The document analyzes the front cover design of several music magazines, including their use of layout, images, colors, and text to target different audiences and promote various genres. It finds that KERRANG! uses a messy yet organized layout with yellow, red, and black colors to target rock and metal fans ages 16-35. NME takes a cleaner approach with a basic masthead and focuses on different genres for an audience of 16-45. Mixmag emphasizes electronic dance music through its summer-themed colors, fonts, and image of the duo Disclosure.

1. The Gutenberg Principle-
‘KERRANG!’ is recognised for the messy layout on the front cover, and
even though it looks as if it doesn’t follow the Gutenberg Principle the
elements are still there. The text/pictures reduce in size from left to
right which is the natural path your eyes follow. Having the competition
to win tickets to the ‘kerrang’ tour in the primary optical area is a selling
point for the magazine. It sells not only the tickets but the magazine as
well.
Masthead –
This masthead suggests that it is a well -known brand due to the fact that the
main Image overlaps it. The text used is onomatopoeia, as if there is a guitar
string being played; the capitalised, broken up text along with the “!”
Emphasises this even more and displays the fact that the magazine
specialises in loud, ‘hard-core’ music such as rock, alternative rock and
heavy metal. The masthead is important as it instantly establishes the mood
of the magazine, which this is successful in doing so.
Colours/Typefaces/House style-
The most prominent colour is yellow which emphasises the fact that you can win tickets
to the KERRANG! tour as it contrasts with the red. According to
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/175428 red activates your pituitary gland,
increasing your heart rate and causing you to breathe more rapidly. This visceral
response makes red aggressive, energetic and attention-grabbing. Therefore highlight
the tour more intensely. We see the red and yellow used on the banners and badges
consistently. This also emphasises the genre of the magazine, suggesting that the music
is intense, aggressive and loud (e.g. cover lines on the pictures). The black of the
background increases the attention of the content on the front cover more prominently.
It is bold and a classic colour to use which suggests the powerfulness behind the genre of
music (heavy metal, rock etc.) The “!” used on the masthead and with the main cover
line and other cover lines helps with the advertisement of its features in the magazine. It
is in fitting with the style of the magazine and emphasises their importance. The main
image of Haley Williams where she wears a yellow shirt helps to emphasises the badge
“WIN! TICKETS TO THE KERRANGE TOUR” as it fits with the house style, as with her hair.
Banners/Flashes/badges-
There is a frequent use of banners and
badges which emphasise the key points to
the magazine. Due to the messy layout on
the front cover, the badges help to being a
sense of organisation to it. Everything on
this front cover is a badge except from the
banners at the top of the masthead and at
the bottom of the page. It almost looks like a
collage due to the amount of cover lines
surrounding the main cover line. Even
though, the organisation of the front cover is
messy it still shows the main features of the
magazine.
Target audience and genre -
Due to the house style and typeface of the front cover, suggests
that the target audience is aimed at 16-35 year olds. The cover
lines around the main image also support this, for example,
“WIN! TICKETS TO THE KERRANG!TOUR”. This cover line is
focused on an audience that go to gigs/festivals therefore aimed
at 16-35. The house style of red, white, yellow and black
emphasises that it is aimed at people of a particular genre
(rock/heavy metal) and also the cover line “ROCK IN REHAB”
indicates that it isn’t for younger audience to read as the
content maybe explicit.
Model credit-
“Avenged sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, Black Vail
Brides and loads more- As you’ve never seen them
before!” is the model credit for this magazine. By listing
some of the most popular heavy metal bands it engages
the audience by making them believe that they are going
to not only see one bands ‘exclusive’ photos but a lot of
bands. The “NEVER” which is underlined also emphasises
this point giving them the perception that the magazine is
offering ‘jaw-dropping’ photos (as shown by the main
image).
Main image –
The main image (Haley Williams) slightly contrasts with
the house style of red, white, yellow and black. This is so
that it is still in fitting with the magazine, but it is also
there to make a statement and stand out. Due to the
fact that she is the main feature to the magazine, she is
surrounded by the cover lines emphasising this even
more but the main cover line overlaps her suggesting
that it is related to her. The main cover line is designed
in a way that looks as though it is a mug shot and she is
holding a name care. This suggests that the pictures
reveal hidden content that they don’t “want you to see”.
The main image is using direct address which acts as
though they are involving the audience what they are
talking about.
Cover lines-
The cover lines surround the main cover line, modal credit and
main image to indicate the relation between them. This
magazine emphasises the importance of the main feature within
the magazine by presenting them as a collage. This suggests that
there are a lot of different bands involved which make this
effective. The smaller cover lines at the bottom of the page are
presented in size of importance. “ROCK IN REHAB” is in the weak
fallow area, indicating that this is the second main feature to
magazine but isn’t as big as the rest of the cover lines. The rest
of the cover lines at the bottom are some of the other main
features in the magazine; “ALL TIME LOW” is a new band so
keep this from any of the main area’s as they aren’t as popular
as Haley Williams (the main image) which would attract the
audiences she is instantly recognisable due to her hair.
Main cover line-
The main cover line “The photos they didn’t want you to see!” instigates the audience’s attention
and acts as though the reader is getting exclusive information that the artists ‘don’t want you to
see’. It is emphasised by the badge which is written in red writing and includes a camera lens as a
part of the word. This suggests that the photos were taken secretively and therefore the audience
feel as though you can’t see them anywhere else. The fact that the pictures are surrounding the
main cover line suggests that they are all related to it. It is emphasised by the main image
suggesting she is that main artist/feature for the story line.

2. It seems as though ‘NME’ magazine targets a range of audiences from 16 -45. This is
emphasised by the type face and house style. Due to the fac t that the main colours
are black, white and red, suggests that it is trying to stick to a basic house style and
not overwhelm the audience. This is so that it doesn’t attract a certain type of
audience directly. For example, if the house style was pinks and purples this would
attract a young female audience. There is an element of formality; it is organised
but there is also an element of informality; the main image used and the typeface.
What also suggests that t targets an all -round audience is that the acronym NME
that stands for New Musical Express suggest that it looks at all genres, unlike
‘HAMMER’ and ‘KERRANG!’ that instigate that it focuses on heavy metal and roc
bands. His magazine looks at all type of genres .
Model Credit-
The Masthead-
‘NME’ is an acronym for ‘New Musical Express
‘suggesting the change in target audience
through the generation. It is in the primary
optical area so that the audience will see it
instantly. With it being in this specific area it
suggests that everything underneath is what’s
featuring. This is shown by the fact that
everything is slanted to the left, pointing
towards it. The masthead is small and concise,
being catchy and easy to remember, and
allows there to be a more organised layout on
the front cover.
‘GET THE PICTURE?’ is the model credit which is a rhetorical question. This acts as a way of
instigating curiosity to the reader and so causes them to buy the magazine. It is bigger than
everything else except from the masthead and main cover line but fits harmoniously with the rest
of the content; the whole magazine is based upon ‘a picture’. It I also a play on words meaning to
different things; an actual picture and the metaphorical sense.
The Gutenberg Principle-
‘NME’ follows a very basic Gutenberg Principle. The masthead
is in the primary optical area instigating that this is the brand
name and is the main feature to the whole magazine. The main
cover line and model credit is located in the strong fallow area.
However, there isn’t much content in the other areas which
could suggest that the focus is on the HAIM. It is very neat and
organised compared to the magazines such as KERRANG! It
follows the Gutenberg principle more evidently. Where as in
comparison to the magazine ‘mixmag’ it follows the principle
very vaguely.
Main Image-
We instantly assume the main image is connected to the main
cover line and model credit. Not only because it is overlapping
and the way it is positioned; slanted to the left; suggests that it is
of them, but the model credit “GET THE PICTURE?” relates to the
action with in the main image. Due to the fact that the main
image uses direct mode of address, and that one of the band
members is upfront holding a camera pointing towards the
reader, suggests that there are photographs within the magazine
related to the band. The way in which the girls are positioned
suggests that they are fun and exciting and therefore attract a
certain kind of audience.
Main Cover line-
The main cover line “HAIM” is of an alternative rock
band, targeting younger audience of 16-36. This is the
main selling point of the magazine as they know that it
will attract a certain audience. It is emphasised by the
badge and the colour black, which works with the main
image in instigating the relationship between the main
cover line and model credit. Furthermore, judging by the
colours used and typeface they are a modern and a new
band which over laps the main image. We instantly
assume that the main cover line is of the main image due
to the fact that the main selling point for the magazine is
in the strong fallow area; being almost as important as
the masthead.
Target Audience and genre-
Banners/flashes/badges-
Cover lines-
The cover lines are all quotes from the band who feature in the main image, suggesting there is an
interview which is going to be explicit “Don’t *@!$ with my sisters!”. However, there is various
artists that surround the main image on the outside of the frame. They don’t follow the Gutenberg
principle which could suggest that they aren’t as important as the main feature (HIAM). The cover
lines around the outside are small and black, making them bold but not stand out as much as the
main cover line.
There is a lot of badges used to instigate the
model credit of ‘GET THE PICTURE?’. The whole
magazine is based upon a picture acting as a
frame around the main image, and the text.
This emphasises the importance of the content,
especially the frame around the main image
which suggest that the main is the main focus
of the magazine. There are no banners or
flashes used on the magazine due to the fact
the magazine is quite formal and doesn’t need a
lot of information to grab the reader’s
attention. The fact that everything but the main
image is leaning towards the left emphasises
the selling point (HAIM).
Colours/typefaces/house style-
The house style of the magazine is red, white and black, which are very classic colours to
use on a magazine. This emphasises its formality. Compared to magazines such as
KERRANG! It is clean and although placed in random areas, it is organised. The masthead
is written in red which has connotations of energy and power. Even though it is a colour
that would attract the reader’s eye, it breaks the simplicity of the magazine. This suggests
that although It Is formal, the content inside is associated with music, being loud and
aggressive. However, the sans serif style suggests that it isn’t formal but isn’t as informal
as magazines such as KERRANG and Hammer, therefore adding diversity and elements in
the content for all ages. The dark colours of the main image work harmoniously with the
house style, giving it professionalism. The main colour, white, has connotations of
cleanliness and freshness, suggesting that the magazine is bringing you new content and
musicians.

3. Target Audience and genre-
Taking into account the sans serif style, colloquial language used in the masthead (‘mag’) and main image, it would suggest that
it is targeting a young audience between 15 and 30. Ignoring the banner at the top of the magazine, the main image, and
masthead and cover lines suggests that the genre is dance music. ‘IBIZA 2013’ has connotations of clubs and DJ’s also supporting
the genre and the main artist that is featuring in the magazine. The main image is very dreamy and emphasises the heat of
summer. But it could also emphasies night clubs as it is very confned and can get very warm.
Model credit-
This model credit is a play on words, being catchy and concise it catches passer -by’s attention, also
emphasises the time of year -“This summer”. It suggests that disclosure is bringing the reader new
content or music and therefore encourages the reader to buy it. This is the selling point, as well as
the main cover line “Disclosure”. The colour of “BRINGING THE HEAT” relates to the meaning which
instigates warmth to the reader. The magazine relates Disclosure to the summer which has
connotations of heat and sunshine which promotes them as being
Main Image-
The main image features Disclosure, music artists favouring the dance
genre, in the background which has had influence on the house style for
the magazine. The image is casual but involves direct address with the
audience, which draws the viewer attention towards the front cover. It
looks as if the image is hiding behind the cover lines and model credit
but it is the feature of the magazine so it over laps the mast head. There
is an awkwardness about the main image of the two boys (Disclosure).
One is holding his head and the other seems as though he is hiding
behind the boy in front. This emphasises there unknown identity as their
faces are outlined. This is the artist’s selling point, to express to the
audience that this is main feature and selling point to their music.
Masthead-
The Masthead on this magazine is big, bold and quite modern, using a
sans serif font. This woul d attract the audience’s field of view towards
the masthead; also highlighting the main image which overlaps it.
This would suggest that Mixmag is a well -known magazine and so the
font is instantly recognisable to the viewer, having no need to display
it clearly. The dot on the “I” resembles a radio signal which suggests
that the magazine is known everywhere, giving it a modernised feel
to it.
The Gutenberg Design Principle-
The Gutenberg principle is a layout that all magazines follow to highlight certain areas that they
want people to see. The areas include Primary optical area; which is the top left corner; weak fallow
area; bottom left corner; strong fallow area; top right hand corner; terminal area; bottom left
corner. Mixmag follows the Gutenberg principle as you instantly look at IBIZA 2013 (main cover line)
then you see the model credit (DISCLOSURE) then a cover line in the terminal are (PLUS). This
happens due to reading gravity, where you naturally reading from left to right.
Colours/Typefaces/House style-
The colours are warm and humid, which suggest it is a seasonal magazine (summer). The
house style is red, black and white which work together harmoniously with the
background (main image). The font is quite alternative and modern; therefore there is a
sans serif typeface used on this magazine. Disclosure’s album was released in summer
2013 and Mixmag tries to emphasise this through the use of colour. The hair blends in
with the back ground and there is juxtaposition between the blue and the red as it
contrasts with warm and cool colours
Cover lines-
‘Mixmag’ uses a lot of cover lines that are distributed around the main image.
Problems that arise with cover-lines are that they run over the image with a lot
of colour changes. The main image does have a lot of colour changes but
‘Mixmag’ is careful not to overlap the text. Where colours are similar the text is
backed with black making sure it doesn’t drown into the background. Due to
the fact that your eyes naturally follow from right to left the text size reduces in
order of importance- following the Gutenberg principle. The cover lines
surround the main image which emphasises the main feature in the magazine
whilst also including other features. ‘IBIZA 2013’ is the main cover line for this
magazine. We know this due to the fact that it is situated in primary optical
area- therefore being the first headline a passer-by sees. The text is slightly
larger than the other cover-lines, and comes in four layers and three colours -
black orange and white.
Banners/Flashes/badges-
Banners/flashes and badges are either across the page (banner), a splash
of colour (flash) or a circle or rectangle (badge). They are used to
highlight a certain text e.g. EXCLUSIVE. On this magazine there is a banner
across the top above the masthead which advertises small articles, or
titles within the magazine. The banner above the masthead over
exaggerates the magazine which affects the audience in the way that
causes them to think that they are missing n out on “the world’s biggest
dance music and clubbing magazine”. This banner features on every issue
‘mixmag’ publishes which could be a part of the masthead and branding
of the magazine. This means that they focus on one genre and one genre
only – clubbing and dance music.
Main Cover Line-
The main cover line features the main
artist in the magazine- ‘Disclosure’. It
is situated in front of the main image
almost overpowering it. The text
suggests the name of the artist behind
and gives a visual reference to the
main feature. The fact that it is bold
larger than any of the other text and
is white suggests that importance of
the artists, as it is the main selling
point to the magazine. The whole
magazine is featured around them
(colours and text).