Deconstructions- Kerrang

Alt video:

This magazine is a very popular one around my area and was the one that stood out the most to me in the store for multiple reasons. What I've taken away from this is to apply to my own magazine goes as follows 

Front Cover

> I would like the name of my magazine to go behind the photograph of my model as I want them to be brought forward and stand out 

> I want the language to convey that my magazine is exciting so I must use hyperbole and statements implying emotion such as 'angriest,' 

> I would likely model to have significant accessories and/or props that not only match and clearly show my chosen genre but also create visual interest 

> I want my models facial expression to match the tone of my magazine - I want them to look as if they are having fun to suggest fun content rather than looking serious to convey serious content.

> I will list well known bands as this will attract interest.

> I will not be using sub images on my front cover because I feel as if they detract from the dominant image slightly.

> I enjoy the ted, black an white color scheme and I think it is very powerful - I may consider using it in my own magazine however I need to look at color association before I can make this decision for definite. 

Contents Page

> I didn't like this contents page and it didn't stand out to me. 

> I would prefer my contents page photo to have been taken in a studio with controlled lighting.

> The language does feel right for their target audience and I may choose to use colloquial language too however the direct mode of address detracts from the functionality of the page

Article

> I need a visually exciting photo to make my articles stand out and look interesting.

> I like the fact that the heading dominates the page as I feel like it draws in a lot of attention

> The color scheme is very exciting once again and I would like to use black, white, and one primary color or powerful color but I do prefer the red to the orange

Manuscript under the cut

BACKGROUND:

Kerrang! is a weekly rock magazine. Its first issue came out on the 6th of June, 1981 as a one-off supplement. However, 35 years later, it’s still going.

FRONT PAGE:

The front page is designed to attract a potential buyer’s attention and makes them want to read the magazine. If the cover doesn’t look appealing, the customer may not bother looking at the magazine.

Masthead: The name at the very top of the magazine disappears slightly behind a photograph of Twenty Øne PilØts. This brings them forward and helps them stand out even more. The font used is a quite rough font with a shattered glass effect which is indicative of the rock genre. It is not an easily recognisable font and I’ve not seen it used on anything other than Kerrang! This creates brand-recognition as the font is associated with this magazine.  A red bar across the very top of the page reads ‘GREEN DAY: Their angriest interview ever!’ Hyperbole on the front cover ensures interest. People don’t want to just read any interview by Green Day; they want to read their angriest one full of drama and emotion. They want assurance that they won’t be bored by the content inside. Saying this is hypes a reader up, intrigues them, makes them want to read the article and will therefore entice them to buy the magazine.

Central image:  On the front page, an image of Twenty Øne PilØts is central. They have purposefully put a popular band forefront. ‘Stressed Out’ was recently an incredible hit and now everybody knows Twenty Øne PilØts. Because they are so easily recognisable and current, they are the main image because people will mostly only express interest in bands and artists that they are familiar with. As it is close up, you cannot see their costume but there are two main accessories, sunglasses and expanders. Both of these give a rock vibe – the expanders are part of alternative style and the sunglasses are associated with celebrities\rockstars. The photo is large and dominates the page and is a close up on their faces – little below their shoulders can be seen. The faces are very clear and they can be recognised from a distance. Usually, a close up can be used to convey emotion via facial expression. The men on this cover look very serious, showcasing that this is a magazine with serious content inside. The anchorage alongside this is photo is ‘Twenty Øne PilØts PRESENT THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO READING AND LEEDS! Starring Fall Out Boy, Biffy Clyro, Asking Alexandria, Sleeping With Sirens & EVERYONE ELSE YOU NEED TO SEE THIS WEEKENED!” Again, saying ‘the ultimate guide’ and ‘everyone you need to see’ is exaggeration (just like saying ‘the angriest interview.) Listing off semi-well known bands (I’ve personally only listened to Biffy Clyro and Fall Out Boy but I’ve heard of the other two as well) ensures that someone will recognise at least one name – piquing interest.

Secondary images and coverlines: There are two very small images of Green Day across the masthead and smaller pictures of the posters inside. These have been shrunk down so that immediately your eyes are drawn to Twenty Øne PilØts as they are the focus of this magazine.

There are three coverlines. The names of the celebrities and groups are above in larger text. Beneath them is a short description of the article. The names of the celebrity stands out, attracting attention but you must look to see what is happening in the article, meaning that if it is on a stand that you must pick it up to look closely at it and read it properly.

Colour scheme: The three main colours in the scheme are red, black, and white – with dashes of yellow here and there. The white text against a black background creates visual contrast, which would draw in a potential buyer’s eye.  Using red as a primary colour is a wise decision as red is a very powerful colour. In nature, it symbolises danger and animals are warned off from red but they instinctively notice it. Even with its more positive, less dangerous connotations, red is associated with strong emotion – passion, love, ect. It draws in the eye. The usage of yellow only helps emphasise that as it also forces a reader’s attention.

CONTENTS PAGE:

The content page is, obviously, there mainly to direct readers to each article and, if possible, to hype up articles in the process. They may also push for a reader to subscribe to the magazine.

Title: The title at the top is in a popping, bubble-like 3D font that stands out visually. It’s surrounded by drawings of occult symbols such as skulls, Ouija boards, and an inverted cross. There’s a slight contrast between the cartoonish font, which is quite fun and childlike, and the occult symbols which are more often associated with dark subject matter. I believe this was done to even the two out and have a mix of seriousness and fun.

Photo: The photo is from a Green Day concert. It showcases the vocalist singing passionately into a microphone with his mouth ajar and eyes closed. It’s a medium full shot\medium long shot displaying most of his body and filling the whole page. This shot allows you to see full body language and movement, which is useful in this shot as the singer is clearly moving and showing a lot of positive emotion and zeal. Having such an exciting photo on the content page suggests exciting content within.

Editor’s letter:  The editor’s letters takes up little room on the page yet it stands out visually due to the black and white contrast. The fact that the addresses the reader directly, that it is written in a casual tone, and that the letter is signed gives it a personal vibe. The readers and subscribers are referred to as the #KOMMUNITY, another attempt to make the magazine seem more personal. This is an attempt to make you feel a connection with the magazine so you’ll purchase later editions or purchase a subscription

Content: The articles and content is listed on the right. Instead of a simple list, it talks to the reader: ‘There’s a new A Day To Remember album? But is it any good? Well, obvs (p50).’ This is colloquial, especially the use of ‘obvs.’ There’s also humour sprinkled alongside the article descriptions such as ‘Wake us up when the high notes end,’ as the anchorage for a Green Day article, a play-on-words from ‘Wake me up when September ends.’ As mentioned above, this is in an attempt to sell more copies. Personally, I find the layout to look messy and disorganised and would not be able to find a specific article within a clunky paragraph talking to the reader. This could be too much colloquialism and too much of an attempt to differentiate from the norm (plain lists.) The rock genre does have a focus on being different and subverting the norm, of course, and this is why I believe it was done, however, I’m not a fan.

ARTICLE:

The articles comprise the magazine. The one I chose to look at was an interview with Taylor Momsen from The Pretty Reckless.

Heading:  The heading dominates at least a third of the page, reading ‘To Hell And Back. When flipping through the magazine, it is impossible not to notice this text as it is so big and visible. This article is clearly defined as an article of interest. This is also done by the fact it is described in the left corner as ‘THE BIG STORY: the most important thing ever!’ Again, hyperbole for assured interest.

Photo: The photo was taken mid-concert and not in a studio with controlled, 3 point lighting. Therefore, lights, colors, and everything else could only be changed digitally via tools such as Photoshop. However, this is a more visually exciting picture because it’s an action shot with a lot happening and with raw emotion. Because the picture is so visually interesting, it’s been dedicated an entire page. In the bottom right, where there’s not much happening, a quote has put in just as to fill the space and make the whole scene look as full and exciting as possible. 

Content:  The article has a heavy focus on her struggle with depression and how her writing helped her overcome parts of it. It makes for an interesting read and the interview is quite chatty and informal as a whole. Whilst the focus is on her ‘personal demons’ as the magazine describes it, she talks about a range of things and there isn’t any specific focus. The writing in this article takes up very little room and is designated about two thirds of a page on a double page spread. This article is supposed to be the big story however the content is quite sparse and it is a small interview. Overall, the magazine does seem to prefer photos and images over text – suggesting a younger audience of teens. This is because they tend to have lower attention spans and would prefer not to read chunks of text, favoring articles to be short and sweet. There is humor in that they call Taylor ‘pretty reckless’ for wearing spikes – a joke because her band is called The Pretty Reckless. 

Colour scheme:  The colour scheme across this page is black, white, and yellow. As with the front cover, the black and white provide contrast and a primary colour stands out amongst this. Yellow is another particularly attention-grabbing colour. The fact that it’s set against a black background really makes it pop, vibrantly. The outline of the page is made to look like caution tape with black and yellow stripes – this is known to attract attention as is its job. This colour scheme is very, very attention attracting.