The document analyzes magazine covers and contents pages. It discusses conventions like logos appearing throughout, dates listed, and sections used. It also notes unconventional elements like unusual placements of images or text. Main images are usually central and convey importance. Covers entice readers with star appeal from featured artists and hints of inside content. Contents pages continue brand themes and intrigue readers with numerous small images and previews of articles. Overall the document examines design principles and how magazines adhere to or break conventions in visual presentation.

1. Magazin
e
analysis
By Eleanor Carter

2. Analysing Front
Covers

3. The mast head is big with
clear, bold, white writing on a
red background- this makes it
stand out. It is in the top left as
when it’s stocked on a shelf, it is
the first place people look at.
The main image overlaps the
title- which implies the band are
more important than the title. It
also signifies that the magazine
brand is well- known already. If
you were creating a brand new
magazine- it would be best to
show the entire title to allow
people to learn it and recognise
it. This sticks to conventions of a
magazine as the title is big and
bold, where people can easily
see it. The main image usually
overlaps the title.
The main image is a long
shot of Mumford and
Sons. They are
smiling, therefore they
are portrayed as friendly.
Their welcoming facial
expressions could
persuade the audience
to buy the magazine- as
well as because of the
star appeal.
This header is used to advertise the magazine. ‘Special Edition’
is used to attract the audience by claiming the magazine contains exclusive
music.
This cover breaks conventions as
it does not have a barcode or a
date line. The main image takes
up most of the page- it is less
conventional to have a long shot
as a main image- and there is not
much text. This is unusual for a
magazine and could make this
particular magazine stand out
from the rest.
These cover line lists some
of the artists included in
the magazine. It can
attract the audience as
they are likely to know
some of these artists. It
breaks conventions as they
are on the right side of the
rule of third grid- when
they are usually on the
left.
Main cover line states
the bands name who
feature in the main
image. This draws even
more attention towards
them. The guitar is
slightly over the cover
line, which is good use of
editing technique. It is
one of the main focuses
of the front cover
page, which
demonstrates the
importance of the band
and reinforces the
attention to the main
image.

4. This header is used at the top of
the page to attract the audience
as they will see it easily. It makes
the magazine seem more
exclusive and advertises the
magazine by insinuating you get
what you pay for.
Date line and price- conventional
as it is usually at the top of the
magazine above the title.
The mast head is bold so the
audience can clearly see it. NME
is a well- known brand of
magazine therefore people can
easily see the title and recognise
it straight away.
Cover lines are used to
entice the audience. They
are used on the left hand
side of the ‘rule of thirds’
grid. This is the part of the
magazine which the
audience mainly focus on
when they see it on the
shelf, because it is the first
part they see. The cover
lines include the content of
the magazine- so that the
audience know what to
expect inside- however it
does not give away too
much information.
A different font is used to name
the artists- this displays the
importance of them by making
them stand out from the rest of
the text on the page.
They use a black background to reflect Eminem’s outfit, as well as his
music being quite deep and saddening.
Main image is between a
medium shot and a medium
long shot of Eminem in the
mid-right of the page. He is
the main focus of the cover.
This reinforces the
conventional idea of a
magazine as a magazine
usually has a main image in
the centre. It has star
appeal as Eminem is a very
famous rap artist- therefore
the fans of Eminem would
be likely to buy the
magazine. Also, it is an
action shot, as his facial
expression is not posed. He
is wearing dark clothing and
a cross necklacerepresenting his religion and
the genre of music he
creates- which can be seen
as quite dark and gloomy.
This main cover line
adds to the star appeal
as it presents the
artists name in big
font to attract the
audience’s attention.
The background is
red, which connotes
danger. It also
matches with the
colour scheme of the
front coverblack, white and red.
Barcode is in an unconventional
place- as it is a slanted position
which suits the structure of this
particular magazine.

5. The mast head is black and bold- it has
colours which fill the middle of the
letters- the main colours of the page
are yellow, white and black. The main
image of Taylor Swift covers half of the
mast head- which suggests the
magazine is well-known alreadytherefore the mast head does not
need to be fully seen. It also places
most emphasis on the main image. If
you were making a magazine for the
first time, it would be wise to show the
full mast head.
These cover lines use the same
colours as the rest of the magazinethey are yellow and white. There
are deals and tips and details about
what is included in the magazine.
These function to entice the
audience so that they are more
likely to buy the magazine- as they
have a few ideas about what it is
about. It is also obvious it is a music
magazine as a country music star
features on the front and as there
are ‘charts’ and ‘releases’.
Barcode- this sticks to conventions as it
is in the usual position of a barcode.
Therefore, it clearly suits the structure
of the rest of the magazine. When
creating your own magazine cover, it is
important to include a barcode to make
the cover seem more realistic.
The background is blurred yet Taylor is in full focus- meaning she is
the main focus of the cover and it makes her stand out more when
the back ground is out of focus.
Main image- The main image
is a medium shot of Taylor
Swift. She is looking at the
camera and her hair is
blowing back. She looks
quite fierce- showing her
dominance in the shotwhich reinforces the
importance of the main
image- which is central to
the magazine cover. The
image sticks to conventions
as most magazine covers
have mid-shots as the main
image. Also, it covers half of
the title, therefore it is
portrayed as the most
important feature of the
magazine cover. It is also
star appeal for Taylor Swift
fans who will read the
magazine if they see her on
the front.
Main cover line includes
star appeal and reflects
Taylor Swifts important
role for the cover. Also, it
describes her below in
yellow writing- as a
‘country’s teen queen’.
This tells the audience a bit
about her before they read
the magazine- but doesn’t
reveal too much
information.

6. Analysing
Contents Pages

7. The same font is used for the
‘contents’ title and the
KERRANG! title- therefore they
have continued the theme
throughout the contents page.
This sticks to conventions as
most magazines use the same
theme font throughout.
Also, it is yellow which
matches with the yellow and
white colour scheme of the
page.
Small images are dotted around to
ensure the page is packed with
things to keep the reader
entertained. This is conventional for
music magazines as they usually
contain many images on the
contents page of music artists.
The magazine title is used in the
contents page as it reiterates which
magazine you are reading, as well as
reminding the reader of the title, so
that it sticks in their head and they
will remember it. This is
conventional. Many magazines use
their titles/ logos in the contents
page to reinforce it.
Picture credit- sticks to
conventions as most
magazines have a picture
credit to reference the person
who took the photos/ edited
them.
Date line and issue number- most contents pages include the
date, therefore this contents page is conventional.
This is the main image of the
contents page. It is the live action
of somebody crowd surfingportraying their daring side- which
reflects the idea of the ‘rock’
magazine. The image is clearly at a
concert, which gives an idea of
what could be included inside the
magazine. It also interests the
audience who have been to
concerts/ are going. It is quite
unconventional as it is not the
usual shot type (e.g. mid shot).
People who are interested in
music (the audience of this
magazine) would be intrigued by
this picture and it is star appeal as
lots of them would probably know
the main person in the image.
The pages listed are split into
sections. This is conventional as most
music magazines are split into
sections. This allows the pages to be
easier to find, as well as being able to
reveal to the audience the type of
content which will be included in the
magazine.
This puff/pug is used to show the
audience what else is included in the
magazine- in this particular one, you
get a free poster. This makes the
reader feel like they get what they
pay for and extra. It seems like a gift
for buying the magazine.
Therefore, they are likely to pay
again.

8. An email address and website is
included to give the audience the
option of getting more involved.
They are using as many media
techniques as possible to include
their audience more. There is also
an image of a magazine special
‘poster mag’ which is available to
buy. This advertises different
KERRANG! magazines while the
audience are currently reading this
one- showing the variety of
magazines available to purchase.
These credits are quite an unusual
convention as contents pages of
magazines are usually split into sections
of what features in the magazine.
However, this uses the convention of
‘rule of thirds’ as the magazine is split
up into the 3x3 grid- meaning the
structure is conventional- but the
content is not necessarily usual for a
music magazine.
Lots of pictures are used on the contents
page to ensure the audience are kept
intrigued and interested. This supports
the conventional idea of a magazine
contents page as they usually are filled
with pictures of successful or upcoming
artists.
This ‘contents’ title matches the
‘It’s a riot’ font- which makes the
page more consistent.
However, it is unconventional as
it doesn’t include a date linewhich magazines normally use.
This main header ‘It’s a riot’
maintains the rocker look to
the contents page as it
portrays consistency by
matching the ‘contents’ title. It
is against a red background
which looks as if its been
scratched off at the edges.
This portrays danger and
blood, which fits in with a rock
music theme.
This is the main image of the
contents page. It has star
appeal as Hayley Williams
(Paramore star) is featured in
it. It has been edited so there
are holes in her hands
revealing her eyes. She is
staring directly at the
audience- like the others in the
photo. This includes the
audience. It also says ‘Giant
pull-out poster’ meaning if you
buy the magazine, you will get
this poster with it. People are
more likely to buy the
magazine if they know they
will get a poster of one of their
favourite artists.

9. They have used the logo
next to the word ‘contents’.
This reiterates the magazine
being read, as well as
allowing the logo to become
familiar with the reader. If
they see it throughout the
magazine- they will begin to
remember it.
The contents page has been
split into sections which list the
most important parts of the
magazine. This is conventional
as most magazines have a
‘features’ title on their
contents page. Also, they
include the most interesting
parts of the magazine, so that
the audience will be more
likely to buy it as they will see
the interesting stories, usually
containing information about
music/ music artists- they are
bound to be fans of at least
one music artist mentioned in
the features. They also have an
‘every month’ section which
includes the regular features of
the magazine which are always
present. This shows
continuity, so that the regular
purchasers of the magazine
will see familiarity and look
forward to the same types of
things every month.
This is a picture caption which explains who is in the photograph. Most
images match a caption on magazine covers.
The date line is conventional
as most contents pages
include the date.
This main image is a close- up
of the artist James Blunt. He is
directly addressing the
audience as he is staring
straight into the camera. This
makes them want to buy the
magazine as they wonder why
James Blunt is there and it
allows them to be involved. It is
the only image on the
page, which is unconventional
as most content pages have
several images, yet this page
just contains one main image.
This draws further attention to
the photo. Also, star appeal is
presented as fans of James
Blunt will wonder why he’s in
the magazine- and want to read
the rest of it.
This footer also includes the
content of the magazine as it
provides a short quote and a
page number- to find out
more you have to read on.
This is conventional as many
magazines have a footer or a
quote somewhere on their
contents page.

10. Analysing
Double Page
Spreads

11. The main image takes up
half of the page- which is
conventional for a double
page spread as one page
is usually covered with an
image. The people in the
image are viewed as
bizarre and extraordinary
by the audience. This is
provoked through the use
of the rabbit costume and
how the people are
positioned in the
photograph. It is a long
shot group image- which
presents the peculiar
positioning of the people
very well. The men are
standing up in the
background and the
woman with the rabbit is
the main focus of the
image. This shows a
gender gap between the
people on the image.
The layout of the page is split into three
columns. This is conventional as most articles
in magazines are structured into columns to
make them look more professional.
This article headline indicates the artists are
young and enthusiastic. There is a red background
behind the white text which creates a paint
splatter effect. This could connote danger or
deviance.
This subheading is used
to link the picture to
the text by discussing
the main focus of the
double page spreadthe band featured on
the main image.
The big letter to
begin the article is
conventional as it is
utilised on most
double page spreads
in magazines.
A quote from one of the band members is used to add to the main
image and text- which are all focused on that particular band. It
adds star appeal to the double page spread.
Other images are
used alongside the
main image to add
more content for
the audience to
look out- to ensure
they are kept
interested. It makes
the double page
spread seem more
full and not just
text- images toowhich makes it
more presentable.

12. The layout of the page is
structured into two columns.
Most articles in magazines are
split into columns to make them
look more presentable
The main image is a
slightly high angle
shot of the
band, looking down
on them. This is
unconventional as
usually the camera is
eye-level with the
band or looking up at
them- presenting
them as dominant.
However, they are still
the main focus of the
double page
spread, and there is
direct mode of
address as they are
looking straight at the
reader. This allows the
reader to feel more
involved with the
magazine.
The big letter is used to begin the article. This is
conventional as most double page spreads in
magazines contain a big letter at the start of text.
This heading is big and bold, meaning
the reader will instantaneously focus
their attention on it. It contains the
band name of the main image- which
links everything together.
This piece of text is
used under the
heading as a
subheading to add
more information
about the band which
the article focuses on.
This adds to the star
appeal of the page as
fans will be interested
in any extra
information which
they can find out
about their favourite
band members.
There is a quote from one of the band members which is used to add
the main focus on that particular band. Also, it adds star appeal to the
page as fans will be interested by what a band member has said.

13. The structure of the page is split into three columns. This is
conventional because most articles in general magazines
are structured into columns in order to make them look
more professional. Also, there is usually an image to break
up the columns and to break the continuity.
This is a quote from
Alexandra
Burke, adding to the
star appeal as well as
summarising some
parts of what she said
in her interview. This
gives an incite to the
reader or an overall
conclusion of the most
important parts of the
interview.
Other images are used as
well as the main image to
maintain the focus on the
artist throughout the double
page spread. It also adds
more interest for the readers
as people generally prefer to
look at images rather than
read text. It adds to the
professional structure of the
page as it is in the bottom
left hand corner so it is
aligned with the text.
Her website is displayed at the
bottom- for the readers to get extra
exclusive information.
The main image
takes up half of the
page- portraying the
importance in the
role of the artist as
she is being
interviewed on the
first page- therefore
it matches with the
text. Also, she is
presented as quite
glamorous with her
silver jewellery as
well as her facial
expression, which
looks fierce. This
could reflect her
personality in the
interview- therefore
could back up some
of the things said.
This adds to star
appeal as she has
been made up and is
looking her best for
the photographwhich attracts the
fans to the magazine.