The document analyzes and compares the mastheads of several music magazines. It discusses how each masthead effectively represents the magazine's brand and target audience through elements like font, colors, design features, and connections to the type of music covered. The Rolling Stones masthead uses a cursive font and red color to seem classic yet attention-grabbing. Kerrang! uses an exclamation point and all-caps to convey loud music. Q Magazine stands out with its simplicity, while Billboard uses various colors and an informal font to seem fresh and appeal to younger readers.

1. Analysis of magazine
mastheads…

2. THE ROLLING STONES MASTHEAD IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE MUSIC
MAGAZINE NAMES WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. THE TITLE ORIGINATES FROM T HE
SAYING ‘A ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS’. THIS ESSENTIALLY MEANS IF
YOU DON’T STOP MOVING, NOTHING WILL EVER HOLD YOU DOWN AND THAT
IF YOU CONSTANTLY KEEP YOURSELF GOING AND EXPLORE YOUR
SURROUNDINGS, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FRESH AND EXPERIENCED. THIS
RELATES TO THE MAGAZINE’S STYLE BECAUSE IT TRIES TO GET ACROSS T HIS
IDEA THAT IT IS CURRENT, FRESH AND UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST TR ENDS
WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
FURTHERMORE, THE FONT OF THE MASTHEAD IS CURSIVE TO SHOW ITS MOR E
ORGANIC AND CLASSIC. IT REFLECTS THE WORDS ITSELF AS THE STYLE F LOWS
AND IS MOVEMENT BASED JUST LIKE A ROLLING STONE. THE RED COLOUR
SCHEME IMMEDIATELY DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE TITLE AS SOON AS YOU S EE
IT AND ADDS TO THIS RECOGNISABLE BRAND NAME THAT THE COMPANY HAS
BUILT. THE MASTHEAD ALSO DISPLAYS A 3D EFFECT WHICH INSINUATES T HIS
IDEA OF WANTING IT TO BE OBVIOUS, STAND OUT AND THE FIRST THING TO
BE SEEN ON THE FRONT COVER. OVERALL, IT DOES REFLECT A VINTAGE S TYLE
AND THE FACT THAT IT IS SO WELL-KNOWN BECAUSE OF ITS SAME DESIGN ON
EVERY ISSUE INDICATES A SENSE OF CONSISTENCY.

3. The Kerrang logo holds a lot of connotations that link to their hard-core, rock image
and the style they successfully represent. Kerrang is used as an onomatoepia
replicating the sound an electric guitar makes. The title connotes loud music
emphasised through the use of exclamation mark as well as the fact its all in block
capitals which is relevant to the genre of the music. The colour of the masthead varies
on different issues however it always juxtaposes the background colour to allow the
title to stand out more and be a centric focus on the cover. The typography is very
messy and edgy which again effectively links to Kerrang’s rough, rock image and tries
to stray away from this expensive or classy look to differentiate their company from
others and to achieve a recognisable label.

4. Q magazine masthead is probably the most unique logo because of its simplicity however it holds a
lot of meaning behind the one letter. The magazine was previously called ‘cue’ but then got
changed to ‘Q’ due to confusion with the snooker sport. The single letter is also seen to be more
prominent and recognisable on newsstands and would draw more attention. The simplicity and
bold font used for the single letter is effective at representing the company as mature suggesting
the product is aimed at an older audience. The masthead is placed in a red box and its usually the
only eccentric colour visible on all of their front covers which is done to make the recognisable title
stand out more. The basic primary colours indicates that the magazine doesn’t wish to be too loud
or bold compared to other magazines such as ‘Kerrang!’. It represent more a classical look relevant
to their genre of music they discuss within the magazine

5. The well known, urban magazine displays this masthead on all of its issues allowing it to be easily
identified and recognisable by its target audience. The informal typography shows that the magazine
targets a younger audience who would be attracted to the urban style that Billboard represent. Four of
the characters are filled in with various colours to emphasise that this particular brand covers a range
of different artists and forms of entertainment such as film, television and music and combines it all
into one issue. The colours also give a funky look to the front cover insinuating the contents is fresh,
current and exciting which is the type of thing their teenage target audience wants to read. The word
Billboard is known to be how music was advertised on big signs before the internet. This shows that the
magazine wants to be authentic, bold and draw the attention of a large population. This is different to
Q magazine, for example, which represents simplicity and this mature look.

6. Unlike Billboard, Vibe’s masthead changes with each issue which does make each
issue unique depending on the contents, however not having the same recognisable
style does mean it lacks consistency and identity. In contrast to this, the font never
changes and is very authentic and bold in capital letters to stand out and attract its
younger readers. It further links to the RnB genre of music that the magazine is based
on with the edgy, urban font. In most issues, the masthead is covered by the artist to
show the important and value of the person on their front cover or it could suggest
that the brand is so recognisable that even if the masthead is covered then it would
still be known.

7. NME are the initials for New Musical Express. The bold yet simple and plain font used indicates that
the magazine targets quite a mainstream and broad audience. It further connotes that the magazine
wants to stand out on newspaper stands and tries to attract its readers through e use of a vibrant red
colour that differs from everything else on the cover. The red backgrounding with the white typeface is
consistently used on all issues of the magazine reflecting a sense of familiarity for the audience and
allows the brand to successfully build a well known identity for itself. The use of an ‘impact’ font also
highlights the strength in the brand and makes an effective statement. The fact that the masthead is
juts an abbreviation of ‘new musical express’ suggests that the company is very recognisable and
readers would know about the magazine just through the initials.