HATTIE TOWNSEND

Front Cover Analysis

Masthead

The masthead of the magazine reads ‘NME’ which stands for ‘National Music Express.’ It is usually the biggest font on the page and in bold in order for it to stand out. The colour of the masthead is a vibrant red colour which makes it very eye catching and easy to read. Using such a simple colour makes it very minimalistic, which fits in with the indie genre. It is also at the top if the magazine and goes out into the middle, showing that it does not need to be that big and people will still know what it is. There will also be more room for images and subheadings.

Main Image

The main image of this issue is of the well known indie artist Jake Bugg. The image is a mid close up allowing it to fill the whole page. Furthermore, the artist is using direct address, which is used to establish a relationship with the reader and to entice them to buy the magazine. In addition, the image used is black and white, meaning that it makes everything else on the front cover stand out more to the reader.

Sub Lines and Cover Lines

There are sub lines and cover lines on the side of the magazine. These reveal information about what other articles will be featured in the magazine, but not giving away too much detail, allowing the readers to still be intrigued and interested in purchasing and reading the magazine.

Main Coverline

The main cover line gives information about what the main article in the magazine is about. The cover line is in a big and bold font, allowing it to stand out more to the reader and intrigue them to buy the magazine. The cover line underneath the main part of text reveals extra information on what the article will be about and also adds detail to the main image.

Barcode, Date and Price.

These features of the front cover are in the bottom right corners and the top left corners. Even though they are visually noticeable, they do not take any attention away from the main image or any of the coverlines.

Puff

Puffs are used on this magazine to emphasise extra detail and to make it stand out to the reader. In this case, it is announcing more information to the front cover about tour dates and includes the page number so that the readers can easily find it.

Banner

This banner runs along the top of the magazine, which adds extra detail into what will be going in the magazine. It uses words such as ‘Exclusive’ to intrigue the reader and make them want to purchase the magazine. The contrast of colours in the banner again make it stand out and attract more readers as it is eye catching.

Insert Images

These insert images go together with the extra detail that is on the banner. They make it seem more interesting to the reader which would attract them to read it. They are used so that the readers can physically see what other articles are going to be featured in the magazine. Also, using subsidiary images may attract a wider variety of people as they may be fans of the artists in the insert images.