LO2, Task 2: Sample materials (Masthead designs)

LO1, Task 2: Sample materials (Masthead designs)

Mood board Notes (Colours/Themes/Connotations)

Within my moodboard there are contrasting attitudes and concepts which could be influential in the creation of my own masthead. An example of this would be the juxtaposition in connotations between Kerrang and Rolling Stone: the serif, traditional style of Rolling Stone and its flat colour palettes (which change depending on the issue to compliment the main cover image) in contrast, Kerrang uses a juxaposing set of high-key house colours so that the masthead can stand against the background with 3D elements to further the effect. This connotes high power, in your face aggressiveness from the magazine and its definition of rock (the masthead like electricity in shape and colour). In contrast, Rolling Stone connotes a much more sophisticated, classical rock due to its serif font and low-key colours signify an ABC1, older audience in contrast to a C2DE, younger audience with Kerrang despite the requirement for disposable income. Furthermore, Rolling Stone does clash with the main cover image, where the person in the image overlays the masthead in contrast to Classic Rock and Mojo where the image remains behind the masthead.

Furthermore, magazines Billboard change their masthead's colour however, unlike Kerrang, the design always remain the same but differently Billboard changes the orientation of their mastheads to fit the main cover image as a stylistic decision which could be considered. Mastheads also like Wire and Submerge use their backgrounds to create the palette for their mastheads through lowering opacity on some editions or insinuating the letters via boxes with letter outlines like a cut out. Furthermore, the genre of music covered is evident in the design and font type used: 'Music' magazine uses an intricate serif font to connote classical music as Mojo uses sans serif to connotes a wide range of music due to the simplicity whilst 'Classic Rock' connotes rock (not only due to the denotation in the title) through it's own design (varying font size and graphical elements like the stars). Additionally, other magazines like 'Q' use a singular letter however, this makes it less iconic than something like Mojo or Rolling Stone. 

Design Ideas and Influences

I have decided between the first and second mastheads which use the same connotations relating to the 'clash' and signification of teenage rebellion, fitting to the target audience. This is furthered with graphical elements which appear on the first and fourth designs which include a guitar to further the conventions of a music magazine through the denotation of instruments. However, I decided against the fourth (and fifth) due to their lack of readability which is likely to deter a younger teen audience. Between the first three I have used house style colours of black, white and pink which recurs through the cover and double page spread of the magazine due to its relation to the 80's/90's zeitgeist where rock music was most popular, with neon colour pallets that reflect the era. This appeals to the target audience of (16-25) young adults who would be appealed to with this theme due to their interest in rock music. Furthermore, the first two designs convey the meaning behind the masthead with the persecution of Iranians in Kasbah, this evident in gunshot holes in the letters (in the second which use pink to symbolise the rebellion's persecution. The pink also juxtaposes the oppressive black which is used to symbolise the persecution and Iran, the first design denoting a tower to convey this. A benefit however, of the second would be the clashing of heights within the banners that surround the letters which also conveys the 'clash' in Kasbah. The house style colours I have chosen to use based off these masthead designs are pink/purple and black & white (for the masthead). The connotations which this creates, in relation to the music genre, are supposed to convey the feeling of night club lighting, with low-key but vibrant, flashing colours that signify the use of loud music within the rebellion of youth culture which also appeals to my target audience.