Magazine front cover analysis

1. The white, bold masthead stands out in contrast to the darker background of the
magazine. The masthead takes up just under a quarter of the page. It is placed at the top
of the cover and spreads across the whole page. This is so that when the magazine is
stacked on a shelf in a shop the masthead will be visible. Above the masthead is the
name ‘MARC ECKOS’ who is the publisher of this issue. This is for people who follow his
work and may be influenced to buy the magazine when they see his name. The cover Colour Pallet
reflects his work as he uses a black and white colour scheme in all of his work. This name
also stands out being white and contrasted on the dark almost black background. All of
the text is the same colour being white.
The top third of the page is the most
important as on the shelf this is all the
customer can see. Therefore the important
Kanye West is the artist show on the cover of information is displayed here, the masthead
this magazine and his name is placed next to and in this magazine all of the limited text due
him to emphasize this. It is placed this close to the simplistic design.
to show that it refers to the photo. This text
uses the same colour as the title to also stand The absence of the of the barcode on the
out. However it is in smaller text as it isn't as front cover shows how the publisher
important as the masthead. By using Kanye wanted to keep a clean simplistic look
West on the cover it makes it clear that he which reflect the magazine through out.
will be featuring inside the magazine and also However the barcode appears on the rear
gives the read more of a feel of the audience of the magazine so that it can still be easily
the magazine is aimed at, being Kanye West accessed. This simplistic design with
fans ect. limited text is similar throughout all
complex magazines.
This issue of complex magazine differs
from most magazines other magazine on The side of view of Kanye West catches the eye of The actual image on the magazine
the shelf as it only has two colour pallet. the Complex magazine and Kanye West audience. is shadowed suggesting that Kanye
This emphasises that the publisher really This image is a side close up shot . This is quite West is not in the ‘lime light’. This
wanted to push on the simplistic design powerful even though he is not looking at the might imply that he is being
and wanted it to stand out. The camera, however it lets the reader feel powerful interviewed . The close up shows
magazine name complex differs greatly as well because they can look at the magazine the expression on his face and also
from simple design. without felling they are being stared at. This also allow them to identify him.
shows that Kanye west is feature in the magazine

2. PAPAER magazine forwards towards covering and discovering cultural movements
with a focus on fashion The masthead in this magazine differs from the common
bold, covering the width of the hole page and instead appears down the left hand
side. This is odd as when on a shelf all of the title with not be visible. It stands out in
in contrast to the lighter background however the designer linked it with the
background by making the lines go through the text. The front cover looks arty with Colour Pallet
more that seven colours being shown. This links with the rest of the magazine as you
cant see from the front cover this is an ART issue.
Paper magazines masthead differs from The three boxes contain all the text displayed on
most other magazines firstly because it is the front cover. This is to make it look neat and also
positioned down the left hand side of the the boxes look pop arty with ties in with the theme
cover and secondly the style, however this of art. All of the text in these boxes contrasts with
creates a unique factor about it and makes the background of them to make the text easily
it easily recognisable. The masthead gives readable. All of the text is trying to lure the
the impression on stencils which ties in customer into buying the magazine. One way it
with the arty theme. I like the design of the does this is buy including famous name. For
magazine and I think the transfer from a example in this issue editor Shepard Fairey is
plain look on the right to a burst of colour clamed as being there ‘guest’, claiming that he is an
in the left works well. important person and the customer needs buy this
issue because they wont get the opportunity again.
Pharrell , who is shown in a low angle mid Paper magazine differs from The barcode is a convention of an everyday
shot is looking down at the camera most magazine as throughout magazine. It is usually small and
making it’s a strong ‘dominant’ photo. He the different covers the title placed, hidden away, in the corner not
is show normal on the write then merges moves around to different standing out. This is so it doesn’t take the
into a cartoon picture on the left. He is in positions on the cover. This readers eye away from the image. The barcode
black and white which makes him stand keeps the customer interested contains all the information needed in order to
out compared to the colourful but looses the effected of a solid sell the magazine. The barcode can sometime
background. This suggests Pharrell will identifiable cover. contain the price next to it and even a website.
feature in the magazine.

3. The white, bold masthead stands out in contrast to the darker background of
the magazine. The masthead takes up just under a quarter of the page. It is
placed at the top of the cover and spreads across the whole page. This is so
that when the magazine is stacked on a shelf in a shop the masthead will be
visible. Above the masthead is the name ‘MARC ECKOS’ who is the publisher of
this issue. This is for people who follow his work and may be influenced to buy Colour Pallet
the magazine when they see his name. This name also stands out being white
and contrasted on the dark All of the text is the same colour being white. The hole cover is aimed at Kid Cudi as
an artist which shows he will be a main
feature in the magazine. This text on
the right hand side of the cover ‘putting
Kid Cudi is the artist show on the cover of this the peaces together’ is a cleaver way
magazine and his name is placed next to him the designer has linked the design with
to emphasize this. This is continues through a Kid Cudi. The design of the cover make
number of Complex magazines. It is placed Kid Cudi fans want to read more hoping
this close to show that it refers to the photo. to get an insight into his life and also
This text uses the same colour as the title to walkers by that are interested by the
also stand out, however it is in smaller text as design and want to see more.
it isn't as important as the masthead. By
using Kid Cudi on the cover it makes it clear The absence of the of the barcode on the
that he will be featuring inside the magazine front cover shows how the publisher
and also gives customer that aren't regular wanted to keep a clean simplistic look
buyers more of a feel of the audience the which reflect the magazine through out.
magazine is aimed at, being Kid Cudi fans ect. However the barcode appears on the rear
The Picture in this issue stands out compared of the magazine so that it can still be easily
to the background unlike the previous accessed. This simplistic design with
magazine. This may be because there is so limited text is similar throughout all
The design of this magazine is
much detail in this cover. complex magazines.
interesting and one I have never seen
anything similar to both before and
The picture of Kid Cudi is a close up. during my research. The design is both
This gives the audience a detailed cleaver and interesting and is not
view of him and makes him easily instantly clear. I catches the eye of the
identifiable to walking customers customer and takes second look to
when the magazine is staked on the take in all of the cover.
shelve.