Detailed Class Analysis of Music Magazine NME

Brenae Douglas

Rule Of Thirds:I have added lines on the image to emphasise rule of thirds. Rule of thirds is used to show visual points of interest. This is used in magazines to attract the reader to specific points as well as, to ensure that important information is at the readers visual point of view. For example, because a barcode is unimportant, it will most commonly be placed in the bottom right hand corner of a magazine. However, because the model is an important aspect of the magazine, at some point a particular body part will cross between the lines which attracts the reader. As shown in this magazine, Dizzee Rascal’s eye are joins the lines which makes him a point of interest for the reader.

Masthead:The masthead is the title of the magazine; which is always placed at the top. This will conventionally always be bold on purpose to attract the audience straight away. In this case, the masthead is a vibrant red with a white lining and black stroke effect to make the masthead stand out. Additionally, the choice of colours fits the colour scheme which makes the magazine layout appear well structured and organised. A positive of this is that NME is a branded magazine meaning, that it’s target audience knows exactly what to expect.

Colour Scheme:The magazine’s colour scheme is quite masculine

which signifies that the magazine has a male target audience. However because the magazine genre is music, it may have a very small female

niche market. The main colours are red, black and white. Both black and red have connotations of

power. This is significant because it emphasises that Dizzee has the power to spread “joy around the

world..” The colour white is significant because it has positive connotations of light. Again this relates

to the word “joy” in the main cover line as it means pleasure and happiness. This has as positive representation because through the model, the

magazine is promoting positive energy.

Target Audience Profile:From the magazine front cover, I think that the

magazine is targeted at males of all ethnic groups however, it is predominantly targeted at White and

Black men. This is because the model is Dizzee Rascal who is a black male and because the

strapline mentions Jay-Z who is an American rap icon. However, the cover lines mentions rock bands

which are predominantly targeted at white males. I would say that, age group for the magazine is 23-38.

The target black audience may drink beers such as Heineken. They may wear snapbacks and tracksuits

or a plain back tee with either black or light blues jeans, and Timberlands to compliment their look. Conversely, the white target audience may wear

converse and skinny jeans. They would have a short hair cut with the front section slightly longer. They

may drink a variety of beers and ciders and would go on regular “weekend raves”.

Medium Long Shot:I think that, the main image is a

MLS because you can see Dizzee’s body and the image

background however, you can’t see his hands. The

denotations of the main image is Dizzee (the model)

wearing a vest top, baggy jeans and trainers which match the

colour scheme. Mode of Address:

The mode of address informal as the main cover line mentions words such as “I’m” and “man”.

To some readers, this can be seen as colloquial language as Dizzee is from Bow in London.

Although NME doesn’t use direct address through it’s

choice of words, by Dizzee looking directly at the camera;

the reader is able to feel like the model is specifically looking at

them.Mise-En-Scene:This is shown in this image because Dizzee is representing Working/Middle Class people. Which is shown through his clothing. You can see this because he is dressed in a very casual, informal attire which most men would wear on a weekend. As they may have a uniform or wear a suit to work within the week.

Masthead & Main HeadingNME has included their masthead onto the contents page so that the magazine appears to be well structured and organised. By doing this, the reader knows exactly what the focus of this page is because the heading is at the top. This is important in a magazine because it informs the reader of what topics will be covered throughout the magazine. This then gives the target audience the opportunity to browse what the magazine will feature. Also, Some magazines may feature a sub-heading to provide extra information to the reader.Date/Issue Number:Underneath the main heading, NME have included the date that the magazine was published. The date is always published on a magazine so that it’s readers are kept up-to-date with the issue. This enables the readers to follow the magazine and see which ones they missed. Although NME has no issue number, it has the date which signifies that it’s a monthly magazine. The date then allows the magazine focus on the genre’s most popular topics that month. In this case.; it will focus on what's popular In the music industry.

Rule of Thirds:Again, I have added lines onto the image to show the visual points of

interest. The middle block contains the page’s main image which is

significant because it is one of the page’s main focuses. This is

emphasised because the image takes up four blocks which signifies its

importance in the magazine. Rule of Thirds creates meaning because it

outlines what the magazine sees as visually important aspects.

Main Image:This is significant because it allows the reader to understand what the magazine is about. By the image being bordered it enables it to stand out so that it captures the readers eye more easily.In order to follow the magazine’s codes and conventions, the image will be linked to the article which enables the reader to have a idea as to what the article is saying. In this case, the main image will tell new readers that the magazine content is revolved around music as the denotations of the image consist of a woman posing outside a red tour bus which has connotations of a national concert by a popular artist(s). Therefore, the reader will understand that NME is music orientated.

Layout:The page’s layout follows codes and

conventions as article title and contents are structured in columns.

This enables a large amount of content to be placed on one page – meaning

that all the relevant information is easily accessed, as it is positioned underneath

the appropriate title (ie. News). Additionally, by adding page numbers

next to the article title; the reader is able to easily flick through the

magazine to the point of interest.By the magazine using different fonts

for the brand index or the article content, it shows that each topic has it’s

own focus and relevance to the magazine. This then enables the reader to distinguish the different topics being

mentioned in the magazine.

Shot Type:The main image is a medium shot as it

contains half the model's body and head. Through the image, the magazine uses a direct mode of address as the model is

looking directly at the camera to purposely engage the reader. The image also uses

mise-en-scene to emphasise the genre. By the model wearing black and white, the

audience may believe that she is involved in a rock group. Additionally, her eye makeup is quite dark which represents the sinister side

to rock music.

Brand Identity:NME’s identity is revealed through the house style. This is so that the page

appears to be well structured and organised. The house style is red, white

and black. This is then incorporarted into each page so that the magazine

doesn’t become confusing.Extra Information:Anchorage is when an image has a caption in order to give it meaning.

In this case, the main image isn’t anchored however; the article

below allows the reader to understand it’s purpose. Magazines

may also include grab quotes which picks out key information to

entice the reader.Additionally, magazines

will have an editorial which is an open-source

tool used to preserve research and any particular

thoughts that they would like to include in the

magazine.

Design:The double page spread follows a basic layout because the main image is on the left hand and the article is on the other page. The article is structured in columns with the same column width. By doing this; a lot of information is able to fit onto one page. The column with is important because it shows that the magazine has thought about the use of space. This enables them to include other images relating to the article. This then gives the reader an idea of the focus of the magazine.The use of images is important because it makes the page look more attractive. Therefore, the reader is more inclined to read it because the images draw the reader in. Additionally images, enable the reader to understand the article more; which makes the article more effective.In order to make the article more enticing; NME have used a drop cap at the start of the article so that it interests the reader. This is effective because by the drop cap being big and bold, it is easier to see. Font and type size is important because it enables certain aspects to stand out which makes the article more effective. Using the same font throughout the whole article enables it to appear well structured. By the main heading being really big the reader is more inclined to read it, which then leads to them reading the sub-heading and eventually the article.

Representation:On the article page, the denotation of the images would be that there are empty beer bottles and plastic cups. There is also a speaker and a tape recorder. From these images, the reader would think that the article is party related because the images are genuinely associated with fun and entertainment. Therefore, the images have connotations of Dizzee’s possible laid back lifestyle which involved lots of partying and music. Also, the images could signify that when Dizzee realised that he wanted to become a rapper; he learnt that the perks of being a rapper meant that he would have to go to parties to promote his music. The empty bottles could signify having fun with friends and getting drunk, whereas the speaker could signify the main focus of the article – music. The tape recorder could signify Dizzee recording albums in the studio or how he started.

Overall Impression:Overall, I like the double page

spread. Think the colour choices link with the magazine’s house

style which makes it look well organised. Also the colours and

the main image background represents the hip-hop industry as

it is very urban which links to spray painted designs and boom

box speakersThe by line is very small which is significant which is good because it doesn’t take the attention away from the main article; however, it

still follows codes and conventions because it’s included on the page.

The mode of address is direct through words. This is emphasised

by the first word in the article which is “you”. This enables the

reader to feel like they are specifically being spoken to which makes them more inclined to read

more. The page number is at the

bottom of each page which links to the contents page. This is

significant because it enables the reader to easily navigate what is

on a particular page. I don’t think that branding was used much on the double page

because NME’’s logo is not included on the pages. However,

in the top right hand corner of the right hand page, it has Dizzee’s name which is possibly his own

logo.To improve I think that the double

page spread could be improved by putting the article on the left

instead of the right. By doing this it would look like Dizzee’s looking

at the article which mentions his struggle and achievements.

Therefore, it would make him look like he’s reflecting on the past,

before he focuses on the future.

How are the images and text integrated?

The image o the tape recorder could link to the text because it could signify that before he became famous; he used to record his

mixtapes using one then selling them and playing them to anyone who would hear. Also the heading “tags to riches” could link to the quotation “rags to riches” which means starting from the bottom

(poor) until you get what you want and become rich. Whether that’s

financially or spiritually.Additionally, the caption says “2009 has been Dizzee Rascal’s year. This could indicate that he has finally got

to where he wanted to be.

Identify the elements that connect the 3 different parts of the magazine.

Throughout the three different parts of the magazine, the same house

style is running. This gives the magazine a professional look and makes it appear well structured.

On each page, the same font is used which makes the magazine appear less confusing. By having the same

font on every page it represents that the focus of each article is the theme

of the magazine; which is music. However, by having the same font running throughout it can become boring because the reader knows

what to expect on each page. Each page contains at least one

image. This is significant because it allows the reader to interpret what the magazine is trying to say to its target audience without having to

read anything. Additionally, all elements include a model which is significant because the model will promote connotations relating to

the focus of the page. By combining each of these

elements onto each page, NME is able to appeal to its target audience

because thy have created an attractive magazine that its consumers will want to read.