects the target audience, and suggests that the target audience are people that aren’t afraid to break out of society, and reflect how ‘loud’ and outgoing they can be, which relates to the idea of rock or heavy metal music.
General
'Kerrang' is the world’s biggest weekly selling rock magazine, it is a UK based magazine devoted to rock music, it is produced European media company called Bauer Media Group. The magazine costs £2.99 and is published every Wednesday.
Main image
The main image on the front cover is Andy Biersack from Black Veil Brides. Black Veil brides are a famous rock band. By looking at the image, you instantly know that the magazine is linked with rock music. The cover star is dressed in all black with thick black eyeliner, black has connotations of death and danger, which is a common association with the idea of heavy metal or rock music, as this is usually what rock artist often sing and write about. Although eyeliner isn’t a common associated with the male gender, it is often used amongst the rock/heavy metal, which promotes the idea that heavy metal music is very different from the other genres of music, such as it refutes the stereotype of males and masculinity. And it often try’s to break away from societies expectations, and include their own individual touch, which therefore relates to the target audience as they often follow this, and try to be individual and not follow the crowd. Furthermore, the coverstar is also covered with tattoos on his arm, as well having a lip ring and ‘messy hair’.These are all
conventions often associated with the rock genre, as this is mainly how rock artist look are stereotyped to look. Which therefore is another aspect of the brand identity. Also, the fact that the image is backed up by the heading in which the artist is promoting, doesn’t only promote the artist but also the brand. It instantly puts its own tag on the magazine which engages the target audience. As you can see by the way that Andy Biersack is posing, he is looking directly into the camera, this is like he is looking directly at the target audience and smirking at them, this therefore makes the target audience feel as if the magazine is directed at.
Strapline
The strapline of ‘all time low want you: be their roadie for the day’ uses two different coloured fonts and in capital letters, in order to attract the attention of the target audience as ‘all time low want you’ is a different colour, as All time low is also the name of a famous rock band. Therefore the target audience will see it and be intrigued by it, as if they know the front cover star they will probably know who all time low are. This is also the reason that ‘Greenday’ ‘Slipnot’ ‘angels and airwaves’ are in a different coloured font as they also famous rock bands. The use of the ‘!’ represents the idea that something exciting is happening, which therefore makes the target audience want to buy the magazine to read on as to what is happening.
In addition, the use of the ‘5 awesome poster’ on the left hand side followed by 5 pictures of different rock/ heavy metal artist. Also intrigues the target audience as they know they are present with something free and additional to the magazine, rather than just the magazine content itself. This might persuade the target audience to buy it as they will get posters of people that they know and maybe even like as they are popular artist, that many target audience will know. The idea of using the number ‘5’ inside of having it written also makes the 5 stand out and catch the reader’s attention.
Headline / Artist's name
The artists name is in big and bold font, as it is one of the most important aspects of the magazine, along with the main image and the masthead. Furthermore, the boldness of the font connotes the strength and the confidence of the artist as well as the target audience. Moreover, the artist name follows the colour shceme of the magazine, therfore the boldeness is to make the name stand out as the colours don't. However, the same colours are used to keep a consistent housestyle. In addition, the artist name is placed in the center of the page near the bottom convering the image slightly. This is used to draw the attention of the target audicne as it is one of the first things that they see when they pick up the magazine. As the artist featured in the magazine are one of the most impotant aspects throughout the magaizne.