This document analyzes magazine front covers and discusses design elements like positioning of the masthead, date/price, images, and color schemes. It examines several magazine covers, noting that the masthead is usually top left to grab attention, images are featured prominently on the left side which is most visible on store shelves, and color schemes aim to make key elements like images or text stand out against the background. Specific magazines highlighted include ones for women, music, and a unique example where the masthead is a single red letter and the background uses album covers rather than plain color.

1. Front cover analysis

2. Stereotypically the masthead is
positioned at the top of the
magazine, this is because it is the first
place the reader would look and
would grab their attention as it is big
and bold. It is also written in white
and sophisticated font to attract a
certain type of target market like
upper class women.
The date and price of the
magazine is usually the smallest
font on the page as it needs to
be seen but doesn’t want the
reader being put off buying it, it
is also small font as other
competing magazines who
have a much cheaper selling
price would have it enlarged
maybe on a pug.. The price of
£2.90 also is quite reasonable
but a bit over price compared
to other fusion magazines which
is done for a particular reason
or attracting the target market.
The left third is one of the most carefully
positioned part of a magazine as it is the
part of the magazine that is mainly seen
when stacked in a shop. In this particular
magazine “Scarlett Johansson” is written
in the left third to draw attention.
The main image is a face on long
body shot of Scarlett Johansson
who is the main feature on this
magazine, she has been used as
she is a very well known celebrity
who will draw more publicity to the
magazine. As she is wearing a
white dress this shows purity also
that it is tightly fitted it highlights her
figure and therefore reflecting the
Laura Mulvey theory of the male
gaze, that this is a female
magazine yet women still look at
her in the same way a man would.
Colour schemes are very important within a magazine especially on the front
cover, here a dull grey and white colour scheme has been used to give more focus
on the main image, although red has been used in small areas to brighten it up.
The sub stories is in a smaller
font to the main feature so
that it doesn’t cause
distractions, it is also in a
thicker bolder font so that it
still stands out.
Here the main feature has been
positioned on the left third as this is
the most important section. The
typography for this is very important
as it is simple but eye catching it is
also the biggest writing on the page
apart from the masthead. Red has
been used as it is a good contrast
with the grey background and the
white clothing on the model.
“Supermodel Anja Rubik” is also part
of the main feature although it is
writing in smaller font as it is not as
important

3. The masthead on this magazine is
positioned at the top and more to
the left which is in line with the left
third as this is what is firstly looked at
this is also the section which is seen
most in the shops as it’s the only part
of the magazine which is not over
lapped.
The main image on this magazine clearly represents a boy
band as they are all have the same type of look as well as the
pose they have and them all giving direct address. The clothing
they’re all wearing also matches with each other but also the
type of magazine being for Indie rock.
The sub images on this
magazine have got a white
border around them to make
them stand out against the
background. The images that
are actually used with in them
are of what it seen as a rock
back which also relates to the
magazine theme. The small
parts of red which appears in
both of the images helps tie
together the mast head being
bright red to stand out against
the dark colours and yellow
colour scheme.
Here is a sub story which has been
purposely positioned inside of a
circle shape to make it look like a
pug/sticker. It also makes it sand
out on the page so that the
audience can recognize the
importance of it, the colours that
are used (white and yellow) fit in
with the colour scheme but also
the more important words being
“MICK JAGGER” are written in a
bigger bolder font.
The barcode is positioned in
the bottom right had corner
this is so it is out the way and
also so that it is not shown so
much when stacked up in
piles on the shelf.
The banner positioned at the top of the magazine uses a dark black
back ground with bigger bolder bright yellow typography to help
the writing stand out more so that the reader can read it more
clearly and focus more on it.
Using a small piece of writing
“get close to the bone”
that links to the main image“
of the main image holding a
set of bones, this insures
continuality within he
magazine cover.
The use of a quote on the
front cover helps link directly
to the main image which
also makes it more personal.

4. The mast head on this magazine is different to all other magazines as it is only
one letter “Q” and it is in a big red box, this can be a advantage for the
company as it is more eye catching and the big red section stands out not only
on the magazine but would stand out in the shop against others, which would
make you want to buy it. .
The main feature is positioned in the
middle of the magazine and also uses
a swirly gold typography, to make it
seem as if they are doing well and
they re successful. The colours used
also fit with the colour scheme of the
magazine as the boarder around the
edge of the background to link it
altogether.
This magazine has a
different type of main
image as it doesn’t have
one main person or a
large image that covers
the whole magazine, it is
half the size.
The bar code has been
positioned in the bottom
right hand corner as it takes
up less space, it is also
positioned here so that it
does not distract the
readers attention. The price
is at £3.99 which is
reasonable as it is suitable
for the target market it is
also a small font and
located on the barcode so
that it is out of the way and
rivalry company's may have
a cheaper price so
therefore take “Q’s”
customers.
The background for this magazine is also very unusual for this type of magazine as well as
others as it is not just a plain background which is mainly used instead it is made up of all
different music album covers to reflect the theme of music and also the mixed play list for
every occasion it also helps draw the audience in and gain there attention.
The only main cover lines that appear
on this magazines are positioned in the
middle the complyes with the rule of
third yet is not conventional as it is
positioned in the middle each name has
also been put in a different colour so
that it is easier for the readers to read.