Analysis of magazine Cover 1.NME Sept 2009

Dizzee Rascal Edition

FRONT COVER ANALYSISMasthead; the masthead is the name of the magazine and usually follows the house style. E.g. for NME it follows red white and black.

Cover lines; the reason cover lines are there is to give the reader a preview of what will be included in the magazine.

Main image; the reason there is a main image is usually the person the main cover line the story is about. It also gives us an idea of the genre of music the magazine is about. The reason the chosen background is graffiti is because it represents his childhood. His facial expression is happy and gives off a energetic vibe and links into the pull quote.

Main cover line; the main cover line is to inform the reader about who the focus of the magazine will include. ‘Dizzee Rascal’ is written all in capitals and bold white writing which contrasts with the background as it is all bright colours and stands out, the denotation shows that he has a bold personality

Barcode-date/issue/price; to inform the reader about the price and the issue they are buying. It is also a convention that is included of every magazine.

The footer; the use of the footer is to give more information about what will be included in the magazine, the particular bands mentioned are linked with the particular genre.

Use of pull quote; links to the main story and pull quote. It is full of energy as if Dizzee is opening his arms to the world , ‘spreading joy around the world man’

Background; the background links to Dizzee’s personality and also shows the background he has come from. E.g. growing up in London and being around graffiti a lot as a child.

Flasher; is a extra promotional offer, and will link to the genre of the music, sometimes to a particular offer to a band.

Banner; this is showing us that we are looking at the contents, ‘NME’ is placed there again and follows the house style of the magazine, red white and black. It is taken from the front cover of the magazine.

House style; the reason house style is used is because it makes the magazine look professional. The house style of this magazine is the colours red, white and black. For the index the titles are in red and the numbers for the pages are in black. The only time the house style is broken is when the yellow is used to advertise the subscription this is because it needs to stand out, used for a ‘lure’. There is a switch between lower case and upper case, most of the titles are in upper case to make it stand out. The font is constant all the way through and carries on through from the front cover which following the house style again.

Editorial; the reason there can be a editorial is to give the reader a deeper inside to what will be included in the magazine and it picks out

certain pages again, almost a contents page but without as much detail. It uses a lot off informal language such as ‘eh?’. The editorial almost ‘big’s up’ the magazine. It is placed on a black background to make sure it stands out.

Lure; the use of a lure is to grab the reader even more encase they aren't sure of buying it. ‘the uk’s no1gig guide’ they say it as if no other music magazine includes it and that if they do theirs is the best.

Subscription; the idea of a subscription is to show the reader that they can already get the next issue at a lower price, it’s a type of ‘lure’ it contains all the necessary information to get hold of them, they give you every type of way to get in contact with them so its like you don’t have a reason not to. The fact it breaks the house style as well really shows that they want you to notice it. A clever selling point.

Rule of thirds; a convention used in magazines and in this one to keep it looking professional

By-line; the idea of a by-line is to tell us who the article was written by.

Picture credits; the reason there are picture credits is so we know who has taken the pictures for the double page spread.

Layout; the layout for this double page spread is very simplistic which could contrast to ‘Dizzee Rascal’ life because it is very exciting and fun unlike the layout. With the picture being on the left taking up a whole side and then the writing on ¼ of the right hand side. The text also wraps around the images. And the title taking up ¼ as well. The text is divided into four columns which a magazine convention.

Images; the images are highly related to the person that ‘Dizzee Rascal’ is. The graffiti is followed on from the front cover which is emphasising about the type of person he is. The image under the text is a old style radio which detonates to him as a child and it was a massive part of him growing up. There is also an image of beer bottles which could detonates to the fact he is quite a party animal. His facial expression on the main image is mischief and is saying he does stuff he isn't meant to. The second image also fits in with the background of the first image

Tagline; the tagline is used a lot in NME and is reminding the audience who the article is about. It is a magazine convention.

Drop capital; the drop capital is used to draw attention to the article and fits in with the house style of ‘NME’

Page number; a typical magazine convention

Subheadings; information about the artist and his achievements

NMEhttp://www.nme.com

TARGET AUDIENCE65% Male* 50% 16-24* 23% 25-34* 79% ABC1*

NME is the longest published music magazine. It is a weekly magazine priced at £2.20, appealing to the more high social class as it is an expensive price for a weekly magazine. It was launched in 1952. Its target audience is Men 17-30, with the average being 25.80%. With 411,000 readers. Circulation being 56,284.

79% of their readers like to listen to new bands

52% are interested in taking in a musical course.

80% readers believe that music is an important part of their daily life.

32% are thinking about buying a musical instrument next year.

62% read at least 3 out of 4 issues.

34% are working full time, 18% are working part time and 26% are full time students