Case studies of music magazines

1. Red, black and white
colour scheme
which is a
continuation of the
house style of NME
magazine, which
mostly includes red.
This is because red is
a popular/appealing
colour and will
attracts people to
look at the magazine
Other feature artists are placed
unusually around the tilted frame
of the main artists possibly
because there isn’t a skyline. It
also accentuates on the overall
scattered layout.
Pull quote from each
of the band
members, alluding to
the readers what is
being spoken about
in the article. This is
to draw in the
readers.
The main cover line is in
an unusual place (not at
the top of the
magazine), even though
it is still a significant size
and bold, making it
obvious that it’s the
cover line. This to go
with the messy, skewed
layout
The magazine boarder, band
name and pull quotes are all at
an angle, so that everything
looks out of place to go with the
Rock/Indie theme, whilst still
looking tidy because of the
matching colour scheme
Band members making direct eye contact with the
readers, so that the readers are being drawn in.
The rhetorical phrase ‘Get the
picture?’ links with the picture of
the band member holding the
camera, taking a picture of the
audience. This combination is
direct address and draws the
reader in as well as forming a
relationship.
Long shot of the band because there’s 3
of them and a close would have been
less appropriate as they might have not
been able to fit them all in equally.
Barcode and price placed in the
corner, also at an angle.

2. Date of magazine release
Range of different shots for the images in
interesting locations, so that the audience
reads those particular pages
Typical house styles of NME contents page;
‘Inside this weeks, advertisement in the corner,
large centre image etc.. which appeals to the
familiar audience
Large image of band member playing the
guitar links to the genre of the magazine
Continuation of the Red, white and Black colour
scheme, so that it matches with the cover
Page numbers with pictures to inform the readers
what is going to be on that page
Advertisement of the magazine, informing
the readers how they can subscribe to the
magazine and how much it costs. It is also
bright red, matching with the colour scheme
of the magazine but also so the readers
notice it and hopefully subscribe.

3. Pull quote in between two
columns, indicating what is being
spoken abut in that specific area
of the page.
Overall the entire theme used on the NME
front cover has changed. This could be an
attempt of making these specific pages
more ‘girly’ due to the sex of the band
Different colour scheme of Pink, Blue
and White on double page spread which
is completely different to the front cover.
This could be because the pink, blue and
white is more feminine, relating to the
artists.
Use of columns and colours used in
specific places, making the page
look neat and organised, which also
isn’t match the messy theme on the
front cover
Images of the band around the page, matching
what is being said in the columns (anchorage).
For example; in the section when the interviewer
talking about their Glastonbury
performance, there is a long shot photo of the
audience, reacting to their performance.

4. This skyline informs the readers what else is going
to be mentioned in the magazine.
There is a consistent colour scheme of red, yellow
and black which match the explosive theme of the
magazine. The explosive theme also goes with the
genre, which is Rock.
The masthead is written in big, bold, black capital
letters, to make it obvious that it’s the title/brand of
the magazine
The cover artist is making direct eye contact with the readers
to make it seem as is she is actually going to throw the
dynamite at them
Main/cover artist has the largest image, blocking the
magazine logo. This because she is the main attraction of
the magazine issue and fans/audience members are
already familiar with the magazine name/brand so they
don’t need to see the entire thing.
The main cover line however, isn’t in big bold
writing, making it less obvious that it relates to the
main image, which is so big
Barcode and price; informing the potential readers how much the
magazine costs.
Smaller images of other artists featuring in the magazine, with
matching cover lines, letting the readers know who else is in it and
what their interview may be about.

5. One of the main artists in
the magazine has the
biggest long shot image
on the contents, page to
show their significance.
Continuation of the colour scheme, so it matches
the front cover
Page numbers in chronological order, so that
the reader gets a clear understanding of
where the articles are.
Use of columns, so that
everything is organised
Everything is written in bold
capital letters, instead of fancy
writing, so that its easier to
read and also because it a
Rock magazine.

6. Long shot photos of the band performing
Slogan of the magazine mentioned again
Continuation of explosive colour scheme,
relating to the front cover.
Pull quote in the middle of the text to show
what is being spoken about in that specific
part of the page
Use of columns, to
make the page
organised