Raygun Analysis

This is an issue of Raygun magazine from March 1998, using the band Radiohead as their main image. The way they have chosen to edit the image to make the contrast very high, has made the faces of the people very bright and hard to see, leaving the only clearly visible face as the frontman, Thom Yorke.

The main image is also actually made up of three images of the band, edited together. This clashes with the normal conventions you would expect to see on a magazine, as the image is quite confusing and cluttered. It is also not the main feature on the cover, whereas usually the readers eye would immediately be drawn to the image on the magazine, here they would be more likely to see the masthead. This tells us something about the magazine and it's readers, in that what the publishers and the readers both feel is the most important feature of their front cover is the name Raygun. They feel that the information presented on the front is not important, they are instead simply attracted to the name as they are known for having a very specific fan base.

It is said that Raygun "explored experimental magazine typographic design. The result was a chaotic, abstract style, not always readable, but distinctive in appearance." and this point is clear to see, using this front cover as an example. Although others who have not read this before may instantly be put off by the chaotic design of the cover, this will be the exact reason that it's readers keep buying the magazine, they feel that it is a very unique style which maybe helps them to feel more individual, rather than buying the 'mainstream' magazines that are very structured.

In my opinion this style of magazine doesn't work, as although it may be eye-catching and attractive to a certain group of people, it does not appeal to a mass market, this may of course be their plan as they may not want it to become a mainstream magazine. However in my opinion, the style is just too disorganised and confusing, therefore putting me off of buying it.