This document analyzes the covers of several music magazines, including Empire, Kerrang, NME, and Q. It discusses the design elements used on each cover like mastheads, cover lines, images, fonts and colors. The covers are promoting articles on popular artists like James Bond, The Joker, John Lennon, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, Kasabian and Jay-Z to attract readers through iconic images and intriguing text that tease the articles inside.

1. YEAR 12 MEDIA-MAGAZINE
ANALYSIS
Felan Quirke

2. EMPIRE-JAMES BOND SPECIAL
Cover lines- this front cover only includes one piece of information at the
bottom left of the page; ‘SKYFALL’. Which as everyone knows is the title of the
film so this significant word intrigues readers to learn about the film.
Masthead-The well known brand of the magazine ‘EMPIRE’ is in bold at the
top of the cover. It has been placed in the backdrop which highlights the fact
that people know the magazine well and the branding doesn’t need to stand
out because of how popular it already is.
Puff- the single word of SKYFALL appears as the sort of enrichment piece of
the article and it appears in a classy way.
Text+Font- the text is bold and in all capitals. The colours include gold, black
and white which portray an elegant feel. These colours are associated with
wealth and high status like the central piece of the article: James Bond.
Image- The image Is a mid shot of Daniel Craig as James Bond, it is in black
and white which is follows the classic image of Bond. His gun is raised and it is
blocking the Empire logo, this highlights Bonds dominance as a character.

3. EMPIRE-MEET THE JOKER
Cover lines- this cover contains information and quotes about the major article of the magazine, it
describes the character of the joker by stating he is a “coldblooded, mass murdering clown!”. Right
away it shows the reader the main piece of the magazine and this one short sentence draws you in to
read more about this person.
Left side/left hand third- Other information is included on the side of the magazine, talking about
Sweeney Todd, I am legend and Jerry Seinfeld and more. This extra info shows us that there is more to
the articles and goes into depth about other topic areas, targeting more than one audience.
Masthead- The brand logo of ‘Empire’ use their usual positioning of the title at the top centre of the
cover which is seen as the iconic logo that people are familiar with, this allows the magazine to be
recognised straight away.
Plug- the contents of the magazine is stated on the cover; meeting the joker. This interests Batman fans
and gives readers a chance to read in on one of the most iconic characters of all time.
Puff- ‘World exclusive’ is a phrase used at the top of the cover, showing off the fact that this story is
exclusive to this magazine and cant be found anywhere else. Highlighting the popularity of the brand
and this marks its unique selling point.
Text+Font- To match the jokers abstract character the font is in wacky handwriting and in purple and
green colouring to go with the jokers clown demeanour. If this font was dull and boring then it wouldn’t
stand out to the audience and wouldn’t show off the theme of the article.
Image- the main point of the cover is Heath Ledgers Joker sitting ominously in the centre in a full body
shot. This menacing image draws readers in.

4. KERRANG-THE OFFICIAL ROCK 100
Cover lines- The major article on this cover is obviously uncovering the 100
rockers, and in the centre this is exactly what it says, it gets straight to the point
and introduces it to the reader.
Left side/ left hand third- on both sides of the magazine it shows different
celebrities and information about them giving fans a chance to see their idols
stories on the cover.
Masthead- the usual kerrang logo is top centre and behind the celebrities on
the cover image which highlights that the main story is not the brand but the
article, giving the readers a sense of importance.
Puff- in the top right it shows the add of “win Metallica shoes” this contest
intrigues readers and gives the magazine a unique selling point.
Text+Font- The text ranges from small to large, the logo is the biggest and then
the article of official rock 100 proceeds highlighting the main points of the
cover. The font is slanted matching the theme of rock and rough and
toughness.
Image- the main image includes 5 well known rock band members, fans will
recognise these people and buy the magazine simply due to the famous faces.

5. NME- JOHN LENNON
Cover lines- the cover states that NME have been publishing for 60 years
this gives the magazine a precious feel which will inspire people to buy it.
Also one name is given ‘Lennon’ which as everyone knows is John
Lennon and the thought that NME is writing an article about someone so
inspirational is interesting.
Masthead- the NME logo is in its usual place on the left hand side of the
top corner. This lets the reader know whose magazine it is and how
popular it is.
Puff- “iconic classic interviews” is read at the top right, this highlights the
prestigious nature of NME’s articles.
Text+Font- all text is in a purposeful place, they are all placed at the sides
as to not disturb the image. The font is bold and in both gold and white
which is a rich colour to go with the classic article about Lennon.
Image- The image is of John Lennon's face and his popular appearance
is the only image necessary to attract readers.

6. NME-ARCTIC MONKEYS
Masthead- again the usual
placement of the NME logo
is unchanged. It is the first
thing you see and is easily
recognisable.
Cover lines- a quote is seen
at the top right stated by
the quotes, their popularity
will be enough for readers
to ant to hear their verdict.
Puff- the article focuses on
Arctic Monkeys and the
letters of ‘AM’ take upthe
right side in an eye catching
way.
Text+Font- the text is in NME’s
commonly seen colours of red, white
and black. The font is bold and central
highlighting arctic monkeys
significance in the article.
Image- The image is of the band
standing in an LA background which
oppose with their normal location of
London, this will intrigue the readers to
discovering their progression as a
band.

7. Q-THE SMITHS
Cover lines- The main article is
stated to talk about the smiths.
There is a quote speaking that
they were ‘the greatest
band…’ this will attract
different opinions and invite
different reading groups.
Plug- at the bottom it is talking
about rare interviews, unseen
pics and…..a murder. This will
draw in curious readers.
Puff- ‘new albums preview’ is a
selling point which will express the
fact that only this magazine shows
this content.
Text+font- the text is in various sizes
but the same font to maintain
consistency and uniform styling. Tet
is everywhere to portray the
magazines bulging stories. The
purple, red and white colour
schemes stand out to draw
attention to specific areas.
Image- the image is mainly of
David Morrissey being the lead
signer of the smiths and his iconic
face draw in fans.

8. Q-KASABIAN
Cover lines- on the right hand
side going down are other
famous bands which will draw
in specific fans. Also at the
bottom it contains a quote from
an interview with kings of Leon
which will intrigue readers to
read on.
Masthead- the commonly seen
Q logo is behind the main
image which highlights the fact
that the main story is more
important than the logo
because of how popular the
magazine is.
Image- the main image s of the two
main members from Kasabian; Tom
and Serg. They are the faces of the
band and their inquisitive faces show
that this will not be a normal article on
them.

9. Q-JAY Z
Masthead-the commonly
seen Q logo is enlarged in
the special copy of the
magazine so the reader
knows the importance of the
brand.
Plug- ‘introduced by Jayz’ is
at the bottom of the article
title, showing that this article
will be closer to the readers
interest.
Puff- Jay z’s signature adds a
prestigious element to the
cover. Also it states that it is
the 15thanniversary edition
which makes in one of a
kind.
Image- the main image is of Jayz
in a central location. This is a
simple image highlighting the
main area of the article so the
reaer can get straight into it.