Analysis of front covers of magazines:

Kabita Nepali

Masthead:The masthead ‘Q’ is really bold and takes up most of the background on the left of the main image, this shows the dominance of the magazine because they feel that it can be big enough for the customer to notice it. The colour red stand out especially since the text is in white, it catches the attention of the customer. The customer would then be able to easily notice the masthead.

Pull quote:By using the pull quote next to the main headline of the artists name, it indicates to the reader that there will be something linking those together in the magazine. “IF YOU’VE GOT IT, FLAUNT IT…” is a small part from the interview, by selecting these specific words, it draws the reader in and makes them interested in what the artist might have to say.

The coverline/headline:The text is very bold and clean. This may attract the reader since it takes up all of the main images bottom half. This indicates that the main focus might be the coverlines and not mainly the main image. The colour used for this text is white, which is also the same colour of the text in the masthead. I think that there is a synergy between the two, meaning that they are both equally important for the reader to first notice.

Barcode:The barcode is located at the front so the reader can easily purchase the magazine. It can also help locate and inform the price and the date of the magazine to the reader, which may also help them be more drawn into the magazine and by it.

Colour scheme:The colours used in this magazine is mostly red, white, and black. It makes the magazine hint what type of music it may offer.

Sell lines:The sell lines are located on the left. This informs the reader about the content available inside of this magazine and what they can expect from it. This may appeal to the reader since they might find something that catches their attention. The colours mostly used are Red and black, this makes the readers attention switch from the main image to these. This is good since there are content such as pull quotes within these sell lines, this may appeal to the audience since there is the artists’ name right next to it, U2’s BONO, this may appeal to that music’s audience.

Flash:By using the flash, it can attract readers because it may contain information the reader finds interesting. This one states “THE 300th ISSUE”, this may appeal to this magazine’s market because the reader might want to buy this ‘special’ one. It also includes “INTROSDUCED BY PAUL McCartney”, this may appeal to the reader since they might know who that artist is, and this can make them want to purchase this magazine.

Main image:The main image is a close up shot of ADELE, she is looking directly at the camera so, it makes the reader feel like she is looking directly at them. This may appeal to the reader because they may know who she is, or they might be a fan of hers. She isn’t wearing colourful clothing or makeup. This hints that this magazine might not be a pop magazine where they have lots of colours like pink, yellow, orange, etc. In this magazine the artist, ADELE, is wearing minimal make up warm make up and is wearing a dark clothing, this diverts the attention of the reader to the headlines, selling, and others, etc.

Masthead:The masthead ‘NME’ is bright red, this means that the reader will easily be able to tell what brand this magazine is. The size of the font makes the text stand out more, so it can intrigue the reader, they might then pick up this magazine because they recognise the name.

Slogan:By having the slogan ‘NEW MUSIC EXPRESS’, which is the full name of the magazines masthead ‘NME’, it also suggests to the reader that this magazine will provide ‘NEW’ music, which may interest the reader if they want to look at new music.

Main cover line:The main line that stands out is ‘THE RECORD THAT CHANGED MY LIFE’, the text stands out because it is white and is in front of the artist, who is wearing black. This makes the reader connect those two links together into thinking that that cover line must have a connection to the artist in the main image. The cover line also, makes the reader be interested in the magazine because the reader may have looked at this magazine because of the image and then to have the cover line stand out more, it will make them want to know more about that artist on the main image.

Barcode:The barcode is at the front on the bottom right side, this makes the reader easily be able to purchase this magazine and they can also check what the price and what this issue of magazine is.

Puff:The puff stands out in the magazine because it engages with its target audience by, stating words such as ‘THE ULTIMATE GUIDE, EVERY RELEASE!, ALL THE FREE GIGS’ and by ending it with ‘EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW’. This appeals to the reader because it makes the reader think they must purchase this magazine in order to gain this information and find out this interesting fact that might appeal to them.

Main image:The main image is of an Artist, he is wearing a black shirt with a rose on, the rose is red and white, therefore, this indicates to us that these are the main colours since, those colours are also frequently used in this magazine front cover.The artist is looking directly at the camera so, it looks like he is looking directly at the reader, this may make the reader want to purchase this magazine because they might recognise the artist or they may be interested in them whilst looking at the magazine cover.

Sell lines:The sell lines will appeal to the reader because it mostly all state Artist/Band names such as, ‘JACK WHITE’, ‘THE CRIBS’ etc... These names will appeal to the target market because they might recognise an artist/bands’ name among the list and this will make them interested into purchasing this magazine.

Colour scheme:The colour scheme of this magazine is various because it uses colours such as, Red, Black, and white but, it also has text colours like Blue and white, which makes the magazine more softer and balances the attention of the reader to where the Red, white and black texts are.

Strap line:This may appeal to the reader because they might know who this artist is. This will also appeal to them because it shows diversity of music throughout the names of artist in the sell lines. This will make the reader understand the want to know more about this magazine.