This document analyzes various design elements of the front cover of the music magazine NME. The masthead uses a large bold red font to identify the magazine. The cover lines promote indie bands that appeal to the target audience of 16-30 year olds interested in current music. The main image is a close-up of artist Dizzee Rascal, relating to the genres of indie and rap. Additional elements like the price, special offers, and inside content follow conventions to target niche music enthusiasts. Design choices throughout tie into the magazine's branding and positioning as a publication for genres like indie and hip hop.

1. Analysis of music magazine one NME The mast head- Is in a formal large
bold, font in red going across the front
cover. This identity's the magazine and
brings attraction. The colours that are
used are dependable throughout the
front cover.
Cover lines- Stick with the context and
conventions of the magazine keeping with
the theme of the colour scheme which is red
,white. Also the cover lines ‘kasbian’ are all
indie bands the cover lines relate to the genre
of the magazine which is indie . They also
show who the target audience are unisex-aged
16-30 because only young people are
interested in these type of bands who are
current, this is because of the Type language
used, bold, bright colours used to attract
consumers also the topics of the magazine.
Main image- Is a medium
close up crouched of the
artist who is Dizzee Rascal .
The artist relates to the genre
his representing indie/rap.
This will be attracting readers
as big fans of the artist are
likely to read the magazine
this creates a USP of the
magazine and will be the
main reason people will buy
it. Also in the image the
background is of graffiti and
the gold chain and outfit
Dizzie is wearing are all know
images of rap and are
associated with it this shows
the genre. Which the target
auidence will quickly point
out and recognise
Footer- at the bottom of the
page looks simple and
sophisticated, simply naming
the artists which are yet to
featured in the magazine.
Barcode/price- legal
obligation on all
magazines the price
£2.20 shows the are 16-
25 as its affordable for
young adults to
purchase. This magazine
targets a niche market
of music enthusiasts
which like the genre
indie/hiphop
Skyline- Is used to
attract readers to the
magazine it provides
a specific one time
offer “16 page
autumn tour special’
which only this
magazine has .
Puff-A puff provides the purpose
of a freebie/ special offer this is
the pavement reunion. This will
be on the main things the target
audience will look and persuade
them to buy the magazine as
they feel like they're getting
something out of it.
Denotation Is Dizzie is seen wearing printed jeans,
jewellery ,printed trainers this connotation is the hip
hop image associated with most artists, you wouldn’t
see a rapper in a suit.
Main cover line- This stays with the main image
showing the name of the artist and a quote from
him which the language is very casual using the
slang term “man” is reaching out to the younger
target audience.
House style- The colour scheme used is red which
relates to the blood and violence in hip-hop, white
relates to being fresh as the magazine is new and
Dizzie is a fresh, new artist .

2. Mise-en scene is created from the
background the artist is seen writing on
the graffiti wall which connotation to the
genre of hip-hop as hip-hop is often
associated with graffiti
Main image- is of the artist
which relates to the theme of the
front cover the facial expression
his showing is up to mischief as
his turning back this relates to his
music Also the empty bottles and
cups at the bottom of the double
page spread and music box the
denotation is this music is for
people for want to party which
relates back to the genre
Main Headline
sticks to the
theme of the
magazine using
the same colour
scheme. Relates
to what is
happening in the
image the writing
is also slanted
which denotes
the streets and
rapping style.
Layout-is the same type of graffiti on the cover in the corner of
the magazine is the page number, date, title this is to remind
the reader where they are in the magazine and mast head in a
smaller font this is branding.
The target audience of
this magazine is 16-30
years old aimed at any
gender and ethnicity and
would be popular among
working class. This is
reflective as the price is
£2.95, It’s not too
expensive for working
class. It’s aimed at those
who are interested in the
genre of indie music they
also have images are
reflective of the sub
genre the article would fit
into.
Branding of nme uses the sans
serif font which is rounded, curved
it’s easier to read. When the
target audience see this font they
automatically think Nme. They
also stick with the same colour
font throughout all magazines
which is white,red,black this is also
branding , As it’s recognisable with
Nme every time.
USP- Is the artist which is dizzee rascal
, who is famous, best know for his
song bonkers meaning when fans see
this magazine they are persuaded to
buy it.
The target audience for this magazine
seems to be a niche market the
target age is
for 16-30 year olds using new and old
bands in the magazine and also they
have a online magazine for convenience
which is a niche.

3. The mast head – NME in the same font and colour
as the magazine cover, to anchor the pages
together. The title of the page is placed at the
top in bold white, chunky, lettering against a
black background. This is so the reader straight
away can scan through and fin exactly what they
want to read, it shows the magazine is concise
and organised.
Rules of thirds is used on the contents page
with three columns and creating a layout that
isn’t crammed and well spaced out this
creates a spaced layout making everything
clear and informative quickly it also sticks to
the codes and conventions of a magazine
sticking to how it’s usually done in other
magazines so readers know where to find
certain things .
Sub headings- these give information about the main
cover lines and will give more information about the
magazine, making the target audience read on .
Date- of the weekly issue is placed under
the word contents to emphasis the
release date.
Fonts- The contents page uses different types of
fonts to attract and draw the audience into the
different parts of the magazine.
NME’s iconic Band Index is something not conventionally used in most
magazine. It is a unique selling point the NME uses to allow its readers to
access user specific content quickly and easily. It avoids people having to
read through articles about musicians/artists that they have no interest in. It
lists bigger and more well-known bands down to more obscure and not very
well recognised artists. Also band index are listed down the left hand side of
the page in red sans serif font ,with the page number listed in black sans serif
font. Using this bold striking colours , the band index anchors in with the rest
of the magazine being the same colours
The story from one of the main cover lines
on the front cover is placed in a box that looks like a case artists take on tour
with them. This is associated with the story and connotes the musical theme
running through the magazine. The picture of a young girl standing next to
the bus with her arms spread looking happy runs parallel with the theme of
the story which is the ins and outs of touring. The sketch like font makes it
look grungy and cool and goes with the general theme of the magazine. Also
the word in the title touring sticks with the genre of magazine which is music
because most artists tour
Subscription/freebie- It attracts the readers
attention because the font is also bigger the most
of the font on the page furthermore the colour is
yellow and bold compared to the dull black and
white that is used , its clear by positioning it on
the bottom right of the page the NME reader will
notice and invest.
Banner is in the usual place following the
codes and conventions of a magazine
which is black this also follows house
style