This is my second Magazine Front Cover Analysis.

1. Magazine Front Cover Analysis
‘The Fly’ front cover follows general layout
conventions as the main image takes up the entire
frame which usually happens on a typical
magazine. This issue looks similar to other ‘The Fly’
magazines as the masthead is the largest and most
bold piece of text on the front cover which is
shown in every issue of the magazine. Also the fact
that the front cover does not include a skyline
which none of The Fly magazines do shows that
the magazine is following its own layout
conventions. Plus the artist in the main image
‘Jessie Ware’ is placed on an almost blank
background which most of the artists in the main
image on The Fly magazines are. However, this
issue looks slightly unique compared to other
issues of ‘The Fly’ as the name of the main artist
‘Jessie Ware’ is placed in both landscape and
portrait; whereas on other issues the name is
placed simply landscape. This makes the magazine
look cool and unique which could reflect Jessie Ware’s music style as well.
The name of the magazine is ‘The Fly’ and this could suggest that the magazine is very
current and up to date as the phrase “on the fly” means that something is done quickly or
informally so it might mean that the magazine is quite casual and informal. It could also
link to the term ‘superfly’ which means that the magazine is confident and fashionable.
I think it could appeal to the target audience as they are fans of Indie Rock music and
when you think of a fly it associates with nature which could relate to the alternative side
of Indie Rock music. The masthead is in a large, simple, bold, black font which could give
the impression that the magazine is very direct and straight to the point. It is laid out fully
across the top of the magazine which catches the attention of the target audience and
makes it stand out.
Artist Jessie Ware is shown in the main image of the magazine and she is represented as
casual yet sophisticated as her hair and costume showcases. As her hairstyle is very neat
as there doesn’t seem to be a hair out of place and her clothes look appropriate to match
her personality. Her facial expression makes her seem serious yet soulful which reflects
the Indie Rock genre of music as most Indie Rock artists use their music to bare their souls
through the lyrics. The image will be used to draw in the target audience as she looks calm

2. and approachable so people would feel comfortable buying the magazine. Her costume is
quite smart yet casual which could show us that she isn’t as carefree as other Indie Rock
artists and can be quite contained with her music and lyrics. Her body is fairly open but
also half-hidden so that she doesn’t lose her cool persona but can still draw in the
audience.
There are not many sell-lines used in this issue of The Fly because maybe they wanted to
focus on the Indie Rock music and the different artists that are going to be featured in it.
However the sell-line ‘a sophisticated soul’ is used to describe the main artist Jessie Ware
and this entices the audience to buy the magazine as if they are fans of her music they will
want to find out more about her and how her personality is sophisticated. Also this draws
in the audience as by describing her as a ‘soul’ they could be referencing her style of music
because she may sing from the heart. The sell-line is also simple and could reflect the
simple nature of the front coverbut also sounds catchy because of the use of alliteration.
The other sell-lines on the magazine are just various names of other Indie Rock artists that
feature in the magazine e.g. Ellie Goulding, Eugene McGuiness and Bloc Party. This draws
in the audience as they would recognise the names of the artists and want to find out how
they feature in the magazine as they are not given any extra information on the front
cover. The sell-lines are presented on the far right side of the magazine and are placed in a
column without anything else cluttering them. This shows that the magazine puts
celebrating music their main priority.
They all have the same sized thin, sans-serif font but they range from the colour blue to
rose alternatively. This could mean that the sell-lines in blue catch the attention of the
target audience more than the ones in rose as they are darker and easier to read. The
main sell-line of Jessie Ware’s name dominates the entire left-hand-third and this shows
that the magazine is putting a heavy influence on her in the magazine as the audience’s
eye is instantly drawn to the left-hand-third.
In this issue of ‘The Fly’ magazine, the main artist Jessie Ware takes up all of the front
cover with the sell-lines placed around her and the masthead takes up the entire top of
the front cover instead of their being a skyline. This layout is continued on all ‘The Fly’
magazines as the artist in the main image is placed on a blank background so that they are
the main focus of the front cover; this maintains the brand identity of the magazine. The
magazine ‘The Fly’ is free and they promote this by putting it underneath the masthead in
a black circle prominently whereas on other magazines that charge a price, it is normally
hidden at the bottom of the front coverin a small font.
The colour scheme of the front cover is mainly black, blue and rose. They are effective as
they are bold and to the point and it gives the magazine an edgy but soft look which
reflects the Indie Rock genre as it can be hard yet soulful. The sans serif font is simple yet
it stands out because of its size which can attract the readership to the magazine. I think

3. this front cover is effective as it is straight to the point about the fact that it is an Indie
Rock magazine as it showcases Jessie Ware and the names of the other artists. Also I think
the front cover draws in the audience well by teasing information that makes the
readership want to buy the magazine so they can read the information that is inside. I
think it will be successful in drawing in its target audience as it presents the genre well
and the readership will recognise this and want to purchase the magazine.