The document analyzes the front covers of several music magazines, comparing their design elements and target audiences. It finds that Q magazine stands out with its intimate photo and mature design. Top of the Pops differs by featuring a group shot and lighter, feminine colors. NME breaks conventions with close-up photos and formal layout. Vibe and Flavour use bold colors and typography but target different audiences. Overall, similarities include prominent images, mastheads and readable fonts, while color and content reflect each magazine's demographic.

1. MUSIC MAGAZINE
FRONT COVER
ANALYSIS
ALIYAH RAOOF

2. Q Magazine- Front Cover Analysis
Main Image
The main image on a magazine is usually a medium long shot however this
magazine breaks the codes as it has a close up shot. Her gaze is towards the
camera showing confidence and her direct address towards the reader. The
image is very erotic shown by her body language, the colours used and the rain.
Masthead
Is big and bold and is the colour red so it gains the readers attention. The
connotations of the red colour could be determination, passion and power. The Q
overlaps the main image showing that it’s important.
Typography
The font is bold and clear to read, the size of the text is not too small and they
haven’t used fancy writing, this shows that the target audience is older people
because its simple text it easy to read and not time consuming.. The three main
colours are; Black which is the background colour: the connotations of this are
power, elegance and mystery. Red one of the colours used in the text:
determination, passion and power. And White the other colours used in the text :
goodness, innocence, purity. At the bottom of the page it says “3 Words CHERYL
COLE ROCKS” This text is bigger and bolder than the rest of the text showing
that its more important, its what the magazine wants you to read.
Layout
The layout is quite similar to other magazine, the cover lines are on either side
of the main image. The text on the left side is smaller but bold because of the
white and red background its on. On the right side the text is bigger and
opposite to the other side it’s bright coloured text on a black background
whereas on the other side it’s black text on the bright coloured background. The
layout is organised, again showing that its suited to an older audience.
Target Audience
The target audience for this magazine is older people, we know this
because of the colours used are dark, mysterious and intense. Also the
image used is erotic, which would not be viewed by a younger audience

3. Top of the Pops Magazine- Front Cover Analysis
Main Image
The main image is a medium long shot which does not break any codes or conventions,
however there would not usually be five people on the front cover of a magazine as a
main image. Their gaze is towards the camera showing focus and confidence also they
are smiling which welcomes the reader. On the front page there is more then one
image, this is to suit a wider audience.
Masthead
The masthead is in the top left corner of the page, it’s big and bold making it easily
noticed and readable. The colour of the masthead is pink, which is a diverse colour.
The connotations of this are the audience loves reading the magazine. This also
shows that their target audience is females with the use of feminine colours.
Typography
The text is fancy embracing the femininity of the magazine. The colours used are
light pink showing compassion, power and femininity. The connotations of this are
females are powerful and the magazine embraces passion. Light blue showing loyalty
and wisdom, also its warm and welcoming. The connotations of this are the magazine
welcomes new reader. White showing purity and black showing elegance and mystery.
Layout
The layout of the magazine is very messy, unorganised and informal. There is text in
various places on the page including over the main image. This shows that the text is
important and is related to the image. The heading on the page are bigger and bolder
compared to the rest of the text to gain the reader attention.
Target Audience
The target audience is young females we know this because the artists on the page
are all young. Also the colours used are pink and light blue which are light bright and
colourful.

4. NME Magazine-Front Cover Analysis
Main Image
The main image breaks codes and conventions of magazine because the main
image is not a medium long shot, it’s a close up shot.
Masthead
The masthead is in the top left corner of the page, to big, bold and white.
This makes it stand out and easier to read
Typography
The text is clearly in a small section of the page. The main text is either at
the bottom right or left side of the page. The font is standard and big
making it clear and easy to read and understand.
Layout
The layout of the front cover is more formal and neat, there is text and the
mast head at the top o the page and at the bottom of the page there is the
sell lines which don’t interrupt the main image. The text that is white is on a
red background and at the bottom it say “ FLORENCE” which is on a white
background and the colour of the text is black to make it stand out. The
target audience for this magazine is older people, this is because the colours
used are standard and boring which are not appealing to younger people.
Target Audience
The magazine is suited to an older audience, we know this because of the
bold yet boring colours used.

5. Vibe Magazine-Front Cover Analysis
Main Image
The main image is a mid shot, focusing on one person. The model is
smiling welcoming the readier and is shown to be relaxed as his bow is
untied.
Masthead
The masthead is big, bold and brown on a white background making it
stand out. It’s called “VIBE” this could be implying a
good/positive/calm/relaxed vibe that readers get when they have read
the magazine.
Typography
The text is all big and bold making it easy to read and understand. They
are in dark colours like brown, black and mustard, this is a juxtaposition
because these colours are dark, intense, bold and mysterious whereas
the background is white which has the connotations of calm, relaxed and
obvious.
Layout
The layout of the magazine is very simple, the main image is covering the
page. The text is on the left and right side of the main image and the
masthead is on top. All of the information on the page is easy to read.
The main image cover one of the letters in the masthead showing that
the main image is the most important thing on the page.
Target Audience
The target audience for this magazine is people who listen to hip hop/
RnB. We know this as the picture is of a singer who sings these genres
of music.

6. Flavour Magazine-Front Cover Analysis
Main Image
The main image is a medium close up of one person, the images uses dark
colours like grey, black and dark orange to create a mysterious and
dramatic effect.
Masthead
The masthead is red which shows power and ambition linking to the
magazines target audience young people as we learn from the tagline
above the masthead. The text “FLAVOUR” is written in capitals making it
look powerful and strong.
Typography
The text is very simple which gains the attention of young people
because they don’t have to read a lot and its very easy and clear to
understand as there is no use of complex language. The text in the
masthead is red, the tagline, date and website are in black on a white
background which makes it stand out. Opposing this the sell lines are
white on a black background.
Layout
The layout of the magazine is near and organised creating a sense of
formality. The layout is simple making everything easy to see, read and
understand.

7. Top of the Pops is different then the rest of
the Magazines because:
♪ They have on smaller main image which doesn’t cover
the whole page.
♪ It has more then one person in the in the main image.
♪ It has more then one picture on the front cover to
suit a wider audience.
♪ It’s brighter and a lot more girly.
Q is Different then the rest of the
Magazine because:
♪ It uses more intense and mysterious
colours.
♪ It is for an older audience.
♪ The font used is different.
♪ It has as pug which stands out from the
rest of the text.
Vibe is Different then the rest of the
Magazines Because:
♪ Vibe uses dark colours on top of white to make the
NME is Different then the rest of the Magazines Because:
♪ It has text on all of the sides around the image whereas the others only have
the text on the side or under the main image.
♪ The main image focused on the singers face.
magazine stand out more.
♪ The main image is more relaxed where as the
others are more intense.
♪ There are several different colours used.
Flavour is Different then the rest of the
Magazines Because:
♪ Uses dark and light colours to gain the attention of
the reader.
♪ They use very little text on the page.
♪ They have a tagline and specify their target
audience.
Differences

8. Similarities
Similarities between some of magazines:
♪ Flavour magazine and NME magazine both have taglines.
♪ Flavour, Vibe, NME and Q use a similar standard font.
♪ They all use a font and size that is readable.
♪ NME, Top of the Pops and Vibe have a barcode on the front cover
Similarities Between All of the Magazines:
♪ They all have a main image which is big
♪ They all have a bold heading
♪ They all have subheading/Sell lines
♪ The colours used on all of the magazine reflect
each magazines target audience
whereas Q and Flavour do not.
♪ Q, NME, Vibe and Flavour use one main image on their front cover