1. Cover Analysis

2. Cover Analysis (NME)
The header is located over the top of the splash image of
the band which directly relate to each other as the ‘AM’
stands for ‘Arctic Monkeys’ the name of the band featured
in the splash image. The header in bold and striking in
white and is san serrif, which is masculine, shadowing the
image that the four men in the picture behind are
portraying. The size of the type is bigger than the
masthead, which could suggest that this story is more
important than the title of the magazine, it could be a
particularly important story and it has been used to sell
the magazine to the audience as they want to know more.
The strapline again is in a striking white colour and lies
just below the center of the cover, over the top of the
splash image. The text is in capitals to make it really
easy to read and it jumps out at you. The words, ‘the
final chapter’ give the impression to the audience that it
is the last of the band and it is exclusive only to this
magazine so pulls the reader in and makes them want
to buy the magazine and read more. This is backed up
by the quote below it, which is a smaller text but still in
white and capitals to stand out against the splash image.
This gives a little bit of information and again makes the
audience want to read the full story.
The plug stands out hugely against the rest of the cover as
it is the only time yellow is used and draws the eye. As the
text says ‘the NME verdict’ it is something that is exclusive
to only this magazine and you cant read it anywhere
else, which is a great selling point. It features a question
‘AM; the greatest record of the decade?’ which makes the
readers think and want to know what the ‘exclusive’
verdict is, if it is what they thought or not, making them
feel included in the magazine.

3. The masthead stands out from the
rest of the cover, for a number of
reasons, one of these it because of
the font and the colour. The font that
has been used is san serrif, which is
typically more bold, masculine and
also elegant, which reflects the classy
style of the magazine and also
appeals more to the target audience.
The colour that has been used also
makes the masthead stand out, as it
is one of the only times that red is
used on
the cover and the only time it is
used excessively in a bold statement
way. Red is a daring, eye catching
colour and it immediately draws
the eye and because the same
masthead is used on every
issue of NME it is easily
recognisable and comes with a
certain reputation or even
stereotype that they uphold.
The cover story that begins with a quote from a popular band is used to give you a little bit of information of
a story featured in the magazine, but also makes you want to read the full story. The quote is in black to stand
out against the light blue background, and the name of the band below is smaller but in red and underlined to
stand out but not detract from the stories headline. Underneath that, the smaller text saying ‘the truth’ which
makes you think that you don’t know the truth but it makes you want to find out.
The price of the magazine is
printed very small, next to the
title, so your eye is caught by the
masthead and not the price. NME
is priced at £2.40 which isn’t too
expensive which gives the idea
that it could be aimed at middle to
working class people and that
most can afford it.
The barcode is very small and is found in the corner of the magazine, to take up as little space as possible
and not to detract any attention from the cover as to an audience and customer, it has no real meaning
and doesn’t give anything to the cover, as it is a necessity, not something there to influence buying the
product. Every issue of every magazine will have one.
The splash image hasn’t been taken in a
studio, but outside where the weather is
bright with a light blue sky and palm trees
creating a scenic background of
somewhere clearly in a foreign country that
looks desirable. The main focus of the
image is the band ‘The Arctic Monkeys’
three of which are stood in a row, and the
lead singer stood slightly in front of the rest
maybe highlighting that he is the front man
and the one that you will most likely
recognise. The band are also wearing
similar colours, predominantly black, also
with white and brown, and a similar style of
clothing, jeans, t-shirts and jackets. This is
interesting as they are clearly in a hot
country so its not typically what you think
to wear. None of the band are smiling and
instead are looking serious and
moody, which does in a way reflect their
style of music which could be classed as
soft rock/alternative. Three of the
members have direct eye contact with the
audience, which makes you feel included as
if they are directly communicating with
you. Their body language is all quite
relaxed and natural in poses such as arms
crossed or behind their back, although
some of these stances could be seen as
defensive and again fairly moody, which
highlights their genre of music and their
overall image they have created as a band.

4. Cover Analysis (Q)
The splash image has been taken in a studio on a plain white
background. Because there is nothing to see in terms of the
background, it doesn’t distract from the main focus of the
image, the band. The four men are all stood in an line with
their arms around each other and they are all laughing and
smiling, showing that they are all close and happy and appear
to work well together. The image of the band is sort of
rugged and unkept in a loveable way, three of them being
unshaved and all wearing casual clothes, jeans, t-shirts and
open jackets. This gives the impression that they are laid back
and comfortable with each other.
The pull quote is placed over the top of the splash image
in a white box surrounded by a red outline. The white
stands out against the men behind it, making the text easy
to read. The quote comes from the article inside the
magazine about the band, and by just giving one
quote, especially one calling the article ‘the comeback
story of a lifetime’ makes you want to read it, making it
sound interesting and exciting.
The banner at the bottom, runs the whole way across the
page on a diagonal slant to give a bit of variety to the cover. It
is grey which contrasts with the black and the red text of the
cover stories on the banner. All three stories have a
heading, which catches the eye, and then continues with a
quote or more information about the article. The story in the
middle is about a rock star turned murderer, which relates to
the colour of the text which is red, connoting blood, anger
and rage. The banner also features a barcode which placed
right on the edge, at the side of the page to keep it as
discreet as possible, and not to distract attention from the
rest of the cover as much as possible.

5. The masthead stands out from the rest of
the cover as although it is in the corner, it is
very big and with the red box around it to
attract attention. The contract between the
red and the white of the ‘Q’ is bold and
striking and easily recognisable as it is used
on every issue as a signature trademark.
The tagline above the masthead; ‘the
worlds greatest music magazine’ is a much
smaller font so it doesn’t detract attention
from the main focus of the masthead, and
is in black which doesn’t create as much as
a contrast to the red as the white does. The
bottom of the masthead is slightly covered
by the header which suggests that you
don’t need to see the whole masthead to
know what the magazine is.
The header goes across the centre of the
magazine and draws the eye to it as
intended because it is the main story. It is
black, which stands out against the white
background and also uses an interesting
method regarding the font. The words
‘King’ and Leon’ here are in a bold san
serrif font, whereas the ‘of’ in the
middle, is in a smaller, less bold font, which
creates a bit of variety within the cover and
the band name. The colour and the font
suggest a sophistication, reflecting the
audience which is mainly young adults. The
bottom of the header is again slightly
covered, this time partly by the splash
image of the band which suggests that you
don’t need the full header; ‘Kings of Leon’
to know who the band are, you can just
recognise them straight away and the
header directly relates to the splash image.
The banner at the top of the page, stands out as it surrounded by a yellow box, (the only other time
yellow is used, aside from the plug). The band’s name is lager than the rest of the text in a serrif font
which adds sophistication and a sort of old fashioned feel, which does link to the idea of it being a
‘collectors special’ The artist is in the middle of the banner with straplines underneath and a black box
with white text above, detailing a collectors special, which is another technique to get you to buy the
magazine. There is a little picture
next to the text to capture your interest
some more, which relates to the text
directly which uses buzz words like ‘secret’
and ‘rare’ to make you think it is more
exclusive and engages directly with the
audience, and the idea of sharing a secret.
The header also features two words above
the main eye catching band name across
the middle of the cover, and that is ‘world
exclusive’. The text itself draws you in as
the idea of it being the first time this story
has been heard and the audience will be
the first to read it, makes them feel
involved and exclusive. The words are in a
bold red colour, which contrasts with not
only the white background, to which they
stands out from, but also the black text
below is of the main focus of the header.
The price of Q is £3.90, which isn’t too
expensive but compared with
others, could be considered quite a lot.
Therefore the audience of Q could be
more middle class and not targeting
young children who wouldn’t
be able to afford this. This price
The plug stand out again, from the background it is on, as it is a bright
is next to the barcode in small
yellow, in contrast to the grey. Although it is small it catches your
type, so you can show interest
attention and makes you want to buy it as it gives you the impression
in the magazine before being
from the only word on it; ‘plus!’ that there is more in the issue. The
influenced by the price.
serrif font also adds a certain class which looks good to the audience.

6. Cover Analysis (Rolling Stone)
The masthead is at the top of the page and is also mostly covered
by the splash image. The creators have done this as it is such a
well known magazine, that you don’t need to see the full
masthead every issue, you just know what it is. It holds a certain
reputation and is aimed at young adults to middle aged
people, mainly male, who would know the magazine without
needing the full title. The font is red with a white outline and a
black shadow falling behind it which makes it stand out, and is also
a trademark aspect for the magazine. The masthead is also serrif
which is typically more flamboyant, classy and elegant, which does
reflect the target audience and what you would expect them to
like.
The splash image is a medium close up of the celebrity Rihanna.
As she takes up the majority of the space, pretty much filling
whole cover, it suggests that she is the most important story in the
magazine. She is turned away from the audience but has her face
pointing to the camera, almost hiding herself but in an inviting
way due to her facial expression. Rihanna’s head is tilted slightly
to the side showing a more vulnerable side to her personality and
her mouth is slightly open, making her more intriguing. Her eyes
are half closed making her image even more sultry and
sexy, which is the image the creators, and Rihanna herself, are
trying to create. This also attracts the target market as she lives up
to the theory of ‘male gaze’ and the idea of being an object of lust.
Her hair falls over one side of her face, hiding half of her
expression adding a mystery and making her even more seductive
and enticing. Her overall image portrays her as a sex symbol and
encourages the ideal target audience, of young to middle aged
adults, especially men, to buy the magazine.
The barcode is at the bottom left corner of the cover not to distract
from the rest of the magazine and taking up as little space as
possible. Every issue of every magazine has one.

7. The price of ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine is $4.99 which is around £3.00. This suggests that people from a
middle to working class background are the ideal target market, but also suggests that it is not for children
or young people as it would be too expensive for them mostly, it is a more mature magazine for adults.
The colour scheme for the magazine
reflects the country that is
made, America. The masthead is mainly
red and the outline is white as well as the
background too. Although there is no blue
on this cover, ‘Rolling Stone’ often work it
on to their magazine subtly which almost
shows patriotism and the love of the
country and the bands and artists that
come from there. The rest of the cover is
black and white except the splash image.
The black and white colours complement
each other as well as creating an effective
contrast on the cover.
The strapline underneath the name of the
singer, is in a block white font, so you can
read it against the background. It has a
drop shadow on which makes it stand out
and also to make it look more formal and
elegant. The white contrasts with the
black of the header above it, and gives a
little bit of information into the story
inside the magazine. The quote ‘crazy in
love’ tells you that the article will mainly
be about her love life, which is something
that the target market could be interested
in reading and tells you just enough to
make you want to buy it.
The cover story is directly below the
masthead in a place that is easily
noticed, but not that would detract from
the masthead itself. This cover story only
says the name of the singer ‘Billy Joel’ in
capitals so it’s easier to read and it is black
to stand out against the white background.
The strapline under the cover story is a
question to involve the reader, but also as
it is a question on the front, it could
encourage you to buy the issue as you
think it could be answered inside and it
makes you want to know. The strapline is
also in black capitals but in a smaller font
so the first thing you see is the main story.
The layout is very simple for this issue of
‘Rolling Stone’ as the splash image is the
main focus of the cover so it hasn’t been
over complicated with too much text. The
masthead is at the top, the barcode in the
bottom left corner and the splash image in
the centre. As Rihanna is facing the left, all
of the text is down the right side of the
cover so none of it covers her face at all.
The text down the side is alternatively
black and white, to stand out against the
background and in the middle there is a
black box with white writing, which makes
this further stand out against the rest of
the text, as it could be a particularly
important story, and the eye is
immediately drawn to it.
The header is at the bottom of the cover and it is the only text that properly overlaps the splash image as it is directly linked to the image. The artists
name ‘Rihanna’ is in a serrif font, which is seen as elegant and more feminine than if it was san serrif. This shadows the overall image and connotations
that they are trying to create of the singer. The text is black, which stands out against the image and also from the white text that surrounds the word, so
you know that this is the main focus of the issue. The font is also quite like an autograph which is more personal than a generic block font.