This document analyzes the cover design of various music magazines. It discusses elements like the use of prominent images of iconic artists to attract readers, colorful mastheads and headers that stand out, teaser text and graphics to promote articles and competitions, and consistent color schemes and layouts that make information easily scannable. Overall it examines how magazine covers use visual design features to attract audiences and promote the content within.

1. MUSIC MAGAZINE ANALYSIS
By Daniel Betchley

2. Central image is an
iconic band lead. Matt
Bellamy has direct eye
contact with the reader.
It shows the genre of the
magazine straight away.
It is alternative music.
The close up shot may
suggest that reading the
magazine will make you
feel close to Bellamy. It
Sticks well to the
tradition conventions of a
music magazine.
Skyline used to tempt the
audience, as many
readers will attend these
genre specific festivals.
Grabs the audience’s
attention.
The masthead is at the
top to instantly establish
its name. It is white as
always, as it is the logo.
There are images
covering it showing that
all the information is more
important than the
company, puts the artists
first.
Integration of text and image
used so that the audience look
at the image and then what is
laid on top of it next. The range
of colours is used to show a
distinction between each Artist
name, making it easier to
understand.
Graphic features with
anchorage showing what
kind of bands will be
revealed in the
magazine contents.
Conventional and
informative on who is yet
to appear. All on stage,
doing what they do best.
Bold red to indicate
importance. This anchorage
is for the central image, Big
image. Big text.
Has a red and white colour
scheme.
Flashes used to ‘sell’ magazine and
inform on upcoming events. Yellow
makes is stand out better, as it is bright.
Shows importance.
The cover lines is being used to
refer to who else will appear in
the magazine, giving the sense
of genre.
Callouts made by JG,
which will attract his
fans, as it seems like he
is addressing them.
The word ‘last’ is
coloured differently to
show the significance
of the word – stands
out to the readers.

3. Main Image of Chino
Moreno of him looking
very closely at the
audience because of the
zoom effect. His hands
are clasped violently to
possibly connote that he
demands you listen to
Deftones.
The masthead is almost
completely covered, to
suggest that Chino is more
important that the
magazine, showing that
they put their stories first.
The
The flash saying
‘WIN!’ is used here
to tempt the reader.
Most readers will be
aware of what
download is, and to
‘WIN!’ VIP tickets
will increase the
chance of the
audience buying it.
This font type is messy
and creates the
impression of punk rock.
Reminds the audience of
the trashy garages bands
used to practice in, and
how messy the teenagers
room is. Shows a
relationship between the
producers and
consumers.
The artist name is bold and
white. It is the only white
text on the page, therefore it
will stand out. It is also very
clear to read.
Tattoos represent the traditional
idea of rock. Band members
would always get tattoos to show
they are ‘cool’ people. Therefore
Chino is used to show this is a
‘cool’ magazine.
These graphic features
are used as teasers. It’s
saying ‘Buy me and get
free posters’. This will
tempt the audience to
buy the magazine for
these posters.
This buzz word is used to grab
the audience’s attention as it
makes you feel like no other
magazine has this story,
tempting the consumer.

4. The ice-cream is used to
represent the ‘Life is sweet’
as it is a sweet treat. Having
Pete Wentz on the front
cover will connect the
sweetness, as he is
considered ‘Hot!’ by fans.
He will be used to attract all
FALL OUT BOY fans to the
magazine. Pete being the
attractive man he is will
appeal to the younger
female audience.
Giving away free
products are ways of
teasing the audience.
It is hard to resist free
items, but the clever
thing about it, is that it
isn’t free, because
they have to pay for
the magazine. Very
cleverly done. It is also
an attractive girl, so
will attract the younger
male audience.
An amplifier is essential
for all bands to have
their music be heard,
using on the front of
this magazine will make
that connection with the
rock music genre.
This buzz word is used to pull the reader in.
‘Exclusive’ is a word to suggest that they are the
first to get these tracks. Significant words
highlighted different colour.
The tattoo creates a sense of genre.
Tattoos represent a traditional cool
rocker, therefore the audience will
want to read about ‘cool’ artists
Font choice – It big, bold and
white. Easy to see and clear to
read. Stands out.

5. This facial expression
could connote the
excitement of Green Day’s
Billy Joe Armstrong for the
magazine, and what
fantastic things could
appear within the contents
of the magazine. He is
also one of the most iconic
artists of his generation,
therefore the fans of both
Green Day and ‘SPIN’
magazine will be tempted
to get this magazine.
The masthead of the magazine is in bold skinny writing, clear to
see and easy to read. The red box around it is the only bold colour
on the page therefore instantly grabbing the audience’s attention.
The distinction between the colours make it more effective.
Having a graphic feature
covering the main image is
not considered a
conventional element of a
music magazine. This
makes it unique. It also
makes ‘The Replacements’
look better, because they
are covering Billy,
suggesting that they are a
competition to ‘Green Day’.
The yellow boxes are used to
keep a clear distinction
between each coverline. The
colour yellow is also a very
bright colour, and the boxes
appear numerous times on
the front cover. It will catch
the audience’s eyes because
it is luminous.
This buzz word is
used to make the
magazine seem
genuinely ‘SPECIAL’,
as it is emboldened
with a thick black box
to make it stand out.
Seeing that word
would tempt the
reader, as they feel it
is a one off special.
The colour pallet is very dull. A grey background and Billy
in Black. This dull choice of colours make the red
masthead stand out, therefore making ‘SPIN’ the significant
word. Making the audience familiar to the magazine as
oppose to the main image.

6. The red masthead
stands out to the rest
of the cover, as all
(excluding the cross)
is in black and white.
This choice of colour
also gives it a vintage
look to it.
This buzz word,
frequently used my NME
is a way of tempting the
audience, as they like
the idea of it being
‘Special’. They feel like
they themselves will be
special for having read
the magazine.
Making direct eye contact with
the camera gives the
audience the impression that
he is looking at them. They
feel a connection with the
artist, feeling like they know
the person on the front cover.
The idea of Smoking has always
been a controversial argument.
On this cover, it can be
considered two things. It could
be that it is set in a vintage time,
as ‘UNKOWN PLEASURES’
have been around since the late
70’s. It goes back to the early
days when smoking was
considered very common and
cool. It could also be interpreted
as the lead being rebellious ad
smoking, which as all singers
know, damages the voice,
therefore ruining his own.
This cross being the only other red image on stage is
considered to be another pulling point, to draw the audiences
eyes to the kind of articles that will be seen in this magazine.
The word ‘JOY’ can
be reflected on the
magazines aim, to
bring joy and
entertainment to the
audience. It tells the
audience that they
will get joy from
reading this
magazine in a subtle
way.

7. Red seems to be a
theme colour for the
magazine. As red stands
out, it will always draw
the eye of the reader.
Red also symbolises
‘STOP!’ which suggests
‘STOP! Read this!’.
The red is
repeated to
underline
each of the
important
articles. It
also looks
nice with
the white.
The big page
reference shows
the significance in
the article,
showing that it is
the big article in
the magazine this
week.
Having the main
image in the
contents page will
limit the text used,
therefore it isn’t too
‘wordy’, which for a
magazine like this,
will bore them.
This contents page lacks complexity, as it is very blocked together,
but sometimes that is good because it isn’t too much to take in at
once. Sometimes, little writing and little colour works effectively.

8. This is a powerful puff, because it
instantly catches your eye. I was
instantly drawn to this competition.
The yellow is used again
to capture the
audience’s eyes. It
points out a major event
review, which is
significant. Being the
main article, it needs to
stand out, therefore the
text is bigger so that the
article is clearly
established. The
integration of text and
illustration shows a clear
association between
them.
All of the contents are neat
and simple. The theme of
yellow and black is used
as minor subheadings,
making it clear for the
audience to scan to the
page they want to.
Collage of graphic
features means there
isn't too much to read,
good for target
audience, as they
prefer images to text
The advert is
tucked away at
the bottom, so it
doesn’t pull
focus. But the
red is different to
the rest of the
page, therefore
will be noticed.
The title colours of yellow
and black oppose each
other making it clear and
effective. It is big and bold
to establish the purpose of
this page. The yellow also
links back to the theme
colour of the magazine,
showing that all of the
‘CONTENTS’ came from
the magazine.
An editors note is usually
conventional and gives
the audience a brief
description on this
weeks issue, showing
that people like them
have involvement with
the magazine, making
an automatic
association.

9. Main image is of
featuring artists. The
‘Courteeners’ are a
popular band, therefore
them being on the
contents will draw in
their fans, leading to
more readers and
hopefully an increase in
revenue.
‘Q’ magazine use
their logo on the top
of most pages to
familiarise the
audience back to the
company, so that the
audience can link the
company to the
contents of the
magazine
Distinctive for the
audience, so that
they can easily see
where the featuring
artists appear in the
magazine, saving
complications for
them. It is also
highlighted in the
magazine’s theme
colour (red), showing
that the ‘features’
came from the
magazine, making it
more noticeable and
eye-catching for the
audience, as there is
very little colour on
the picture.
The structure of the
page is very solid and
square. This shows that
it could be a very formal
and well put together
magazine. It is neat and
simplistic, which is seen
as effective and tidy, in
comparison to a
magazine like Kerrang!
that would be messy
and very colourful.
The font choice is very simple and clear,
bold capitals make it easier to read for the
audience. It is also neat and up right to
show that is an alt rock magazine for
gentlemen

10. The grenade is a reference to their album
cover of american idiot, familiar to Green
Day fans, therefore relate to the fans and
audience of NME, creating a connection
between the magazine and audience.
The central
image is of
world-renowned
international
band ‘Green
Day’. They
dress to appeal
to their fan base
(a sub-category
of alternative
rock; dyed hair,
blacks, make-
up)
Background used to
make the text as
equally aesthetically
appealing as the
opposite page. The
brown contrasts from
the white on the
opposite page.
I dislike the
simplicity of this
page, at the only
thing on this page
making it
authentic is the
band on the main
image.
This feature is quite unique.
Usually Dropping the Cap is
a convention, but here, the
first two words are made
Bold to make it stand out.
Used to accentuate the foreground, as white
is so plain, making the features band stand
out more.
This graphic feature is
of an album cover,
related to the band. It
gives the audience an
idea of what to look
out for (advertising)
The layout is neat and
simple, therefore good
for a mature audience.

11. The red is a recurring theme colour,
because it is unisexual for both boys
and girls
The black and
white of the
picture is
commonly used
by teenagers
and audience to
make the image
look more
effective. This
will be
instantaneously
recognised by
the audience
and appreciated
for its effect.
The setting of
the image is of
a stage. This is
where bands
will spend a lot
of their careers
on the stage.
This is to
establish the
genre of music,
because there
are drums in
the
background,
etc.
The font is very
effective. ‘THE BEST
MCR’ is white to
make it start out. It is
also cracked and
distorted to connote
that the music is so
mad and awesome,
that is cracked the
font. This is
supported by the
Graphic feature of
Gerard Way
screaming (singing)
and covering his
ears, making it look
like he is rocking out
so awesomely, that
he can’t bare to hear
it, appealing to the
audience and
emphasising the
band’s image.
This conventional graphic feature shows the band sitting
and chilling. This shows the audience that they are casual
people like them, creating a relation between the band and
the audience.
This conventional buzzword
is in the theme colour as well
as in a retro film-looking
design. It relates to this idea
of films and fame, showing
that the contents features is
of famous people.
The red drop cap
makes the body
copy more
appealing for the
audience’s eyes,
therefore they
are more likely to
read it

12. The choice of
clothing is very
classic. It
highlights the
genre of the
music, the sort
of classic, yet
modern rock. It
could also
create a fashion
for the
audience, so it
serves as a
fashion
magazine as
well as a music
one. The use of
guitars clearly
establish the
genre. The
white backdrop
make the bands
(‘The Vaccines’)
look better and
clearer. It also
looks quite retro
and classic.
This drop cap is blue
and draws the
audience’s attention to
the body copy of the
article. The second
drop cap is used to
create a clear
distinction between
each subject in the
article. The second
one moves on to talk
about a different topic,
made obvious to the
audience.
The artist name is big,
bold and in CAPITALS
therefore making it stand
out and reinforce that this
band is the big picture in
this article.
The blue lines break the whole idea of retro and classic rock being
broken by this band. It really emphasises the band on a whole and
shows that they are a good band.
This pull quote is
a convention of
music magazine’s.
It is a blue, like
the blue of the
lines, showing that
it came from the
artists.
The eye contact between the band and the
camera make the audience feel like they are
looking directly into their eyes. This could lead the
audience to feel almost star struck that they are
looking at them.