The document analyzes the cover designs of four different magazines - Rolling Stone, AP, Billboard, and Lorde. It examines elements like the masthead, cover images, fonts, color schemes, and cover lines used in each magazine cover and how they are designed to attract readers and sell copies. Key aspects like making the masthead and artist instantly recognizable, using direct eye contact in images, teasing quotes to intrigue readers, and including lists of other featured artists are discussed. The document provides a detailed breakdown and comparison of design techniques across the four magazine covers.

1. Colour:
Red font on top of a greyscale
background makes the magazine’s
masthead and cover line stand out
significantly and make it instantly
recognisable as the reader’s eyes
are instantly drawn to it. The
colour scheme of red, white and
black used throughout makes the
magazine appear very
professional.
Masthead
The masthead is the main focus/selling
point of the magazine therefore it is
imperative that it stands out. However
the masthead falls behind the main image
indicating that the artist on the cover is
the main selling point. The use of this
also exaggerates the fact that Rolling
Stone is a well established name and will
still be easily recognisable despite the
fact that a part of it is covered.
Feature Image:
The main image draws readers in
by the main artist making direct
eye contact with the camera –
staring directly at the reader. The
cover features a modern artist
however has connotations of Old
Hollywood through the use of
greyscale and clothing she wears
– something typically you would
expect to see from a star like
Marilyn Monroe. Also linking to
her style of her music which fans
of the artist will recognise.
Font
The same font has been used
consistently which gives the
magazine a mature and
professional feel which will appeal
to the target audience as this
magazine is aimed at older people
(late teens onwards)
Main cover line/sub-heading
Underneath the main cover line of the
artist’s name, the sub-heading “inside story
on a modern day icon” features which
teases the reader and makes them think
that if they were to buy the magazine they
would be told exclusive information about
the artist which will appeal to the artist’s
fans a lot. In addition, the sub-heading is in
italics which stresses this to the reader and
the word ‘icon’ has been underlined in red
which makes it stand out more and links
back in with the old Hollywood imagery
and the contrast between iconic people
and modern day music.
Cover lines:
The cover lines on the left hand side
include a list of other artists that will also
be featured within the magazine; this is
done to tease the reader or to entice them
to buy the issue even if they aren’t
necessarily a fan of Lana Del Rey on the
feature image. The text has been kept to a
minimum to ensure that the cover does
not look cluttered.

2. Masthead:
‘AP’ appears at the top of the magazine
clearly standing out making the logo
instantly recognisable. The white logo
stands out against the dull, grey
background instantly catching the
attention of passers by.
Main image:
The feature image again draws readers
in by the direct use of eye contact as
though they are staring directly at the
reader. Also, similarly part of the
masthead is covered by the main image
however this time by only one of the
artists. This suggests that the other
members are insignificant in
comparison to the lead singer and they
aren’t as recognisable therefore they fall
behind.
Main cover line:
Using a bold yellow font in line with the
theme, the main cover line features the
band’s name across the page
contrasting with the dull colours behind
and making it stand out significantly
and easy to spot on the shelves.
Subheading:
The technique of teasing/intriguing the
reader has been used again to make
them want to read on and purchase the
magazine. The use of “Music is all we
have” pulled directly from the band’s
interview will make the reader want to
learn the context of this quote,
especially their fans as it implies they
are going to be told information they
won’t find anywhere else. Also, the use
of “Why pop-punk needs 5 Seconds Of
Summer” may appeal to those who
aren’t familiar with this band but still
are a fan of pop punk music/the bands
that usually feature in this magazine,
therefore AP are not just only targeting
this issue towards 5 Seconds Of
Summer fans.
Font/colour:
Like the previous cover, fonts are kept to a minimum however
there is yellow text to highlight the important aspects of the
magazine/what the magazine is trying to sell to their audience.
The use of more than one font gives the impression that it is quite
a laid back, fun magazine and not extremely sophisticated,
attracting their younger target audience. Important information
such as ‘exclusive’ and the featured bands have been printed in
yellow to ensure they stand out and look appealing.
Cover lines:
Names of bands that are featured in the
magazine have also been included on
the cover to again entice the reader to
buy the issue even if they aren’t a
fan/familiar with the featured artists on
the cover. The magazine is ensuring to
appeal to a wide audience, not just 5
Seconds Of Summer fans. Although
similar to the previous cover by
including a list of artist’s names, this
magazine has also included additional
information on the contents of their
magazine within the cover lines such as
“exclusive posters”. “revisiting classics
from” and “+ more” to further persuade
the reader to buy the issue and read
about it.

3. Masthead:
Unlike the two previous covers, this
magazine does not follow the usual
magazine conventions of the masthead
being placed at the top of the magazine. By
placing the masthead on the left hand side
instead it gives the cover a unique look and
sets it apart from the other magazines on
the shelves. It also allows the main image
to take up the majority of the page
suggesting that they may be relying on the
artist on the cover to sell the issue rather
than just relying on the brand itself. The
name ‘Billboard’ itself already suggests to
the reader who may be unfamiliar with the
name that the magazine features current
mainstream artists that are in the Billboard
charts.
Cover lines:
The cover lines have been placed in the
top right corner in a very small font to
indicate that the main focus/selling
point of the magazine is the artist on
the cover and to not take the reader’s
attention away from the main image.
Essential Information:
The magazine’s essential information (issue date, website)
have also been placed in very small font under the masthead
to ensure that the reader does not get distracted away from
the main image. This magazine does not appear to have a price
on the cover suggesting their target audience is perhaps older
with a disposable income and do not have to worry about the
price of magazines/more middle class.
Main cover line:
Instead of featuring the artist’s name
as most magazine’s do, the featured
artist has been labelled as a ‘prodigy’
before even being introduced to the
reader. This suggest that the artist is
so iconic that people should already
know her name, and those who do not
are missing out therefore will want to
read on and find out more about her
Main sub-heading:
The subheading contains phrases such
as “adoration of every icon in music”
and lists a number of her recognisable
achievements to show to the reader
that this artist is very significant in
pop culture and that if they aren’t
familiar with her they should read on
and find out more.
Feature image:
Similar to the previous covers, direct
eye contact has been used again to
engage the reader and grab their
attention. However this main image
takes up the majority of the page and
assuming you have knowledge of
current music and well known artists,
it is presumed you will already know
who Lorde is therefore the big image
has been relied on to sell the magazine
to the reader.
Fonts/colour scheme:
A gradient grey background has been used
effectively to ensure that the masthead
and the main image stand out as much as
possible. The white font of the masthead
and the cover artist’s fair skin exposed
creates a contrast and makes both look
very clear. The subheading has been
efficiently placed behind the cover artist’s
black clothing to ensure that the important
part of the cover can be easily read. The
magazine has kept a neat colour scheme of
white, grey and featured the artist’s name
in the same colour orange as the artist’s
clothing to look more aesthetically
pleasing. Although more than one font has
been used, the overall layout of the
magazine still looks neat and uncluttered
due to the minimal text on the page.