Planning

Research of Existing Media

Waqar Nawaz
Masthead - XXL Buzzwords

Main image –
direct address

Buzzwords

Anchorage
text

Sell lines

Barcode
 XXL Magazine
The first magazine for analysis is 'XXL Magazine' It is a Hip Hop orientated magazine.

The magazine uses direct address to attract the reader to the magazine. On the front
cover, there are three celebrities; Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey, all
members of the ex-group The Diplomats (Dipset). These three celebrities being on the
front cover, is highly effective at attracting the attention of the readers, as there has
been a lot of controversy over the past years; about the members of The Diplomats,
and about the group itself.
The magazine uses sell lines very effectively as well, as the sell lines relate to the
direct address, and the readers thoughts about the celebrities. As there is a lot of
controversy about The Diplomats; the sell line saying that ‘ The Dips Set The Records
Straight’ further attracts the attention of the readers to the magazine.
The magazine uses buzzwords to attract the attention of the readers. As the text is red
and black; on a white background, it creates a lot of contrast, drawing attention to the
words. The buzzwords also carry on with the theme. The buzzwords are mainly names
of artists which are featured in the magazine.
The magazines slogan is ‘Hip-Hop on a Higher Level’ this makes the reader
believe that this magazine portrays Hip-Hop to a greater extent; and above
the standards of rival magazines. The magazine uses colours well to draw
attention to the magazine. The background of the front cover is white; now
any colour used on the front cover will create a lot of contrast with the
magazine; drawing more attention to the magazine.
The magazine sticks to a consistent theme; using reds, blacks, silvers and
whites. This presents the magazine look plain and simple; giving the effect of
a serious looking magazine.
The magazine uses controversy, and successful celebrities on the front of the
magazine to catch the attention of the reader.
The layout reflects the magazine and target audience as a Hip-Hop Fan
magazine. The front cover consists mainly of the image of the celebrities;
whom are Hip-Hop artists. The buzzwords are laid out upon the magazine to
fill white space, and further attract the attention of Hip-Hop fans; as the
buzzwords are again about Hip-Hop artists
 Buzzword
Masthead –
The Source

Main image –
direct address

Anchorage
text

Sell lines
Sell lines

Barcode
 The Source Magazine
The second magazine for analysis is: 'The Source Magazine' which is again
a Hip Hop orientated magazine. The magazine uses direct address to
attract the attention of the customers to the magazine. On the front cover,
the main image is of the rapper: “The Game” holding a gun to his head,
threatining to pull the trigger, and commit suicide. This is highly effective at
attracting the audiences attention, as the Game is a highly controversial
artist, who has been known to go through alot of drama. Also the gun to his
head, makes the reader want to find out more about the magazine, as the
concept of suicide is highly dramatic.
The magazine also uses sell lines. These sell lines are highly effective as
they relate to the direct address. It furthers to bring the audiences attention,
as it talks about the most controversial part of the magazine; the gun to the
head. The magazine talking about suicide not being an option, confuses the
reader, as the Game does have a gun to his head; as if it was an option.
The magazines uses buzzwords. The buzzwords used in the magazine are: “
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP” the buzz word is in capitals and in red. This is to
catch the readers attention, and make them aware of the new ownership.
The magazines slogan is: “The Bible of Hip-Hop Music” this portrays the
magazine’s content that of holiness, compared to it’s rival magazines.
The magazine uses the colour red on the front cover of it’s magazine to catch
the readers attention. The colour also relates to the main image. As red also
associated with blood. Both the gang; which the Game is also known to be
affiliated with, and also of actual blood; as the Game is holding a gun to his
head. The magazine sticks to a consistent theme; using reds, blacks, silvers
and whites. This presents the magazine look plain and simple; giving the
effect of a serious looking magazine.
The magazine uses controversy, and successful celebrities on the front of the
magazine to catch the attention of the reader.
The layout reflects the magazine and target audience as a Hip-Hop Fan
magazine. The front cover consists of the image of a celebrity; who is a Hip-
Hop artists. The buzzwords are laid out upon the magazine to fill white space,
and further attract the attention of Hip-Hop fans; as the buzzwords are again
about Hip-Hop artists.
Masthead –
Rolling Stone Buzzwords

Anchorage
text
Main image –
direct address

Sell lines

Barcode
 Rolling Stone Magazine
The third magazine for analysis is the “Rolling Stone” Magazine. The
magazine is devoted to music, politics, and popular culture. The main image
of the front cover is “Lil Wayne” a Hip-Hop artist. As the main image of the
magazine, he is highly effective at catching the readers attention; and the
main reason he is on the cover is due to the change of his music style from
Hip-Hop/ Rap to Rock.
The magazine sell lines also are based on the main image of the magazine.
“Lil Wayne” goes rock. It’s simple, and gets straight to the point.
In contrast to the other magazines, Rolling Stones doesnt use as many
features to catch the readers attention; rather the name of the magazine
alone should be enough to get the readers to pick up the magazine.
The colours used in the magazine are yellow white.