Textual Analysis of NME Magazine

1. Luke Hutchinson

2. NME is a music magazine. This is their front cover of one
of NME's magazines, we can see here that the image takes
up all of the front cover and a close up head shot has been
used. We can also see that it has been took in a studio with
what looks like a high key lighting , possibly a 3 point
lighting setup, bringing the characters facial expressions
out and showing all their emotion straight to the reader. As
the character takes up the whole page we are immediately
attracted to this magazine , the characters position suggest
that they are the main protagonists. This layout is typical
of a magazine , the masthead stands out in bold font at the
top of the page drawing us in to the magazine, the
positioning also draws us in because we read from left to
right so we are immediately drawn to the title from its
positioning as well as the bold font. The sell lines are
positioned so that they are easily found but not intruding
the main image. The main sell line is in a larger font
showing it's importance , drawing the reader in especially
readers who are fans of this certain artist.

3. Sell lines on magazines are used to draw the reader in by giving them little
hints and snips of information of the stories inside the magazine. They sit just
off from the main image on the magazine so that they don't take away the
main focus point of the magazine. To ensure the magazine I create fits within
the criteria and meets the codes and conventions of a magazine I need to pick
a large bold font for the Main sell line and then a slightly more toned down
font for the extra information about the sell line. The sell lines must also
follow a certain house style which I will create.
House style, this covers the Masthead, Colour Scheme, Sell lines, Fonts used
and are continued over onto the contents page and often passed on to the
double page spread too. If you look at the example of NME magazines below
you can see how NME use the same house style on their different issues. A
house style shows consistency and professionalism, we can see that the main
colours used in NME are White, Black and Red after researching other
magazines I have found that most of the music magazines currently in the
media industry use a 3 colour palette that consist of white black and red, Q
Magazine also use Red , White and Black as their main colours. To make my
magazine look professional , aesthetically pleasing and make it appeal to the
audience I need to consider a three colour palette with colours that are going
to contrast well together and appeal to the audience. Therefore need to be
quite dull, earthy colours , where as bright vibrant colours are associated with
pop magazines etc. Red is usually connotates danger , alertness (another
connotation of red is love and passion ) this is maybe why the magazines use
this colour to grab the readers attention more easily.

4. Mast heads are basically the title of the magazine. They are
usually placed at the top of the page and are written in bold
block font , this draws the reader in immediately to the
magazine.
The mast head compliments the house style and continues to
stay the same throughout the different issues. In the pictures
we can see that NME stays the same font and size but they
have changed the colour on some issues. This doesn't affect
the magazines sales as the brand identity is still known to
people who buy this magazine because the font, size and
positioning of text stays the same.

5. The contents page carries the house style on from the
front cover, "NME" is placed at the top of the contents
page, it is written the same way it is written on the
NME's covers continuing brand identity. Colour schemes
are also passed on to the contents page we can see that
red black and white are used again. There is a lot more
text to pictures but the way it is laid out looks appealing,
their isn’t masses of text for each point just little
descriptions of each story. The pictures also help to break
the text up , keeping the reader engaged.

6. Smaller images on the contents page help engage the
reader a little more by showing what artists are
featured within the magazine. The images are took
on location , the locations are built up urban areas,
these signify the indie genre. Costume and props also
signify the indie genre we can see that the artists are
wearing retro clothing such as (denim jackets, leather
jackets, turned up baggy trousers, retro trainers,
oversized shirts. These two things are something I
need to consider within in my magazine to make sure
it appeals to the correct audience.
Each image also has the page number of the article ,
this helps the reader find the article almost instantly.

7. There is a contents table and A-Z band list on the contents
page, this shows the reader what articles are in the
magazine and a list of bands that are featured in the
magazine and the page number they are featured on.
The contents table subheadings are in a larger white font
with a black background showing the reader what the article
is about and underneath some of the subheadings there is a
little snip of information about the article acting as a hook
for the reader.
Colour scheme/house style is also seen here we can clearly
see the red white and black colours that are used throughout
the magazine within NME’s house style.
These are all things which I need to consider on my
magazine, How am I going to carry the house style over on to
the contents page?, Do I need an A-Z of bands/artists?

8. Main focal point is the main image of the Vaccines ,
the main band member is in the centre frame (rule
of thirds) we seem him as the main protagonist in
the image , the other band members look more
devious and “rough”. It also takes up most of the 2
pages , this is something which I will do on my
magazine as after researching different magazines I
have found that the main image on a double page
spread is either in the middle of the 2 pages or it
takes up 1 whole page and overlaps on to the 2nd
page. The image is in a sepia tone giving it a
grungy, retro feeling, this feeling is also enforced by
the artist’s costume of indie clothing, (bomber
jackets, shirts etc).

9. The text here is split in to 2 columns with a pull quote within
the 2nd column. A pull quote is a key phrase, quote or piece of
information that is pulled from the article and “blown up”
standing out from the main body text, enticing the readers
into the article. There are also 2 drop caps , drop caps are
effective ways of grabbing the readers attention by adding
visual strength and quirkiness to the page. They are a lot
bigger than the main body text and stand out. The blue font fit
with the background but also contrasts with the normal
colours associated with NME for example the red , black and
white colour scheme. Columns make it easier to read the
chunk of text and it flows a lot more easier than just long
paragraphs after paragraphs.