Student Copy

What you get on front covers

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Plug

Selling Line or Banner

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Bar Code

Date Line

Headline

e.g. Connotations of the Masthead What meaning is added with the

interaction between anchorage and photos

What lifestyles are hinted at in taglines, kickers and use of language in general

What is regarded as most important on the cover and why you think this is

What tone / type of language is used

How front covers are conceived and laid out

Direct mode of address can appear ‘in yer face’, serious, warm…

Indirect mode of address can be mysterious, lively, sombre…

Creates a wacky, fun image, sharing an identity with the reader that offers the ‘independence’ of indie music.

Enigma – what are they getting up to now?

COLOUR - Is a colour scheme used? Is it the same with every issue or switch according to the images? Is there a pattern as to where colour is used? Does colour have its own meaning?

FONTS - Roughly how many different fonts (not sizes) are used? Can you link the same fonts with the same conventions?

STYLE - What look and feel is created? How much does the cover image contribute to this? What photographic techniques are used? Describe the mode of address and overall look e.g. invitational, mysterious etc. Is a theme used e.g. futuristic? Does an enigma prompt the reader to ask questions?

USE OF SPACE - How has the rule of thirds been used? Does the left-third dominate? Is the use of space typical e.g. masthead top-left, headline sitting at the bottom of the mid-third etc.? Is it spread out, blocky, chaotic? Is there any dead space or white space?

CONCLUDE – Why do you think it is designed as it is? Does it reinforce or challenge the typical conventions? Is it: poster-style, busy , loud, inyerface, smooth, slick, stylish, fun etc.?

Colour changes with every issue however they are usually dark or neutral tones so they don’t clash with the colourful bold masthead. Colour is used for a number of reasons, for example on the Rihanna cover of billboard, red is used to promote femininity and sexuality. Whilst on the other hand a greyscale is used to connote masculinity, power and sophistication. There is three fonts used on the cover, one for the masthead, one for kickers/anchorage etc and one for small print and details on the barcode. They help break down information and also help to hold up the structure of the cover. Although there is a direct mode of address, the mood seems to be very relaxed and powerful, rather than being a ‘super smiler’ and over exaggerating a pose to invite a reader. The style is very modern and fits well with the popular music genre, all camera shots are mid to close up, either creating a link with the audience or promoting sexuality as well as representation of clothing through indexical codes. The use of space goes against convention although only subtly. The masthead cuts across all of the top thirds, instantly jumping out to the reader. This is also apparent as the face is slightly to the middle of the cover. The cover is very relaxed in terms of text although all dead space is covered if there is any. The billboard covers are a combination of slick style and fun. The colours always complement each other and the cover image. It is very tidy and is structured into different sections which appear to stay in the same position from cover to cover, for example the main copy and anchorage of the artists name are identical from the Drake and the M.I.A cover.