Analysis of magazine front covers - Cover 1 - NME Sept 2009 Dizzee Rascal Edition

By Gregory McLaney

Front Cover Analysis

The FooterThe footer used is to attract audiences to read further into the magazine. It quotes headline acts that are inside the magazine so audience will see these and want to know more about them and what information the magazine has to offer about the bands/artists.

Barcode, Date and PriceThe barcode holds data and this is important for the company to know how many issues they've sold and it also helps with target orientation. The date shows the issue and date that the magazine was made. The price is important so the audience knows how much they need to pay. Notice all of these conventions are small and in the corner of the magazine. This is because they are geniniue conventions however they aren't a typical attraction for the audience.

The Main Cover LineThe main cover line 'Dizzee Rascal' shows many things. Firstly, it's the name of the dominant artist. Also it shows the genre of the magazine. Finally, it shows a large attraction due to the large bold effect of the text.

The Main ImageThe main image is of the artist 'Dizzee Rascal' he dominants the frame. It's a long shot however he's crouched down so it looks like a mid shot almost. Also the text below him (the main cover line) dominants the frame too. The both combine to create a main highlighting selling point of the magazine.

Cover LinesThe cover lines show alternative artists for the audiences attraction. The use of different artists expresses the genre. Also the use of '& more' makes readers want to buy the magazine so they can discover who the 'more' artists are.

Front Cover AnalysisThe Mast HeadThe mast head used here shows the title ‘NME’ in a large bold font. It is red to stand out also the white with black border around the text further makes the mast head stand out and grab the audiences attention.

The BackgroundThe background used is graffiti, this links with the urban feel of the magazine and gives off a sense of the hip-hop genre of the main dominant artist.

Rule Of Thirds/Left ThirdThe main image dominates the rule of thirds. In addition to this the information dominants the left third. Also the Artists name dominants a lot of the image. However there isn’t much information the information used is vital in attracting the audience in the correct attracting spot of the rule of thirds.

The FlasherThis flasher here conveys to the audience a main/important feature of the magazine. We know this due to the fact it’s the only flasher used. Also the bold white text inside it expresses the importance and the eye attraction towards it.

The Pull QuoteThe use of the pull quote in large block capital font is made to stand out and attract the audience. The quote has friendly connotations and makes the audience buy the magazine due to curiosity.

Target Audience Analysis

The target audience for this magazine 'NME' is men aged 17-30, social classes A, B, and C1. The genre is indie. The use of the graffiti background shows the youthfulness of the magazine and its audiences. Also the young artists on the front emphasises this too

The reader of NME have major musical interest and NME plays a role in their life. A majority of the audiences are constant festival attendants

The magazine comes out in weekly issues and costs £2.20. This price is ideal for the target audience of young men who are just starting to work or who are in education. Working class – middle class target audience.

Methods used to attract the audience are: Bright background colours and mast head, large dominant image, flasher, large quote line, large dominant selling line and the attraction of having many more artists inside.

This hyper link below will take you straight to the NME magazine website

http://www.nme.com/magazine

Analysis of magazine front covers - Cover 2 – VIBE Magazine

The MastheadThe mast head used is block capitals and a bold font. There’s a black to red gradient which has connotations of the genre which is hip-hop/rap. The main image Is positioned above the text connoting that the artist is more dominant than the magazines branding.

The FlasherThe flasher used says ‘The Real Rap’ this offers the audience a view on the magazine which leads them in to wanting to buy it. The line below it also will make the reader curious about what is inside ‘here comes the pain’ this also links with the hip-hop genre.

The BackgroundThe background is a plain light grey. This is very dull. However, it makes the mast head, selling lines, flasher and main image stand out and very easy to read. This is most probably the producers choice to attract the audience.

The Pull QuoteThe pull quote used is ‘I literally almost died’ this shows a link with the hip-hop genre’s lifestyle of a ‘gangsters’ life. Also the pull quote is very intriguing and makes the reader want to find out what happened to him and how he nearly died.

The Rule Of Thirds and Left ThirdThe rule of thirds used is very typical of music magazines. A medium shot of an artist cantered in the middle of the thirds. The use of the left thirds has the main selling line and the pull quote which are the main attraction to this magazine especially as they’re about the headline dominant main artist Eminem.

The Main ImageThe main image used is of the artist ‘Eminem’ he’s a well known hip-hop artists. The image is a medium close up and it’s at an eye level match. This creates an evil glare making the artist look strong and powerful. He’s also covered in tattoos which will further attract the target audience.

Front Cover Analysis

The Main Cover LineThe main cover line used is ‘Eminem’ it’s also surrounded by small cover lines such as ‘Comes Clean’ and more. All these cover lines combine with the image and the main cover line to create a large selling point for the magazine. Also the colours used for the large cover line is red to make it stand out. Finally readers will be curious to find out more information on the well know hip-hop star ‘Eminem’.

Cover and Selling LinesAll the cover lines eventuate around hip-hop. ‘The best rapper…’, ‘50 hottest rap blogs’ these are all rap and hip-hop orientated. They attract audiences because they want to know about the artists and the information such as the best rappers.

The Target Audience and Background InformationThe target audience for ‘VIBE’ magazine is young urban ages from 18-34 and the intended genre for the magazine is hip-hop, rap and R&B. ‘VIBE’ magazine was launched in 1993 by Quincy Jones, he’s also the producer of the magazine.

The HeaderThe header use is to show some of the artists inside this is a main factor for producers because they need to connect the correct artists to the audience to achieve their intended target audience. Also the footer has a bold grey question ‘IS 1997 RAP’S LAST CLASSIC YEAR?’ this is a rhetorical questions and get the audience’s attention leading them to buy the magazine due to curiosity.

Front Cover Analysis

Analysis of magazine front covers - Cover 2 – Kerrang Magazine – December 10th 2005

The MastheadThe mast head used is fully capitalized and a bold white font with a black background. There is an effect on the text the effect has connotations of guitar strings and rock. The title ‘Kerrang’ has an onomatopoeia effect it sounds as if it has connotations of crashing and smashing. This creates an attitude effect that links with the rock genre.

Bar Code, Date, Issue and PriceThe barcode holds various information about the magazine such as the price, issue and other details that are sent back to producers. The barcode section with the date and issue is hidden this is due to the fact that it isn’t a main attraction to the magazine but it’s vital and important that it’s there.

The HeaderThe header used shows a list of bands that are inside this offers the audience alternative bands that are listed throughout the cover. This is important in offering the reader different choices as their taste may be different to others.

The Main ImageThe main image is a medium shot of the main singer from the band ‘Foo Fighters’. The image dominants the frame with the text of the band on top of him. He’s wearing a red shit and this connotes danger and thrill which links with the genre of rock. His facial expression is serious and he’s staring which connotes attitude.

The Main Sell/Cover LineThe main cover line is ‘Foo Fighters’ it’s in block capitals which shows the loud and important attraction to the text. It also has a drop shadow effect which expresses that it’s important because this is the only text with that effect.

Font and ColoursThere’s the use of a consistent black, white and yellow colour scheme. All of the fonts are kept in block caps. The background it dull and grey to make the red shirt stand out. Also the yellow on grey stands out well too.

Front Cover Analysis

The Rule of Thirds and The Left ThirdThe use of the rule of thirds is present throughout the whole of this magazine. The main image dominates the frame and this combines with the main selling line which crates a band orientated front cover. This is a main attraction for the magazine as it’s a vital selling point. Secondly the left third offers an alternative band for audiences to be attracted by this shows the voluminous genre, rock/mental.

Selling/Cover LinesThe cover lines used on this issue of ‘Kerrang’ offer the audience different bands to view and look at inside the magazine, this is a selling point. Also the use of the selling line ‘Their Filthiest Interview Ever’ makes the reader interested by the caption and makes the want to read more in to the magazine and find out about the interview.

The FooterThe footer used on this magazine is a key selling point. The use of the bold yellow ‘PLUS’ shows an eye catching point for the reader. They then read the bands listed. This is vital in attracting audiences because they have a wider choice of bands that they can read about inside the magazine.

The BackgroundThe background is very dull and has many grey tones; it’s of a street and it has dark trees in it. However this is all irrelevant due to the fact that it’s all very dull and grey. The reason this is done because the producer wants the red from the shirt and the yellow selling lines to be highlighted and stand out showing the significance and sophistication of the colours.

The Target Audience and Background InformationThe target audience for ‘Kerrang’ 15-44 year olds but dominating the sales are students and working class citizens. The first issue of ‘Kerrang’ magazine was published 6th June 1981 and now they have a circulation of 42,967. The price of the magazine reflects the target audience and the cover. The sophisticated colours link with the mature audience and the price reflects the working class/student audiences.

Front Cover Analysis