1. Analysis of three front covers

2. The main feature that drew my attention to this magazine front cover was the main image and mast head. I think its amazing how the designer has created it to look as if Matt Bellamy ,from the muse, has smashed the masthead into pieces with his guitar. Furthermore this is reinforced by the main cover line “Matt Bellamy is out of control”. This effect looks complicated but I think it could be easily done on Photoshop using a range of brushes on individual layers for a more 3D look and also maybe just breaking up masthead and repositioning the pieces to make it look shattered then filling the gaps with the main background colour. The main image also presents this ‘out of control’ look as the expression on his face portrays the attitude that he ‘doesn’t care’, living the rock star lifestyle. The slogan, positioned where the skyline is usually found leads you to think that the magazine is really worth buying as they have used the claim “UK’s biggest music magazine” and from that you would expect the best and biggest stars and news which encourages people to buy the magazine. It is clear that the magazine follows a house style of the colours red, grey and white which I think looks really effective when limited colours are used repeatedly. Iv noticed that many magazines use names of some of the biggest stars as one of their cover lines advertising extra features in the magazine. I think this works really well in terms of attracting readers as people want to know the gossip of the most famous ,not small bands from a little village no one has heard of. The list of names has been placed in white text boxes and spaced out to make the content look bigger, making the magazine look bigger and better ,almost boasting that Q magazine provide more news about more stars than other magazines.

3. Firstly I like how simple this front cover is. A plain white background has been used but the images and text styles bring it to life. I particularly think that the style of the main cover line is interesting as the colours have been inverted which really stands out against the white background to then be enlarged and rotated makes it look more impressive. This may be a technique that I could incorporate into my own project. This front cover also has a pull quote above the main cover line taken from Lily Allen herself. I think this is a really strong quote as it’s serious but also doesn’t reveal too much ,encouraging the reader to look through the magazine to find out more. A pull quote is definitely something I will include on my magazine front cover. I think the main image is the strongest point of this magazine cover combined with the main cover line also. The image is in direct mode of address and the direct gaze helps stimulate interaction with the reader. This is also a medium close up of Lily Allen which most magazines use in terms of the photography which takes up most of the space making the image stand out. The image is also on an individual layer above the rest to also make it stand out of the page and look more 3D. Similarly to the previous magazine, limited colours (red yellow black and white) have been used to maintain a house style. The masthead is written in a simple capitalised font but the white outlining around the red makes it more bolder and less flat. In the bottom right ‘plus’ has been cleverly positioned in the left third as when the magazines are stacked, people will be able to see this and draw their attention.

4. I like how the colours are so vibrant on this magazine and unlike the last two it does not have a limited number of colours but it works really well as the styles definitely appeals to the younger age range as the target audience. In addition the pink and the yellow used for the main cover line is really effective too as they are known as triads, the two colours contrast and give a powerful effect. This could be something I consider when it comes to the choice of colours on my own music magazine. The front cover in general is really busy which I think reflects the sort of music it is advertising to readers, loud dance music and fast pace music. They have specifically chosen to use P Diddy on the front cover as the main image as he is a well known hip hop artist which is obviously what this issue is about, hip hop. It seems the low angle show is deliberate how the photo has been taken from below him so it looks like P Diddy is above us to show just how big he is in terms of his skills in the music industry. Everyone listens to CDs whether they synchronize them onto their computer or play them on their sound systems therefore advertising a free CD in a magazine will definitely get peoples attention. By positioning it in the left third also makes it visible when magazines are stacked on the shop shelves. Another selling technique is the skyline positioned at the top above the masthead. In this case they have gone to the extent of saying it’s the ‘worlds biggest’ emphasising just how good the magazine is which encourages people to buy it. The main selling features have been positioned in easily noticeable places on the cover however the barcode, price and issue number have been put together at the bottom right to leave more space for the more important features.