Rihanna Analysis

I chose to analyse the cover of the Rihanna Russian Roulette cover as the imagery influenced my overall ideas. I wrapped the Artist is chains to illustrate a unique defenceless image, the unique imagery was influenced through the Lady Gaga videos, the models featured within the videos are portrayed in distress, the effect is different to other competing Artists within the music industry however I weakened the distress look and combined a sex appeal look influenced from Rihanna.

The black background allows the imagery to stand out in contrast against the darkness; this ensures that Rihanna is the focal point for the CD cover displaying a direct mode of address. The black background shows emphasis on Rihanna’s facial expression; the harsh facial expression illustrates coldness and adds effect to the album title “Hard” as well as the black creates a sense of decay and death as well as introducing mystery. The mid shot portrays Rihanna’s face lowered where as her eyes are staring s at the camera, the lowered face highlights depression as well as the cold facial expression. The direct eye contact with the camera creates despair this conveys a sex appeal and creates a trust invitation for the audience; this contrasts with the distress imagery portrayed.

A small light is also featured in the top middle of the album cover conveying vertical lines which seem to represent bars. The light could represent a glimmer of hope, however the light is faint and out of focus, this could almost display there being no hope, the imagery illustrates entrapment. This is secondly evidenced by Rihanna being wrapped in barbed wire and chains, showing that she is trapped, one arm is released from the trapped imagery, this could connate that she is breaking free. The barded imagery blocking vertical lines of light represent the imagery of a prison cell, which thirdly evidences her being trapped.

The red font displaying “Russian Roulette” imitates blood; the imagery shows blood dripping from the font which represents danger and again adds effect to the album cover name “Hard”. The effect of blood and the harsh facial expression shows a distraught image which is evidenced by the “R” which is represented in swords. The overall imagery and language illustrates danger. I hope to combine the harsh look with my images to show a unique strength. Rihanna establishes a wide audience, male and female orientated due to her lyrics and strong sex appeal. Rihanna’s lyrics consist of taboo language therefore the target audience would be young, aged 17 plus, as taboo language wouldn’t shock the audience.

Lady Gagas Video

The Lady Gaga videos influenced my overall Music magazine ideas.

ICT Drafts

Mood Board

I laid the basis of my Mood board onto different pieces of newspapers; I did this as a result of the image I Chose to take. I want to place the model I use on newspapers to create a theme of dominance. The newspapers create a serious effect, this illustrates that the Music magazine explores the cultural aspects of music as well as just the genre; this highlights importance and allows the magazine to explore a wide target audience, rather than a niche audience. As well as creating dominance and seriousness, the black and white adds a “sex appeal” image to the publication and illustrates mystery, another feature I want the magazine to explore.

I also used pearls on the mood board, the pearls create sensual emotions to the reader, they provide grace, expense and elegance to the image of the magazine, however in contrast to my initial idea only attract a niche market of a female sex audience. I also used pearls to create the effect of heartache and heartbreak “a pure tear drop in every pearl” Pearls are usually associated with emotion and tears; as well as high class and elegance. I chose pearls in contrast to the theme of female dominance. The pearls will be explored in an interview with the Musical artist, and how she became strong and independent from heartache.

I used different flowers in the mood board to illustrate a wild side to the artist, as well as to show purity and a free sense of spirit. The free spirit emphasises the main theme of the magazine; female dominance which emphasises the difference within woman roles in the music industry, my main influence was artists including Lady Gaga and Rihanna. Secondly the flowers are used to portray nature and a natural beauty, I hope to take images outside with trees or flowers to show freedom, and relate to the 60s “hippy” era.

Playing cards have been used within the mood board to establish a fun and lively well being, the cards have been influenced by Lady Gaga; Poker face. I used playing cards to illustrate the theme of a game, portraying that the artist used within the images is like playing a game, a slight tease. She has attitude and a cheeky sense of humour. The attitude will establish a sex appeal for a male audience, however the plan I want to achieve will attract a female audience due to the imagery, where as the text should make the target audience neutral. I hope that the Magazine establishes dominance and that the images stand out for Independence and unique features. The playing cards are a unique factor, I hope that this will attract a niche audience and be a role model for a female audience. Another factor is within a game you win or gain nothing this illustrates a love/ hate relationship for the model.

Lastly I sprinkled beads on top of the mood board to create a stylish concept to the magazine, introducing fashion and elegance. The beads add to the same effect as the pearls introducing grace and re in acting a woman’s role from the 1950s however the playing cards and use of black to create mystery acts as a juxtaposition; this shows the difference from women's roles then to now,and how much things have changed and the generations which have passed. I also used Money to show expense, I want the money to create the effect of fame and celebrity, hopefully this highlights Independence due to the money being her own, and working her way up from nothing to everything. CDS have also been placed on the mood board to emphasise on musical influences.

Lady Gaga Analysis

I chose to analyse the image isolated from the video Bad Romance of the Lady Gaga as the imagery influenced my overall ideas. My overall theme for the music magazine was to show dominance within a woman’s world, I was influenced by Lady Gaga’s unique style in fashion and the strong expressions portrayed in images through videos and in magazines. The models featured within her videos are portrayed in distress; this image shows slight distress through the wide eyed facial expression. The distressed eyes show concentration however also portrays a frightened ideology. The frightened image portrayed shows a sense of weakness and security which is juxtaposition for my theme, however in contrast the outcome of weakness is strength. Strength and the overall in change in woman’s musical roles over the years influenced my work highly, including the factor dominance. Lady Gaga is a confident musical Artist this is shown through her chose of lyrics and obscure fashion.

Lady Gaga’s pale features and the repetition of the colour white could be illustrated as a mental image, the white surroundings portray a mental institution or at least the feel of one, the location around Lady Gaga shows coldness, again highlighting frightened or a crazy image; this factor is also evidenced through her wide eyes. As well as illustrating a frightened image, the wide eyes could relate to the celebrity and fame lifestyle highlighting the use of drugs; this creates a serious effect and shows warning. In contrast white can also be portrayed through purity and innocence. The Juxtaposition is secondly evidenced due to the use of pink; the colour scheme of white and pink illustrate a candy floss image illustrating sweetness as well as the choice of curls, the curls and wide eyes could secondly illustrates bubbles, and represent a bubbly personality. The image highlights numerous contrasts and juxtapositions however rather than being a disadvantage, I feel it’s the image Lady Gaga wants to portray, she’s unique and a mystery. The mysterious personality is shown through choice of facial expression.

The image is a medium close u shot, the close up ensures the audience to establish a clear image of the artist by tightly framing the object this conveys the emotion shown within the shot. The emotion shown is juxtaposition; the main focus is on the extensive wide eyes, which could create a frightened image or in contrast show energy. The main focal point is on Lady Gaga this is highlighted as the background in out of focus where as she is in full focus; video wise this is an establishing shot, it establishes she is the main event. Another feature which stands out is how unrealistic the imagery is, the print screened image looks fake, and airbrushed this could relate to the video being a fantasy, and her dancing in a fantasy world for example in a dream the white colours could signify sleep/dreaming.

Lady Gaga responds to a huge target audience, which due to her uniqueness I find confusing. Initially an artist with a different style and obscure fashion would relate to a small niche audience, an audience which are different themselves for example a band who dressed in black and gothic would relate to the same genre of people. The target audience Lady Gaga inspires would be more a female genre aged 15 plus, however she conveys a distinctive sex appeal which will relate to a male sex orientated audience.

Double Page Spread

Lily Allen; double page spread Analysis; the main focal point of the double page spread is the large image used of Lily Allen the medium long shot shows confidence and a dominate stance. Lily’s hands are placed on her hips this highlights a confident body image, and illustrates that she is in control. The facial position being slight to the left enhances a defence mechanism which is highlighted through the text besides her “People think I’m an attention seeker, But I’m just honest”. The image shows Lily’s tattoo located on her arm, this portrays a rebellious side to Lily and enhances the attitude. The checked shirt stands out against the bland background, illustrating Lily’s vibrant personality, the colour red is associated with danger and loudness, and this conveys Lily’s sharp attitude and loud personality. The rolled up sleeves on the shirt portray the “boyfriend image” and illustrate a laid back, calm but confident image; this is secondly evidenced by the short messy hair it portrays that she is easy going and considers her carer more than her personal appearance.

The white capitalised font stands out in contrast against the black bordering background, the imagery illustrates a newspaper style, where each individual letter duplicates the image of a newspaper, this is a simple effect to use however illustrates professionalism. The capitals used relate to her personality, capital letters show excitement which relates to her fun filled lifestyle, as well as conveying a loud character and bubbly personality. Thirdly they show a powerful perception of Lily, as well as being next to the dominating defensive image.

The text used is simple and limited, which illustrates that within interviews she gets straight to the point, and the text language shows honestly which illustrates her honest and nice personality. This emphasises on that ideology that Lily Allen is a normal person and shouldn’t just be viewed within the star light but as a human being, who can say what she wants regardless of being famous. The quotation subtracted from the interview “People think I’m an attention seeker, But I’m just honest” evidences the defence mechanism, and illustrates she gets to the point and instantly says the truth regardless of what other people think. This illustrates a strong confidence as well as introducing the dominance she portrays.

The magazine will attract a different range of audiences from both sex genders and ages, however Lily Allen’s music relates further to a younger audience due to the taboo language used, the taboo language would shock an older generation where as a younger audience wouldn’t be surprised due to media influences. Lily Allen being young and “sexy” would attract a male audience however her strong and passionate dominance would attract a female’s audience as a role model. The magazine will attract an audience from between the ages 17 and 35.

The main focal point of the second double page spread is the wide shot eye level image; the imagery allows us to see the vocalist in full perspective, looking down away from the camera this is highlighted due to the microphone being taller than what he is, this illustrates a shy image, which allows an audience viewing the magazine to feel emotion for him. The image contrasts with a stereotypical band however the photograph taken could be an establishing shot and shows the band member in action. He’s portrayed in black and white conveying a mysterious effect which also juxtapositions against the shy ideology. The Artist having a strong hold on the microphone portrays seriousness and in effect shows him clutching a dream; the reality of a busy musical lifestyle is portrayed due to the establishing shot used. The busy lifestyle is also evidenced due to the use of numerous images, a wide shot and two medium close up shots are used, the difference in photography structure show the busy levels from different angles, and show a variety for the audience.

“WERE BEING THE BEST MCR WE CAN BE” The capital letters used evidence the seriousness of the interview, and the motivation of the band; it secondly illustrates excitement which instantly attracts the reader’s attention and encourages them to read the interview and further into the magazine, when creating my final piece I will chose to take a quotation from the interview and highlight it in capitals influence from this magazine. The front of the text used is cracked and decayed illustrating the effect and outcome of loud music; this highlights the genre of music and shows an Indie/rock band genre.

The white font of the interview contrasts against the black background, the white text stands out and again immediately attracts the reader’s attention; the text is small and detailed highlighting a typical convention of a double page spread. The text is detailed conveying a serious and busy lifestyle, evidencing the stereotype of a rock/indie band. The repeat use of red adds a flash of colour to the black and white image, introducing a danger or sex appeal image.

The world exclusive banner portrays a repeat use of stars representing the musician’s status within music society, which secondly emphasises a famous lifestyle and stardom which evidences on the “busy” imagery used. The banner located to the right of the double page spread stands out due to the white background, the red used contrasts with the background which establishes an instant recognition mode. The repeat of the colour scheme emphasises on the genre of music as well as the images portrayed, an audience of 16 + and people who enjoy the genre indie/pop music are targeted.

Double Page Spread Analysis; The large serif “A” font stands out amongst the small black font and the black and white imagery and colour scheme. The capitalised A illustrates excitement which emphasises on the busy lifestyle the band in the image lead. The font used within the section changes half way through, the top section of the text is larger than the bottom section, this shows the change in importance, and emphasises on the amount of text which has been displayed, the amount of text illustrates a keen audience who show a strong interest in the band being published.

The large wide shot image displays 5 different images which evidences the busy lifestyles the artists lead. The Mise en scene of “The Independent” newspaper illustrates on the ideology of an intellectual audience this is evidence by the amount of information used within the magazine and the choice of lexis portrayed. The use of black and white imagery creates a mysterious effect, as well as the black creating a serious strong image to an audience. The audience portrayed would be people with a keen interest in that particular genre of music, An audience of eighteen plus.

Contents Page

Drummer Analysis; The main focal point abstracted from the contents page is the title “DRUMMER” the font is portrayed in bold capital letters with a black font inviting the theory of mystery. The capital letters create a sense of excitement as well as instantly catching the attention of the audience. The black font enhances a professional approach as well as illustrating seriousness. The content titles are displayed in a larger font than the tellers located underneath. The kickers are displayed in large bold capital letters again evidencing the effect of excitement. Secondly the capital letters emphasise on the busy lifestyles musicians lead.

The main image used is portrayed a long shot eye level, illustrating realism and introducing a neutral shot. The instruments located within the image show to be more dominated than the artist, which contrasts against the usual layout of an image however an advantage is that imagery exploits the genre of music to the audience and interacts with the rock band image. The photograph is portrayed in a black and white scenario which creates a mysterious effect, the imagery enables an insight of what to expect from the features. Six smaller images are located within the contents page, long shot and low angled images show a direct dominance in each. One of the images is a medium close up shot; this shows detail and is inviting for the audience.

The anchorage “EXCLUSIVE!” is featured in a white font which contrasts against the black and white image is located on top of, the exclamation mark used illustrates the importance of the anchorage and that the magazine wants it to stand out against the other text portrayed, as well as excitement. The repetition of red font is used on the content numbers and on the “features” title, the red indicates a sex appeal image which is evidenced by the rock star band image, which is used through the use of instrument images located on the contents page. The red could also feature danger, which relates to the sex appeal image. The stereo type of men in a band tends to include men been “players” the red could signify the danger of being with a band member.

The images portray men and woman therefore relates to a gender neutral audience, as well as being based on a white background. The background allows the images and text to stand out and to look professional. In my opinion I would say the contents page wouldn’t attract a very high audience due to the limited text and simple layout, the magazine shows simple conventions however the anchorage and text are simple. The contents page would attract an audience of 15 up to 25 years.


NME Analysis; NME (New Musical Express) is a popular well established music magazine company which advertises different genres of music to a wide target population.

One of the main focal points of the magazine are the images used, both images are low angle, long shots, which shows a direct dominance and a superior motive for the images, the low angled shot illustrates strength of the particular artist, in this case Oasis members. Oasis is a popular well known band which is conveyed through the magazine audience having to look up at the photograph’s taken, this portrays their fame and celebrity as well as illustrating a proud image. Both of the images portrayed are active, taken from concerts and recordings, this emphasises on their busy lifestyle. The guitar and sweaty images taken enhance a sexy rock star image which symbolises sex; drugs and rock and roll, this reinstates a sixties era effect which allows a broader target audience.

“...Oasis kicked off their world tour” The sans serif black font illustrates the seriousness of the anchorage and includes an instant recognition for the entire of the magazine. The anchorage anchors the text and imagery to together as well as informing the audience to turn to another page consisting of more information; this conveys the simple structure of the contents page which makes it easy for the audience to understand. Kickers and tellers are used repeatedly on the contents page, the kickers consist of a sans serif capitalised font, where as the tellers consist of a smaller serif font. The capital letters show enthusiasm as well as excitement this will encourage the audience to read them as they stand out amongst the page. The kickers are bordered in a black block illustrating professionalism and seriousness.

“THIS WEEK” The title for the contents page is shown in a large bold capitalised font, which illustrates excitement for the reader encouraging them to find out what’s in this week’s issue. The sans serif font used reflects the seriousness of the font used, and creates a professional approach. The imagery and font are placed on a white background, increasing the target audience of the magazine as the colour used is gender neutral, the white could secondly illustrate innocence which contrasts with the black and red font used also. The red contrast illustrates a sex imagery which again evidences the imagery of the rock star; red can also be used to signify danger. The white, red and black colour scheme illustrates an instant recognition for the entire of the magazine.

The advertisement featured in the bottom middle of the contents page portrays a bright yellow capitalised font; the yellow introduces excitement and instantly stands out within the page, the yellow contrasts with the background it has been placed on, which emphasises it being an advertisement or a flash. The NME magazine stands out to a wide audience due to its advertisement in different genres of music, initially music magazines target a niche market where as NME has something to offer every genre of audience. The feature of Oasis broadens the target audience as they attract old, young, female and male orientated audiences, the magazine would attract an audience of 15 years plus.




Q Analysis; The main focal point abstracted from the Q contents page is the imagery used. The image of four men casually dressed standing against a scenic background is portrayed, the low angle long shot introduces a direct mode of address which highlights the dominance as the audience seem to be looking up at the artists. The image portrays a scraggy jagged look, which creates a certain edge and highlights a sexy rock star kind of image which imitates a sex appeal however the scenic background of hills and green land contrasts with the rock star image and shows a calming image. The four men are shown standing straight with their hands in their pockets and looking straight into the camera at an eye level, this exploits the genre of music through looking “cool” and professional.

“THE COURTENEERS” illustrated in black sans serif font highlights the seriousness of the anchorage and shows that it wants to catch the audience’s attention. The convention portrays an informative style to the magazine as it gives the page number to turn to, in order to read more information on the specific band. The Tellers portrayed within the magazine contents page are featured in bold capitals which exploits the genre rock/indie music. The capitals highlight the excitement and busy lifestyle of the band, as well as attracting the reader’s attention. The tellers are conveyed in a small serif font, the small font illustrates that their not as important however convey more information therefore have to be smaller. The image is based on a white background which allows it to attract a gender neutral audience.

The second image portrayed on the contents page shows an eye level long shot, contrasts with the original idea of a long shot as the man within the image isn’t dominate however the large feature stood next to him does portray dominance as it stands out from the man. The man within the image “NICK CAVE” is portrayed in a suit to establish a smart and older image in contrast to the young and hip image featured above. The red numbering illustrated underneath and on the sub titles could emphasise a sense of danger or warning however in this particular magazine I feel it illustrates a sex appeal, this is evidenced by the main image and their casual confident look. The red font also allows an instant recognition for the entire of the magazine.

“OASIS SPECIAL!” illustrated in a capitalised gold font, due to the different colour this stands out amongst the page, the gold font portrays quality, royalty and importance emphasising on the fame and popularity of Oasis. The Oasis special segment is segmented off in colour and bordered; this ensures it stands out amongst the other features listed within the contents page. The magazine series number, date and website of Q are listed in the top right hand of the magazine establishing that Q is a well known establishment. Due to the magazine specialising in different genres of music, it will encourage a wider range of audience including male and female genres aged 17 plus.