- The document analyzes the front cover of the magazine "KERRANG!" - The main elements analyzed include the masthead, main image of Oliver Sykes from Bring Me The Horizon, coverlines advertising bands Neck Deep and Slayer, and a main coverline about Bring Me The Horizon with subtitles. - Additional elements discussed are buzz words, barcode/price information, a color scheme of purple, white, black and yellow, and a top strip advertising a review of Reading Festival 2015.

1. FRONT COVER
ANALYSIS
TASK 3 - KERRANG

2. MASTHEAD
The masthead is what appears on the front of a
magazine; it is statement printed in all issues of a
magazine or the like usually on the editorial page,
giving the publications name, the names of owner
and staff. The masthead “KERRANG!” has been
placed in the centre towards the top of the page.
Also, it has been put in a large font compared to
everything else, which has been included on the
front cover. This is good because it separates it
from the actual contents of the magazine and it
indicates to the reader that this is what the
magazine is called. The used of the exclamation
mark at the end of ‘KERRANG’ gives the
masthead tone and makes the magazine seem
more interesting. The masthead has been put in
white, which contrasts to the purple background it
has been put onto; this makes it stand out from
the page.

3. MAIN IMAGE
The main image is a mid shot, which allows the reader to
see the character from the waist upwards. We can see
that the main image is a picture of the band ‘Bring Me
The Horizon’ but the image is mainly focused on one of
the band members; Oliver Sykes. From the main image
we can tell that it is direct address because they are
looking directly into the camera, which helps them
interact with the reader. The main image overlaps the
masthead because it shows the importance of the person
and it draws the reader in because it shows them who will
be featuring in the magazine. This is also celebrity
endorsement because the target audience would want to
buy the magazine if they recognised the person on the
front cover. The colours which have been used in the
main image are very simple plain colours, such as black,
white and grey; which contrasts with the purple
background. The main image ‘Oliver Sykes’ has tattoos
all over his arm, hands and neck (mise-en-scene); this
may give a negative representation of the magazine
because stereotypically tattoos are seen as a negative
thing.

4. COVERLINES
The coverlines on the front cover have
been placed on the sides of the
magazine. Coverlines are short
statements found on the cover of the
magazine that allude to or describe the
article inside. The words “Neck Deep” and
“Slayer” are coverlines, which have been
used and they are also both bands.
Therefore, if the reader recognises one of
the coverlids it would persuade them to
buy the magazine. The coverlines, which
have been used are in purple; this links to
the background of the magazine. The
coverlines have been put in the hotspots,
so that the readers are drawn to reading
about them.

5. MAIN COVERLINE
The main coverline anchors the image and
indicates to the reader what the main feature is
about. The font of the main coverline is big and
bold. It is also in white, which links to the
masthead; therefore showing its importance.
Also, the size of the typography, is larger than
the other coverlids showing its significance. The
main cover line has subtitles, which gives the
reader more information on the article. Each of
the sub-lines have an exclamation at the end,
such as “THEIR BIG-STAGE TRIUMPH!’, this
changes the tone of the statement and also
makes it seem more interesting to the reader. In
addition to this, it relates to the masthead as it
also has an exclamation mark following it. An
exclamation mark shows strength of emotion
and also portrays that it is direct address.

6. BUZZ WORDS
Buzz words are words which are used
to attract the readers attention. In this
magazine the word “EXCLUSIVE” has
been used to draw in the reader and
also persuade them to buy the
magazine. The font is in black,
however it has been put onto a yellow
background. The contrasting colours
help make it stand out from the page.
Furthermore, by putting it into a box it
separates it from the coverlids and
portrays that it is something ‘exclusive’;
the word is also followed by an
exclamation mark, showing its
importance.

7. BARCODE/DATE/PRI
CEThe barcode, date, price and issue number have all
been placed in the bottom right hand corner of the
page. This is because they may not be the most
important parts of a magazine. The date and issue
number is used to help the reader, this is because if
they have missed an issue they can check the date
and the issue number and then buy, which ever one
they have missed. It also allows them to see how
recent the news and information in the magazine is.
The barcode is useful for the business/shop owner
who is selling the magazine, this is because it is
good for stock check; because it alerts them when
they are running out of the product and when they
need to buy more. The price has also been included
to show the reader how much the magazine is;
however it has been put in a much smaller font; this
is because if the reader is directly attracted to the
price it may put them off buying the magazine.

8. COLOUR SCHEME
The colour scheme for this magazine is purple,
white, black and yellow. The most important
things on the the front cover have been put in
white, which shows that they are the key
elements featuring in the magazine. In addition
to this, anything in black has been put onto a
yellow background, which makes it stand out. I
think that this has been done because if the
black text was put on without a background,
then it wouldn't stand out from the page and it
would also blend in with the other features of
the magazine. The issue number, background
and coverlines of the magazine have been put
in purple, which gives the magazine a running
theme. A colour scheme is important because it
shows that the magazine is going for a
professional look.

9. TOP STRIP
A top strip gives further information to
what may be included in the
magazine. The font, which has been
used has been put in red and then put
onto a yellow background, this brings it
out from the page and makes the
reader attracted to what they are trying
to say. From the top strip we can see
that there is going to be information
about Reading Festival 2015, and
underneath it says “MASSIVE
REVIEW!”. The words ‘massive review’
have been put in white, which shows
its importance because its relates to
the masthead.

10. PUG
A pug may be found in the corners, at
the top, left or right corner on the front
cover of a magazine. A pug shows the
logo, promotion or freebie, which will
feature in the magazine. The buzz
word “WIN!” indicates to the reader
that they are able to gain something
from the magazine, which persuades
them to purchase the magazine. The
puff “PLUS” is used to promote the fact
that the readers can win tickets to a
festival that is occurring next year.

11. TARGET
AUDIENCE/GENREI would say that for this magazine, the target
magazine would be teenagers aged 13-18 who
are interested in rock and indie (genre) music,
this is because of the bands, which have been
shown on the from cover. The price of this
magazine is £2.20, which indicates that the
magazine is aimed at the working class, so that
they are able to afford each issue if they are
subscribed to the magazine. In my opinion, I
believe that there is no specific gender or
ethnicity for this magazine. The lifestyle for the
target audience would be someone who likes to
get information about their favourite artists and
like going to gigs and festivals. In addition to
this, the target audience for this magazine may
be someone who likes collecting posters of their
favourite artists and bands.