existing product research by kate

I chose to do this front cover as Rihanna is one of the most well-known artists in the chart. They have used a close up shot of her for the cover but the masthead overlaps the picture which makes her less important on the page. The colouring in pink, black, white and yellow. They also have another little picture in the bottom left corner of a band that will attract an audience of teenage girls. There’s a flash in the top left hand which advertises the magazines as brand new. The colour pink will attract a female audience, mostly teenagers. The cover doesn't have any space, the whole front is covered. The big names are in big, colourful letters at the right of the page. It is mostly pictures, masthead, strap-line and a flash. In the picture Rihanna is looking straight down the camera and smiling which makes it a friendly magazine. The target audience for this magazine would be teenage girls.

I also chose to do this magazine as Madonna is one of the most well-known, experienced singers in the world. They use a close up of Madonna for the front cover, although the masthead and strap-line cover the image, she is still the min focus. Apart from the yellow in the masthead the colours are all rather dull but they work well for the magazine as it has a cool look. The image of Madonna looks alluring for a male audience and she is staring straight down the camera which makes a connection with the audience. The front cover has a bar code and price in the top right third. Down the left hand side of the page they have three more cover stories and pictures. Also at the bottom of the page they have a banner with more well-known artists on it. The lighting on the picture of Madonna is very bright which attracts more attention to her. On this front cover the don't use bright colours, flashes or puffs which makes it more grown up than the other cover. I think the smash hits magazine is for an older audience, maybe in their twenties.