2. Top of the Pops
The word ‘secret’ is emphasised by being a larger size and in a different colour. This is a buzz
word that will attract the target audience as they will want to know the secret and so buy the
magazine. The font that the text is in is very bold which makes it stand out more in comparison
to other text on the page. It is also all capitalised which again grabs the audiences attention.
The main image doesn’t overlap the mast head which is a usual code and convention of
magazine covers and so that is one way in which this magazine challenges the codes and
conventions.
This magazine has a striking mast head which immediately establishes the target audience by
the pink colour that has been chosen. The girly style of writing also contributes to this as it has
swirls and is quite rounded. The stars border the masthead which make the text stand out.
There is a skyline on this cover which is a dark pink colour. This separates it from the rest of the
cover as it is a darker colour but through this it is eye-catching. There is a small image which
relates to the question on the skyline and gives a hint to the reader at something else they will
find if they buy this magazine.
The main cover image catches your attention as the girl group are suggesting they know a
secret that the reader can find out if they read this magazine. The clothing the girls are wearing
are quite plain colours but this draws the readers attention to the pink coloured lipstick that the
girls are wearing which is good as it links the image to the other features on the cover. The pose
Little Mix are doing which suggests there is a secret relates to the main cover line.
On all of the other images on the cover there is a direct mode of address and this lures in the
readers by catching their attention and engaging them. The images are also all in coloured
boxes which makes them stand out and be separated from one another.
The main colours used on this cover are pink, black and white. Through using a small amount of
colours all of the features are tied together and look like they belong. The use of colours begins
to establish a house style for this magazine. There are two puffs which have yellow
backgrounds and as this is a different colour to the others used on the cover page they
immediately stand out most and draw the reader in.
The issue information is quite small in comparison to the scale of the other features of the
magazine cover. There is a Issue number, barcode, price and date.
3. We Love Pop
The mast head is fun and stylish which means it is easily recognisable on the shelves. The
speech bubble shape stands out as it has a thick black border and is different to other magazine
mastheads. Through the use of a heart in the mast head this gives an insight that the target
audience is young and are maybe interested in texting, internet messaging and use emoticons a
lot.
Four main colours are used on this cover page. They are pink, yellow, black and white. This
keeps the cover page fairly simple but pleasing on the eye as although it is busy the colours
make the features look organised.
The main cover line is angled at the same angle as the mast head which immediately draws the
readers eye to those two features first. The colours pink and white contrast which is effective as
the text is suggesting that Nathan and Niall are competing in some way. The letter ‘A’ are block
colours but are still recognisable as the letter ‘A’. This is something that makes the cover appear
more funky and cool which is important as the target audience is 13-16 and when you are at
that age that is something important to you.
The main image is of Nathan and Niall who are named on the main cover line. They are both
smiling which engages the reader and also gives off a positive happy vibe. Both of them also
have direct modes of address with the camera which again engages the reader.
The other images on the cover page are in three different styles. Firstly, on the left hand side of
the page there is three images in a column which are all the same size and all images of the
actor relating with the reader. The image of Conor Maynard is different from the two below as
that doesn’t have a block colour background. The text beneath it relates to the image as it
shows him with an axe above his head. The two images below are close ups where the people
are smiling and again have a direct mode of address. Each of the celebrities in the image have
their name below there image which stands out as it is in a bright pink coloured box against a
yellow background. This grabs the readers attention. The second style of image is the image of
Arina. Her pose is friendly which invites the reader and makes them feel comfortable and also
the image overlaps the shape in which it is in. Finally, the images at the bottom in the centre of
the page are cut outs. This is often seen in this style of magazine which is a feature that
suggests the magazine is a teen pop mag.
All of the issue information is positioned in the bottom right corner which is easier for the
reader as the reader can then find everything they need in one place. There is a
barcode, website, price and date and it is all inside a black box.
4. NME
The mast head is red with a white border. This makes it stand out on the page and grab the
readers attention. The font used is plain and squared off which creates a rectangle shape. The
whole text is inside a black box which separates the masthead from everything else on the
page.
The main image is slightly overlapping the mast head which is a code and convention of
magazine covers. The photo is an upshot which gives Morrissey more status and it makes him
godlike. The clothing he is wearing is all black which is plain and doesn’t detract from the main
features on the cover including the main cover line.
The cover line has 3 different sized texts which immediately lead the reader to read his name
first as that is the largest of the three sizes. This grabs the audiences attention straight away
and then when they read the two smaller parts of the cover line it will intrigue them and make
them purchase this magazine.
The main colours of the text on this cover are white, yellow and blue. The use of colours make
the cover look busier and this suggests the target audience of this magazine is teenagers as it is
very cluttered.
The other cover lines suggest that this magazine has a teenage audience as it includes such
content and bands they would be interested in.
There is a skyline on this cover page which has a blue background linking it to the whole cover
house style but the text used is capitalised which catches the readers eye and so it stands out. It
uses buzz words such as ‘massive’ and ‘free’ which intrigue the reader. Although the yellow puff
stands out on the cover it still looks in place as it fits in with the colours in this magazines house
style.
Issue information can be found in the bottom right corner of this magazine cover. There is the
date, price, a barcode and the website address. These are all codes and conventions of a
magazine cover.
