The document provides details about the layout and design elements of several magazine covers and contents pages. Key points include: 1) Magazine covers use techniques like bold fonts, headlines, buzzwords, and celebrity images to attract readers' attention and encourage purchases. Placement of mastheads, dates, prices, and other text aims to optimize reader engagement. 2) Contents pages organize magazine sections and previews of articles using a mix of text, images, and quotes to inform readers and maintain interest across issues. Some include promotions like discounted subscription offers. 3) Design choices like fonts, colors, images, and positioning of elements communicate information to readers and influence how content is perceived and experienced. Consistent branding and layouts

1. Masthead- shown in a harsh bold
Buzz word- used the word ‘exclusive’ to attract
font, using capital letters which jumps Plug- using this to stand out from the rest of
the reader into the magazine feeling more
out more to the reader and the cover to draw attention to it straight away,
involved and interested in what it has to offer.
communicates across that this is the also being at the top above the masthead
Temps the reader more to open the magazine or
name of the magazine. Using the makes this the first thing that you see on the
purchase it. Suits the genre of people that are
colour red also stands out from the
interested in Nirvana’s style of music. cover so the audience is automatically pulled in
black and white background tying in by seeing a well known groups name first.
with the colour scheme also.
Date and price- the date of the magazine issue Sub image- images showing what is
and price is displayed in a small font, this could featured inside the magazine, acts as a
indicate that the publisher doesn’t want the price sneak preview of what you could see if you
to be the first thing that you see as an audience purchased it. Relates to the buzz word and
as it is more on the expensive side at £2.50. The adds to the attraction that it gives to buying
fact that everything other than the price stands the issue.
out in the cover would be the publisher wanting
to make the reader feel that it is worth the price. Sub heading- using a quote from inside
This also indicates that the magazine is of a the magazine as a heading on the cover
higher value and quality. gives the audience an indication of the
many things that they can see inside the
Buzz word- using a second buzz word ‘win’ on issue. Highlighting this how it would appear
the cover attracts the audience more to the in the article gives the reader a trust that
issue. Using a bold background with yellow text there will be more information inside. The
to highlight a well known band also gives an text below being in different colours to
attraction towards whatever contest that the stand out with well known names boosts
audience could get involved in. Using a direct the eye catching nature.
reference to what page the contest would be
The main feature of the magazine cover
found on gives the reader instant access to
is communicated through the name ‘Jake
being within a chance of winning.
Bugg’ written in capital letters in a similar
Main image- the fact that he is holding a none style to the masthead, this could indicate
alcoholic drink in the cover of a magazine known that he is just as important as the
for sex, alcohol and drugs indicates that he goes magazine itself and the main feature in
against the stereotypical rock star. It also this edition.
appeals to the audience as they would want to
learn more about why he has chosen to do this
so publically and controversially. The main Barcode- indicates the
image also is shown to be in black and white magazine is made to be bought
which shows him to almost fade into the Layout- the placing of the text over the by its audience.
background compared to the text that is bright main image introduces us right to the artist
and actually over his body only emphasising his as his name is shown in capitals and bright The placement of the text also could be to
facial expression and the drink he is holding. colours. It is quite different to the the magazines benefit due to the fact that
Representing that he is quite mysterious and the placement of text in most magazines as we he isn't well known so before the audience
fact that he is new to the music world also would expect the headings to be around dismisses who he is they are drawn in by
supports this idea what we would want to learn the main image than over it. This is the large text and mysterious nature of the
more about him as an audience. connotative of that he goes against the cover.
norms and isn't all about the attention.

2. Buzz word- the word ‘free’ attracts the Plug- made to stand out from the rest of the
audiences attention to buy the issue due magazine with a harsh background colour to
to it feeling more of a special issue catch the audiences attention towards this part
compared to others they may have seen of the cover. The use of a popular band that is
of the same genre. It persuades the well known to the specific audience of the issue
audience to purchase this magazine and makes the plug more noticeable to the rest of the
stands out from the rest of the magazine stories on the cover.
due to it being bold and noticeable. Sub image- images shown on the right hand side
of the magazine act as a sneak peak of what you
can find as an audience inside the issue. These
Masthead- the name of the magazine is shown
images act as a boost to give the audience more
in a bold font as always in every issue. The
of an attraction communicating the sort of things
colour of the masthead is different as it blends
they can find inside the magazine. They would
into the background compared to the main
mostly be of smaller size so that the audience
feature of the magazine that stands out from the
would want to have a closer look.
rest of the text. The way that it is overlapped by
a sub heading pulls away from the masthead
and focus’ on what it holds inside.
Date issued and price- the date is shown in a
Main image- the main image of this cover is
smaller font due to it not being major information
mainly of the name of the band in big letters to
compared to the rest of the cover. This cover
stand out from the rest of the surroundings, the
doesn’t show the price next to the date as it
band members are placed around their name
normally would be placed. This could indicate that
which could indicate that the band is quite equal
the issue may be more expensive than other
as no member stands out from the rest or is in
magazines or they wanted to hide the price so that
front of another, they are all in quite not serious
the audience would not be put off by this straight
positions around the font which could show that
away without having time to see other aspects of
they are not very serious and quite individual.
the magazine.
Anchorage- this sub heading is used as a
last minute pull for the audience to purchase
the issue. The bold large font could be used
to make the heading more eye catching and Barcode- indicates that the
therefore have more of a chance of the magazine is made to be
reader noticing this when they first look but purchased by the audience.
not really paying attention to its meaning until
the rest of the cover is acknowledged. Kicker- the range of well known artists
Buzz word- the word ‘plus’ is used as a listed at the bottom of the cover boosts
pull to the audience to see that there’s the audiences interest into the
even more than what the cover shows, magazine and acts as a last minute
well known artists being shown below the persuading device to make them buy
‘plus’ attracts the audience to read more the issue if everything else on the
into the magazine as not much is given cover has not yet already done so.
away by the buzz word in this sense.

3. Date and price- the price of the issue along Masthead- traditional NME colour and font Buzz word- using the word exclusive within the
with the date are quite small on this cover. This shown by harsh colours that stand out from a top of the cover as is shown gives the readers the
could insinuate that the price could be quite white background and also match the colour benefit of seeing this information one of the first
high compared to other magazines so instead scheme of the cover. The white background in glances at the cover. The word exclusive also
of revealing the price of £2.40 straight away to this issue makes the masthead the first thing brings a feeling of value to the customers that
the audience they are distracting them with all that you see within the cover. would be purchasing the magazine and that they
this bold and colourful text more noticeable are important to the publishers that they would
than the price to make them feel that it is worth deserve this information that nobody yet has.
the money for what the issue contains.
Sub image- the way that the buzz word is
Sub heading- this second subheading accompanied with a sub image gives the
acts as a kicker to the cover of the issue. readers all the more reason to purchase the
Using a very well known artist in this genre issue. With the plug over is of ‘big interview
of music such as The Rolling Stones and inside’ indicates to the audience that in order to
pairing it with an exclusive story such as learn more about this exclusive information they
Glastonbury attracts the audience as they will have no other option but to buy the issue.
would want to know the latest information The way that the font is different for ‘inside’
that is clearly inside. The white background gives an urgency to the audience that they
makes this information stand out more. need this news now.
Buzz word- the word ‘free’ would
automatically grab the readers attention Kicker- using the plus sign in this part of the
within the cover as it has a value to the cover gives the indication that along with all
audience that they are getting free these other parts of the issue there is also more
merchandise or a gift a long with the that you can get, the kicker using summarising
magazine. It also is used to make the words to boost the audience into purchasing the
audience feel special and that they are piece.
valued to the magazine by getting more for
their money.
Sub heading- this sub heading could also Barcode- a legal convention in order for the
be used as an anchorage to the issue. It is audience to purchase the magazine issue. This is
shown as a quote so could be used to pull commonly found on all magazines of this kind.
the reader in as it is advertising what could
be found inside this issue with a clear theme
of Crystal Castles. This area of the cover is Main image- the way that the text is around each of the artists indicates that they
crucial to dragging the readers attention to have confidence and that they are the centre of the issue for the magazine. The
inside the piece. Without a quote or a pose that the woman is doing is not serious and not trying to go with the male
subheading of what to expect they will most gaze of other magazines featuring women on the cover. This relates to her genre
likely not read into more of the issue and just of music being individual and knowing that her audience of music will know that
dismiss it, The size of the font makes it more this is her personality already. It looks as though she is quite vampire like and
noticeable as it’s a bigger size compared to deadly as she is wiping her mouth as if she has just taken a bite out of something.
any other parts of the cover apart from the The male in the cover is behind her not making eye contact with the camera
masthead so communicates that it is an which could indicate that he is not the main artist in the band and not really
important part of the feature. interested in being focused on in this cover.

4. The page shows to have a clear heading to it to
communicate to the audience of the issue that this is
where they can get information about what to find
inside the issue from what they have seen on the
cover. This gives an organisation to the magazine
and a clear structure for the audience to gain easier
access.
The main image within this contents page is of The
Courteeners, this could communicate that they are the
main feature of this issue and are the priority and best
story to look at within the magazine. The way that they
stand out from the rest of the pages makes the audience
more drawn to them as an interest rather then the plain
text down the left.
The font colour being different in this area of the
contents page gives the impression that it is exclusive.
Including the word special in the sub heading makes
the audience more drawn towards this part of the
magazine and pay more attention to it due to having a
different font and colour compared to the normal Q
Magazine style and colour code. The fact that it is a
well known band that it is featured on gives the reader
more of an interest compared to if it was an unknown
band new to the magazine.
Using the sub heading here ‘every month’ with
such a bold and eye catching background tells the
audience that every month they will receive this
information below and gives them something to
come back to the magazine for. This guarantees
the magazine a return of regular customers as they
are already putting aspects of their next issues into
the current magazine being read.

5. This heading to the contents page is
different in the way that it does not
communicate straight away that this
is a contents page but allows the
readers to assume so. We
automatically assume with the
wording that this is the contents
page due to the date issued and the Different to the contents page of the other
bold wording being shown. magazine analysed, this one displays a
variety of images relating to each part of
the magazine. This is a good way of
giving the reader more to look at on this
page and giving a clear idea of what to
find inside the magazine if they choose to
have a quick look at the contents page
before buying. It is also quite cramped in
the layout not leaving any space which
shows the audience that there is plenty to
read and take in within the issue.
The way that each feature is
supported by quotes from the article
or the artists shown gives the idea
that the magazine is speaking to you
as an individual and giving the reader
more of an exclusive feel to it
compared to other magazines that
may not do this. It makes the reader
feel more valued as a customer.
Using Christmas gift ideas in the contents
page using festive colours gives the
audience a chance to receive a years worth
of the magazine the following year stating a
discount price. Guaranteeing customers for
the next year for the magazine keeping the
issues popular. The font is displayed in
capitals so that the reader is most likely
going to notice it within a few seconds of
looking at the contents page even though it
is not advertising what it inside the issue for
the week.

6. Using a well known guitarist like Slash as
the main image for the contents page gives
the audience something to recognise. He
needs no description just an image
because of how iconic he shows to be to
The masthead of the page is clearly the audience of this genre of magazine.
stated in bold font shown to be in capitals.
The colour of the font stands out from the
black theme of colouring for this page Although In the main image he is
normally similar to what the cover of the shown quite dark in comparison to
issue used. The page feels official due to the rest of the page which shows
the date released and the issue number yellow more than the more black
being displayed below the heading for space Slash has the opposite
this issue so communicates that the effect.
magazine can be trusted in this way.
A long with the image of slash the
contents shows the actual pages that you
will find inside the magazine. This shows a Below the heading the publisher has
more accurate perception of what to find shown the layout the magazine into
inside the magazine from a graphology different sections rather than just
point of view. stating page numbers. This gives a
more organised approach to the
contents and gives the audience a
clearer perspective of what they can
find in the magazine and where.
Showing a signature at the end of this
paragraph by the deputy editor gives a
sense of officiality to the edition of the
magazine as he has given the readers a
direct address which is not normally
seen in this scale on a magazine only
by local columnist's. Showing his title
underneath his signature also gives a
more formal element to this page and
also lets the reader know that what they
are reading are straight from the main
people behind the magazines
production.

7. The artist is shown to take up half of the double page spread The main heading contains a pun including the
with one image. The way that she is posed is quite elegant artists name. This stands out from your
and the camera is straight on her but her face is facing average article and accompanied with the
upwards. This could indicate that she has power as we are images through the two pages the audience is
looking up from under her jaw line, this could be connotative drawn into reading more about the artist. The
that she is a well known artist and respected within the music bold black font contrasts with its background
business. Also her brightly coloured hair indicates that she is highly and is complimented by the bright
quite eccentric and individual, doesn’t play by the rules and colours that the artist is shown wearing and the
norms of society. colour edited pictures.
The way that she is dressed could reflect her personality in this
image. Her dress is shown to be tight over her right breast being
quite promiscuous towards the camera although her left side is The double page shows to be divided into two equal parts,
completely covered by fabric in quite a futuristic style of clothing. one half being for the text about the artist and the other
This could show that although she may reveal herself to the dedicated to the article. This shows the importance of the
camera she does like to cover up aspects of herself and leave artists that they take up two pages of the issue and that one
some of it to the imagination of the audience. She draws attention page is taken up solely by a picture of them. The text shows
to herself in this image but not so much that the audience wont a main heading, a sub heading and then an article that is in
notice the texts like on a cover. She is also covered up by an quite a large quantity.
object that looks unrecognisable that covers up part of the tighter
side of her outfit.

8. The blank space in the double page is not a normal
thing to be found in this genre of magazine, it
Main Image- the theme of black and white from the cover is kept
relates to the retro feel to the artist so the black and
which indicates that he has a retro and old style to him which could
white theme is still apparent within the background
relate to his music style. He has a Beatles level to his look which
of the text page and within the main image of the
could be also incorporated in his sound. He is looking down on his
magazine. The page is quite simple apart from the
guitar which could indicate that he is passionate about it and holds
red colouring shown in parts over the black and
control over his own music which he probably writes himself.
white colour scheme to make it more interesting for
the reader. The colour scheme attracts the reader
to the magazine due to the sharp bold colours
being eye catching .
The heading uses a quote from
Bob Dylan lyrics, this is relevant
to the piece but also could
suggest that he is compared to
this artist in the way that he
makes music and could set a
trend with the retro throwback
that he is creating for himself
within the charts. The style of
music that he produces has
been compared to Bob Dylan
and The Beatles because of
how retro he is when he
performs and produces
photographs.
The main text is shown to not be the main Showing the small page number in the corner
feature of this double page as the main image gives organisation to the magazine, this relates
and space around the masthead are the main back to the contents page within the issue that
point of the page to draw the reader into wanting will have given the audience information in
to read into the main text. This could indicate order for them to find this main feature.
that it only takes the masthead to make the
audience of the magazine want to know more
about the artist as he is new to this genre so has
a sense of mystery around him.

9. The main heading ‘underneath her
brassiness’ indicates that this
article is going where no magazine
has gone before and the audience
would be more interested due to In the main image Katy Perry is quite
wanting to see a side of her that provocatively shown which goes against
they never have seen, the how we normally see her inside other
provocative picture accompanied magazines aimed mostly at teenagers.
with this indicates that the article This image relates to the stereotypes of
will be unique and reveal a lot women as she is shown to be inside a
about the singer and that she is not kitchen which is what men would see
all what she seems. her as normally. This relates to the male
gaze of the magazine issue with the
way she is stood and what she is
wearing. We would not normally see
Katy Perry in this way so to see her
away from the music and award shows.
The angle of the camera being straight
on to her eye line in this image makes it
seem like she is looking the reader in
the eye and communicating completely
with the audience in this shot, the way
her eyes are shown is quite seductive
so could show the audience of the issue
being older than her normal one.
The talk of drugs relates to the target
audience of adults within this
magazine. There wouldn’t be any
young teenagers to be expected to
read this article. She wouldn’t expect
her younger audience of her music to
read this article as she is quite open
about her younger days and this
could put some people off that aren't
normal readers of the magazine.
This stands out from the main text
and gives the reader an insight to the There is no text over the main image of Katy Perry which gives no distraction to
singer that they did not know would what she is wearing and where she is. Male audience members would normally
exist. Gives more information than skip a double page of Katy Perry due to her girliness normally but in this magazine
we would normally associate with her it is the opposite. The Rolling Stone magazine is normally showing celebrities in
as an artist and a young woman. quite a complimentary and sexual way even though its target audience wouldn’t be
looking specifically for this.