1. Skyline: banner across the top of the page at a slight angle.
Masthead: The cracked effect of the title reflects the Informs the reader they could be given a chance to ‘win!
genre of rock music which is stereotypically seen as Loads of paramour swag!’ The line is in capital letters and the
loud and rebellious. The unique design makes the title word ‘win’ is in bold to emphasis the excitement of winning
memorable and iconic for the audience. The bold, this prize. By positioning this at the top, it is eye catching to
white lettering stands out against the purple the reader and they are able to notice. The banner is in a
background. Although the heads of the men in the contrasting colour of navy compared to the purple
cover image are covering parts of the title, the reader background to make it stand out
is still able to identify the magazine’s title because of
its layout and memorable title. Main image: the band ‘Mastodon’ are this issues main
cover image as the magazine looks at their ‘2012
Pug: common convention of a front cover, usually domination’. Their clothing reflects the rock genre and
a round shape. The pug on this front cover is the target audience reading the magazine will want to
unconventional as it looks like it a splattered paint dress like the bands they listen to. The photo looks like
effect. The designer has chosen to do this as it fits a group shot that could have been taken by anyone and
with the genre of rock/pop which the magazine we can tell this from their casual face expressions that
belongs to. ‘Breaking News!’ makes the feature look like they are not taking the photo shoot too
exciting and eye catching. seriously. The men’s’ heads covering parts of the
masthead imply that they carry authority and status as
Side banner: positioned in the left third part of the they are the main story of the magazine
cover. The images are placed in a black background
that have been cut and edited in Photoshop to make Main cover line/banner: positioned in the centre of the
it all merge together. The images have been made to main cover image, at a slight angle similar to the skyline.
look like polaroids to give the cover a professional Being positioned here suggests it may be more important
look. The names of each artist have been included than the actual photo itself. The line ‘HEAVY! HARD!
beneath each photo to make it easy for the reader to HERE!’ uses alliteration to make it catchy and the bold
identify them. The magazine informs the reader that lettering makes it stand out from the cover. The cover line
they can get the top ’10 pop-punk posters’ by consists of the colours red, yellow, and black which all
purchasing the magazine and is advertising the represent the genre of rock music being loud and ‘heavy’,
opportunity to create your own ‘super group’. relating to the artist’s ‘domination’ mentioned in the line.
Colour scheme: the busy layout of the front cover Puff: a cover line has been designed to look like a puff
uses many different colours so it is difficult to say it that distinguishes itself from other cover lines. A band’s
has a certain colour scheme but the dominant image and their name have been used in this puff,
Barcode: the barcode has been in the bottom right corner. The
colours used are black, red, purple and yellow which including a quote that has been said by a member of the
barcode, price and date are all merged together in the box where
are all associated with rock, heavy music. Using band which makes the cover line interesting and attracts
readers can easily find them all at the same place. The barcode has
these colours enables the magazine to target their readers to the story. In a red colour which contrasts to
been placed inside the puff to distract the attention away from it.
audience who are teenagers who like rock music. the purple background and therefore stands out.

2. Masthead: the title is located at the top left-third
of the cover. The title and logo have been
included in the masthead and the use of the Main Image: The model is facing towards to
distinct red and contrasting white colour make the camera from side on. Her pose relates to the cover
title iconic and memorable for the reader. The line ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it...’ as we see her
design of the masthead makes it the first thing touching her lips with her fingers in a sexual way
you notice and effectively advertises their brand. that attracts the male audience, known as the
The letter ‘Q’ is of a serif style, carrying the male gaze . Women will also look at this image and
connotation that this magazine is of a formal tone aspire to be like Adele, as a woman who conveys
confidence and sexuality without showing of her
Selling line: although some parts of it have body. The image portrays a glamorous feel as she
been hidden, readers remember the catchy is wearing makeup and her hair has been styled
USP ‘discover great music’ because of its and looks as if the wind is blowing in it, which
positioning. relates to the cover line ‘blows us away’.
Pug: looks like it has been stuck on the
Main cover line: The model’s name is in large
magazine after it has been designed. The pug
capital letters, with spacing between each letter.
is of a gold colour, signifying the importance of
The cover line is in a white, sans serif font which
the magazine being the ‘300th Issue’. The pug
contrasts and stands out from the image. The
also acts as the magazine’s USP as it is
magazine has also used a quote mentioned by
advertising the fact that it is there 300th issue.
Adele as part of its cover line which will attract
readers to find out what the artist actually means
Cover lines: gives the readers an insight into by this. ‘BLOWS US AWAY’ is in a red colour similar
what to expect from this issue, in this case, to masthead and contracts with the white text
the issue features interviews with ‘Q Icons’. above it.
The names of the artists’ to be featured in
the magazine in their interview are in a larger
size font to highlight the authority and Colour Scheme: The main colours used in this cover are
importance of these icons. The text is of a red Barcode: the barcode has been positioned beneath the red, black and white. The colours used create a
and black text to match the colour scheme of cover lines in the bottom left corner. The barcode, price simplistic look for the cover, which makes the main
the cover. and date are all merged together in the box where image of central focus. The use of white gives the
readers can easily find them all at the same place. The magazine cover a clean and professional image.
barcode hasn’t been hidden or disguised in such way.

3. Masthead: the title is positioned at the top of the magazine covering most of the left hand side Selling line/USP: relates to the genre of the magazine and makes it clear
section. The font is of a serif style which makes it look formal and the letters are in bold capitals which to the reader what the magazine is based on. The use of alliteration makes
make it eye-catching and memorable for the reader as it is the first it catchy and the use of capital letters makes the line bold and eye
thing they notice about a magazine. The colour goes with catching to the reader as it is placed above to masthead in the sky line.
the overall colour scheme of white, blue and light red,
whilst contrasting with the sky blue background at the
same time. The title reflects the stylish, modern and Plug: positioned on the top right corner of the
simple look which attracts their target audience of young page, relating to the side banner. It acts as a form
female adults who are interested in the latest fashion. of advertising as it is encouraging readers to look at
news. their ’25 classic buys’ which they may look at in
Website: positioned around the ‘L’ letter of the
retailers and not feel guilty about shopping at the
masthead in the same colour. By placing the website
same time. The emphasis on the plug makes it
beneath the title, readers will be more likely to notice it
stand out and noticeable to the readers who are
as opposed to it being positioned at the bottom right
essentially reading this magazine because of its
corner and more likely to go on the website.
fashion aspect
Main cover line: The main story relates to the image as
the name of the model is placed beside her image very
Side Banner: the side banner contains various fashion
clearly and the use of big bold font emphasises the
items with their prices which are being advertised by
importance this story has and is therefore classed as the
the magazine. The side banner relates to the above
‘main’ cover line. Positioned under the masthead, on the
cover line of ‘25 Classic Buys’ which is in a white serif
left hand side without distracting attention from the
font that stands out from the black background and is
image or covering it up.
eye catching to the reader. The images are placed in a
Main Image: Reality star Kim Kardashian is this week’s white background that have been cut and edited in
cover line and the image used has direct address as she Photoshop to make it all merge together. The banner
is looking directly at the camera which draws the readers has been positioned on the right hand side of the
in and makes us engaged into the story. The model has cover so that it doesn’t cover the face of the model of
been placed in the left hand side area, with her face the main image.
positioned in the centre of the page as she is the main
cover story. The image doesn’t appear to be one that a Barcode: unattractive feature of the cover and is
photographer of the magazine has shot, but more of a positioned towards the centre of the page which is
natural pose of which she is smiling at the camera. The unusual for a fashion magazine as it is usually hidden
main focal emphasis is on her facial expression as we or disguised cleverly at the bottom corner of the page.
found out her ‘secret’ which the magazine claims to Banner: images of a model wearing several outfits and advertising them which It isn’t very noticeable at first as it does blend in with
reveal. The ‘male gaze’ concept can be applied to this is essentially the purpose of the magazine to advertise fashion clothing and the model’s white clothing. The barcode has been
photo as women will look at this photo and want to be give the latest news on trends and current styles. The emphasis on the word rotated vertically and also contains the price in a
like the model, whilst men will want to look at her. The ‘will’ makes the idea of wearing wedding outfits more encouraging to the contrasting colour of light red.
model is also wearing a dress that exposes her cleavage reader. The box stands out from the page as it is in a contrasting colour of
and this feature is emphasised by the magazine. turquoise compared to the background.

4. Masthead: The title is of a blue colour in a sans serif font that covers the top of the
Skyline: another cover line, which informs the reader about another band
magazine. It isn’t fully visible to the audience as the main image is covering sections of it. The
in a feature. Bands name is in bold font to make it clear to the reader
magazine might have chosen to do this because they believe the masthead is so familiar to
whom the story is about.
readers, they will instantly recognise the magazine even if parts of the title is covered.
Plug: stands out from the cover and informs the
; this shows a confidence from the Blender publishers as they are assured that their
reader that this issue is a ‘special’ issue and
magazine is so established of the artist who is
Main cover line: The namethat people will know what the magazine is without having to see
attracts them into buying the magazine. The black
the issue’s main cover image is printed in magazine
this whole title, this also suggests that the large
colour contrasts with the white background and
capital letters beside the photo. The cover line of
this makes the plug eye catching and bold. The
the feature is positioned in the left third of the
plug is also in an arrow shape pointing at some
page. The words ‘meet the...’ indicates the
cover lines that relate to the text inside the plug.
feature will be an interview with the artist herself
and therefore attracts the audience as they will Main Image: The main image is positioned in the
want to read the interview she has exclusively for centre and everything else is revolving around the
the magazine. image as she is the central focus of this issue. The
Layout: overall layout of the magazine is a clear and photo is a medium long shot as we can see the
simple one, similar to the Q magazine cover. model from about knees level. This issue features
Everything looks organised and positioned to the famous American singer Taylor Swift, who fans are
correct place. There are also lots of white spaces which able to recognise. The model represents the ‘girl
make the magazine look clean cut and not busy. next door’ image from her pose to the clothing she
is wearing. She has been portrayed in this way as
Colour scheme: The main colours used are white, most of her fans are teenage girls who look up to
blue and black. The model’s clothing also consists her and aspire to be like her. Teenage girls will
of the main colours black and white. The use of want to read her story and therefore in order to
white gives the magazine cover a clean and attract them, the model needed to be dressed
professional image. appropriately. She isn’t showing of her body in a
There is a list of artists and bands which might sexual way. The photo has been edited in
interest the reader. The word ‘plus’ indicates Photoshop, giving her figure definition by adding a
there is more inside the magazine that hasn’t shadow effect around her body. Her fans will look
been mentioned exclusively on the cover, Cover lines: Other features included in the magazine are at this photo and will aspire to look like her
attracting the audience to find out what more mentioned here in a smaller font which may be not as Date and website: included on the cover in a small
there is inside the magazine. important as the main cover line. font. The website being added allows the reader access
to more information about the magazine and is an
There isn’t a barcode in this issue which is unusual as it is a conventional feature and is usually included within a front
effective way of advertising the brand.
cover. It may have not been included by the designer as they thought it wasn’t essential and an ugly feature to add.