Front Covers Analysis

Barcode- Is always on a magazine often shown in the bottom corner like this magazine the barcode allows the seller to sell the magazine to the public and lets them keep rack on how many is sold and what type the magazine is.

Masthead- The masthead is the name of the magazine in this case the masthead is Billboard. The masthead for this magazine is always at the top in big bold lettering this connotes consistency and that this is a serious magazine. The colour of the masthead is not associated with a gender connoting that the magazine is unisex attracting a larger audience.

Main image- Is of Lady Gaga, this connotes that is magazine is a well known magazine which can get huge celebrities to be on the cover. Lady Gaga is in black and white this connotes that she might have two sides to her one being pure and clean and the other being serious and dark it could even mean that she has power.

Anchorage text- this links to the main image, in this case the main image is of lady Gaga the anchorage text is ‘Lady Gaga on Madonna, target & birthing a new race’ these short simple words gives the audience an insight of what is inside of the magazine. The word ‘birthing a new race connotes that lady Gaga is starting something new, the viewer sees this ‘birthday’ to be very large because it is compared to a ‘new race’

House style- In this magazine is black and white, with a tiny bit of blue, yellow and red. This goes against the normal three colour palette rule. The hint of colour connotes that this magazine has a wild part to it and that the contents isn’t what we might think it to be.

Cover lines- there isn’t many cover lines on this magazine that is clear. The one that sticks out the most is ‘plus, Parties, politics, prize-winners: ultimate Grammy wrap’. This connotes that the reader will be reading important and sophisticated information.

Layout- sticks to the usual layout which is seen in most magazines. However the cover lines on not place on the left hand side or on the right hand side in fact they are placed in the middle of the cover. I haven't seen this done for magazines however this new style connotes that this magazine is different compared to magazine already out there. The main image is also displayed in the usual place (in the centre).

Masthead- Is in front of the main image connoting that the name of this magazine is important and they want it to stand out. It also connotes that this magazine is proud of the magazine and want the readers/audience to remember the name.

Anchorage text- The anchorage text always links back to the cover model. In this magazine the anchorage text is ‘World exclusive Tulisa! Her cheekiest interview ever’. This entices the viewer in making them want to find out

what she has said.

Main image- Is of the famous singer Tulisa, she is seen to be an idol of teenage girls this links to the audience that this magazine is aimed at she is smiling and making direct address with the audience, she is also smiling connoting that she is friendly and that this magazine is good and is welcoming to any one who reads this.

Barcode- is on the right hand side of the magazine connoting that the barcode is important but not as important as the other parts of the magazine. Puffs- in this example the puff is the writing in the circle, the writing is angled and off point compared to the other writing on this page. This connotes that this information is important as it is different to the rest of the writing on the page.

Skyline- this tells the viewer what things are given away for free inside the magazine it also tells us if there is any competitions to enter. Skylines are used to entice the audience in.

House style- This consists of the three colours White, Purple and Yellow. The Connotations of this is that this magazine is pure and can be trusted (connoted by the purple), it also is a magazine that has good happy and has inspirational content (connoted by the Yellow).

Cover lines- The cover lines include text such as ‘OMG JLS CONFESS EVERYTHING’ and LOOK LIKE SELENA & CHER’. These sell lines help appeal to the target audience. They inform the reader about the information inside. We can see that this magazine includes the latest pop idols.

Layout- The layout follows the normal layout of a magazine with the cover lines place on the left hand side and below the cover model. The company who runs the magazine is also shown at the top along with the skyline.

Masthead- Is large and in the top right hand corner, this is kept the same in every other magazine connoting consistency in there magazine meaning that they are trying to show they are professional.

Puffs- is always standing out against the rest of the information on the cover. This connotes that they want to the look at that the most and that it is the most important information on the cover.

Anchorage text- For this magazine is ‘Everybody’s Mad For LANA DEL REY’ her name is written in bold capital letters connoting that they are focusing on this celebrity. This anchorage text connotes that the latest news is about this celebrity meaning that this magazine that get the top celebrities to star on the

cover. Main Image- is of Lana Del Rey, a well known respected singer. She is not smiling connoting that the information about her is serious meaning that the audience was to be mature enough to understand and handle it. This informs us about the age which the magazine is aimed at also the fact she is making direct address with the audience connotes that she wants them to know what she is saying.

Barcode- shown in the bottom hand corner with the price to inform the reader how much it is to buy, a price is important because if it isn’t right meaning to expensive to the audience then they simply wont buy it.

Skyline- The skyline in this magazine is similar to a cover line as it is trying to sell the magazine and entice the audience in.

Cover lines- The coverlines are displayed on the left hand side and on the right hand side. This is where they are normally found. ‘So What’s so bloody good?’ is a rhetorical question and directed at the audience to draw them in and to interest them about the magazine.

House Style- the colours in this magazine are Red, pink, white, yellow and black. Most of the writing is in pink connoting that the content is for women and that they are only aimed at women.

Layout- The layout follows the normal layout rules where the barcode is small at the bottom, title shown at the top in bold and so on, connoting that this is a normal professional magazine company