Selling-line

strap-line

Master-head

Barcode

Kicker and explanatory text

Main cover-line

Splatter

Left third aligned to the left

and right third is aligned to

the right- therefore it is not

challenging the conventions.

A kicker is a short phrase found set

above the explanatory text. The kicker

can serve as an introduction or as a

type of section heading to help the

audience identify or assess an article

before committing to reading the whole

thing. This gives the reader a small

hint as to what the type of article they

are about to read.

The explanatory text provides a brief

description about the kicker. This gives

the audiences an insight about what the

article is about, therefore, music

magazine often make the explanatory text

short and snappy to catch the audiences

attention.

Explanatory text

A barcode is the

identity of a product

via a code which is an

optical machine-readable

representation of data.

Splatters are used to create

interesting effects that grab the

audiences attention. This can be

used to attract the audience with

the latest gossip, event or news. It

is usually used in informal

magazines.

The main cover-line is

the focal issue or event

that has happened. This

is what the target

audience are appealed by.

The master-head is the

brand or name of the

magazine. This is what the

target audience will

recognise. Therefore, the

brand needs to ensure they

have a good reputation and

well-established.

I chose this music magazine as

inspiration for my publication.

The cover-lines are bold and

vibrant which attract the

audience. There is a variety of

different font styles used, for

example, the main cover-line is

bold to indentify the name of

the music magazine. In contrast

the explanatory text typed in

capital letters to outline the

content of the article.

In the mise-en-scene, you can denote two models being caught up in a ‘bust-up’ or conflict. Thecostume of these two models complement each other and contrast. There are no props involved inthis shoot except for the casual clothing and the model themselves. This makes the image simple,which attracts a wider audience. The body language of the two models, appeal to the audience.The lightening has been edited to add a focal point on the faces of these two models. Thisattracts the yes to the facial expression. Therefore, automatically the eyes gaze over the maincover-line, ‘OASIS’. The selling line and strap line is positioned in the top left hand corner.This is the commence of the eye flow. Therefore, the first text the readers read is the sellingand strap line. This is so they know how the magazine costs. Overall this magazine is attractiveand has an effective use of eye-flow.

The colour scheme is appealing as the colour of the font used complements the costume of thecelebrity photo shoot which is positioned in the on either alignment of the page. This iseffective as it makes the eye-flow more powerful. The colours used adapt to the content of thearticles, and the colours represent the mood of the articles. For instance, the kickers relate to‘smashed guitars’ and ‘bust-ups’ which reflect a mood of anger. And the colour red symbolises thisparticular mood. Instantly, the audience are drawn to this magazine by the use of colour and Ican denote the articles which will be included by the strong, vibrant colours. Furthermore, thefont is bold and the usages of colours are limited to white, black and red. This is effective anddraws attention to the kickers and explanatory texts. The colours used are primary colours.

There is a consistency with the font applied to this front cover of NME. Two sans serif fontshave been combined together to distinguish the main cover-lines to the explanatory text. A sansserif font is a typeface that does not have the small features called ‘serifs’ at the end ofstrokes. A sans serif font is appropriate for writing annotations and clear heading. Thistypeface is useful for bold heading and master-heads. It has been used as the main master-head inthis front cover because it gives a professional finish to the magazine and it is legible andclear to read. Therefore, this enhances effective eye-flow. The barcode is positioned in thebottom left hand corner, it is not noticeable which is important as this does not distract theeye-flow or the layout of the page.

The use of white space attracts the audience because it draws focus to the master-head and thefocal photo on the page. This is effective as it appeals to the audience and it enhances eye-flowas the white background contrasts with the text, which makes it striking and attractive. Thelayout on the page is interesting and engages the audience due to the eye contact made by themodel gaze. The eye contact communicates the audience, and it contact with the model on the rightalignment.

The language is informal which address to a wider audience, and most of the public sector. I caninfer form the language that the target audience for this music magazine is between 16-21 yearsold, written by an American author. This can be referred from the word ‘DUUDE!’ which is used asthe selling line. The language is direct which has an impact from the responses received fromthe audience. It is significant for the language to be direct as this engages and persuades thecustomer to purchase and read the music magazine as they know what they are to expect. Forexample, we can identify the focus of this issue from the kicker, ‘ROCK’S MESSIEST BUST-UP’. Thiskicker is bold and it is positioned in the central which attracts the eye flow. The kickercommunicates with the audience directly by outlining the content of the article. And for themajority of readers, they are attracted by these types of articles which reflect ‘bust-ups’between celebrities.

NME: front cover analysis

Skyline

Master-head

Barcode

Main cover-line

A barcode is the

identity of a product

via a code which is an

optical machine-readable

representation of data.

The main cover-line is

the focal issue or event

that has happened. This

is what the target

audience are appealed by.

The master-head is the

brand or name of the

magazine. This is what the

target audience will

recognise. Therefore, the

brand needs to ensure they

have a good reputation and

well-established.

Kicker and explanatory text

A kicker is a short phrase found

set above the explanatory text.

The kicker can serve as an

introduction or as a type of

section heading to help the

audience identify or assess an

article before committing to

reading the whole thing. This

gives the reader a small hint as

to what the type of article they

are about to read.

The explanatory text provides a

brief description about the

kicker. This gives the audiences

an insight about what the article

is about, therefore, music

magazine often make the

explanatory text short and snappy

to catch the audiences attention.

Explanatory text

Selling-line/strap-line

Left third aligned to the left

and right third is aligned to

the right- therefore it is not

challenging the conventions.

ROLLING STONE: front cover analysis

The layout is simple and attractive. The text is structured in the shape of the models body. In the mise-en-

scene where is a model leaning towards the camera. The shot is a median high angle shot, which makes the

model look superior to the target audience. This intimidates the audience to read this magazine. The props

within this frame include a cigarette, jewellery (watch, chain, ring, necklace), also known as ‘bling’ and a

hat. These props are associated and familiar with younger audience, therefore this images relates and

communicates with the younger audience from the age of 16 until about 22 years old. Using props which relate

to the target audience encourage them to read the magazine as they can relate themselves directly to the

model gaze on the front cover. The barcode is positioned in the bottom left hand corner, this is generally

the standard formatting to position the bar code here because it does not disrupt the eye-flow on the page –

as the main focal is the eyes of the model, which leads to the featured kicker in the bright lighting.

Similarly the price line and selling line/strap-line is positioned in the top right hand corner, where the

eye-flow starts. This is significant as the reader knows how much the magazine is worth and then they can

judge the front cover. The selling line is at the top of the page, where it states the main artists in this

magazine, as well as upcoming events.

Finally, the language used in this magazine is formally written in order to promote the events to the

audience. This music magazine is more solemn in comparison to the previous magazine I analysed. The language

is more technical and directly, as also seen in a professional industry in theoretical music. For example

one of the kickers is, ‘the memoirs of Keith Richards’. This kicker is more grave, whereas in the previous

magazines, the kickers were related to celebrity ‘bust-ups’. Therefore there are different genres within the

music industry, the gossip, then the more solemn subjects and showcases. This builds a formal relationship

with the audience which is provoked with the image in the centre of the page.

I chose this music magazine because it has similarities and differences to the previous front cover I analysed. The cover-lines are bold and

vibrant, although it has been placed behind the model gaze, because the brand is well-known and the model gaze is famous, the users automatically

know the name of the magazine. Therefore, we can denote that this magazine is well established, so for me to analyse this, it will help my for my

own music magazine. The kicker and explanatory text have the same typeface, but different size and style. The kicker is bigger and bold which

attracts the users to the articles. And the explanatory text is in a smaller size to give the reader some description of the kicker. And as the

font is the same, the users can relate the explanatory text and kicker together. The master-head is a similar font to the rest of the text which

keeps a consistency throughout the front cover. All of the text is typed in capital letters, this attracts the users instantly. However, the

capital letters are only used for on explanatory text on the far right of the page. This is because is particular kicker and explanatory text are

special featured in this magazine. The featured article is noticed by the audience has the format is different from the other text; therefore

this attracts a wider audience.

The colour scheme is limited and selective. The colours have been selected from the primary palette; therefore this creates a bigger impact on

the appearance. The colours stand out and attract the users instantly. The colour scheme is consistent as a hint of red has been used on the skin

colour of the model gaze; this makes the front cover successful and attractive. The black font relates to the black costume and jewellery worn by

the model. Finally, the hat the man is wearing in the photo shoot associates with the skin colour and the red strand on the design matching the

skin tone. Overall, the colour scheme is limited in colour, with different shades. This is used as to highlight shadow or lighter areas. With the

colours being limited, the yellow exclusive text stands out and draws attention to the eye. This attracts the users to read this magazine.

The model gaze has direct eye contact with the audience which makes the communication more effective. The body posture of the model makes the

magazine look realistic and this convinces the audience to purchase this magazine. This photo has been edited in Photoshop. Changes have been

made to the face, where artificial lightening has been added to highlight the face of the model gaze, which is the focal point in this magazine

front cover. Therefore this appeals to the audience, as the light tints makes the white background stand out. As well as highlighting the

brighter areas of the image, shadow has been used to complement the black jacket which reflects the kicker and explanatory text. The effect of

black costume and shadowing effect contrasts the white background which makes the front cover more interesting and realistic. The use of the

white spacious background is effect because it allows the text to stand out which allows effective communication to the public. A shadow effect

has been used to add a shadow behind the model to make the photo more realistic. Artificial lighting has been used where the feature kicker is

positioned. This attracts the audience as this bright light contrast with the shadier side on the left alignment. Therefore, this suggests to the

user that this kicker is exclusive and one not to miss.

Conclusion

DifferencesTarget audience

Language

Genre

General layout

Purpose

SimilaritiesWhite background

Model gaze eye contact

Limited font & colour scheme

Barcode positioning

Unchallenged conventions

White background

Median shot, point of view angle photograph

Limited font and colour usage

different colour font to highlight exclusive feature

Bar code positioning in bottom left hand corner

My front cover I will use:

This PowerPoint has been presented to you by Rita Sharma

St Marylebone School 2010