This magazine cover features Rihanna as the central focus. Her name is positioned in a large bold font below the masthead to immediately gain attention. A quote from Rihanna is also included to intrigue readers. Additional text lists bands featured in the magazine to appeal to its target young audience. Visual elements like Rihanna's styling, posture, and a gem-covered parrot on her shoulder are designed to portray her as strong and stylish.

1. The masthead stands out as it is
positioned at the top of the
magazine. The brand identity is
established as the iconic bold
font is used, so people
recognise the magazine.
The cover is part of a special
edition series which is a unique
selling point for the magazine,
appealing to the audience more.
The strapline is important for
the magazine’s brand identity
as it sets the tone of the
magazine. ‘New Musical
Express’ suggests that the
magazine is fresh and would
appeal to their target audience
of 15-29 year olds.
The headline ‘Rihanna’ is
positioned very central, gaining
the audience’s attention
immediately. It is only a slightly
smaller font than the masthead,
making it the second most
important thing on the page.
This emphasises how NME have
used the cover star to boost
their image. Underneath the
headline, a quote from the
article is used, giving the
audience an idea of what’s
inside the magazine. The
language is informal, which
again would appeal to a
younger audience, and it
enigmatically lures the audience
in, as they want to find out
more about what Rihanna has
to say.
The barcode follows the codes
and conventions of a
magazine, as it is positioned in
the bottom right corner, so it’s
the last thing the audience
sees. This is because it holds
no significance in the
magazine.
Under the headline ‘The state of
music today’, there is a list of bands
that are included in the magazine,
letting the audience know what
style of music the magazine
supports. This attracts a young
audience as the magazine
associates itself with modern
music.
The cover star, Rihanna, is the main focus,
with her name and the image being very
striking and bold. Rihanna has been styled
to look strong, with the angular clothing
and hairstyle, complimented by the square
text. Her posture is also angular and the
image works well with the text, giving a
clear example of resonance.
The parrot on her shoulder could connote
dominance, the way its wings are raised as if
it’s in control. Many images of Rihanna show
her covering one eye, which fits in with a
pirate theme. The parrot would also relate
to this. It is covered in gems, which could
represent Rihanna as being quite stylish.