House style planning for SBT

House style research KERRANG!

Chosen SBT Masthead Graphic

Chosen ‘SBT’ masthead fonts/ graphics

·         I have narrowed my choices down to three options, all of which would suit my music magazine’s house style and appeal to the readership- profile;

Masthead graphics

10 Possible Mastheads

10 possible brand names:

1.       VINYL-could be seen as the ‘classic’ music mag as the Vinyl records are now seen as the old/ classic form of playing music on the vinyl stereos, this will cause the reader to think that the reader will believe the magazine is successful as it has lasted the ages. 

2.       Backstage-this will give the impression that the reader will be given special access and privileges and in purchasing this magazine they will be enabled to make contact with the artists featured.

3.       Pick- this will appeal to the musicians that would purchase this magazine in the sense that ‘pick’ is another term for a ‘plectrum’; a tool used by guitarists which means they can play without using their fingers so it gives connotations of being ‘clean cut’ and ‘sharp’ with their sound.

4.       Mic- This represents a magazine that is ‘loud’ in the sense that it makes it look like a confident and outgoing magazine that can get a message across. It also refers to the obvious use of microphones in music and gives an impression that the audience can use this ‘mic’ and speak back.  

5.       Bones – bones and skeletons are common among rock and metal culture and it would only be appropriate to this this as the name of the magazine, it also has the connotation that we will strip the music to its pure core structure and get a deeper insight into the music culture.  

6.       On the Rocks – This is a play on words in terms of the fact that ‘on the rocks’ is usually a terminology used in the leisured of rock stars when ordering a ‘hard liquor’ like scotch or rum with ice which is a sign of wealth and respect, this also links into leisure which gives the impression that this is a laid back and fun magazine as well as being ‘Cool’ as the ice would be. But most importantly the word ‘rocks’ links to the music genre featured in the magazine; rock, punk and metal.

7.       40” sub –This is a reference to a type of popular speaker (Subwoofer) that is used throughout all music genres and is instantly recognised as this and so instantly associated with loud and bassy music. With these connotations it would be easy to apply to my magazine as a masthead. However, it is not as strongly associated to ‘Rock’ genre as it is ‘Hip Hop’ which means the obvious association could cause confusion.   

8.       Loud - Obviously rock genre is associated with being ‘loud’, both literally and figuratively in the sense that the genre is related with the artists exercising their right to express their opinions. It is a simple, short and member able masthead that could easily be used and could be easily manipulated to any style.  

9.       Skuff – A scuff is the sound of rough material scraping along another, and is also a mark produced on clothing or skin and so is associated with mud. In this sense it is a perfect representative for the magazine’s house style; it represents going to festivals, the contact of the mosh pits, the of ordeal the artist’s lives to inflict the pain that inspires their songs, the grubbiness of artist lifestyle etc. Also the use of a ‘K’ as opposed to ‘C’ gives the hint of anarchy and freedom.  However the word itself didn’t look or sound right for a professional music magazine, as it gave the connotation of dirtiness (in the sense of unprofessionalism) and gave the image of an infantile audience as the word is generally used in the context of children (being clumsy and falling over and ‘scuffing’ his clothes or knee). 

10.   Sonic boom theory- is, again, a reference to being loud in the sense that a sonic boom is literally an incredibly loud sound which is generated when the sound barrier is broken. Having this as my masthead would prove positive in many ways due to its numerous constructive connotations; it gives the impression that the magazine is a new and advanced take to the rock genre and this new confident magazine will take flight and overtake other popular magazines. Each individual word has its own connotations; sonic: ‘fast paced and powerful’, Boom: ‘a loud, confident and dominant word’ and Theory:  ‘gives the impression that this magazine will take on new viewpoints and information and so will include all the older (already popular) names as well as introduce more. Also the three short words could be abbreviated easily to create a shorter snappier masthead that could be used more easily; SBT.