analysis of 3 front covers
TRANSCRIPT
Analysis of 3 Front covers
Analysis of magazine front coversCover 1.NME Sept 2009
Dizzee Rascal Edition
Front Cover AnalysisThe masthead
Bold colour, stands out, takes up a large proportion of the front cover
The Header
Extra ‘16 page autumn tour special’ to draw the reader in
The cover lines
Mentions other bands that would appeal to target audience, chatty language used to keep it informal
The main image
Canted angle, unusual indie feel that fits in with the magazine. Dominates cover and observes the rule of thirds.
The main cover line
Reminding the reader who the main person on the front cover is, big to draw the readers in as he might appeal to them
Barcode/issue/price/date
So its sellable and can tell the reader when the next issue is out
The footer
Mentions other similar bands/artists that would appeal to target audience
Background
Graffiti background, alternative feel that fits in with the magazine
Use of flasher
Giving something extra to the target audience to encourage them to buy the magazine
Rule of thirds/Left third
Gives a more professional feel. Left third used for a quote from Dizzee Rascal, eyes immediately drawn to that
TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE
Methods used to attract target audience are:
•Chatty/informal language
•Bright colours and bold fonts
•Bands/artists mentioned are the ones the target audience would like
•’16 page autumn tour special’ appealing to their likes
Target audience Profile (possibly add image)
Musical interests/favourite artists etc: Interested in gigs and festivals, indie genre of music such as Kasabian and Maximo Park (On the cover)
Gender Male
Age 17-30
Social class (how much money do they have available?) Disposable incomes, middle class
How much does magazine cost?
£2.20
STRETCH AND CHALLENGEACTIVITY-
USE THE HYPERLINK FOR DIRECT ACCESS TO NME
http://www.nme.com/magazine
Detailed analysis of NME target audience?
Males aged 17-30 interested in music and music cultures with hobbies such as going to music festivals. They would most likely be students.
Who publishes the magazine? – how many sales does it make?
Published by IPC media, costs £2.20
How NME started, how has it changed and why?
NME was first published in March 1952 as a music newspaper but changed to a magazine in the 80’s to keep up with trends. In 1996 a NME went online to keep up with technology and is now the most popular music site.
What genre/type of magazine is it? What is the typical content?
NME is a Indie magazine which includes various artists/bands such as Oasis, The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club, Florence and the Machine etc. It usually includes gig/album reviews and interviews with artists
Analysis of magazine front coversCover 2. Vibe magazine
Kanye West edition
Front Cover AnalysisThe masthead
Bold colour, 4 letter words but takes up the whole width of the page. Takes up one quarter of the whole cover
Background
Plain grey background, gives it a minimalistic feel and makes Kanye West and cell lines stand out
Rule of thirds/Left third
Looks more appealing and professional, leaves room for important cell lines about Kanye West (The man on the cover)
The Header
‘Exclusive on-set report’ sounds appealing to the buyer as they can only get the report here. About a film – linked to the music and entertain theme of the magazine. ‘exclusive on-set report’ in pink and ‘Notorious’ (The name of the film) in blue to make them both stand out, but also because it is the magazine house colours.
The cover lines
Only a small amount of cell lines to give the magazine cover a minimalistic look. Names other artists and films in the RnB/hip-hop scene to appeal to readers (Britney Spears, Smokey Robinson, The Dream etc.)
The main image
Medium close up of Kanye West with stern look on his face showing that his music isn’t all happy and is fairly serious. Dominates cover and observes the rule of thirds.
The main cover line
In big bold letters ‘Kanye West’ to educate the reader who’s on the cover and a quote of his ‘I am rap’ to give you a insight into what will be in the magazine for the reader to want to read on.
Running colour
Colour throughout the magazine cover – black, pink and blue. All together this makes it a uni-sex cover that appeal to men and women, it runs throughout so you can identify the magazine
Analysis of magazine front coversCover 3. Billboard magazine
Christina Aguilera edition
Front Cover AnalysisThe masthead
Bold font and black stands out from the white background, partially hidden by main image, but because it is such an well known magazine, we still know it is called Billboard. ‘D’ filled in with green to give it a modern and young approach.
Use of flasher
Giving something extra to the target audience to encourage them to buy the magazine, in blue to stand out from the plain background, also part of the writing is in the lime green that is in the masthead so the colours are in accord.
Background
Plain white to let the cell lines and main image stand out. Also has a young and fresh approach like the masthead
The cover lines
Talks about other bands to show the reader and sneak preview of what’s inside the magazine and other RnB artists the target audience would be interested in. All in the same font to remain professional and appealing to the eye
The main image
Christina Aguilera dominates the cover by taking up at least ¾ of the page and staying central. She has a flawless look and wearing a white jumper, her hair is white/blonde fitting in with the white background which almost looks angelic with the light shining behind her head on the left.
The main cover line
Reminding the reader who she is ‘Christina’ this appears to be an issue when she made her comeback and so by using the word ‘Resurrection’ (which has connotations of Jesus and the Bible) appears to be angel-like which fits in with the mise-en-scene: the light behind her head is almost like a halo and makes her seem innocent
Barcode/issue/price/date
So its sellable and can tell the reader when the next issue is out (educating the reader) located in the bottom left hand corner where you’d expect it to be (conforming to stereotypes of magazines)