The document analyzes the design elements of several music magazine covers. It discusses how each element, such as the headline, masthead, photos, etc. is designed to stand out and draw the reader's attention. Elements like color, font, size and positioning are used strategically to make certain information eye-catching and create a cohesive brand identity across issues. The analysis also notes how the design elements tie into the typical aesthetics of music magazines and help signal the genre to potential buyers.

1. Music magazine analysis

2. Headline/ Splash:
The position of the headline is centred and
just below the faces of the people on the
cover. This draws attention to both the cover
photo and the headline. Furthermore, the lip
colour of the female is the same as the colour
of the title of their band name in the headline
further linking them and creating some
fluency. The choice of all the people in the
cover wearing black contrasts with the
females hair and lips making her stand out and
become more eye-catching.
Masthead:
The title of the magazine is
consistent throughout all their
magazines and the colours used
are black white and red which are
typical colours for music
magazines. This means the reader
is likely to associate this title with
music therefore making the
magazine clearly associated with
music therefore giving the
magazine a clear identity. The
bold large font makes the
masthead stand out and since the
majority of the cover is
monochrome the colour of the
masthead stands out.
Coverlines:
The coverlines are in a bright
red like the colour of the
masthead and therefore draws
attention to the coverlines and
therefore makes them more eye
catching. The Seriff font is also
contrasting to the rest of the
writing on the cover also making
the coverlines stand out
especially since it is in such a
small font.
Kicker:
The positioning of the kicker at
the top above the masthead
makes it very easily seen and
the bold and large font
highlighting the artist’s name
means that the reader will
recognise the name and
immediately feel more likely to
buy the magazine. The bold San
Seriff font is the same as the
splash making them both seen
as very important.
Button
The button is also In the same colour theme
as the rest of the magazine however the
stark white background and the positioning
in the top right hand corner means that it is
very eye-catching to the reader and the
bold font makes the words stand out
Pug:
The use of a pug helps to highlight something that might be very
easily understandable and not need too much explanation as there
is very little room. For example the four words in this pug easily
distinguish what the specific article is about. Despite the small
amount of room the positioning means it is easily visible.
Photo:
The lead singer of the band is in front of all the other band members and despite all the members wearing
black the lead singer stands out through her hair and lipstick. A medium shot is used in order for the band
members to all be seen. The colour black is very typical of the genre of music and also shows the band in
synergy with each other.

3. Banner:
The bold San Seriff font indicating three major bands/ artists in black
above the masthead draws attention to these artists and therefore
anyone who is familiar with the names will immediately be more
likely to buy the magazine as they have some connection with the
magazine and the contents of it.
Coverline:
The cover lines are in a white Sans Seriff font
that is very clear and bold therefore making
them stand out, especially contrasting to the
black outfits of the band members. The short
and punchy coverlines make them stand out
further and also makes them more
memorable.
Masthead:
The Masthead for the Rolling Stone magazine
is also in the colours black white and red ; this
also fits in well with my colour theme for my
magazine as I am having a monochromatic
theme with hints of colour. The clear theme in
these magazines are the monochromatic
colours and therefore show my results were
very valid. It also gives the genre of magazine
a sense of identity as the colours will
immediately stand out to the customer as
being a music (specifically a rock/ alternative)
magazine. The fact the front cover photo
overlaps over the masthead also shows that
the magazine is so recognisable that the
whole masthead does not need to be seen.
Headline/ Splash:
The headline is in a very bold
impactful font which starkly
contrasts the black outfits therefore
making the article stand out. The
alliteration used in “supercharged
stomp machine” makes the article
further stand out and also makes it
more memorable. The positioning is
also very clever as the natural eye
flow would start naturally on the
title then the next section to be
seen is the coverphoto which is of
the artists in the splash then the
words “Black Keys Rising” would be
seen, therefore meaning this is the
first headline the reader will see and
fans of this band will be enticed to
read and buy the magazine.
Photo:
The black and white image is fitting with the
rest of the black and white magazine and
therefore allows the masthead to stand out
despite it being behind the artists’ head. The
use of a medium shot allows the reader to see
their clothing which consists of a leather
jacket. Leather is suggestive of a rock and roll
vibe.

4. Masthead:
The Masthead is positioned at the
beginning of the eye view (top left
corner) meaning that it
immediately draws attention to
the name. NME is a very famous
music magazine and therefore the
simplicity of their masthead
makes it bold and standout.
Again, the continuous red title
theme is still running through to
this front cover as well. The bold
pop of colour further makes the
masthead stand out due to the
monochrome front page.
Splash/ Kicker:
The use of the red background and
white writing shows consistency within
the black white and red theme as well
as tying it well to the masthead as this
is in the same sort of style. The
contrast to the red writing on a white
background makes these words stand
out further. The addition of the image
in the top right corner means that the
reader is likely to see the image
almost immediately, recognise the
face then be more intrigued in buying
the magazine. By using an image is
means the reader doesn’t have to read
as much information making the
magazine cover simpler and reach out
to more people.
Headline:
The contrast of the white outline
with the simple san Seriff font
makes the headline standout
especially as the cover image is
very dark therefore the stark white
colour catches the audiences
attention more. The variation of
font sizes also adds interest as
well as highlighting further the
more important or more
recognisable names therefore
meaning the reader will be able to
establish the artists and be more
likely to buy the magazine.
Coverline:
The coverlines are very small in
the bottom right hand corner
meaning these are the last
articles on the page to be seen
however since this is the last
place, the coverlines are likely to
stick in the readers mind. The
plain simple white font with the
unusual blue underline make
them less noticeable than the
kicker or the headline however
they still stand out due to the
additional blue underline which is
not typical of the magazine.
NOTE: I purchases this magazine in order to have a physical copy to analyse from as well as to be able to analyse the contents of the
Photo:
The long shot allows the reader to see their clothing which is all very rugged and dark which both
have the connotations of urban grunge. The messy style also suggests that the band are relaxed
and also therefore suggests the magazine is quite relaxed and therefore appeals to a younger
audience compared to a really polished image which would be more structured.