This document summarizes conventions used in magazine front covers. It discusses how magazines typically feature the masthead in the top left corner to maintain branding. Large font is used to highlight important artists' names to attract readers. Images are professionally styled to present subjects in their best light and draw readers into the central focus of the page. The layout follows standard positioning of key information in the left third to aid navigation.

1. The magazine will always feature the same
The image has had the background removed to give the subject a more
mast head and strap line in the top left hand
finished look, the image has also been taken so that the model in this
side of the page. This will help its regular
case Adele looks at her best. This is normally done on images on women
readership to locate the magazine in a see of
The puff on this front page is used to rather than on those of men.
other magazines.
advertise the fact that this is the 300th
issue of this magazine. It also shows the
fact that it is ‘introduced by Paul She has had her hair and makeup done,
McCartney’. The puff has been made so which does not normally happen on
that it is gold making it look more images taken of male artists. The hair
prestigious. It gives a sense of has been done in such a way that it looks
achievement and celebration, it was a ‘wind swept’. This makes Adele relate to
large achievement for the magazine to the main sell line that is ‘Adele blows us
have been around this long and still be away’. The make up that has been done
so successful. The fact that a person as around the eyes are done so that they
famous as Paul McCartney is introducing draw the reader in to the centre of the
the magazine is in itself shows just how page, this is in direct contrast to the
important the magazine is, as he would current colour of he skin which is a very
not put his name to a magazine that he light shade. This tells us that her music is
thought would not be good for his going to be beautiful like she herself
image. looks like in her picture. The image has
been taken so that Adele is looking
straight at the camera or the reader, this
The magazine will often use a larger font then relates to the pull quote that is
on certain words to create to draw the featured on the front page of “IF YOU
reader in. This particular issue has GOT IT FLAUNT IT”. The key point to be
decided to increase the font size of the made here is that she says you meaning
words ‘Liam‘, ‘Keith’ and ‘U2’ this will she is using a direct mode of address by
help attract more readers to the using this and the image the magazine
magazine as they are big well known makes you feel that it is speaking
names or artists. The sell line that is individually to you and you alone.
featured under Liam helps to build Helping it appeal to its target audience.
suspicions about the article as they use
the phrase ‘last request’. This makes the
reader wonder what is going to happen
to Liam Gallagher. The large text saying the word Adele is used to attract the reader as it can
instantly tell us that the magazine will feature an article on this artist. The text is
in white so that it will stand out against the colour rich background, the text has
also been been put into white as it is a clean and stylish colour emulating hoe
The magazine has positioned the bar code on the left hand third
Adele herself is put across. Also under this main piece of text there is a phrase
of the page along with most of the important information this is a
used ‘blows us away’, this mode of address makes the reader feel that they and
convention that is used in the majority of front covers.
the magazine are connected through the use of the word “us”.

2. The layout of the magazine is very conventional and does
not challenge any convention. They have made shore that The puff on this front page is used to
The magazine will always feature the same
the left hand side is the most important part of the page advertise the fact that you may be able
masthead saying NME at the top left hand
and that the masthead is at the top of the page. to win a signed limited edition stone
corner of the page to maintain the brand
roses artwork. It also shows that
identity, the magazines strap line new
information about the prize can be
musical express talks about how the music
found on page 12.The puff is in white so
that featured will be new. The font is done in
that it will stand out from the colour rich
a range of colours to allow it to stand out
scenery in the background. This puff has
from almost any background. The text is
used a large bright red font at the top
normally shown in red as this is a strong
saying the word ‘win’ to draw in the
masculine colour, which appeals to the male
reader.
readership. Having such a striking piece of
text on every issue allows the readership to
find the issue very easily even in a sea of
other magazines. The masthead is not allows
sat on top of the main image but is always
visible. This image has been taken in a more natural
The magazine will always feature the same location to allow the reader to connect with
large piece of text stating what the main sell the person more. Although it has been taken
line is. This text has been put in a golden in such a location the image has been
colour to stand out from the predominantly blurred out to create more of a focus on the
dark background, another possible reason main model. Having the model have there
that the magazine would use the gold colour image taken in a more laid back location is a
as he is a very important person in the indie trademark of the indie genre, It is not very
music world. In this particular feature the often that on the front of a indie magazine
magazine has a sell line above the main text that you will find a heavily photo shopped
with the word exclusive, this is a technique photo. This allows the reader to immediately
to try and attract the reader to this magazine identify that this is a indie magazine.
rather than another magazine. The way that
the reader is addressed on this front cover is
friendly and direct to the reader to try and
make them feel connected to the magazine.
On the front of this magazine they have listed the names of all of the artist that will
NME has also added a pull quote from Pearl Jam. The pull feature in the magazine, this is a convention that is used on all of there front
quote says “I couldn’t give a shit what Kurt thought”. This covers and other magazines front covers to try and draw in more readers as they
would help pull in readers as they would be interested in the may be interested in at least one of the artists. Underneath the list of names it
gossip. Also featured is a sell line saying “what does this mean says ‘and the most overrated bands ever’ helping this magazine appeal to more
for the strokes?” this would help to draw in readers interested people.
in this band and the possibility of a new solo artist