Textural Anaylysis

Feature Analysis of The Source Magazine

The layout of the main features of the double page spread has been divided into two columns of text. Both columns are aligned neatly to the right of the page - creating a neat appearance which is easy for the readers to read and move around the magazine with ease. The cohesive colour scheme indicates a connection with the content pages colours (consist of red, black and white). The use of the same colours creates regularity within the cohesion which links with rest of magazine & adheres to House Style of the magazine. The start of a new topic is acknowledged by the use of a large letter at the beginning of a paragraph. This is a common convention used by music magazines. Another convention is the use of sans serif text, which is used throughout the entire article. This a relevant convention because it makes the text look clean and easier to approach and to try to read.
There are focus quotes placed above certain paragraphs in capital letters, because they are the main focus. This convention acknowledges to the readers the core value of the magazine. I believe the quote of the streets has done so.

Analysis of the Source Contents Page

The contents page for the October 08 issue of The Source Magazine has the identical features as the front cover. There are still some differences to the appearances of both of the front page and the contents page. This helps produce a sense of consistency to the entire House Style of the Source magazine, this makes the readership able to recognize this particular magazine. Two of the colours used on both the front cover and the contents page are the same, white and black. However on the contents page a red text is used to make it look more unique, in comparison to the front page. The font styles used on both the contents page and front page are cohesive, they also follow the conventions for normal hip-hop magazines. The text is a Sans Serif style and is easy to read. The sub headings are in a gradient. The use of this gradient (Black to white) directs the reader through the different segments of the magazines. Sub-dividing the contents is a common convention for magazines as well. The contents page is divided into 9 key segments; the section named ‘Features’ is on the second page of the contents page the page is dedicated to a list of all the features within the magazine. Features are detailed articles which include interviews etc. The sub-heading of the features is in bold black sans serif text with a gradient helping the reader notice what each feature is about. There are smaller subheadings underneath the larger one that indicate the page number the article is on and the title of the article. This allows the readers to navigate them selves throughout the magazine, meaning they can find what they desire to read.
All the subheadings and page numbers are aligned to the left of the columns; there are two of these on each of the contents pages. On the main feature page a picture of ‘Young Joey’ is aligned to the left of the page this draws attention to the particular feature article. As a well known rap artist this would be a key draw for the target readership and would encourage them to purchase the magazine. ‘Young Jeezy’ is wearing a black t-shirt and has a serious expression on his face, which is conventional to a hip-hop magazine. The black border that’s around the outer edges of the contents page creates a neat and tidy look for the page.

The Source: Front Cover Analysis

The front cover of the source follows several conventions of musical textural information. I would say that the overall layout of the source is conventional to a music magazine. That’s why the mast head of the source is positioned at the top of the page in white sans serif font. I believe this is because the mast head is important however the masthead is most commonly behind the artist in the source. I think this is a marketing technique that intentionally wants the reader to firstly identify the artist on the cover, consequently picking it up, then conclusively realising the brand of the magazine.
‘House style’ is another convention followed by the source as it’s needed for current readers to identify the magazine they are familiarised with, Which is evident based on the constant use of the white bolded san serif text. I believe this is beneficial as the target audience and the regular readership is established (House style is something that I need to consider when I make my magazine). Above the masthead there is a banner titled ‘Barrack Obama’ in a sense this is conventional because the politician has relevance towards the black community. This is beneficial to the music magazine because the black community are the target audience and their readership reliability will increase. The text is in black which makes stand out and it’s also in san serif text this also follows the conventions of a music magazine (This strap line is positioned width wise above the mast head). The choice of the image on the front cover has relevance because the artist jweezy is currently a known as a one of the hip hop legends. The image is taking up most of the page portraying a sense of importance (the picture taken is a medium close up).This image also has a caption, positioned below on the left hand side identifying the artist. The text in the caption is in yellow in san serif text making it bold. If other readers that are only interested in jweezy may buy the magazine or even develop a regular readership. In the caption there is also text mentioning ‘hero to the hood’ this portrays the artist as a successful role model to the target audience.
The Magazine also has a cover line that refers to the death of artists Bernie Mac and also Isaac Hayes, by paying their respects. This shows a sense of acknowledgment towards the target audience’s loss, within their community. It also has information about different artists that are going to be on future magazines – this is conventional, because it lets readers know what artists are going to feature in the front cover of future issues, published.
The colour scheme of the source is yellow black and white I believe that the publisher has kept the colour scheme simple so the most important information is made to stand out in comparison to other parts of text for example the caption titled jweezy in yellow and the banner titled Barrack Obama in black which is in comparisons to the white masthead.