Kerrang! magazine analysis

Front cover - colours

The front cover uses black as the main background colour which helps the white masthead and main cover line stand out. The black also gives us connotations of the genre; rock and heavy metal, we’d associate black with this genre. It also

uses colours which contrast the background well, such as the orange

highlights.

Contents page - colours

The contents page doesn’t have many colours as most of the contents page is covered by an image relating to a main story. The main colour in this image is

black, which, like the front cover give us connotations of the genre; rock and

heavy metal. The contents listing is on a white background, which is a good choice

as it stands out against the black background on the photograph. There is a use of contrast colours again, yellow, for

the main headings. This allows the reader to easily locate the section they’re looking

for.

DPS - colours

On the double page spread, the colours used are mainly what we can see in the background

of the photograph. There are few

connotations we can draw from this.

Front cover - designThe font used for the masthead is

uniform throughout and uses a font which we would expect to see on

CDs/vinyls of the genre which helps the target audience pick the magazine out on the shelf. The fonts used for the names of

bands are the fonts used by the bands themselves which, like the masthead, helps the target audience locate the magazine on the shelf. The images fit

around the text, with the main parts of the image remaining unobscured. The use of this fills the page well and makes good

use of the space available.

Contents page - design

The attention is drawn to the main image as it takes up the majority of the page.

There is still, however, enough room for detail not to be lost in the main contents part. The ‘Contents’ part at the top of the

page gives us strong connotations of a rock/heavy metal genre. The small

pictures of the skull, cross, snake etc. give us these connotations. The main story is

named in capital letters as are the subheadings of the various sections which suggests they are of more importance or

exclusivity than the others.

DPS - designThe images and text all work around each other. We are given a large image of the

band with a full page background. The addition of

the shaded box allows the text to be seen clearly but still allows the background to

show through. The title “Roots Bloody Roots” suggests the

story is about the band’s beginning, we would refer to

this as their ‘roots’. The bottom line of the title also

has physical roots on the bottom of the letters which

works well with the background, being mainly

grass, leaves and shrubbery.

Front cover - imagesThe main photograph on the front cover

refers directly to the main story. This particular edition is dedicated to an

anniversary of a popular band and they feature on the front cover. A main

photograph of a popular band on the front cover makes it easy for the target audience to pick out the magazine in a

crowd and also has the potential to attract new people. They may be unaware

of the magazine but may see their favourite band and buy the magazine for

that reason.

Contents page - images

The main photograph on the contents page shows a performer on a stage at a

gig/concert. Research will have been conducted and the choice of this suggests

the target audience for this magazine enjoy going to gigs and performances.

DPS - images

The image on the double page spread

directly relates to the story on the double

page spread. It’s quite basic, which enforces that the story is about the band’s beginning – the photograph is outdoors, not in a

studio etc.