The document analyzes the design elements and conventions used on the cover of a magazine. Key elements include: 1) The masthead is large and bold to grab attention, positioned in the top third as is typical. 2) The main cover line and image dominate the page, with the line positioned above to maintain prominence over the image. 3) Additional lines like the date, skyline, and buzz words are used to inform readers of content and attract potential buyers.

1. Analysing magazine features and
connotations.
By Josh Williamson

2. Sky line
Masthead
Main cover line
(lead article)
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Main image
Buzz word
Date, line and
barcode

3. The main image dominates the page as it controls the
middle third and is assisted by the dark clothes battled This cover line is a list like
The masthead shows a bold with the white background. The figures gaze is looking table informing readers of
outline box and a very large at the camera, therefore he is addressing the audience. many artists from various
font, this is to grab the genres. This allows every
audiences attention. This reader to find something
follows conventions of that interests them.
typical music magazines as
it is in the top third of the The two top graphics are
page, therefore visible on simply used to allow the
news stands. Also because audience to identify two artists
it is simple. by facial recognition if they
didn’t know their name, or vice
The tag line in this magazine
versa. Furthermore, the
states “the worlds greatest
graphic on the far left which is
music magazine”. This is the
in the main image is used to
magazines selling point.
appeal to the music genre.
The main cover line links to The buzz words stand out as
the main image, as the large they are held in a circle that
font holds the name of the differs to the background. It
figure in the picture. As well involves “album goldmine”
as the main picture, the font which suggests to the reader
stands out from the that these will be the best
background as it is a very albums ever found.
dark colour, where as the
background is light. Normally projected at the top,
the skyline involves various
Date, barcode and price is a minor artists names to inform the
part of the front page, yet very reader and allow them to look
important as it informs audience. for an artist they like.

4. The masthead shows that it is the The skyline is used to inform viewers. In this line, The main image dominates
biggest font on the whole page, red font is used to distinguish names of stars, the whole page, as it takes up
but also uses the colour scheme whereas, the black font invites the reader into two thirds of the page. Even
according to other font on the the story based inside. though the image is
page which is either red or black dominant, the main cover
– red in this case. line is positioned on top,
where normally the main
This cover line is used as a image overpowers and text
quote, and uses suggestive on the page that overlaps.
language. It involves a well
known band with a large fan Using a quote on the cover
base, this will attract a larger line suggests dialogue, or
target audience for them. that there is more to the
story, this invites the reader
The buzz word used on this to open the page.
magazine cover includes the
In this cover line, it uses a
word “free” to attract a potential
rhetorical question. This as
buyer. Also, underneath, it shows
well as quote also invites the
names of artists that could also
reader to open the page to
be used for fans to buy the
read more.
product too.
Involving a plus above this
The main cover line dominates list of artists included in the
the bottom third of the cover, magazine acts as an extra
proven by the way it overlays cover line, but also as an
the main image. Apart from the additional skyline as it is
masthead, the font is the used to inform readers
largest on the page and the about artists involved. The
The date line and barcode is used
involvement of violence is used plus is important as it
simply to follow conventions and
in the title explains its approves that the extra
enlighten readers.
dominance also. skyline is a brief summary.

5. The masthead is positioned behind This skyline is unique to a lot of others. It The main image overlays the
the main image and is placed in the offers only one artist, therefore shrinking masthead proving dominance to
top third of the page. It is partially the target audience. However, the one the readers. Furthermore, gender
covered by the masthead because artist is well known. also rules a part of dominance, as
the brand is easily recognisable
men are portrayed as dominant –
(because of its advertisement in
as shown in this image. This is a
world wrestling entertainment) and
rock magazine and it is showed by
even though it is partially blocked,
typical long hair and madness, in
it is still easily identifiable if seen on
this case being the axe. However,
a news stand. Attention wants to be
the axe relates to the theme, as it is
drawn to the title as it is the biggest
showing an action shot of the
font on the whole page.
figure about to smash the pumpkin
The buzz word involves the theme which is commonly associated with
of the magazine, which is Halloween.
Halloween, and offers posters.
The magazine could be bought Overall impression: The magazine
simply for this aspect. gives off a very rock feel – which is
the genre of the magazine – because
These images illustrate a story of it is very packed full of images and
what is to come if a reader buys text. Kerrang communicate a rock
the magazine, therefore, by feel to the reader by involving very
making these images action- dark colours and making images and
packed, people would be more text overlay each other, making it
likely to purchase this product. look unorganised and as if they don’t
care.
The font used in this magazine is
traditionally a very messy one as This magazine uses a clever play on words to Graphics used in this to state the
it based around the rock genre. inform readers who is “fear-turing” in the obvious to the reader. Simply by
Although, there is not much text magazine. This would humour the audience. stating that it is “the Halloween
in this edition, therefore it shares This acts as a list educating readers what else issue” and adding effects such of
messy text with scary fonts. is to come in the magazine. blood is used as eye-candy.

6. The word contents is in big, bold letters and is The date, issue number and website
displayed as the biggest font on the page. Also, it are used simply for formal and
is the only white text on the page (excluding collectable reasons. An image containing a
“review”), this makes it stand out. caption stating the page
number and title. This
picture fills nearly half of
the page, showing that it is
Similarly to a range of contents the dominant story in this
pages, the page numbers are issue of the magazine and
displayed with a different colour is shown as if this will be
compared to the article titles. the story readers will want
This is because it is easy to to read first.
understand for readers.
Much like on the front, the
“oasis special!” is used in a logo that the magazine is
different font and different noticeable by is positioned in
font colour. This illustrates to the top left corner of the
the reader that this type of magazine. However, it is
article is not normally involved around 10 times smaller on
due it not following the the contents page because
general conventions or colour there is not as much emphasis
scheme of the magazine. needed on it due to the front
needing to be recognised in
news stands.
Continuing from the front
“review” is used in the same
conventional font colours.
way as the contents header at
Red and black front on a
the top in the way that it is in a
white background is common
white font with a grey
among magazines. This is to
This means that it is a part of the magazine background and positioned next
give a sophisticated look.
every week and they want it to be recognisable. to the logo.

7. Rather than the contents page being called
simply “contents” like many others, it is the
name of the magazine followed by “this week”
acting as if this page is a catch up or some sort
of informing news page. Date line
Only two images dictate the The contents column is set into
whole page as they both focus 5 different categories of “news,
on the same story, which seems radar, reviews, live and
to be the featured article. By features”. This is because it
only including one article's separates completely different
imagery, this puts emphasise articles so the reader can
on it and shows the reader that distinguish their favourite type
it is the main article. of article and therefore view the
preferred one more.
Following simple conventions,
NME lists all of the bands the number of the page is a
featured in the article different colour compared to the
followed with the page article title.
number in case the reader
wants to read about a
specific band or particular The main article, here, has a
artist. brief description or a tester of
what is to come in the full
double page spread of the story.
This shows the magazine advertising their This puff indicates the
magazine further through subscriptions. This, highlights of the issue.
to the reader, seems like an easier option than
going out to buy it.

8. A traditional title is used on this page. Contents simply
The paragraph shown is a makes this page recognisable to anyone opening the
message from the issue editor. issue. This text stands out as it is displayed in yellow on a
This is proven to be formal as black background, different to anything else on the page.
it is ended off with a
signature. It also has an image
of the front of the magazine
which the writer of this
paragraph edited.
9 pictures with page numbers
indicate the major articles in The contents list is
the issue, which is an easy war traditionally used in this
for the readers to flick through magazine as it only takes up a
to what they will most likely third to a quarter of the page.
want to read first. By enlarging Also, the title is a different
one picture bigger than the sized font compared with the
others and including it first will brief description that follows.
put emphasis on it and display
that it is the most popular
article in the whole issue.
Here shows advertisement for
the subscription. This is
Typically, the article has a brief
involved on the contents page
description and page number in As this magazine is of a rock genre, it as it is seemed to be a formal
a different colour to the title. connotes this even through the contents page where a message from
page as it is full of either text or imagery the editor could also be
and you only see white space through the included.
means of a border or background.

9. The artist fills up the whole first page, not even interrupted The text, in this article fills up a lot of
by a quote or a title overlaying the image. The costume is space as it covers a whole page. This is
very revealing, this suggests that so is the artist. However, it hinted by the image where the artist is
seems as if she hides behind her own appearance as she has looking very revealing, therefore sharing a
a substantial amount of make up on, and her hair curly. lot in the article.
The artist’s
The artists name is
gaze is straight shown at the
towards the top of the
camera, page, to
therefore, she assure
is addressing readers who
the audience. the article is
A very about if they
common wasn’t
connotation of familiar with
a magazine the figure or
double page appearance
spread is that of lady gaga.
they are laid
out simply.
This is proven
in this article
as there is
only imagery
on the left,
and pure text Using a bold, larger capital letter in comparison I have noticed how the logo shrinks
on the right with the rest of the text indicates that this is throughout the pages. For example it
hand side. where the article begins, therefore where to is large on the front, on the contents
start reading from. it is smaller, and it is even smaller on
an article.

10. 50% of this double page spread is used by an image of the artist with
an overlaying quote. This follows the simple conventions of a double Another quote is
page spread article, that they’re simply laid out. Also, all of the group A drop capital is used to used in the article.
members are wearing black apart from the figure at the front who is indicate where the article However, this quote
wearing bright, vibrant colours. This could illustrate to the reader that begins and is a known seems not as
he is the main singer in this group. Furthermore, all of the other band convention of articles. significant because it
members are almost hidden by the quote, whereas the “lead singer” is much smaller than
is only scratched. the quote on the
opposite page.
Although, it still is
used to grab
This is shown as the attention as it uses a
most colourful and bright orange
largest text on the background on the
whole double page text, and this is to
spread. This shows attract attention.
that it is the most Another purpose of
important piece of this quote and
text and can be used background is to split
as a title or up the text. This may
summary. be to start a new
question or subject,
or just for layout
purposes.
The layout of this magazine is simple, as it Another smaller
is divided into two portrait pages, one a The colour scheme of this double page image is used to
whole image, and one full of text. Even spread is orange, white and black. I can explain the text
though, within the text sector, there is tell this by the colour of the font, speech further as it is placed
another divide and this is by the orange marks, and text box’s. Although, the next to the writing
text box. imagery has a colour scheme of its own, that it links to.
as both images are very dark.

11. The mise-en-scene here is very important. First Following typical conventions of a double page
of all, it continues the colour scheme of a dark spread, this magazine involves an extremely
grim colour. Furthermore, it is shown in a large title in contrast with other text on the
relaxed atmosphere first of all by showing what page. This is because it is the most important
looks like a headboard of a bed and also the piece of information, and could potentially tell
artists posture is stress-free. the story of the rest of the article.
By using a first date
to the present date.
This suggests life
span. Therefore,
automatically, the
reader could
interpret death and
know that the article
is celebrating the life
of an artist.
The general colour scheme of this magazine double The white text box shown in the middle of
page spread from the Kerrang magazine is very dark. the writing is known as a sub story. In a lot
However, the text and figure in the picture are very of magazines this is used by means of a
light due to font colour and lighting in the photo. This quote to direct attention away from the
shows that these link together, and allows the reader image. In this case, the sub story is used by
to assume the figure is the person being wrote about placing an image of an action shot and
in the article to the right. continuing to explain it to the readers.