This is my analysis of the front covers from three music magazines, Rolling Stone, Classic Rock and Q.

1. Masthead
Justified text
Models head covers part of
the masthead- this is a
typical magazine
convention. The model
looks straight out to the
audience to make the
reader feel like they are
looking directly at them.
Puff- this draws the readers
attention to a particular
story.
Date of issue, the price and a
website link so the reader can find
out more about the magazine and
find more issues.
Barcode
Names of included
artists are written down
the side to attract
readers.
Limited fonts and colours are
used on the front cover of a
magazine, this prevents it from
looking too cluttered. The font
colours used tie in with the
models outfit, this makes the
magazine aesthetically pleasing.
The title of the magazine is in a
bright red colour, this makes it
stand out because Rolling Stone
is known for its bright red title.
The featured artists name
is written the largest on
the front cover. This
attracts the reader along
with the photograph to
buy this issue of the
magazine. The colour of
the writing also matches
the colour of his shirt and
also is a link between the
writing underneath
because he is described as
“Pop’s golden child”.
The way the artist/ model
is posing fits into the
theme of the magazine. His
loose shirt, excessive gold
jewellery and cigarette fit
into the stereotypical rock
star image that fits in
perfectly with the theme of
this magazine.

2. Masthead The models head covers
part of the masthead. He
looks straight out to the
reader to make them feel
like he is only looking at
them. These are both
typical conventions of
magazines.
Puff- this is in a bright colour
that doesn’t match the
theme of the rest of the
magazine to attract the
reader. The advertisement
for a free CD is a major
attraction to the reader and
can make them more likely
to buy this issue of the
magazine.
Puff- this is there to attract
the audience to this
specific story of the
magazine.
The featured artist is
written in the biggest font
to make is stand out. The
artists/ bands name along
with the model is the
biggest attraction for this
issue of the magazine. The
term “Exclusive!” is used to
make the reader believe
that the stories included in
this magazine can only be
read in this issue.
A limited number of fonts and
colours are used on the front
cover, this stops the magazine
from looking cluttered. The dark
mise-en-scene fits into the
theme of the magazine. The font
colours are taken from the
colours that the model is
wearing to make the cover more
aesthetically pleasing. The
model is also dressed as a
stereotypical rock star because
that is the general theme of the
magazine.
The names of featured artists and bands are
included on the front cover to draw the reader in.
The target audience for this
magazine is males aged 18-30.
The model is photographed from a
low angel at a medium shot. He has
shadows on his face to make him
look more mysterious and rock like.

3. Masthead Banner- This is the magazines
tag line
Featured artists names are
included down the side to attract
the audience to buy this issue of
the magazine.
The model is a famous rock
artist, this immediately
attracts the reader because if
they like the artist they are
more likely to buy this issue.
The model is made to look
rebellious because he is
hitting the masthead with his
guitar. This fits into the
stereotypical rock star image
of this magazine.
The front cover of a magazine
generally only uses limited
fonts and colours. The colours
used on this magazine are
dark and fit into the theme of
this magazine. The models
outfit matches the colour
scheme of the magazine.
The featured artists name is
written in large, bold letters
to attract the audience to
buy this issue of the
magazine.
Justified text A picture of a famous band is
included to draw the reader
in. Anyone who is interested in
that band is more likely to buy
this issue of the magazine.Barcode
The artist is photographed at a
long shot, this is so that you can
see his full outfit. The mise-en-
scene is dark to make the model
look more rebellious .