Analysis of professional magazine covers

Q magazine:Masthead: This masthead is the largest, unique font on the magazine which will stand out. This masthead is slightly covered by one of the band members from The 1975 and a freebie; this may illustrate that this magazine is widely recognised and well renowned that you do not need to see the full masthead, as the audience will be able to identify this magazine.

Main image: The main image used upon this indie magazine is an indie band called The 1975. They are described as ‘a band to blow your mind!’ this may gain more audiences that like this genre and their own fan base to purchase the magazine due to this band being quiet well known. In addition direct address is used to engage the audience/reader to the artist/band, this may entice the reader to purchase the magazine. Moreover a long shot is conveyed against the white background to follow a colour scheme convention of this genre.

Coverlines: This is across the sides of the magazine as it frames the magazine overall. This is used to give an insight to the magazine and gives a bit of detail for the reader.

Main coverline & sub coverline: The name of the band is portrayed and gives an indication of who is mentioned and gives a validation that any audience may purchase this magazine due to this statement about the band.

Barcode(Price, website and date): All of this information is put together in the bottom right corner, this is easily seen by the reader. This information is all small and contact. A website link is provided so the reader can look the website up and more about the magazine.

Buzzwords: This is used to capture the audience to read and see what the freebie is included. This would make the reader purchase the magazine. This attaches a tone of excitement towards the audience.

Colour scheme: The colour scheme used on this magazine is white and black this is quiet a simple colour scheme, which may make the main image stand out more and become the main focus. The monochrome colours could represent the basic colours needed for an indie magazine.

Subsidiary images: These are used to grasp the audience just as much as the main image does. This provides a different artists/band that will attract a wider audiences to buy this magazine. These images are smaller than the main images which depicts that they would have a small article about them.