The document summarizes the key elements of three music magazine covers. 1) The first magazine cover features a close-up photo of a female artist with supporting text in varying fonts and sizes to add depth. White space is maximized without looking cluttered. 2) The second magazine uses a sans-serif masthead and black/white color scheme with yellow accents. It features mid-shots of three people in casual clothing to challenge conventions. 3) The third magazine has a large masthead incorporating the Union Jack. It uses primary colors and features four male models with a laid-back style to represent their alternative audience.

1. Front Cover Research
The price and issues date are above the The main image is a close up of a female
masthead and is informative for readers here facial expression is relaxed and
sultry this reflects the main cover story
of a heart to heart with the popular
music artist. The colour of her hair
The masthead is position to the left of contrast the colours of the other
the page, the large white masthead elements.
contrast the red of the models hair. The The other supporting cover lines use a
bold font stands out and is recognisable variety of fonts and sizes by doing this
as the popular indie/rock magazine. it adds depth and breaks up the text.
NME stands for New Music Express By having cover lines on both sides the
which is placed below the masthead. editors have maximised the space with
out looking over crowd.
The majority of the main cover line
is not to large however the name of
the artist is this would obviously
grab the attention off the reader The colour scheme is mainly white
because the artist is well know and which contrast the main image the
successful. The serif font suggest a uses of white allows the text to stand
magazine which may follow out and grab attention
traditional conventions. The change
in the colour of part of the main
cover line draws a distinction
between the other colours on the
cover and allows the main cover line
to stand out.
The barcode is position in the right hand corner where It does not take up
a lot of space and obstruct other elements of the page.

2. Front Cover Research
The masthead used has a simple look with
The main images are mid shots of 3 a modern sans serif font which is large.
people this is challenging the Because of the coloured back ground and
conventional layout with just one figure. bright costume worn by the main model
The costume worn by the three figures this allows the black text to be more
are casual and edgy which is a good attractive. The magazine follows the
representation of indie style/music. The conventions of having the mast head at the
positioning of the figures is may suggest top of the cover.
hierarchy. The image has a slight glow
this draw the attention of the reader and
gives a mysterious look to the image. The colour scheme is simple and consists
mainly black and white, however there is a
some yellow accents which are used to high
light other important item on the front
The main cover line is white and black The cover e.g. the price of the magazine
font is very large making it very eye “FREE”.
catching and obvious. The font used is
traditional as it is a serif front text. The
positioning of the text also is very The only other cover line on the magazine
attention-grabbing as it has a slight glow. is at the bottom of the page its small but
the use of a colour which highlights the text
(white) makes text more visible.
The mode of address is informal and
corresponds well with the genre of the
magazine.
There is no barcode on the front of the magazine this may because it is free and is not in shops but in
popular music cafes etc..

3. Front Cover Research
The Masthead is located in the left hand The colour scheme use is very simple and
corner of the page it is very noticeable with less colourful in comparison to pop
the use of block colour behind the white magazines which I have research. The
text. The use of a large but compact and colour scheme consists of Shades of black
simple font for the masthead allows the and white. The reason this may be is
front cover image to sell the magazine and because the costume worn is very colourful
not be over powered. and eye catching.
The main cover line is the artist name The image used is very colourful and
and beneath is the model credit. The creative however it has and edgy and
model credits represent the genre of urban look this may be representation of
the magazine well as the work “Rebel” an indie style There are no supporting
usually means not conforming and images this maybe because the editors
taking on a “Alternative” approach. have chosen to follow the convention of
The main cover line is in a large sans having one main image. The use of a
serif font which gives a modern look. close up shot allows the expression on
The bold black font on a white the models face to be seen clearly and
background contrast each other ties is with her model credit of having a
making it very noticeable. “Rebel Yell”.
The magazine editor have used the
The other supporting cover line are rule of third when placing the main
also in the same modern white text image this helps the main cover line
however they are smaller which remain visible as well as making the
allows the reader to identify the main image more naturally engaging.
cover line easier as there is a
dissimilarity in font sizes. Because of There is no barcode on the form of
the colourful costume the editors the magazine.
have use a block grey colour behind
the white text this makes the cover
lines easier to read. The typography is The mode of address is informal and which helps when
simple and plain making it easy to addressing their young target audience.
read.

4. Front Cover Research
There is a skyline uses this acts as
another cover line as there is not many The issue number is included
on the main body the use of contrasting in the layout which is an
colours (red and blue) draws attention informative piece of
to the skyline and encourages readers information for readers.
to desire the magazine.
The colour scheme consists of red blue
The mast head is very large and the scale has and white which are all the colours of
been increased to fill the space at the top of the British flag which is another
the cover. The magazine is called Alternative representation of who their target
Press this may mean the magazines aim to audience may be. They have used
cover stories on unconventional music yellow to break up the skyline at the
readers may not find in other music bottom of the page . The use of
magazines. The masthead has the union jack primary colours makes the magazine
embossed within it this may show their stand out and catch attention.
target audience is British .
the main cover line is bold and striking The main image s of 4 men this may
this is because of the use of colour this be a depiction as to the gender of
is a code and convention of magazines their target audience. The mid shot
designs to have the main cover line in a allows the audience to see the facial
different and intrepid colour to draw expression of the figures as well as
readers in. The actual cover line the dress code which is a good
suggest that this issue is very special indication when identifying who
and there is something in it which is an this magazine is aimed at. The
interesting read. appearance of the models is very
laid back and non main stream this
The barcode is placed at the bottom of the suggest they are alternative artist.
front cover which is traditionally where it is
placed.