The document provides an analysis of the cover design conventions of several rock music magazines. It notes that the covers generally have an informal, unorganized layout with images, text and graphics placed randomly around the page rather than in standard magazine positions. Mastheads are often stylized and broken or placed in atypical locations. Cover images usually depict artists associated with the rock genre through clothing, hair and tattoos. Color schemes typically match the masthead colors. The goal is to appeal to the magazines' target audience of rock music fans through a non-conventional design that reflects the rebellious nature of the genre.

1. Front page information mainly
about one artist/ band,
All parts randomly placed and angled
around the front page, unorganised and
very Informal.
Freebies/ Posters inside Encourage
reader to by for these extras.
Masthead very bold and messy (lines
through it, rough edges, looks
shattered). Links to music genre of rock
as supposed to be .
Picture not in the middle of the page,
to the left, only text/ images on the
left. Not to the conventions of a
magazine image.
Pug in the bottom right third out
of the way, not part of the cover
as only needed for purchase.
Photo overlaps the masthead,
still know what magazine it is,
as it is an established brand
(very popular in its genre).
Popular event for people of that
age and social group (teenagers
and people who like rock music)
Cover lines about similar artists
in the same genre to the main
article.
Rude language commonly used in the rock
genre, the mode of address is for
teenagers mainly

2. Masthead in the top left third, against
conventions as usually masthead
covers the whole top third of the
cover not just one corner.
Main Image on the
right of the page,
overlaps part of the
masthead.
Extra content to try to entice
the customer to buy, reviews of
things/ places/ music the
reader may be interested in.
Main cover line (links to the
image), important article to be
read (usually with a quote from
them).
Coloursmainly red and white
which are the colours of the
masthead. This colour pattern is
continued inside the magazine.
Pug in the bottom left third, out
of the way as only needed for
purchase.
Cover lines, the articles inside,
fans of those artists may be
interested.

3. Like ‘Q’ , it also has its
masthead in the top
left hand corner rather
than above the whole
top third
Extra content, could
be to make it seem like
it’s not only a music
magazine, also includes
actual articles and
additional information.
Cover lines that mention other
artists and their music on the
arena dates going on and new
albums. To do with the genre of
music.
Special edition, (‘Green Day Exclusive’)
to appeal to the fans of that artist,
shows the band must be a big deal if a
whole magazine issue is dedicated to
them.
Main image is of an artist
with messy hair, black
clothes, and tattoos
showing, typical of the genre
of music (Rock).
Main cover line on the
artist in the main image,
also includes a quote
from the artist.
Pug, bottom right third ,
out of the way

4. Main image is a band in black and
white, no expression on their face,
just looking at the camera. Typical of
the genre of music magazine (Rock),
might show their music is not
particularly upbeat but heavy and
hard hitting.
Masthead covers the top
third, typical of a magazine,
in a very bold font and in
bright colour to stand out
the name.
Only the masthead and one line have
colour (red), all of the rest of the
cover is in black and white, brings
attention to theses as they stand out
from the page. May be because the
band is called ‘Black Keys’.
Main cover line, what the
main image is about.
Cover lines about similar
artists of the genre.

5. Masthead in top right
corner and has an overlap
with the main image, (like
‘Q’ and ‘NME’) it breaks the
conventions of a normal
magazine masthead, but as
it is an established brand as
it is still know what it is.
Cover lines on similar artists,
what articles are inside about
them. Placed at the top of the
page rather than at the
middle, against conventions.
Main cover line on the
artist in the main image,
also includes a quote
from the artist, shows
the magazine has
contact with the artist.
Coloursmainly red, black and
white which are the colours of the
masthead, event the girls clothes
in the photo are black and white.
Extra artists similar to the
main one.