3. 3
Masthead
The masthead MNE immediately tells the reader that they are looking at an indie magazine but a
magazine also with crossover appeal. The masthead is located in the top left had corner witch is in the
left third of the magazine cover where all of the important information is located. the masthead is at the
top of the magazine as opposed to the bottom. this is so that customers can see it clearly and quickly
on the news stand. the colours of the masthead are red and white. there colors connote a newspaper
and this links back to when NME was a newspaper. is this suggesting they still want to hold on to a
part of the old NME in the newer magazine version?
Header
The header provides extra information for the audience at a first glance. the use of the word ‘special’
connotes something attractive and that its only in this magazine.
Flash
The flash on the cover of the magazine is advertising a news article that the magazine includes. the
red circle connotes action and excitement.
Main Image
The main image od dizzie rascal is inviting and connotes his fun personality. in the image he has his
arms spread out looking as if he’s going to give someone a hug.this body language makes him come
across as fun and a lively person.
4. 4
Left Third
Most of the important information is located in the left third of the cover. This is because when your
eyes are scanning a magazine like this one they automatically go anticlockwise starting at the top left.
Therefore, magazine companies put the main information in the left third so that that’s the information
you see first.
Footer
The footer on the magazine cover entices the audience and suggests that you’re going to get your
moneys worth in the magazine. The footer lists four music artists that will add appeal for the audience
and encourage them to buy it.
Date, Price and Barcode
The date, barcode and price on the magazine are all very small as they are not the main feature of the
cover. Some magazines like Reveal emphasise the fact that their magazine is only 99p use it as a
main selling attraction. However, NME have other attractions and their price isn't as cheap (£4.50) so
the price sign on the magazine is quite small and discreet. This also helps the audience to focus on
the actual magazine articles and features before looking at the price. this factor of the magazine cover
suggests that thr magazine is sold for quality not the price.
Anchor:
The anchor on the front page is ‘I’m spreading love all around the world, man’. the quote shows how
Dizzie Rascal is inclusive and doesn't want to leave anyone out. this subverts the stereotype of a
rapper singer as they are usually thought of a quite unfriendly and exclusive.
5. Audience
• The target audience of NME magazine are people who like indie music. This genre of music has
lots of different sub-genres like indie pop, indie rock and indie alternative. The genre of music
crosses over with different fans e.g. Dizzie Rascal may appeal to indie fans as well as rap and hip
hop fans.
• NME attracts is audience by printing the price of the magazine in a small typeface on the front
cover. This makes the audience focus more on the features of the magazine rather than price.
Unlike cheap magazines that focus on their low cost and promote it on the front cover NME
focuses on the articles and covers and uses this a technique to attract customers.
Connecting Elements
To make a magazine interesting and enticing editors and journalists use a range of connecting
elements to tie the pages in a magazine together. The font, colour and images in a magazine are
often used as connecting elements for magazines. They help the audience and readers become
familiar with the magazine and make it memorable.
6. Contents Page
Copy/Editorial
The editorial is written in slang and an
informal manner by the editor of NME.
The picture and the editorial are on an
image of a suitcase which connotes
traveling and links to the article on
touring.
Band Index
The band index takes up a lot
of space suggesting
importance. It is a music
magazine and therefore the
artists are the most important
thing in the magazine and the
editors want to make it one of
the key focuses.
Main Image
The main image looks like a
shot that might of been taken
on a musicians tour. it
connotes traveling and the
experience that someone may
have whilst on tour.
Drop Cap
The drop cap lets the
audience know that a new
article has started. it is
bold and the white o the
black creates a dramatic
look on the contents page.
Masthead/Contents
there is a running theme created
when you move onto the contents
page though the magazine. NME is
still in bold red, the same as the
front cover and the white writing
contrasts to the red, making it stand
out.
Subscription Box
this is the only part of this page which
includes other colours (yellow). This
subscription box is a good way for the
magazine to make money. and the
yellow writing is attention grabbing and
will persuade the audience.
Contents/Headings/Subheading
s
The colours red, black and white run
throughout the magazine and this is
one of the connecting features that
keeps a constant on all pages. the
fact that the page numbers are in red
show that the magazine wants you to
turn immediately to any oage and
then read what it is when you get
there.
7. Double Page Spread
Clothing
Dizzie Rascal’s
clothing is typical
for a rapper and
fits with the genre
and the
magazine. The
colour of his coat
could connote
action.
Action
In the image
Dizzie is spray
painting a wall
which is
vandalism. This
suggests rappers
are rebellious and
vandals and live
life on the edge.
Facial
Expressions:
His Facial
expressions are
concerned and
this implies that
maybe he is
worried about
getting caught.
He definitely is a
risk taker and
enjoys the thrill.
Background:
The background of the
double page spread is the
painted wall he is spraying
which suggests all rappers
and musicians are
mischievous. There is also
empty alcohol bottles on
the table implying partying
and drunkenness. This
adheres to the negative
stereotype of rappers
always being up to no
good.
Big Title
The large title implies that
Dizzie Rascal is full on and
ready to go. He wont take
second best for an answer
and wants to be the centre
of attention.
Arocap
The big letter at the start of
the article tells the readers
that it is a new article and.
NME articles are usually
structured in ¾ column
structure which is usual for
a magazine/newspaper.
8. NME Background Information
• NME - stands for New Musical Express and was created by Theodore Smythson in the UK in 1952. It was first
created to be a music newspaper and as time evolved so did the paper. is was first bought as the ‘Accordion Times
and Musical Express’. It was bought by a London music promoter Maurice Kinn for £1000 just 15 minutes before it
was due to be closed
• 1952 - it was then re launched as the ‘New Musical Express’
• 14 November 1952 - first British paper to include a singles chart
• 1970’s - Britain’s best selling newspaper
• 1972-1976 - the newspaper was involved with a type of journalism, gonzo journalism, self-involved reporting
• 1980’s - moved on to becoming a music magazine
• 1980‘s (mid) - newspaper was on the verge of closure. the paper suffered low sales when they featured pictures of
hip hop artist and a lack of direction as the team suffered splits and disagreements. the paper became less and less
popular and its reputation was degraded
• 1981 - the magazine released a cassette tape album. They worked in conjunction with Rough Tape Records
• 1985 - leader of the labour party appears on the front cover of the magazine
• 1986 - a second cassette tape was released after the popularity of the last one
• 1996 - first online version of NME was launched on the internet. NME website has now become the world's largest
self-contained music website, with more than 7 million users per month
• 31 May 2012 - Mike Williams was made the new NME editor taking the post from Krissi Murison
9. 9
NME Background Information
• 1987 - the week of the 1987 election the paper featured an interview with the leader of the Labour Party, Neil
Kinnock, who was then on the paper's cover
• 1990 - it has now been permanently abbreviated to NME, covering indie bands and started looking at artists from
the US
• 1992-1993 - magazine was dominated by american bands like Nirvana, however british bands were not ignored
• 2006 - Irish NME was released called NME Ireland
10. 9
NME Background Information
• 1987 - the week of the 1987 election the paper featured an interview with the leader of the Labour Party, Neil
Kinnock, who was then on the paper's cover
• 1990 - it has now been permanently abbreviated to NME, covering indie bands and started looking at artists from
the US
• 1992-1993 - magazine was dominated by american bands like Nirvana, however british bands were not ignored
• 2006 - Irish NME was released called NME Ireland
