The document discusses design elements of the magazine NME, including its use of sans serif fonts, bold lettering for the title, black and white color palette, and photos of musicians on the cover intended to convince buyers to purchase the magazine. It also describes design conventions like pull quotes, contents pages organized with headings and page numbers, and central images on pages arranged like mood boards to look less formal. The document analyzes how these design choices aim to present NME as a professional yet approachable music magazine for its target audience.

2. Most of their magazines position the
title in the top left corner, a trait readers
can instantly recognise when
purchasing.
In contrast to many other music
magazines, NME presents itself as much
more professional with this being
consistent throughout.
Front Cover
Masthead: ‘NME’ is an abbreviation of
New Musical Express and gives the
magazine an aspect of professionalism
to appeal to a wider audience
Font: Sans serif font with a red, white,
and black colour palette – use of colours
that are perhaps conventional to a male
dominated audience, however
maintains a professional look that could
be aimed at a variety of readers

3. As opposed to other music magazines in
the industry, NME is titled with bold,
simplistic fonts, instead of using
punctuation and fancy fonts that would
make it look less formal. These features
aim for an audience that is perhaps
older. It also works for recognisable
brand identity, consistent throughout
the entirety of their magazines
Front Cover
Font: The bold, red lettering of the title
with black and white borders contrasts
with the light background, making it
stand out more to grab your attention
and ensuring easier read

4. Musicians take up the majority of the
space on the cover, intended to be one
of the first things a buyer will see in an
attempt to convince them to buy it.
Conventional of magazine covers, the
use of a mid-shot is a consistent
element of most of their magazines.
Choosing a photo in which they are
dressed in black also adds to the
professional look of the magazine, and
their facial expressions make them look
serious which reflects them as indie
artists
Front Cover
Pull Quote: Provocative – exists to pull
something out of context from an
interview or event to make people want
to read further

5. Front Cover
Statistical Figures: For persuasive
purposes
Pug: A generic feature of magazines,
pugs exist to advertise
Repetition
Buzz Words: “Exclusive”
Rhetorical Questions
Bar Code: Generic convention of
magazines

6. Contents Page
Caption: Anticipation building – explains
upcoming events in regards to the image
Central Image: Photo of band members at
one of their concerts
Shows them in the setting you would
expect them to be in
Text underneath is less formal and
conversational, which makes it more
personal
Contents Menu: Headings are used to
organise content – sub-headings are more
specific and provide more information
Capital letters indicate importance and
make the contents stand out
The contents menu features page numbers
to navigate through the magazine
Consistent house style: Colours used are
the same colours seen on the front cover
for consistency

7. Contents Page
Main feature article has larger font to
connote importance
The use of rhetorical questions are for
persuasive purposes and to generate
interest within a reader
Colloquialisms: The use of a young
demographic model of address develops a
relationship between magazine and reader,
presenting itself as a more informal way of
communication, speaking to you the same
way you would speak to a friend
Opportunity for magazine subscription –
Features an offer to generate revenue and
audience

8. Pages
Central Image: Images are fitted together and spread across the double page to look like a
mood board
Images have variety and range from colour to black and white
Arranging the colours in this way is less formal and is pleasing to look at

9. Pages
Rule of Thirds: For strength and clarity purposes, this image attracts the attention of a
viewer and maintains their interest.
Drop Cap: Conventional of double page spreads, it indicates where the article starts.