This document analyzes the front cover of a music magazine called Q Magazine. It summarizes the different elements of the cover design including the masthead, main image and caption, cover lines, language and pull quote, and overall layout and design. The analysis notes that the masthead grabs attention, the main image and caption are clear and appropriate for the featured artist, and the cover lines intrigue the reader without revealing too much. It also comments that the layout follows a conventional music magazine formula and the design and colors used make the cover visually appealing and organized.

1. {
Q
Magazine
Front
Cover
Analysis

2.  The masthead is simply the letter ‘Q’.
It’s very recognisable as it is a well established
brand.
 The size is fairly big on the page. The placing in
the top left hand corner automatically grabs
your attention and the colour is very bold,
grabbing your attention.
 ‘DISCOVER GREAT MUSIC’ lets us know that
it’s a music magazine and that their aim is to
help us discover great music.
The Masthead

3.  The main image is of the artist featured in the
magazine. It links in with the caption and it is
very clear that the caption links in with the
picture and is very appropriate.
 The image size is also appropriate. The pose the
artist is in entices you in.
 With the cover line being ‘Women On The
Edge’ the use of make up and hair colour
makes the meanings of the words a lot stronger.
Image and Caption

4.  The cover lines are all appropriate. They say just enough to draw
you in with out telling you too much.
 The white letter against the artists ginger hair really stand out and
are clear to see.
 The pug is clear and pull quote on it makes you a little confused
and you want to know more. The blue is a strong and inviting
colour. ‘New Column’ makes you intrigued and the use of capital
letters make the words more in ‘your face’ and bolder.
 All spelling and punctuation is accurate. The themes are all
consistent.
 The sell and strap lines give a clear indication that it is a music
magazine as they mention bands and artists.
 The use of the rhetorical question makes you feel important as it
feels like the magazine is talking to you directly.
 The word ‘bastard’ being used shows us that the target audience is
more mature.
Language and Pug

5.  The over all layout and design is conventional for a
music magazine. The colours are all strong and
nothing is lost on the page.
 Its stuck to the formula of one artist per page and
the main image works really well and represents
music.
 Its all very clear and organised.
 To me, the magazine is very appealing and
ascetically very pleasing.
 Overall the colour scheme works well. The blue has
been pulled from the artist and used in the pug and
break up lines so it all links together nicely. The
white and red also work well and the use of white
makes it all more clear.
Layout and Design