The document discusses the layout and design of magazine covers, specifically for NME magazine. It notes that NME uses a consistent color scheme of red, yellow, white and black but may vary the colors based on the cover image. There are generally 3 fonts used, with the masthead, headline and kickers using bold, capitalized fonts to stand out. The style is lively and mysterious, reflected through close-up photos on the cover. While sometimes following conventions like the rule of thirds, NME often challenges conventions with unique layouts that emphasize the cover image over text. The overall chaotic yet coordinated design reinforces NME's independent spirit and ensures each issue surprises readers.

1. Holly Peacock

2. What you get on front covers

3. 1. Masthead
6.
Graphic
Feature or
Puff
8. Selling Line
or Banner
9. Tagline
2. Kicker
10. Feature
Article Photo
3. Cover Line
11. Headline
12. Anchorage
4. Secondary Lead
13. Flash
5. Plug
14. Menu Strip
15. Bar Code
7. Caption
Web-links?
Ears?
16. Date Line

4. -
-
-
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The masthead is quite bold and it usually follows the colour scheme of red. It stands
out against the background image and is in capital letters which makes it eye
catching to the public. This makes it a recognisable logo which people will
remember after seeing it. It’s usually placed behind the cover image, but is still
noticeable. Sometimes, the masthead changes style/colour depending on the cover
image. Moreover, the mast head is the 3rd biggest thing on the cover of the
magazine, after the cover and headline. This shows it’s importance on the magazine,
as its reflecting the magazine brand etc.
The meaning that is added with the interaction between anchorage and photos is
that it gives you extra information. It informs the readers a bit more on what the
issue is mainly about and makes the story more interesting, and shows what the
image is showing. Moreover, it shows what kind of magazine it is and what it’s main
focuses are.
The lifestyles hinted from the taglines, language and kickers in general is that it is a
laid back magazine for ‘cool’ people. It shows that the people who generally like
this magazine, are not that formal. The language used sometimes includes swear
words and other language, suggesting that it’s a magazine for generally older,
middle class people. The music also reflects this kind of lifestyle, hence why the
magazine follows a similar route.
I believe that the most important thing on the cover is the main feature image. This
is because, usually people will buy a magazine if it has an interesting image. They

5. see the image first. If it has a cover which appeals to people, then people who usually
don’t buy the magazine may buy it. Moreover, the cover image reflects what is going to
be inside the magazine. So instantly, you know if you will want to read this magazine or
not. I believe this is vital, as if people judged the magazine not on the cover, then they
may get mislead by the magazine and be uninterested.
- The tone of language used on the magazine is quite direct and abrupt. It shows that
the magazine is ‘loud’ and wants to catch your attention. Moreover, from the language
you can get quite a sarcastic feel, as if the magazine isn’t all that serious about things.
Words such as ‘monster’ is used to catch people’s attention as it is different from
normal magazines. It appeals to people as it shows that the interview will be
interesting and the magazine can get away with using this kind of language. Once
again, the swear words can also show that it’s not very serious and formal again. It’s
more laid back and can say pretty much what it wants to say.

6. How front covers are conceived and laid out

14. Indirect mode of
address can be
mysterious, lively,
sombre…
Direct mode of
address can appear
‘in yer face’, serious,
warm…
Creates a wacky, fun
image, sharing an
identity with the
reader that offers the
‘independence’ of
indie music.
Enigma – what are
they getting up to
now?

15. 




COLOUR - Is a colour scheme used? Is it the same with every issue or
switch according to the images? Is there a pattern as to where colour
is used? Does colour have its own meaning?
FONTS - Roughly how many different fonts (not sizes) are used? Can
you link the same fonts with the same conventions?
STYLE - What look and feel is created? How much does the cover
image contribute to this? What photographic techniques are used?
Describe the mode of address and overall look e.g. invitational,
mysterious etc. Is a theme used e.g. futuristic? Does an enigma
prompt the reader to ask questions?
USE OF SPACE - How has the rule of thirds been used? Does the leftthird dominate? Is the use of space typical e.g. masthead top-left,
headline sitting at the bottom of the mid-third etc.? Is it spread out,
blocky, chaotic? Is there any dead space or white space?
CONCLUDE – Why do you think it is designed as it is? Does it
reinforce or challenge the typical conventions? Is it: poster-style,
busy , loud, inyerface, smooth, slick, stylish, fun etc.?

16. -
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For NME magazine, there seems to be a general colour scheme for each issue, with other colours
added depending on the cover image. The general colour scheme is usually red, yellow, white and
black. These are colours which all stand out as they are bold and bright, catching peoples eyes
when they see it. They all contrast from the background making it look very vibrant and interesting.
The red colour is almost always used on the masthead on the magazine. This shows that when you
associate the colour red with the magazine, you usually think of the masthead straight away, due to
the repetitive colour used for it. However, sometimes the masthead changes colour depending on
the cover image, if it’s a special issue or the image is actually red itself etc. Sometimes, if the image
has a red tone to it, then the masthead sometimes has a black ‘stroke’ around it to make it stand out
against it. This makes it bolder meaning that you still notice it despite similar colours. NME has been
known to recently change the masthead to colours such as blue and yellow. Although they are
different from the usual colour used, they still do follow the general colour scheme for the magazine.
Furthermore, the colour white is usually used for captions and kickers. This is because it stands out
against the background and the cover image. It is usually a bolder colour such as yellow or once
again red which is used for a headline. So the white colour tones it down but also stands out at the
same time.
Roughly, there is usually 3 different fonts used throughout the magazine. The masthead has a font
which is big, narrow and bold. It appears to be in capital letters to contrast from all the other things
on the magazine. Moreover, the headline also seems to follow a similar route as it also is in capital
letters, which is big and bold. Also, the kickers seem to have the same font too. This is because these
are all key features on the cover and they need to stand out the most to get people’s attention. The
secondary lead and plug have the same font for most issues. Its usually quite fancy and different
from the rest of the theme of the magazine.

17. -
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The style of the magazine is very much reflected via the cover image. The feel is that the magazine is
a ‘care free’ magazine based on various similar genres of music and sometimes even some TV
shows. However, the TV shows also reflect a similar attitude. Usually the techniques used on the
camera is that on the cover photo they often do a medium close up. This takes up the whole page
and dominates the cover. Moreover, another photo technique is that often, they place the front man
of bands in front of all of the other members. This shows how each member has different roles in the
band and the importance of them. If the lead singer is more central and larger on the cover, then
people who like the band often notice this person anyway, so it catches peoples attention more. The
cover image is vital when showing the style of the magazine. On each cover, it has people often
looking away, with serious facial expressions or just even having fun. The mode of address of the
magazine is usually serious, lively or mysterious. These seem to be the main themes of the
magazine. These help to create images which are different and ‘wacky’ in comparison to other
magazines. This shows that the magazine, and also the band featuring on it are different to all of the
others. Therefore, this attracts people into reading it as it is interesting. The enigma of the magazine
usually makes people question what is happening on the photo. For example, why are they doing
what they are doing? Or, what are they laughing at? Etc. This also makes the public want to read the
magazine to find out what the people are actually doing.
On various occasions, the rule of thirds has been applied. This is meaning that the left side of the
magazine dominates the rest, with information and photos. People notice this side more and the
most important information is usually listed here. However, occasionally, NME does not follow this
rule. Sometimes, the cover image is completely dominating the cover without very much text. This
can be because NME sometimes do ‘special’ editions of their magazines and also because they have
this laid back feel applying to their magazine anyway. Sometimes, the right hand side of the
magazine has the feel that it dominates more. The listings appear on the right side sometimes and
not on the left. However, the information that features here is usually of quite minor importance with
the main

18. Information on the magazine. In some ways, the use of space of the magazine is quite typical. The
masthead is always on the left hand top corner. This is because people recognise it here most, so
it’s quite important. It also represents the magazine too. On the other hand, the same rule does not
apply to the headline. The headline usually features on the mid third of the magazine. With each
issue of NME, it changes where the headline is, depending on the whole cover. For example, on the
Amy Winehouse cover, you can clearly see that the headline is on the left third of it. This is
following a different rule from the other magazines, showing that it is quite unique in comparison
to them. It also shows once again that the magazine can do what they want, as this is the approach
they have. The only time that there is white space on the magazine is when it is done on purpose,
for effect on the readers. It emphasises the cover image, or the purpose of that certain issue.
Therefore, instead of it looking boring, it actually enhances the image as it contrasts and catches
attention from the readers. Moreover, the use of space is quite chaotic. There is no set scheme
which NME follow when editing their magazines. They do it based on each issue, which is useful for
the readers as they are always brought something new every time. Bits of information, plugs,
flashes, kickers, images etc, are often placed all over the cover in different places, depending what
they are talking about. However, this works effectively as it always applies to the colour scheme
and works with all the other parts of the cover and the theme of them. They always catch peoples
attention as they are different, but still noticeable. Sometimes, the layout can appear in different
blocks. This can be shown on the left side, the right side of the magazine and also often like a
banner across the bottom of the page. It seems that the magazine always want the cover image to
be the most important as it is never really covered up that much.
- Overall, I believe that the magazine is designed in this way to emphasise the cover and what the
magazine is all about. The feel that you clearly get from the magazine is that it a cool magazine and
quite informal at times. It challenges the typical conventions of other magazines, as you can never
predict fully how the outcome of each issue will look. This is exciting and interesting for the

19. Readers, as it leaves them wondering how it will appear each time, building up tension. It is quite
poster-style sometimes, also fun and loud too. This draws attention from people and makes them
want to read it. Magazines usually have the typical headline in the mid third of a magazine, the
main information dominating the left side, but this doesn’t apply to NME. That’s why it challenges
the typical conventions. It shouts out to you and especially for people who enjoy the genres of the
magazine, applies to their interests. The magazine always looks stylish and that the cover stars are
comfortable doing what they want, being themselves. You always get what you see from NME
which is unique to them, as other magazines aren’t like this. The design of the magazine show how
they are quite independent and also the bands featuring are too. It is a very successful magazine
and I think that it is very effective in the way that it is designed and shouts out to the readers every
issue.