Billboard magazine has been published since 1894 and covers various music genres but focuses on charts tracking popular songs and albums. It is considered one of the most influential music media brands globally. The magazine is published in both the US and UK and had a circulation of over 18,000 in 2008. Billboard magazine uses consistent design elements throughout issues, including colors from the cover being carried into interior pages and a simple yet recognizable masthead featuring white text.

1. • The masthead is focused in the top row of the thirds. The house style of the
masthead is consistent throughout all issues of Billboard. Additionally, the
name of the magazine which is ‘billboard’ could connote importance of the
information included within the magazine being as billboards are usually
used to feed people with news and recent information. The house style used
for the masthead is rather bland and simple, however, it works because it
emphasises everything else on the cover as well as standing out and being
clear. Furthermore, the colour used is white which emphasises that it’s new
and fresh, although, it uses extra colours such as blue and green in the gaps
of the lowercase letters, which are quite refreshing colours so therefore will
reinforce the freshness and that it’s the newest music trends as well as
giving the masthead of the magazine it’s own personal uniqueness. Also this
allows the magazines masthead to be flexible from issue to issue.
Furthermore, this allows the magazine to be easily recognised without any
confusion.
• The main image is the most obvious convention which appeals to the
readers because it’s the largest element on the front cover. In the image the
artist ‘Carrie Underwood’ is using eye contact and looking directly towards
to readers which is inviting them in. The image sets the tone to be focused
on the serious side of music and it’s an extremely professional photo and
she seems to be wearing extremely fashionable black clothing which
emphasises that it’s modern and original as well as showing us her personal
grace and elegance. The background is a rather dim colour yet effective
being as it’s two-toned which will also emphasise and make the artist stand
out more.
Billboard Magazine Cover Analysis…

2. • The coverlines on a magazine cover are a key point because
it’s one of the few main elements in which attract the
consumer most. All the coverlines follow the colour scheme
apart from one visual rule break of the colour yellow which
seems to be added occasionally. The main coverline is
easily visible, ‘Carrie Underwood’ is in a different style font
yet in white which is the same as the masthead, this colour
is used as part of the colour scheme, although, it could be
used to tell us about her personality and it connotes the idea
of peace, calmness and possibly the recentness of her music.
In addition, the other main coverlines seem to be in the
colour red which is rather bright and appealing and
connotes the idea of lust, sexiness and passion. The main
coverlines are situated within the column of the left rule of
thirds and followed by the others on the cover which are
visible in a letter ‘C’ which makes it easier for the consumer
to read them.
Billboard Magazine Cover Analysis Continued…

3. Subsidiary Images.
• The layout of the contents page is typically using the rule of thirds
which makes it neat, a clear understanding and more professional
looking. The colour scheme matches the colours used within the
spaces of the lowercase letters in the masthead, furthermore, the
white has connotations of being new and fresh emphasising the
recentness of the music. The left rule of thirds column consists of the
latest music of the charts which reoccur in every issue of the magazine
which gives it the edge and special uniqueness to the magazine itself
compared to other music magazines. In addition, in this area of the
page the magazine logo is also placed on the page which gives the page
a personal effect. The three smaller sized images based in the top row
of the rule of thirds are subsidiary images which give the reader an
incite about what to expect in the issue. These images are
accompanied by pages number that are clear and stand out, in order
for the consumer to be informed on which page these particular artists
are situated on. The title of the contents page is used in order to tell
the reader what page they’re currently on as well as it making the page
look more organised and official. The main image usually compliments
the cover of the magazine, but remains quite a neutral tone and doesn’t
completely fill the page which will intrigue readers to continue
reading. Subheadings consist throughout the middle section of the
page emphasising it’s the centre piece and main focus, informing
Page number. readers what is featured in the magazine as well as having
Column of the latest summarised information to accompany the main image and headings
music in the charts. which are used to give the consumer more incite about the included
features.
Billboard Contents Page Analysis…

4. A key convention of this double page spread would be
the main image which the right page consists of. The
image is a medium close up shot which is
modern, fresh and fashionable emphasising the
recentness of the her music or maybe a new single. In
addition, the effect of Alexandre Burke’s hair looks
windswept which shows connotations of freedom, as
well as having direct eye contact with the reader so
inviting them in which could reinforce the idea of
female power and dominance which would appeal to
the readers being as they may look up to her as an
icon. The background of the image is white which
shows contrast between it and the foreground image
making it more effect and stand out more to the
consumer.
The left page of the spread consists of the text and a subsidiary image of the artist in which the article is
about. Furthermore, the layout of it is set out in the rule of thirds which shows us the professionalism used.
The text is well organised and placed into three columns which makes it easier for the reader to read the
information. There is a pull quote used on this page and it is used in the colour pink and the particular text
has been enlarged also to make it more noticeable, additionally, this could emphasise the importance of this
particular quote and set the tone for the entire article or the chosen artist.
Billboard Double Page Spread Analysis…

5. • Billboard magazine’s first issue was published in the year 1894 and it tends to
cover all genres of music, but mainly consists of artists and albums revolving
around the charts which track the most popular albums and songs on a weekly
basis. Although, it generally bases its genre on either hip hop or R&B. It is
known to be the worlds most influential music media brand which is owned by
the American entertainment publishing company ‘Prometheus Global Media’.
The current editorial director of this music magazine is Bill Werde who works
alongside the publisher Tommy Page. When Billboard was first published it was
sold in the US, however, it is now also sold in the UK. In the year 2008,
Billboard achieved a circulation of 18,385. In addition, Billboard magazine was
proudly awarded with the 2010 National Magazine Award For Digital Media,
due to the fact it has gained a tremendous digital growth year over year. An
incredible fact would be that it attracts more than 4 million readers each month
in more than a 100 countries.
Background & Research of Billboard magazine…

6. The housestyle used within Billboard varies each issue, but in
one particular issue it chooses to consist of the colours chosen
on the cover, throughout the rest of the issue. The masthead
throughout every issue which is published, continues to use the
set colours in the example to the left which increases the chance
of making Billboard magazine more popular, well known and
without difficulty recognisable. The colour white which is used
in the masthead consistently, as well as on other pages and other
text which connotes the freshness of the music which is included
in the magazine, as well as it being quite vibrant and eye
catching over other magazine competitors, to the consumer.
HOUSE STYLE…