This document analyzes the cover of Issue 1505 of The Big Issue magazine. It summarizes the key elements of the cover design, including the masthead, issue date, headline, sub-headline, color scheme, and teasers. It then analyzes the image choice and mise-en-scene of the cover photo of a homeless woman. Finally, it discusses the viewpoints and ideologies reflected in the cover, including collectivism, internationalism, and inclusivity.

1. THE BIG ISSUE
Cover 1505 Analysis

2. Conventions of Issue 1505
Masthead – The name of the
magazine, framing the cover
with a signature bold, sans-serif
font, recognisable to the big
issues sense of branding.
Issue date and
number
Headline & Sub-headline – Bold
text, reflecting bold/important
statements, this follows the
typical conventions of big issue
covers
Colour scheme - The vibrant
yellow text stands out against
the darker blue background
and refers to the colours of
the Ukrainian flag.
Teasers – Indicate briefly what
will be in the magazine - Small
font to not distract from the lead
The Big Issue aims to give homeless people
a "hand up not a hand out", empowering
them through their own actions. Helping
the homeless help themselves is the
principle behind The Big Issue. This
front cover signifies that the big issue still
aims to help and raise awareness for those
they cannot help directly.
 The lack of sell/cover lines
suggests that the topic of this
particular front cover is taken
more seriously by The Big Issue
and that they view
homelessness as an important
matter that should be shown
to readers and that it should
be the focal point

3. Image choice/mise-en-scene
• There is a vast contrast between the vivid colours of the mast head and
the dullness of the image. The bright colours connote urgency and help
the image portray this message as well as encouraging the audience
to take action.
• The image reflects the sub-headline, "helping the displaced with
nowhere to turn" with an unposed picture that uses direct mode of
address through eye contact with the camera – this creates sympathy
within us readers as it's as if she is looking to us for help.
• The mise-en-scene is bleak and appears almost post-apocalyptic,
however this is not a designed set... it presents reality, making it more
impactful.
• The main focus in center frame is a medium long shot of a woman
wearing a long winter coat, this conveys the cold conditions - her body
language also suggests she is cold and further emphasizes her suffering.

4. Viewpoints and Ideologies
• Collectivism (left wing) - is when a community focuses on a group's needs by
working together as opposed to focusing on individual needs.
- This cover focuses on working together in helping the homeless and those who
have been forced into homelessness.
• Internationalism - is the viewpoint that nations are better off in a state of co-
operation, in which all (or most) nations are dedicated to the promotion of their
common good, rather than engaging in competition or hostility.
• Inclusivity - is the idea that all social groups should be equal, inclusive media
provides a voice for marginalised social groups.
- Working class/marginalised groups
- Ordinary people, rather than elite/celebrities