1. Front Cover Overview
The first thing that the reader can see is that all of these magazine covers have a
similar colour scheme. NME is known for using three main colours: red, yellow
and white. They use these colours for a various reasons. One of the main
reasons is so that magazine stands out; a lot of the other colours on the cover
are either black or white, so having red and yellow text makes the name stand
out. This can make it easier for existing fans to recognise also. The colours also
create a symbiotic link between each magazine, so people will be reminded of
the magazine when they see these colours; it also makes the magazine seem
familiar. The artist or band’s name is usually in yellow or white or a mix of both, it
depends on the colour of the main image.
Almost all of the magazines also follow an identical layout. All of them have a
main cover line in the middle that takes up a lot of space on the cover. Most of
these cover lines feature the artists names, this is so that fans of these particular
artists will see the name and want to read about them, the cover lines are in
colours that stand out against the image they are covering, this is to make them
easier to read. Most of them are also in a bold font, this is to make the names

2. easier to read from a distance, this is also because it is something you would
expect from NME. It is a part of their brand identity.
The magazines all use a lot of red and white, this is because NME is an English
magazine and it is showing the colours of the English flag. A lot of alternative
rocks origins come from the UK and NME wants to celebrate this.
Another noticeable similarity between the magazine covers is that none of the
bands are smiling. They all have very serious facial expressions. In magazines
like We Love Pop the artist or band on the front cover would be smiling, this is
because they are much happier magazines aimed at young girls; NME isn’t
happy and is aimed at and older audience, typically teenagers who like more
serious bands. The facial expressions also show that the artists are layed back
and relaxed, as if they don't have anything to worry about, many readers will be
looking for escapism when reading the magazine and seeing the artists look
relaxed will make them feel the same way.
A lot of the artists on the front cover are leaning against something, this adds to
the idea of them being casual and layed back. Most of the artists are dressed
casually, wearing shirts and jackets, all of this ties in with the idea of being layed
back and relaxed.
Most of the artists featured are quite young. Many readers of NME will be
teenagers, so seeing artists who are young will make them want to buy the
magazine. They will feel like they have a connection as there isn't a big age gap.
A lot of quotes are used on the covers, this is so that if a reader sees a quote that
interests them, they may be enticed into buying the magazine.
All of the front covers feel quite full, there is a lot going on. There are articles on
both sides of the front cover, this is sometimes limited to just the left hand side. In
most of the covers, the band is taking up amost all of the front cover, if not all of
it, this makes it clear to the audience that they are the going to be featured
heavily in the magazine or have a lot of significance at the time.
All of these covers share a lot of similarites, this is good as they are all NME
magazines and should look and feel similar, if they didn’t readers would not be
able to find them as easily and less people would buy the magazine.