This document analyzes the front pages of two alternative rock magazines, NME and Kerrang. It discusses several common design elements of magazine front pages including the masthead, cover star, headline, barcode, and features. It also analyzes differences in design elements between the two magazines and how they target different age audiences - NME uses a darker, simpler design to attract a more mature audience while Kerrang uses more color and activity to appeal to younger readers. The document also discusses common elements of contents pages and double page celebrity interviews.

1. Magazine Analysis
These are two examples of front pages
from alternative rock music magazines.
The two brands features are NME and
Kerrang!

2. Magazine Analysis
Masthead –
The masthead is positioned
at the top of the page. It is
big and bold, making it
eye-catching. The NME
logo is also very
identifiable, particularly
for regular readers of the
magazine. This means that
it can be slightly
obstructed by the cover
band.
Headline –
The headline, usually
about a featured band, will
often be in the middle of
the page, just below the
cover star/s. It is central
and will draw the reader’s
attention, by making it
sound interesting. For
example, a rhetorical
question is used to intrigue
the target audience.
Cover Star/s –
Always shown on the front
cover is a cover star or
band. They will always be
linked with a particular
genre. The mode of
address is very direct, as
the band is looking straight
forward.
Barcode –
The barcode is always
displayed in the bottom
right corner, so to not
obstruct the main image.
The general feel of the front page is
quite serious. This is conveyed by the
dark colours and simple layout,
attracting a more mature audience.
Feature –
The magazine will often have a
list of featured bands,
interesting the reader if there is
a particular band. It also tells
newer readers the genre of
music covered.

3. Magazine Analysis
Main feature–
The headline, is about the
featured cover band. Both
the headline and the
picture are in the middle
of the page, making it
centre of attention for the
target audience. For
example, a rhetorical
question is used to intrigue
the target audience. This
particular headline uses
alliteration; Fame, Freak-
Outs and Fatherhood. The
mode of address is again
direct.
The general feel of the front page is
more action-packed and exciting.
There is a lot going on, with a bit more
colour than that of NME. This is to
attract a younger teenage audience.
Freebies –
This magazine offers freebies, for
example posters of particular artists.
This attracts people to the magazine,
specifically younger people.
Masthead –
The masthead is positioned
at the top of the page, and
is very central. It is big and
bold, making it eye-catching.
Part of the
masthead is also blocked
from view by the cover
star, however The Kerrang!
logo is also very familiar to
a mass audience.
Barcode –
The barcode is always
displayed in the bottom
right corner, so to not
obstruct the main image.

4. Magazine Analysis
The overall style of this page is that of
a newspaper, which is quite organised
and also old-fashioned, appealing to an
older readership.
Masthead –
The masthead is also
displayed on the contents
page, again at the top of
the page.
Band Index -
This is a feature that displays
all of the bands that appear
in the magazine, giving
readers a sneak preview of
what to expect in the issue.
Offers –
The contents page will usually feature
some form of advertising or offers. In this
instance, there is a subscription offer.
This encourages readers to regularly
purchase the magazine.
Contents –
A contents page will
always have the contents
of the magazine,
highlighting articles and
pages of interest. This
allows the reader to better
navigate to the part they
want to look at.
Article –
A small article will
sometimes feature on a
contents page, and will be
continued later on,
enticing the reader to look
further into the magazine.

5. Magazine Analysis
The overall style of this page is quite
contemporary and modern, as to
attract its younger target audience.
Feature –
On the contents page there
is frequently a featured
band or singer, interesting
fans of that artist.
Offers –
The contents page
commonly features a
subscription-based offer,
enticing readers to buy the
magazine cheaper and on a
regular basis.
Contents –
A contents page will always have the
contents of the magazine, highlighting
articles and pages of interest. This
allows the reader to better navigate to
the part they want to look at.
Masthead –
The masthead is shown on
the contents page, around
the middle of the page.

6. Magazine Analysis
Article –
The double page spread will always
have a big article that specially
features in the issue of the
magazine. It will be about the
featured celebrity.
Title –
The title of the article
will always be in a big
font, and will often be a
quote from the celebrity
that features in the
article.
Celebrity –
A very large picture of a
celebrity will be on the
page next to the story.
Overview –
A short overview will
often be underneath the
title, giving a brief
overview of the article or
story.

7. Magazine Analysis
Celebrity –
A very large picture of a
celebrity will be on the
page next to the story.
Title –
The title of the article
will always be in a big
font, and will often be a
quote from the celebrity
that features in the
article.
Overview –
A short overview will
often be underneath the
title, giving a brief
overview of the interview.
Article –
The double page spread will always
have a big article that specially
features in the issue of the
magazine. It will be about the
featured celebrity.

8. Magazine Analysis
Mode of Address:
For most alternative rock magazines, they adopt a mode of
address that is quite dark and aggressive. The cover stars
and artists featured are often posing in quite a serious
manner. Although the mode of address is often direct, with
the person looking at the reader, it is rarely a very friendly
expression. Even for those that smile, the smile is perhaps
cocky, suggesting that they are superior to you. This makes
these kinds of magazines not so suitable for younger readers,
because it is more mature and stern in style.