This document provides an analysis of the cover design and contents page layout of different music magazines. Key details analyzed include the use of color schemes, images, text features, and promotional elements. On the cover of Kerrang!, primary colors and a bright yellow masthead are used to draw the eye. Q Magazine uses a simple red and white color scheme with the title in red for contrast. The NME contents page centers a candid backstage photo and uses section titles and arrows to guide the reader through the magazine. Advertisements also promote additional content sources. In summary, visual design and promotional elements are employed strategically across magazine covers and interior pages to attract audiences and guide reading.

1. Front covers

2. K e r r a n g H a v e u s e d 3 p r im a r y c o lo u r s b la c k , y e llo w a n d
b lu e . T h is a d d s c o n t r a s t t o t h e m a g a z in e a n d m a k e s it
e a s ily v is ib le , e s p e c ia lly w it h t h e u s e o f a b r ig h t y e llo w
m a s t -h e a d t h a t r e a lly d r a w s t h e r e a d e r ’s e y e to t it le
‘B R IN G M E T H E H O R IZ O N ’.
K e r r a n g H a v e u s e d 3 p r im a r y c o lo u r s b la c k , y e llo w a n d
b lu e . T h is a d d s c o n t r a s t t o t h e m a g a z in e a n d m a k e s it
e a s ily v is ib le , e s p e c ia lly w it h t h e u s e o f a b r ig h t y e llo w
m a s t -h e a d t h a t r e a lly d r a w s t h e r e a d e r ’s e y e t o t it le
‘B R IN G M E T H E H O R IZ O N ’.
A ll o f t h e a r t is t s fe a t u r e d o n
t h e fr o n t o f t h is m u s ic
m a g a z in e a r e m a k in g a
d ir e c t m o d e o f a d d r e s s to
t h e a u d ie n c e w it h t h e u s e o f
e y e c o n t a c t . T h is g iv e s t h e
id e a t h a t y o u a r e in a w a y
c o n n e c te d t o a n d e q u a l t o
t h e a r t is t s fe a t u r e d o f t h e
m u s ic m a g a z in e a n d t h e y
a r e a d d r e s s in g y o u
s p e c ific a lly . K a r r a n g ! H a v e
a ls o p o s it io n e d t h e le a d
s in g e r r ig h t a t t h e fr o n t o f
t h e m a g a z in e s o s u g g e s t t h e
im p o r t a n c e o f t h e a r t is t ,
u n lik e t h e o t h e r s h e is s a t
d o w n a n d t h e r e fo r e c o m e s
a c r o s s m o r e c a s u a l a n d o n a
o n e to o n e w it h t h e r e a d e r .
T h e s t r a p lin e , ju s t a b o v e t h e h e a d in g , s a y s “ T H IS T IM E IT ’S
P E R S O N A L ! ” t h is g iv e s t h e a u d ie n c e t h e s e n s e t h a t t h e m a g a z in e
a r t ic le is p e r s o n a l to t h e m b u t a ls o fe a t u r e s in t e r t e x t u a lit y a s it ’s
a q u o t e a n d u s e d a s a d e s c r ip t io n o f t h e a r t ic le .
A lt h o u g h t h e t e x t is q u it e
b r ig h t ly c o lo u r e d a n d
e y e c a t c h in g t h e a r t is t s
a r e p o r t r a y e d in lo w
lig h t in g , g r e y m o s t ly . T h is
g iv e s a s e n s e o f t h e
m u s ic g e n r e t h e b a n d
b e lo n g s t o a n d t h is
e n fo r c e s n o t o n ly t h e
m u s ic s id e b u t t h e
fa s h io n s id e o f t h e ir
m u s ic g e n r e .
K e r r a n g ! h a s u s e d b u z z
w o r d s s u c h a s ‘W IN ’ a n d
‘E X C L U S IV E ! ’ t o d r a w
a t t e n t io n t o t h e m a g a z in e
a n d e x c it e t h e r e a d e r a n d
a u d ie n c e . T h e s e w o r d s a r e
u s e d t o p r o m o t e t h e
m a g a z in e c o n t e n t , t h e y a r e
s h o r t a n d s n a p p y s o c a n b e
s e e n a n d r e a d e a s ily . T h e y
h a v e a ls o b e e n w r it t e n in
c a p it a l le tt e r s t o e n fo r c e t h e
id e a t h a t it is a b ig t h in g .
W in s u g g e s t s t o t h e
a u d ie n c e t h a t t h e y a r e
c a p a b le o f a c h ie v in g
s o m e t h in g ju s t b e b u y in g
t h is m a g a z in e . A n d
‘E X L U S IV E ! ’ s u g g e s t s to t h e
a u d ie n c e t h a t t h e a r t ic le
fe a t u r e d in t h is m a g a z in e is
u n iq u e a n d c a n n o t b e fo u n d
fr o m a n y o t h e r s o u r c e o n c e
a g a in e n g a g in g t h e r e a d e r .
T h is m u s ic m a g a z in e h a s u s e d a
s u b -im a g e t o a t t r a c t t h e
a u d ie n c e t h e c o n t e n t in s id e o f
t h e m a g a z in e , t h is w ill p r o b a b ly
b e m o r e a p p e a lin g to a t e e n a g e
a u d ie n c e b e c a u s e g e n e r a lly t h e y
a r e m o r e in t e r e s t e d in im a g e s
a n d le a r n in g t h r o u g h w h a t t h e y
c a n s e e t h a t r e a d in g la r g e
a m o u n t s o f t e x t . B e c a u s e o f t h is
t h e a u d ie n c e is g iv e n a n in s ig h t
in t o t h e m a g a z in e a n d t h e
c o n t e n t t h e r e fo r e e n c o u r a g in g
t h e m to r e a d m o r e a n d le a r n t h e
c o n c lu s io n to t h e s u b -h e a d in g
c o n t e n t .
The title of the magazine “Kerrang!” is at
the very top of the page this ensures
that it will be seen even when stacked
on a shelf it is covered by the artists but
that suggests that the title does not have
to be seen to be recognised by the
audience because of brand recognition.
However a banner is used at the very
top of the page so that if the magazine is
stacked behind another that eye
catching text can be seen by whoever is
browsing the shelves.
The use of anchorage
at the bottom of the
page gives a further
incentive to the
audience to buy this
magazine. It uses the
buzz word “PLUS!”
which suggests that
the magazine is
offering additional
information, and the
idea that the audience
is getting more for
their money when they
buy this magazine.
After the buzz word
Kerrang! have used a
large list of artists
featured in the
magazine, this opens
up the potential of
people liking at least
one of those artists
and the possibility that
they could discover a
new artist.
Kerrang! have also used some more common yet necessary
conventions of music magazines such as the use of a barcode,
which is necessary for larger shops to sell this magazine, however
they have placed it at the bottom right corner to reduce how easily
seen it is. It’s the last the last thing on the page to be seen which is
beneficial because it isn’t very aesthetically pleasing.

3. Sub heading/buzz word- ‘RATED!’ is in a different font and is highlighted with a black box
in order to grab the attention of potential consumers, these buzz words.
The additional
information below the
headline reads “NEW
interviews, UNSEEN
photographs, the
STORY behind every
song”. This suggests a
large amount of content
This image captures the potential consumer’s attention because it’s using the direct mode of
address. The image also gives gothic connotations to the article and clashes with the light coloured
background and colour scheme. The image is black and white that could also convey the idea of
Kurt Cobain’s death. This image also gives the audience an idea of what kind of music may be
featured in the magazine and alternatively offers a sub image for those who perhaps do not like
Nirvana. This technique allows the magazine to appeal to a larger market demographic.
Sub heading/buzz word- this sub heading is promoting the contents of the magazine.
It follows the same colour scheme at the rest of the cover but is considerably larger
making it more eye catching. Also the word use ‘BEST’ suggests there is nothing
better than this and that by not purchasing this magazine people are missing out.
Barcode-A common
convention used on
the front cover in
order for the
consumer to purchase
the media product.
The heading of the
magazine is the
largest text on the
magazine which
suggests it’s the most
important and main
selling point of the
magazine. It fits in
with the colour
scheme but also goes
well with the image of
Kurt Cobain because
it uses dull colours
and a standard font.
Because Kurt Cobain
is grey and so is the
text “NIRVANA”
suggests that he was
what made the band
and without him the
band is also dead.
Buzz words- the
use of the words
‘NEW’ and
‘UNSEEN’ are in
capitals which
attracts reader’s
attention and
makes the
audience feel
involved and
makes them
believe they’re
getting insider
knowledge by
purchasing this
magazine.
A sub image is used to advertise the contents of the magazine; it allows the audience
an insight into the contents of the magazine. The use of a young stereotypically
beautiful woman as the sub-image gives the magazine a further incentive for men to
pick up and read this magazine. She is using a direct mode of address which can be
seen as provocative to men and provides a model women almost like a role model for
women to aspire to be like i.e. slim, long natural hair and tanned skin.
The mast head
uses a large
simple font; the
colour scheme is
in red and white
which contrasts,
this is different
from the
conventions of
most other music
magazines which
use 3 main colours
giving the
magazine a
simple, plain
quality making it
easy to read. It is
quite simple and
mature
aesthetically which
suggests this
magazine is made
for an older
audience. This
masthead is iconic
of Q magazine
and therefore
enforces the idea
of brand

4. This music magazine follows a
red and black colour scheme,
these are contrasting colours
that work well together and
highlights certain aspects of the
magazine cover. For example
some things on the cover are
easier to see such as the title
'Q' this is because it has been
highlighted in red. The model,
Cheryl Cole, is also matching
the colour scheme of the
magazine because she has a
pale, white skin tone and is
wearing bright red lip stick. This
colour scheme gives
connotations of passion and
danger to the reader or person
browsing the magazine. And
gives the audience the idea
that Cheryl Cole is dangerous
but also has a strong sexual
appeal to a male audience.
The title of the magazine is also in front of the
artists white perhaps shows the importance of the
magazines title, and that the title is most
important aspect of the magazine. This makes
the magazine easily identified when in a shop or
on a shelf.
The banner at the very top of the page says 'THE UK'S BIGGEST
MUSIC MAGAZINE' because this is at the top of the page it
means that it is easily visible when on a shelf in a store, and will
reel an audience in.
The strap line on this magazine
uses intertextuality with a play on
words “3 words”. This is the name
of one of Cheryl Cole's albums
and and headline says “Cheryl
Cole Rocks” also 3 words.
This music magazine uses a
plug, which almost looks like a
stick on the cover of the
magazine. This is draw the
attention of the audience to
the fact that this magazine has
an article on John Lennon.
This opens the magazine to a
larger audience because if
someone doesn't like Cheryl
Cole's music they might
however be a fan of John
Lennon.
The anchorage of this magazine uses says
“ROCKS” this in capitals and the primary
colour red of this magazine. This shows that it
is important and meant to be seen easily by the
reader at a glance a reader will see Cheryl
Cole and Rocks on the magazine.

5. Contents Page

6. On the contents page of this music
magazine they have decided to
include the title of the magazine.
This enforces brand recognition
and consistency throughout the
magazine. It is written in red which
contrasts with the background this
makes it more eye grabbing and
far easier for the reader to see
highlighting the importance of the
tile of the magazine.
The main image of this contents page is featured directly in the
middle of the page so that it is large and easily seen by a viewer.
The photograph does not look like the artists were prepared for it to
be taken or modelling for the image which suggests that perhaps
the article is backstage or behind the scenes. This also suggests
the band wasn't meant to be reported whilst doing this and the
photo was captured by an amateur reporter which further suggests
that this article is unique and can only be seen in this magazine.
The cover lines or section
titles on this page categorise
the sections of the magazine
in 5 different categories
This breaks up the page and
make the magazine easier
to read, it also allows the
readers to flick through the
magazine to the pages that
they want to visit without
having to search through
every page.
Graphic features such as
arrows are used to show the
reader where to turn the page
to, this is almost interactive
with the reader and has an
aesthetically pleasing effect on
the magazine.
Advertising has been used in
this magazine to show a way
of obtaining further content
from NME magazines. It also
says “Subscribe today and
save over £45” this is in
capital letters which suggests
that this is a big deal and
very important. Its written in
bright yellow text to draw
attention from the reader, this
will attract the audience to
the deal because it says that
they can save money, and if
they enjoy the magazine so
far they can buy more.
The colour red has been used to
highlight the most important parts
of the magazine. It has been used
to highlight page numbers the title
and the whole band index, which
features a lot of bands to
suggests a large amount of
content in the magazine. This
colour has been used to
exaggerate content.

7. This contents page
features the main image to
the right of the page, this
has been done to leave
room on the left for
content, which makes
sense because naturally
we read from left to right.
The lead singer in the
image can easily be
identified because he is
wearing sun glasses which
are a stereotypically a cool
fashion item. The idea that
the sun glasses primary
function is for fashion
purposes is enforced by
the fact that in the image it
is not sunny.
The contents page
follows the a house style
and colour theme, this
matches the rest of the
magazine and enforces
brand recognition and
consistency throughout
the magazine.
The feature down the
left hand side of the
page says “OASIS
SPECIAL!” this is written
in gold font and
separates its self from
the rest of the
magazines house style
to show importance.
Gold gives connotations
of wealth, importance
and achievement and
therefore suggests that
this article is important
and shows
achievement.
The magazine logo shows continuity of
design and familiarises the reader with
the magazine.
On the main image the
text reads “He's just
showing off.” the use of
a colloquial common
expression makes the
reader feel like they can
connect to the
magazine and shows
almost a friendly bond
between the dialogue of
the magazine article.
The continuity of the colours red, black and
white are usually associated with the rock
and indie music genre enforcing the music
genre the magazine belongs to.

8. Aspects of this contents
page contrast, for example
the colour scheme consists
of red, balck, white and
yellow which all stand off
each other this makes the
page easy to read by
making certain aspects of it
stand off the page. The title
to the contents page is in a
banner which makes it sit
off the page and draws the
attention of the audience .
Another aspect of the
magazine that clashes and
contrasts is the use of a
formal neat layout with no
canted imagery and the use
of the main photograph
which shows a messy, mix
of people and gives
connotations of the
rock/punk music genre.
The main image depicts the
typical rock/punk music
genre gig/festival lifestyle,
this is also reflected in the
audience who follow the
same fashion and music
genre theme.
This magazine has
used capital letters to
emphasise certain
words, this also creates
a sense of urgency that
aims to make the
audience feel like they
need to read on, a plain
font has also been used
so the viewer can easy
read and browse
through the magazine.
The language used in
the magazine is
colloquial and very
casual almost in the way
the way the reader would
talk to friends which
creates a bond between
the reader and the
magazine.
The editor of the magazine has wrote a
small section on the contents page, this
creates a more personal and direct appeal
and is emphasised with the use of a
signature
The textual content is all
on the right hand side,
because the reader will
naturally start at the top
left, the text is the last
thing they are supposed
to see on the page
which draws attention to
the main image and
emphasises it
importance.

9. Double Page Spread

10. Instead of
following the
conventions of
most magazine
articles the first
letter has not
been entered in
drop cap but
has instead
been highlighted
with a red dot to
draw attention to
the start of the
article. This
shows some
intertextuality
because it
shares the
colour of the
singers hair and
also fits in with
the caption
“Hayley never
gets lost in the
crowd...”
The double page spread has included the tile of the
magazine at the top left corner, this is the first place the
reader will look for text further promoting the magazine and
also shows a continuity of design throughout the magazine.
A web address has been included at the
bottom of the page to offer additional and
alternative means of finding out more and
offering further content.
The caption at the top left says “Hayley never
gets lost in the crowd...” this plays on the fact the
the singer has bright red hair but also gives
connotations of the music that the artist
preforms and how the genre stands out.
The artist
featured on
the double
page spread is
wearing
provocative
clothing,
directly
addressing the
audience and
posing in a
vulnerable
way this
demonstrates
Laura
Mulvey's
theory of the
male gaze.
She will been
seen by men
sexually and
seductively
and will
appear to
women as a
role model
and someone
to aspire to be
like

11. The main image
of the vaccines
on this double
page spread
covers most of
the page, this
enforces and
highlights the
importance of the
artists, and
shows that they
are a popular
band to the
audience.
The artists
featured on this
page are all using
a direct mode of
address which
gives the idea
that the article is
been target
directly at the
audience it also
creates a
connection
between the
artists and the
audience
A bright blue font has been used to highlight certain aspects
of the magazine, the most important parts, and draw the
readers eye towards them. Blue is also a neutral colour and
therefore can appeal to both a male and female audience.
The rest of the magazine uses dark and more gritty colours
which further emphasises the areas highlighted in blue.
The subheading of this article says “the biggest guitar band
of 2011” this suggests the bands importance and fame, this
is also further enforced by the use of mise en scene with
guitars in the artists hands.
The image has a
filter on it to create
retro connotations,
this is enforced by
the clothing
fashion the artists
are wearing. This
has been done to
make the band
appear as classic
performers but
also to advertise
the retro fashion
trend.

12. The title of this double page spread is uneven and canted, it also appears to be written in the style
of a ransom note, this gives connotations of the rock/punk music culture and how its supposed to
be scary and a little threatening. This is further enforced by the look of the artist, Lily Allen. She
has black died hair and is wearing a red shirt with the sleeves rolled up with dark eye liner on
which is a common trait of the punk/rock music genre.
The double
page spread
uses 3 primary
colours red,
black and white
which all
contrast to make
the article stand
off the page.
Black and white
are used to
show the
content and red
is used to
highlight more
important
aspects of the
magazine such
as the artist
herself with the
red shirt and her
name in the text.
The two largest features on the page are the artist and the title of the article.
This is done to draw the attention of the reader to the title which is also a
quote from the artist on the right, I believe this is the main point that the
article is trying to get across.
The artist is
making a
direct mode
of address to
the
audience,
this makes
the article
more direct
to the
audience
and creates
a friendly
bond
between the
article and
the reader.