This magazine cover follows conventions in its use of colour, layout, fonts and images. The colours red, gold and white represent the main subject, Iron Man, and allow the title and other text to stand out from the dark background. The layout forms a 'Z' shape with text flowing at the top and sides around a central image. Sans serif fonts are used throughout for readability and visual consistency. Larger text sizes draw more attention to highlight important information like the magazine title and cover story details.

1. Magazine cover analysis

2. SkylineMasthead
Anchor/model credit
Cover line
price &
dateline
The colour of the magazine
follows the
main conventions of the rule
of 3, whereby the 3 main
colours that have been used
in the magazine are: red,
gold, and white. These
colours are a representations
of the main focus of the
magazine, which is a picture
of iron man. Here, his
costume has the colours red
and gold. Where the title of
the magazine “Empire” is in
white. This allows the title
and other extra text stand our
from the dark background
such as, the title, the
characters name, and other
information about the film, or
what the magazine contains.
These colours can connote
for different things. The
colour red and gold can
signify the idea of power,
wealth, strength, and all
these play with the main
component of the film itself,
where the character, being a
superhero, has all these
aspects.
This magazine covers conventional
layout is shown as the letter ‘Z’ flipped
over, where the text flow on the top
and the two sides of the cover. This
conventional layout allows the main
image on the cover of the magazine to
be the main focus and allow the
audience understand what the main
features in the magazine are.
The fonts that have been used are all in a Sans serif font, whereby the title is in a bold Sans
serif font called ‘Bebas Neue’. The title is brought about in this font because it allows the
readers to be able to read it clearly and allows the main title to standout from the rest. It’s the
first thing that catches the audiences attention. The other fonts that have been used are mainly
all different styles of Sans serif. This was done because it allowed the audience to be able to
comfortably read the magazine, as it flows well with the theme. The anchor/ model credit font is
the same as the masthead however, it’s a lot slimmer.
The size of the text on the
magazine play an important role
in obtaining the readers attention.
As well as the font, the lager the
text size, the more eye-catching it
would be. The masthead and the
other model credit, as well as the
skyline, are the largest text on the
page, this is to allow the readers
know clearly what the magazine
holds, its theme etc…
The camera angle
and shot that was
used was used
effectively because of
the eye level, medium
shot used, it makes
the main picture look
as it is staring at the
reader, drawing them
more closer to read
the magazine.

3. Skylinemasthead
Date/ price
Button/
flash
Cover line
barcode
Anchor/
model
credit
Main
cover line
The main colours that have
been used are: gold, white blue
and black. These colour have
many connotations and
denotations. The use of the
black and dark blue
background, helps to place an
emphasis and allow the text
around the image stand out.
The connotations of this could
be that it can symbolise the
idea of binary opposites; light
and dark. This allows the
protagonist in the cover
standout the most. ‘Gollum’
tends to blend in with the
background, which gives off a
dark and mysterious
atmosphere. Having the
protagonist dressed in red,
makes him stand out as well,
enabling him to be the main
focus of the magazine.
The house style of ‘Empire’ is
similar to the last magazine
cover that I have analysed.
Reason being for this is
because the title font and size
and positioning is the same,
the only change is the change
in colour.
The conventional Layout that
has been used is the ‘Z’ shape.
Where the text flows from at the
top and bottom and the sides.
The middle is left bare, to allow
the readers focus on the image
placed in the centre. The text
that runs at the bottom is a
technique used to naturally
develop curiosity in the
audience and make them turn
the page as the since ends with
an ellipses
The fonts that have been used are Sans
serif, whereby the title is in a bold Sans
serif font called ‘Bebas Neue’. The title is
brought about in this font because it allows
the readers to be able to read it clearly and
allows the main title to standout from the
rest and it’s the first thing that catches the
audiences attention. The other fonts that
have been used is serif, this is shown
through the model credit ‘ The HOBBIT AN
UNEXPECTED JOURNEY’. The
significance of using a different font would
be because it allows it stand out and
separate itself from the other fonts. This
indicates to the audience that that they are
looking at something different. This also
allows it to follow a certain theme. Originally
the title is written like this, so to keep the
originality of the title of the main movie they
are promoting.
The target audience
would inevitably be those
who are perhaps a fan of
‘The Hobbit’, hence, a
cover as such will allow
the company to make
profit. When the target
audience buy the
magazine in hope to get
information and gossip
about the movie.

4. Skyline/
banner
masthead
Cover
line
Anchor/
model
credit
Bar code/
date/ price
The colours that have been used
in this magazine cover are; blue,
black, and white. The
connotations of using the colours
blue and white, highlight the idea
of something cold and at the
bottom of the magazine, there is a
frost like grain. Blue and white are
a way of foreshadowing the setting
of the film, presumably being set
in winter. The black is used for the
smaller text, so that the readers
can easily read them over the light
background. This magazine
therefore follows the rule of three,
since it uses three major colours.
Layout Empire magazine
uses a conventional layout of
a magazine to maximise the
front cover's effectiveness.
This cover follows the ‘T’
shape rule, whereby the
image in centred and the text
runs at the top and down the
middle. The masthead is
placed at the top of the page,
just under the skyline and
this is because the typical
western eye tend to straight
away look to the top-left of a
page. Due to this Empire
magazine makes sure that
the first thing that the reader
sees is the masthead, and
using it to their advantage,
immediately letting them
know what magazine they
are about to read. The
tagline is placed just above
the masthead, ensuring that
it is one of the first things the
reader sees. This allows the
reader to be enticed by the
magazine very quickly,
making them want to buy and
read the magazine
The masthead is the largest piece of
text on the front cover; this is done
because the largest font means it will
draw more of the attention from the
reader. Every other piece of text on the
front cover apart from the masthead
uses a different font, but are very
similar due to the bold, sans serif
nature of the text, creating a similar feel
across the page. Size is an important
factor in choosing font and text, since
larger fonts grab the reader's attention
more than smaller fonts. This allows
the magazine to highlight specific
pieces of information they want the
readers to see quickly and clearly. The
model credit is presented in the form of
a large, serif font that looks formal,
professional and fits the overall theme
of the featured film.
The target audience for this magazine mainly leans towards fans who really like Sherlock Holmes. The cover
image standing out mainly from the rest, as the readers naturally see this as the first thing that they see, they
are most likely to pick up this magazine. Another marketing technique that has been used is the text “world
exclusive” this, means that information such as the posy production and other information about this new
upcoming movie, will only be available here. Therefore, this will urge fans to buy this magazine because of its
context.
The camera angle that has been used, is a medium shot presented at eye level,
this main image was presented at the centre of the magazine as it works well in
drawing the audience in well, through this camera shot, we are able to feel as
though the main character is looking straight at us, drawing them to by the
magazine, for particular fans.

5. Masthead
skyline
button
Cover
line
Freebies
and cover
line
Bar code/
price/ date
Anchor/
model
credit
The main colours that have
been displayed are orange, black
and white. These colours blend
together as set the theme of the
film as a whole, the idea of a
blurred background, which could
signify a fast moving still image,
and the main character (Angelina
Jolie) dressed in black, directs all
focus on her yellow/ orange
background can presumable
capture a sunset or the dramatic
colours of flame. The use of a
The font that has been used
changed form ‘serif’ to ‘
Sans serif’ however, the
change in size and colour
and any other effect used,
makes the over text look
different depending on what
it wants to show. The
masthead is, like the other
magazine covers, the largest
of them all, according to
size. This was done to draw
attention to the title so that
the audiences are aware of
the magazine they are
looking at. The skyline and
other smaller text are written
in Sans serif, with thing
letters and some in bold,
allowing them to be
readable, or draw attention
to specific areas that they
would want the readers to
see.
The camera shots
that have been
used, capture the
main importance
and focus on the
magazine. Having
the main character
in focus, where the
background in
blurred and the
masthead is
mashed as well.
Portrays her as a
powerful and
invincible person.
Thus any fan of
action Movies or
Angelina are most
likely to buy this
magazine.
The layout of this
magazine follows the ‘Z’
rule which has been
flipped over. This layout
allows the masthead run
along the top, with some
text that run along the
bottom and the sides of
the magazine. This
method allowed excess
amount of space for more
information (Freebies) to
be included, so the reader
know what the top and
most exclusive news are.
The house style, in comparison to the magazine viewed before, shows the difference in
each layout, font, and colour. This could therefore, bring excitement to daily individuals
who tend to read ‘ Total Film’ a lot. As depending on each cover the whole layout and
theme changes to bring out the basics of the movie they are promoting
Main
cover
line

6. Masthead
skyline
button
Cover
line
Freebies
and cover
line
Bar code/
price/ date
Anchor/
model
credit
The main colours that have
been displayed are orange, black
and white. These colours blend
together as set the theme of the
film as a whole, the idea of a
blurred background, which could
signify a fast moving still image,
and the main character (Angelina
Jolie) dressed in black, directs all
focus on her yellow/ orange
background can presumable
capture a sunset or the dramatic
colours of flame. The use of a
The font that has been used
changed form ‘serif’ to ‘
Sans serif’ however, the
change in size and colour
and any other effect used,
makes the over text look
different depending on what
it wants to show. The
masthead is, like the other
magazine covers, the largest
of them all, according to
size. This was done to draw
attention to the title so that
the audiences are aware of
the magazine they are
looking at. The skyline and
other smaller text are written
in Sans serif, with thing
letters and some in bold,
allowing them to be
readable, or draw attention
to specific areas that they
would want the readers to
see.
The camera shots
that have been
used, capture the
main importance
and focus on the
magazine. Having
the main character
in focus, where the
background in
blurred and the
masthead is
mashed as well.
Portrays her as a
powerful and
invincible person.
Thus any fan of
action Movies or
Angelina are most
likely to buy this
magazine.
The layout of this
magazine follows the ‘Z’
rule which has been
flipped over. This layout
allows the masthead run
along the top, with some
text that run along the
bottom and the sides of
the magazine. This
method allowed excess
amount of space for more
information (Freebies) to
be included, so the reader
know what the top and
most exclusive news are.
The house style, in comparison to the magazine viewed before, shows the difference in
each layout, font, and colour. This could therefore, bring excitement to daily individuals
who tend to read ‘ Total Film’ a lot. As depending on each cover the whole layout and
theme changes to bring out the basics of the movie they are promoting
Main
cover
line