Research and Planning: Exsisting product analysis

In order for me to produce and complete my piece i have to look at exsisting products to see what makes them work and the competition i would be up againest if i was to sell my product. I have looked at an exsisting music magazine KERRANG!

Front cover

• The main feature and ultimate selling point seems to be the photo of the band with the most well known member Pete Wentz more dominant and the backgrounf white keeping the focus on the photo.
• The name of the band is written in gold and placed half way down, this lets the audience know the bands name and gold is associated with high class to show that they are high up in the music industry and well known.
• The masthead is written in capitals and is what appears on every issue of the magazine so is therefore recognisable even if the photo, like on this cover, is covering the name. This shows that the band is more important than the name of the magazine.
• Above the mas head is a selling line for the magazine, a yellow strip of information which appears on every issue
• Underneath this is the selling line for the ultimate selling feature, Fall Out Boy giving the reader an insight as to why they are on the front cover and what to expect to read about them.
• On the right hand side is a different photo with writing to show the audience what else they should expect in this issue.
• In the bottom left hand corner is photos set out as if in a scrapbook with a hook to the reader to make them feel that they are getting something from the magazine "5 free posters."
• On the opposite side is writing giving more information on the issue.
• Under this is a barcode which will have the price and individual issue number od the magazine which will vary but be noticed on every magazine.
• Underneath all this right at the bottom is a "plus" which is drawing the readers them giving small pieces of information as to what they could read about in this issue.
• The house colours are Yellow, Black and White and the house style is recogniable.

Contents Page

• At the top of the page is an editors letter adressing the audience personally thanking them making them feel good about buying the magazine. Next to this is a picture of the last issue of the magazine for the editor and reader to refer too.
• Next to this is the title of the page following the house colours and is larger than the rest of the writing.
• Underneatrh this is a quote from an artist or famous person for the audience to read and think about.
• Down the right hand side is what is in the issuse titled "this week" under different headings with page numbers and titles of every page, it has kept the house colours and makes it easy reading for the audience with specific articles on pages shown.
• On the left hand side is a large photo graph with the page number title and summary on it under this is two smaller ones and down the side 3 more this keeps the page organised and summarises the whole m,agazine.

Double page spread

• The double page spread is an article on the bands live gig. The main photo is of the main member on stage singing into a mic and goes over the middle of the page.
• Down the side of the right page is pictures from the event of the band and fans laid out like a scrapbook.
• Down the left hand side is the title again keeping consistant with the house colours "lives."
• Under this is writing thast changes font, size and colour to tell the audience different information and keep them interested enough to read on.
• Under this is a column of writing about the even written in paragraphs to inform not bore the reader.
• Below this is a passport size photo of an artist with a heading title and and writing written in a box to give a snippet of information.
• In the bottom left hand and right hand corners is the page number and name of the magazine.
• In the top right hand corner is the name of the magazine with writing underneath.

This is a detailed analysis of an exsisting product which I have dennotated and connotated and picked out familiar codes and conventions which I will have to include when producing my magazine so that it can run in competition with exsisting music magazines. These things are what make this product a success however the audience they cater for is limited which is something I will look into, to see if i can appeal to a wider audience.

From our product analysis we found that a successful product has to inject the reader hypodermically and demographically, and be successful through gratification.
Headings need to stand out and be bold and contrast with other pieces on the page. Subheadings need to do the same but not take away the general focus off the heading but give a little bit more. Colours need to be kept simple but again contrast to make it eye catching and create different moods. Pictures need to set in the right place with correct costume and expression to make the reader want to read the caption with it that has to shock the reader in some way shape or form to make them buy the magazine and read it.
A magazine is a sellable media and to make money needs to be sold offers will make reader think they are getting something for nothing which will also make them buy. Barcodes and issue number help with the product distribution and prices are there for consumer purpose.
Contents pages need to be basic and give a over view on what to expect in the whole magazine with jus a few words. Page numbers are needed so the reader knows where to turn to, basic titles help to show the reader what is on each page using a few words these words have to persuade the reader to read the article and pictures with meaning help to do this as well. Simple colours are again used to keep the audience focus on the articles they may want to read.
Double page spreads must relate to the artist the whole way through. Interviews must have a clear distinction of the interviewer and the interviewee either with colour or bigger font. Simple but effective colours should be used along with headings, quotes and captions to keep the reader enticed. Pictures should help to relate to the article and keep the reader focused.
From looking at this we now know what to include in our own front cover, contents and double page spread and hope to do this in an effective way that will sell our product to our specified audience.