Européennes 2024 : projection du Parlement européen à trois mois du scrutin
Front cover essay
1. Incentive
Masthead
Cover Lines
Cover Star
Splash
Barcode
The Masthead of this magazine is ‘top of the pops’ the text is bright pink, similarly to the
background which results in the title being washed out, the font is round and bubbly which
is informal and draws the attention of a younger audience. The main image covers part of
the mast head which is conventional of a music magazine indicating the mainstream genre
of the magazine. The masthead in this magazine isn’t very effective as it doesn’t stand out
very well, which is unconventional of a music magazine as the majority of the time the
masthead is large and bold so the audience can see which magazine they are reading.
The Target Audience of this magazine is young girls aged between 13 and 17. This is
prevalent through the images of boy bands and young male singers on the cover, there are
also images of popular girl icons such as Selena Gomez and Cheryl Cole which also suggests
a female audience. The price of ‘top of the pops’ magazine varies however is always less
than £3 this also reveals the target audience as a younger generation as they can afford the
magazine with spends.
The Images within this front cover are varied. The main image is Justin Bieber a young
successful pop singer with an extreme worldwide fan base mainly including young girls. The
image of Bieber is a medium shot, with his torso facing slightly left. The image designates a
personal feel to the image as there is direct address used as he has eye contact with the
2. camera which gives the audience the feel he is looking straight at them, this appeal to the
young female audience a great deal. The lighting of the photo is quite bright which gives the
magazine a vibrant look which fits with genre of the magazine. The person in the image
looks relaxed and isn’t posing in any particular way which indicates an informal tone which
again suits the genre of the magazine and the audience, as it is casual and fun. There are
several other images placed around the page which breaks the typical conventions of a
music magazine as usually there is only one main image on the page to attract the attention
of the audience to the main story. However the use of other images is both effective and
ineffective as it gives more stories to interest the reader and get a good value for their
money nevertheless you could argue that having several images on a front cover could
distract the attention from the main story and purpose of the magazine.
The Guttenberg Design Principle is used thoroughly within this magazine cover, in the
primary optical area there is one of the subsidiary stories as the image is only small, the
focus of the audience then shifts to the middle of the page towards the terminal area of the
image which in a music magazine is usually the main story, the largest image is placed here
to draw the attention of the audience to the lead story. In the weak fallow area of the
magazine where an audience’s attention is usually distracted away from, interesting stories
are usually placed to attract the audience’s attention to keep interest in the whole
magazine. In this front cover two images a pop icons are used on of Cheryl Cole and another
Aston Merrigold, this is effective and meets the purpose of the target audience as Cheryl
Cole is a role model to young girls and Aston is a pop attraction. Therefore the use of the
Guttenberg Design Principle in this front cover is effective as in each area of the magazine
keeps the audience’s attention involved.
The House style of this magazine isn’t very consistent which targets the younger audience
as it is informal. The colour scheme is mainly different shades of pink however black, white
and purple are other colours used within the front cover the colours are vivid and bright
which attract a younger audience, also the colour pink connotes feminism and is extremely
girly which indicates the target audience being mainly female. A variety of fonts, font sizes
and colours within the text are used which suggest an informal tone once more gaining the
focus of a younger audience. The house style is mainly effective in terms of meeting its
target audience and purpose as it conveys a bold, fun, vibrant tone. However as the house
style is inconsistent and informal this breaks the conventions of a typical music magazine
cover as they mainly are consistent and professional.
3. Incentive
Masthead
Cover Lines
Cover Star
Splash
Barcode
The masthead of this magazine reads ‘UNCUT’ the text colour is bold red which stands out
and contrasts on the black and white background, which is effective as it attracts the
audience well. Red has a variety of connotations such as danger and rebellion which is
suitable for the genre of music promoted in the magazine (rock, alternative). The font is
serif which indicates that the magazine is aimed at an older audience. Furthermore the text
of the mast head covers the whole width of the image which draws the focus of the
audience to what magazine it is, this creates familiarity with frequent magazine users which
also forms consistency in the magazines. It is placed in the centre at the top of the page
which is conventional of a music magazine which creates recognizable relationship of a
music magazine with an audience.
The Target Audience of this magazine is very ranged, male and female aged 16+ however
the majority of the audience of this particular issue of the magazine would be older as the
main story is based around Ian Curtis the lead singer of Joy Division which formed in 1979
therefore indicating a core older audience. The black and white background also enhances
an older audience as it indicates a vintage authentic, classic image which relates to an older
time period. The price of the magazine is £4.50 this in the higher price range of magazine
4. prices which also suggests an older audience as they can afford the magazine. In the social
economic scale the target audience comes under C1-E which ranges from lower middle class
to students based mainly around the price and the music promotion.
The image in this magazine is of Ian Curtis he is the lead singer in an English rock band Joy
division, the image portrays the vintage classic rock look as it is black and white. He is
wearing a blazer jacket which originates from the UK indicating the bands origin. He is
making direct address with the audience with straight face which creates a tense formal
connection with the audience attracting them to the magazine. If the main image is an artist
in a music magazine a convention is direct address with the image to draw the audiences
focus, this magazine clearly meets the purpose of this convention. The contrast of light and
dark lighting in the imagery conveys a tone of rebellion which is suitable to the rock
alternative genre of music being advertised. There are no other main images which stand
out on this cover which suggests this issue of the magazine is aimed at a certain type of
audience who listen to a particular genre of music. This is effective as it makes this exacting
audience feel individual as if the magazine is just for them. On the other hand this could be
a negative as fewer magazines will be sold as the audience is so limited.
The Guttenberg Design Principle is used within this magazine cover, it is evident
immediately as in the primary optical area as there is an incentive a free CD is received with
the magazine which is effective as it attracts the audience without delay. Their focus is then
shifted to the top of the terminal area where the main image and cover story is generally
found in a music magazine, as in this one. It is placed here to gain the attention of the
audience and indicate the main story. In the weak fallow areas of this magazine there are
other stories and writing placed as when reading an audience’s attention is distracted away
from this are, however by placing writing and other stories in this area it keeps the
audiences involvement and interest in the magazine. The design principle is used well in this
magazine as in all named areas there is images or text in the correct sections.
The House Style of this magazine is very consistent and professional giving it a formal tone,
which also reflects the older target audience again. The colour scheme is white and red
which relates to the fact that the magazine is an English magazine. This also relates to this
particular issue as Joy Division is an English band. The fonts are mainly consistent sizes and
fonts; as some are different it designates and connotes a rock rebellion quality which is
effective as it suits the style of magazine. The house style meets the typical conventions of a
music magazine as it is regular and dependable again creating familiarity with the audience.
5. Comparison
In the two magazines there are a large number of differences, the main one being the target
audience the extreme difference also involves the house style as one is very feminine and
aimed at young girls the other having more of a vintage style and is aimed at an older more
varied audience. The top of the pops magazine is much more cluttered and full contrasting
with the Uncut magazine which has more space, this looks more organized and professional.
One of the similarities is that the cover star on each magazine is in the centre and is making
direct address and eye contact to the audience revealing that this a main convention of a
music magazine.