Magazine Advert Analysis- Miss Miller

The main purpose of a magazine advert is to promote the artist and their album to their audience. By having a magazine advert it creates publicity and awareness to audiences. It may also widen the artists target audience due to the fact that different people read magazines and listen to music. It also gives the audiences constant reminding that the album is coming out soon meaning it creates anticipation for the audiences therefore their more likely to buy the album. Its a marketing tool and magazine adverts link in with other adverts such as posters and online adverts to create even more awareness for audiences.  A magazine advert shows the audience other important information also such as their genre of music due to how the advert is presented and ticket dates for their concerts. The magazine advert allows the audience to understand hidden meanings about the artist which may persuade them to buy there album. Magazine adverts are very useful as its an important market tool for the artist, it promotes the artist as well as promoting the album for audiences.

The first advert I analysed is our groups artist which is Ed Sheeran. This magazine advert was for his album 'Plus' in 2011.

Artist representation

On the advert there is a close up of Ed Sheerans face. He is looking down away from the camera smiling. The image doesn't look like its come from a photo shoot, the image is a portrait of Ed which puts across a soft image of him to the audience. The portrait suits his style of music as his music videos also show him as a soft person which the audience can relate to. By using a portrait instead of an edited image it promotes him as the boy next door male which the audience can relate to. It also promotes him as a kind considerate person by the way he is smiling. The close up of Ed is effective is effective as the audience can clearly see hes smiling which promotes him as an happy person. His hair is scruffy in the picture which shows he's not too bothered about his appearance which shows the audience he is a typical male. He is wearing a plain black top which also promotes him as a typical boy and non celebrity like. Therefore the representation of Ed from this advert is a kind, caring happy person and a unique artist.

Connotations.

The orange colour scheme promotes his album due to the fact that the cover of his album is orange also. The way he is smiling down makes the audience read the information at the bottom of the advert which promotes his album. The fact that hes smiling connotes to the audience that he is a happy person. The way he is smiling and looking down makes him appear non celebrity like and a unique person therefore promoting him as an unique different artist. The orange colour scheme also makes Ed bold and makes the information stand out.

Colours

The black and white colouring creates an sepia effect on the magazine advert. Due to the sepia effect makes the magazine advert look sophisticated. The sepia colouring is a simple colour therefore the information on the advert stands out to the audience. The sepia colouring is the colour of Ed which promotes him as a unique and simple artist which suits his brand and his target audience specifically young females. The sepia colouring also creates a calm effect which promotes the artist as quite humble. The orange border at the bottom contrasts with the sepia colour therefore the information on the orange border draws attention to the audience. The orange colour also links in with his album cover therefore promoting his album cover. His name colour is white which stands out from the sepia background therefore promoting his label. The colour scheme is quiet simple as he has a younger target audience so that they can understand the advert easily.

Design/layout

The image of Ed is positioned in the middle of the advert and is the background for the whole of the advert meaning that the image is the main focus of the advert. By having him in the middle of the advert promotes him as the artist and shows the audience he is the main focus. The artists name 'Ed Sheeran' is the boldest writing on the page to promote his label and to show his confidence. There is no writing on Ed's face so that the audience can see his facial expression in which he is smiling therefore meaning they will be drawn in to the advert as his smile is welcoming.

Choice of images

There is only one image on the magazine advert which is Ed Sheeran. With having no other images on the magazine advert shows the audience who the focus of the advert is. It also promotes the artist as a bold, strong and popular artist. The close up of Ed Sheeran highlights his facial expression. The smile creates a warm atmosphere and makes the audience want to read more on the advert. The smile also promotes him as a kind and considerate person therefore the audience will be interested in his albums. The smile also promotes him as non celebrity like therefore he is relatable to his target audience. The image also promotes him as an unique artist due to his scruffy appearance.

Typography

The same font is used on all parts of information on the advert. This makes the advert simplistic which suits his target audience which is young female girls as its easier to read. By having the same font used through out shows that Ed is not self centred as his name is the same font as the other information therefore promoting him as a considerate artist. However his artists name is more bolder then the information at the bottom which promotes him as a strong artist. All parts of information is bold which stands out to the audience and draws them in to the advert. The white colouring of the font makes the information stand out from the advert therefore its easier to pick up information and easier to understand.

Style of Language

"The no 1 album" is effective on this magazine advert as it promotes Ed Sheeran as a strong artist. "The no 1 album" creates anticipation for the audience and makes them want to buy the album. "The no 1 album" also makes the audience believe he is a popular artist and therefore want to buy his tickets to his concert and buy his album.

"What really sets Ed Sheeran apart is his skill at painting pictures with words" is also really effective on the magazine advert as it shows the audience that Ed Seeran is different to other artists which makes them want to buy his album. It also makes the audience interested in him as it makes his songs look powerful therefore the audience would want to buy him album. The style of language is quite simplistic so that the audience can understand the advert easily.

The second magazine advert album I'm analysing is for Ben Howards album cover.

Artist representation

Ben Howard from this magazine advert comes across as a unique and different artist however also conventional to the indie genre. The image of Ben Howard is very different to other magazine adverts images. Its an image of him diving in the sea. Although the image is not an typical image to have on a magazine advert it makes him stand out as an artist and promote him as diverse which attracts audiences attention. The image creates a sense of mystery which promotes to the audience that he is different. Ben is represented as non celebrity like and diverse which promotes him also as a strong character. Due to the fact that there is only one image shows the audience that he should be the main focus and he is a strong artist. The image links in with his personality, Ben has worked with charities to keep English beaches clean. Therefore the image promotes his charity work which creates a good reputation of him and suggests to the audience that he is a cool person as the image is unique and different. Therefore the artist representation from this advert is unique, different and diverse.

Connotations

Due to the fact that there is only one image and its Ben Howard swimming in open waters alone suggests that he's an independent artist and only wants to work alone. By having one image of what is appears to be Ben Howard  creates a sense of mystery and the audience want to understand more about what he is doing. Due to the fact the image is unique to other magazine advert images suggests to the audience he is an edgy artist and want's his music to come across differently. By Ben swimming in the sea may also suggest he's an outgoing person and loves swimming which creates a good reputation of him. The bright colour of blue at the top of the poster can connote to that he has a bright future in the music industry or the bright blue colour can also indicate happiness and peace. The darker blue colour of the sea could represent the unknown and mysterious places which creates a mysterious atmosphere. This poster can be interpreted in many different ways which is why it is so interesting for the audiences.

Colours

The use of the colours are quite simple. The image is the whole of the advert therefore the sea colours are the main colours of the image. There are different shades of blue used within this advert, this makes the advert more appealing and interesting for the audiences. It also makes the advert more eye catching therefore audiences are more likely to read and look at it. The colours  represent him as an artist which is 'cool' and 'calm' The blue colour gives of a warm feeling therefore the audience will be more likely to read the advert. The colours are very simple which is conventional to the indie genre and puts across the idea that Ben is an simple artist.

Design/layout

The design and layout on this magazine advert is slightly different to typical magazine adverts. From the design and layout the audience can see that Ben is an original artist and likes to do things differently. The image is a mystery whereas on typical magazine advert the image usually promotes the artists. Although this image promotes Ben as a unique artist. The long shot of the image allows the audience to see more of the information rather then him which suggests that Ben wants to promote his album efficiently. Its also slightly different to the Ed Sheeran magazine advert due to the fact that his name and album is at the top of the poster. "Ben Howard" is the boldest writing on there meaning that he wants to be known to different audiences. By having his name and his album at the top suggests that Ben wants to promote himself and his album more then his image. However there is no information on covering the image therefore the audience can see it clearly and interpret the image to how they believe it is.

Choice of images

Typically there is only one image on the magazine advert. The image can be perceived in many different ways which makes the advert interesting and promotes Ben Howard as a unique artist. The image is likely to be Ben but as you cant see the persons face it may not be which intrigues audiences. The image is a mystery which catches people attention. The image doesn't promote Ben as an artists it just suggest to the audience that he is different which makes them want to buy his album. By having no writing on the image shows that Ben wanted to create a mystery effect as you can clearly see the image.

Typography

The writing on the magazine advert is all in the same font. The font is bold and eye catching. Its also simplistic which links back to his image. The white colour of the font contrasts with the blue colouring so that the writing stands out and the information can be see clearly. "Ben Howard" is the largest text and most bold on the magazine advert. I believe this is done so that when people turn to this advert in the magazine they will see Bens name and would want to read it. By having his name as the most boldest text on the magazine advert promotes his himself as an artist. It also shows his confidence. The simplicity of the magazine advert is conventional to the indie genre.  

Style of language

The style of language on the magazine poster again is very simple which relates back to what type of artist he is. The language used is also very clear so that the audience can understand the information and know when his album is coming out. The simplicity of the magazine advert links back to his simple style and his songs. Theres not much information on the magazine advert which suggests he wants audiences to find out more about him by themselves. 

By looking at these two indie magazine adverts has given me inspirations for when I create my own magazine advert. I have many ideas when I create my own magazine advert due to the research I have done. The ideas I am thinking of incorporating into my own magazine advert is keeping the advert simple, bold font for the information, realistic conventions and the poster to create a sense of mystery so the audience want to find out more.