This document analyzes print products like movie posters and magazine covers. It provides examples and discusses key design elements for two movie posters ("28 Days Later" and "The Cabin in the Woods") and two magazine covers (Empire and Total Film). Key aspects discussed include use of color, imagery, text, and unique selling points to attract attention and convey relevant information about the film or magazine content.

1. Analysing Print Products
By Emily Bainbridge

2. Film poster 1

3. 28 Days Later
This is the poster for the horror movie ‘28 Days Later’. As with all movie posters, it
aims to entice the viewer of the poster to be intrigued about the film, which give the
potential for them to either find out more about the film by, for example, finding and
watching the trailer, or to just go see the film. The unique selling point of it is, oddly,
the lack of information. The fact there is not much on the poster, in terms of both
text and imagery, makes people wonder
what it could be about, as it does not
even have actors names.
The colour palette of mainly dark
colours – black and red, along with the
contrast of the grey help signify
towards the horror genre. The red of
the poster signifies towards a gore
element – especially as it is about
zombies.

4. This is the only text on the poster
which gives a insight into the
narrative of the film. The days are
relating to the ’28 days later,’ the
films name and the words relating
to the zombie attack within the
film.
Since there are no actors names
written on the poster, the fact it is a
Danny Boyle film is the only aspect
which can give the view an idea of
what the film will be like, if they have
seen or heard of his other films.
‘28 Days Later’ is the main feature of the poster,
since it is very important as the films name
need to be known. The name in itself, however,
does not give an idea of the genre or narrative
of the film.

5. After the films name, this is the most notable area of the poster. The sketch
of a man walking alone in London is a major signifier into the narrative of
the film, though it does not give anything away to show this, therefore it is
still a wonder why he is there and what he is doing, and mainly – what
significance it has
to the film.
The final area of the poster, in unusually small writing right at the
bottom, is the date of release into cinemas. In the text before it, it says ‘the
days are numbered’ which is a play on words and meaning. It relates to the
fact in the film that the days left for the
human survivors is numbered,
though also the fact it is not long till the release.

6. Film poster 2

7. The Cabin in the Woods
This is the film poster for ‘The Cabin in the Woods’, which is classified under the
horror genre. It aims to excite the viewer, whilst also intriguing them to find out more
about the movie. I believe the unique selling point of this poster about the film is the
unusual imagery. A a maze-like, twisted house is positioned, which appears to be
suspended – this may connote to the films narrative.
The colour palette for this consists
likewise of dark colours – black and red,
again along with the contrast of the
grey help signify towards the horror
genre. These colours have being used in
a similar way to the last poster,
reflecting back to its genre.

8. This is the first text on the poster.
It is two quotes from critics about
the film, and these have been
put onto the poster to give an
‘outsider’ (i.e. ‘non-biased’) view on the film. These quotes will have been picked as
they show the film in a way which will be seen as being fascinating and enjoyable to the
audience. However, they do not signify the genre as these could relate to any, as they
are not genre, or film specific.
This is the only text on the poster which is direct about
the film. “You think you know the story. Think Again” –
this tag line means that they expect the audience to
think they know what will happen and it will have a predictable outcome and
ending, however, it says “think again,” giving the impression that it is not your typical
and expected result, leading people to believe it possibly could be much worse than
their thoughts.
The next text features the films name, obviously a
very important aspect. This is the writing that
stands out second, as the quotes are primary
because they are at the top and are in red. The font
signifies the genre as it is simple, however there
are marks going over it, suggesting towards horror.

9. The final text is this, featuring various peoples
names including producer, writer, actors etc.
These can also influence as if someone knows, for
example one of the actors is a good actor, and
enjoy their films, they may be more likely to go
and see it. Also, the film release date, which even
though it is relatively small, stands out as it is in
red. The fate ‘Friday 13,’ for a release date has been well thought-out. Firstly, and this
is sad to be an unlucky day – so there is connotations to horror in this. Also, with it
coming out on a Friday, it allows for the prime opening weekend (usually the biggest
intake) to show how much of a success it is, also linking to how well it has been
marketed.
The final area on the poster is the imagery. It
shows a cabin, which can be clearly related to the
film due to the films title, which is twisted and
turned. This gives the impression of a maze which
could be interpreted as there being no way out of
it and it being isolated. Also, the background is a
faded image of some woods, again clearly
relation to the narrative scenario.

10. Magazine cover 1

11. Empire magazine

12. This is the masthead for this edition of ‘Empire’ magazine. Unusually, the main image
covers a third of the magazine name. However, because the magazine is such a
prominent, well-known film magazine, it is expected that people still known what it is
by these few letters and also it’s layout. Moreover, it can still entice new consumers
through interest about cover stories, mainly surrounding ‘Sherlock Holmes’ since this
is the main selling point of this edition.
Since ‘Sherlock’ is the unique selling point
of this issue, the film title is featured
centrally of the page, overlapping the
main image. This is featured along with
additional information about what the
article(s) will include.

13. Further information on the cover includes various sell
lines. In this issue, obviously all relating to films, it
includes films that are current, however, may also
interest readers whom enjoy the main cover story film
(Sherlock Holmes) as these other films are of similar
genres, or may have other similarities.

14. This is the main cover image. After the
masthead, this is what is noticed next. It
features the lead actor, Robert Downey Jr
as his character – the main character – in
‘Sherlock Holmes’. It is a medium close-up
taking up the whole frame, which clearly
shows various aspects such as facial
expression, costume and his hand gesture –
these therefore relate to the type of
character he is.

15. Magazine cover 2

16. Total Film
magazine

17. At the very top of the cover features the banner, this notifies that this issue will
surround Batman, and being the ‘ultimate’ i.e. a prestigious issue focusing on this.
This is the masthead, for ‘Total Film’.
These words are visible and stand out
because of the colour contrast, which
has the writing in grey, with many
dark blue around the rest of the page.
However, it has the main image
overlapping to centre on the fact this
is the ‘ultimate Batman issue’.
Central on the cover is this text. ‘The
Dark Knight Rises’ again is in a grey
font helping it differentiate from the
rest of the cover story, though it is
also over the main image giving it
further status.

18. The sell lines on the cover are positioned to the sides and
below the main image. The image to the right is designed
so it looks like a light is shining which also reflects onto the
image as there is a shadow behind the actor. The other sell
lines are all in white text, making them easy to read against
the dark blue background.
Font is kept consistent throughout the sell
lines, though under three of them (e.g. The two
to the left) where extra information is given
such as a quote, the font changes though still
merges well with the overall look of the
magazine.

19. Since this is a Batman issue, and the newest in
the series of films ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ came
out around the time of this being published, the
image of the cover - notified by the text with it –
is of the Batman in the newest film.
Also, as this was a very up to date film, there
would be a surge in interest in all the films,
meaning film goers who enjoyed this one (or
previous) are likely to want to know about the
others.
A medium shot is used on this cover. His eyes are
in the first third of the page, and the image also
takes up the majority of the cover which helps
show his dominance and significance.