L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a contents page

This contents page is from Kerrang magazine and has a neat, simple and concise layout, which makes it easy to read and allows the reader to navigate around the magazine without struggling to find page numbers. On the right hand side of the page is a long list of the articles featured in the magazine these are in a clear and easy to read font so minimum effort is needed, situated next to them are the page numbers in bold writing so they are highly visible. It is evident just from looking at the column with the featured articles in that this edition of Kerrang has a simple yet strong colour scheme of black, white and yellow. The colour yellow is that similar to the yellow used on 'caution' signs, with the skull. This indicates the type of music and bands in this contents page. The masthead reading 'Contents' is at the very top of the page in large writing, it draws the readers attention straight away and gives a clear indication of what this page is about (listing the featured articles). The more important and interesting articles that aren't part of the 'regulars' (things featured every week/month) have a thumbnail above them that relates directly to the article. They are stereotypical and conventional of a alternative music magazine such as Kerrang because they show heavier bands on stage and holding instruments. The people featured in the photo's have tattoos, wear a lot of black and are doing 'rebellious' poses, this reinforces that this magazine is alternative and also fits the typical stereotype of what you'd imagine someone who reads Kerrang looking like or aspiring to be. The colour black which is in a lot of photo's holds the strong connotation of rock and roll and rebellion, this reinforces the sorts of bands in a magazine like Kerrang. Underneath each thumbnail is a short introduction to what the above article is about or a interesting quotation which instantly makes you interested in the article. Various language techniques are used to make the article so much more appealing such as 'unleashing', it gives a connotation of danger like unleashing an animal, this links back to the idea of being 'cautious' on this page. The name of the band is also directly underneath the photo is bold writing which is conveniently placed there for the reader to easily read and know who is in the photograph they are looking at. This magazine contents page is conventional for an 'alternative' magazine as it's simply structured and not too heavily glamorised such as a pop magazine would do, this is because they are more about the music and talent rather than hiding behind the glitz. These musicians are represented as being more about the music (posing with instruments) and also being 'individual' and 'rebellious' by wearing a lot of black and posing controversially e.g. the photo at the top of the page showing a member of 'The Blackout' holding a gun. 

L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a contents page

At the very top of the page the writing reads 'Inside this week', this gives a clear indication of what is going to be on this page (the featured articles of the magazine). It's in bold, clear and easy to read writing therefore it's understandable for the reader at first glance which is exactly what you want for a contents page. Situated underneath this is the date of this edition of the magazine, this allows the reader to know when this issue was published which can also be helpful for collectors of such magazines. Thumbnail images are used to reinforce what the featured articles are about and also helps to make the page a lot more appealing/interesting to read. In the corner of each thumbnail in large text is the page number, therefore the reader can easily navigate effortlessly around the magazine and it also creates structure within the magazine. Each image relates directly to the article and it is evident from this contents page that it's a music magazine due to the type of images e.g. a man holding a guitar. Underneath this image is a quotation from the article reading "Next month's mortgage payment has a question mark hanging over it'', this is a tease device as to what the article is about and also makes you interested in the article. The quotation is larger than other pieces of text this creates diversity on the page which again makes it more pleasing to look at. Some of the thumbnails are larger than others which gives a indication of what the main articles are and which are just small stories rather than interviews or in depth reviews of the bands. All thumbnail images have a quotation, it's important for these to be on the contents page in order to help give an idea of what the article consists of. Various language techniques are used to entice you into wanting to read these stories such as 'Ian Brown Baffles at Benicassim' this is alliteration which gives emphasis on the piece of text and leaves you wondering why did Ian Brown baffle?. Controversial quotations have been used, it's stereotypical for bands of the indie genre such as would be in NME to be rebellious in that way e.g. ''The album has a lot of cock on it''. This quote is also in capital letters and bold, therefore your eyes instantly dart to it when you open the page. The images that are used are appropriate to the text, the image of  Mick Jagger is accompanied with a article about him, this however doesn't seem to be a 'feel good' article which is evident through both the text and the expression on Mick's face. The colour scheme on this page is just black and white, it's simple which is typical of a indie magazine, as they're more about the music rather than trying to hide behind colour such as a pop magazine would do. This contents page is very conventional and easy to read. At the bottom of the page is the writing 'Plus', underneath it features the regular things that are in the magazine such as  'Reviews etc.'. They are also accompanied with  page numbers in a bold font so it's clear where you can find these articles.

L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a contents page

Situated at the very top of the page is the phrase ''Inside this weeks'' this illustrates to the reader that this page is primarily for kickers and showing what articles are featured in this weeks edition, however it can also be used for advertisement's such as getting ''NME for just £74.99!''. The writing naming the articles on the page is all very clear and in block sans serif writing so it's read effortlessly on first glance, however quotations are apparent through the usage of serif writing within quotation marks, these are small teasers to the stories and entice the reader into that particular story. Next to the kickers is the location of the story, this is done so that the magazine is simple to read. Dotted around the contents page are thumbnail pictures relating to the stories and helping to illustrate who the articles are about and what they involve. These make the magazine look more visually appealing too. On the right side of the page is that kicker regarding the John Lennon story featured on the front, this ties both together. Language techniques are used such as ''a tribute to the original rock'n'roll star''

L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a double page spread

In a slightly larger font to the rest and in clear writing situated above the article is an introduction, this gives a clear indication as to what the article is all about and also helps to entice people into the reading it because usually it is a catchy and interesting piece of text which is used. This one reads ''She's 2009's biggest success story, with America at  her feet. So why is Florence Welch lying on the floor attacking herself?'', instantly you want to read on because it has used a rhetorical question, it's a language tease devise designed to make you want to read on to find out why she's 'attacking herself'. This introduction also links heavily to the image which shows Florence Welch sitting on top of a box which has an America flag slung over it, therefore she is quite literally got 'America under her feet'. The image is both large and dominant, it represents her as being strong and successful, this also due to the serious look on her face which indicates she's hard working. Because the image is so large she looks as though she's strong, which contrasts with the swirly serif text reinforcing her gender which makes it all so much better that she's so successful. This double page spread evidently is portraying Miss Welch as a strong, independent female character. In the image she is wearing a black leather body and large black leather Jeffrey Campbell's, these represent her as being feisty and rebellious.The idea that she's feisty links in with her hair colour (red) and the colour scheme (red), this is due to the strong stereotype of a 'feisty redhead'. Also leather stereotypically has the strong connotations of rebellion and rock and roll, it is typical for a indie music magazine to have an image of one of their featured artists wearing such clothing. The first letter 'D' of the article is dominant on the page and in swirly black writing, this links back to the idea of her being a dominant female wearing black. The article itself is set out in a easy to read font and set out in clear columns, therefore it's easier to understand and read the article. Behind the image of Florence is writing that reads in large 'USA' , because she's in front of it and spread across it gives the ideology that she's tackling America and everybody in America knows who she is. It also represents her as physically being as big as America, so perhaps she's also musically on the same scale.As Florence is of the 'indie' genre it is unusual and unconventional that she's posing as usually they are more about the music and therefore do not bother, however this could be perceived as her being controversial towards what her genre expects her to do.  

L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a double page spread

"The Chapman Family'' is in large writing that stands out across the page this is there for impact, it instantly draws the readers attention towards this article and entices you, it also gives a clear indication as to what the article is about. i.e this article is specifically about the band 'The Chapman Family'.  Situated at the very top of the page on the right hand side in a slightly larger font than the rest is introduction to the article, this allows readers to have a quick scan read of what the article subject is, it is usually a catchy and interesting sentence making you want to read on further. The article itself is written in a clear font, therefore you do not have to struggle to see the writing and also its set in columns, this is conventional of a music magazine and prevents any difficulties understanding the article. In the centre of the article is a quote, this could be considered a tease device as you have to read the full article to understand exactly what the quote means, usually the quote is an interesting piece of text from the interview with who the article is about. A large a4 image of the band 'The Chapman family' has been used to show the readers who the article is about, but also it makes the page more appealing to readers.  The band are from the 'Indie' genre and as a result have a stereotypical conventional image of them looking casually at the camera, rather than posing as they would if they were featured in a pop music magazine. The image is slightly unusual as they are wearing blindfolds, again this is tying in with the idea that they are 'alternative' and 'rebellious'. They don't follow the conventions of a usual normal band photo. Towards the side of the band there is a guy wearing a t-shirt which reads ''The Chapman family is not a cult'', this is a controversial statement, this reinforces that they are individual. The rest of the page is fairly simple and isn't covered with any 'glamorous' extras, this implies that the band are more about the music and do not need to hide behind anything to show that they have talent. The image however does not follow the Indie genre convention in that this image does not show any of them holding their instruments which is usually what is done for an alternative band. The faces of the band members look stern this represents them as taking what they do (making music) very seriously. The highlighted and chosen quote by the magazine to use in a larger font reads ''I've been shot for the way I look before. It's not big thing for me'' this is both a controversial and unusual thing to say, therefore you instantly as a reader become intrigued and feel you need to read on to know more. The tone of the sentence sounds casual again referring back to the idea of them casually slumped in their chairs being 'cool' and 'rebellious'. At the very bottom of the right page is the 'page number' this allows the reader to navigate around the magazine easily. Because 'The Chapman' family are a simple indie band the colour scheme also follows this, however what little colour there is on the page is clear that it's only Purple, Pink, Black and White.

L.I.I.A.R Analysis of a double page spread

The title is large in a sans serif writing to make it visually accessible, it reads 'THE LAST DAYS OF LENNON' which ties it in with the front cover of that magazine. There is a clear colour scheme of black, white and red which was also on the front cover. The black and white gives connotations of rock and roll and of been and old picture. Lennon is smoking and wearing his signature round sunglasses which holds the strong stereotype of been 'cool' and 'rock'. All the writing is set out neatly in columns so it's easy to read and understand with a large dominant image of John, to illustrate what the article is about. The editors name is at the bottom so you can see who wrote this particular article, it gives them credit and the consumer someone to contact. The image is a photo of John Lennon on the day he died, therefore it's significant to the article.

Draft of my double page spread using images off Google

Draft of my contents page using images off Google

Draft of my front cover using images off Google