1. Selling-line
strap-line
Master-head
Barcode
Kicker and explanatory text
Main cover-line
Splatter
Left third aligned to the left
and right third is aligned to
the right- therefore it is not
challenging the conventions.
A kicker is a short phrase found set
above the explanatory text. The kicker
can serve as an introduction or as a
type of section heading to help the
audience identify or assess an article
before committing to reading the whole
thing. This gives the reader a small
hint as to what the type of article they
are about to read.
The explanatory text provides a brief
description about the kicker. This gives
the audiences an insight about what the
article is about, therefore, music
magazine often make the explanatory text
short and snappy to catch the audiences
attention.
Explanatory text
A barcode is the
identity of a product
via a code which is an
optical machine-readable
representation of data.
Splatters are used to create
interesting effects that grab the
audiences attention. This can be
used to attract the audience with
the latest gossip, event or news. It
is usually used in informal
magazines.
The main cover-line is
the focal issue or event
that has happened. This
is what the target
audience are appealed by.
The master-head is the
brand or name of the
magazine. This is what the
target audience will
recognise. Therefore, the
brand needs to ensure they
have a good reputation and
well-established.

2. I chose this music magazine as
inspiration for my publication.
The cover-lines are bold and
vibrant which attract the
audience. There is a variety of
different font styles used, for
example, the main cover-line is
bold to indentify the name of
the music magazine. In contrast
the explanatory text typed in
capital letters to outline the
content of the article.
In the mise-en-scene, you can denote two models being caught up in a ‘bust-up’ or conflict. The
costume of these two models complement each other and contrast. There are no props involved in
this shoot except for the casual clothing and the model themselves. This makes the image simple,
which attracts a wider audience. The body language of the two models, appeal to the audience.
The lightening has been edited to add a focal point on the faces of these two models. This
attracts the yes to the facial expression. Therefore, automatically the eyes gaze over the main
cover-line, ‘OASIS’. The selling line and strap line is positioned in the top left hand corner.
This is the commence of the eye flow. Therefore, the first text the readers read is the selling
and strap line. This is so they know how the magazine costs. Overall this magazine is attractive
and has an effective use of eye-flow.
The colour scheme is appealing as the colour of the font used complements the costume of the
celebrity photo shoot which is positioned in the on either alignment of the page. This is
effective as it makes the eye-flow more powerful. The colours used adapt to the content of the
articles, and the colours represent the mood of the articles. For instance, the kickers relate to
‘smashed guitars’ and ‘bust-ups’ which reflect a mood of anger. And the colour red symbolises this
particular mood. Instantly, the audience are drawn to this magazine by the use of colour and I
can denote the articles which will be included by the strong, vibrant colours. Furthermore, the
font is bold and the usages of colours are limited to white, black and red. This is effective and
draws attention to the kickers and explanatory texts. The colours used are primary colours.
There is a consistency with the font applied to this front cover of NME. Two sans serif fonts
have been combined together to distinguish the main cover-lines to the explanatory text. A sans
serif font is a typeface that does not have the small features called ‘serifs’ at the end of
strokes. A sans serif font is appropriate for writing annotations and clear heading. This
typeface is useful for bold heading and master-heads. It has been used as the main master-head in
this front cover because it gives a professional finish to the magazine and it is legible and
clear to read. Therefore, this enhances effective eye-flow. The barcode is positioned in the
bottom left hand corner, it is not noticeable which is important as this does not distract the
eye-flow or the layout of the page.
The use of white space attracts the audience because it draws focus to the master-head and the
focal photo on the page. This is effective as it appeals to the audience and it enhances eye-flow
as the white background contrasts with the text, which makes it striking and attractive. The
layout on the page is interesting and engages the audience due to the eye contact made by the
model gaze. The eye contact communicates the audience, and it contact with the model on the right
alignment.
The language is informal which address to a wider audience, and most of the public sector. I can
infer form the language that the target audience for this music magazine is between 16-21 years
old, written by an American author. This can be referred from the word ‘DUUDE!’ which is used as
the selling line. The language is direct which has an impact from the responses received from
the audience. It is significant for the language to be direct as this engages and persuades the
customer to purchase and read the music magazine as they know what they are to expect. For
example, we can identify the focus of this issue from the kicker, ‘ROCK’S MESSIEST BUST-UP’. This
kicker is bold and it is positioned in the central which attracts the eye flow. The kicker
communicates with the audience directly by outlining the content of the article. And for the
majority of readers, they are attracted by these types of articles which reflect ‘bust-ups’
between celebrities.
NME: front cover analysis

3. Skyline
Master-head
Barcode
Main cover-line
A barcode is the
identity of a product
via a code which is an
optical machine-readable
representation of data.
The main cover-line is
the focal issue or event
that has happened. This
is what the target
audience are appealed by.
The master-head is the
brand or name of the
magazine. This is what the
target audience will
recognise. Therefore, the
brand needs to ensure they
have a good reputation and
well-established.
Kicker and explanatory text
A kicker is a short phrase found
set above the explanatory text.
The kicker can serve as an
introduction or as a type of
section heading to help the
audience identify or assess an
article before committing to
reading the whole thing. This
gives the reader a small hint as
to what the type of article they
are about to read.
The explanatory text provides a
brief description about the
kicker. This gives the audiences
an insight about what the article
is about, therefore, music
magazine often make the
explanatory text short and snappy
to catch the audiences attention.
Explanatory text
Selling-line/strap-line
Left third aligned to the left
and right third is aligned to
the right- therefore it is not
challenging the conventions.

4. ROLLING STONE: front cover analysis
The layout is simple and attractive. The text is structured in the shape of the models body. In the mise-en-
scene where is a model leaning towards the camera. The shot is a median high angle shot, which makes the
model look superior to the target audience. This intimidates the audience to read this magazine. The props
within this frame include a cigarette, jewellery (watch, chain, ring, necklace), also known as ‘bling’ and a
hat. These props are associated and familiar with younger audience, therefore this images relates and
communicates with the younger audience from the age of 16 until about 22 years old. Using props which relate
to the target audience encourage them to read the magazine as they can relate themselves directly to the
model gaze on the front cover. The barcode is positioned in the bottom left hand corner, this is generally
the standard formatting to position the bar code here because it does not disrupt the eye-flow on the page –
as the main focal is the eyes of the model, which leads to the featured kicker in the bright lighting.
Similarly the price line and selling line/strap-line is positioned in the top right hand corner, where the
eye-flow starts. This is significant as the reader knows how much the magazine is worth and then they can
judge the front cover. The selling line is at the top of the page, where it states the main artists in this
magazine, as well as upcoming events.
Finally, the language used in this magazine is formally written in order to promote the events to the
audience. This music magazine is more solemn in comparison to the previous magazine I analysed. The language
is more technical and directly, as also seen in a professional industry in theoretical music. For example
one of the kickers is, ‘the memoirs of Keith Richards’. This kicker is more grave, whereas in the previous
magazines, the kickers were related to celebrity ‘bust-ups’. Therefore there are different genres within the
music industry, the gossip, then the more solemn subjects and showcases. This builds a formal relationship
with the audience which is provoked with the image in the centre of the page.
I chose this music magazine because it has similarities and differences to the previous front cover I analysed. The cover-lines are bold and
vibrant, although it has been placed behind the model gaze, because the brand is well-known and the model gaze is famous, the users automatically
know the name of the magazine. Therefore, we can denote that this magazine is well established, so for me to analyse this, it will help my for my
own music magazine. The kicker and explanatory text have the same typeface, but different size and style. The kicker is bigger and bold which
attracts the users to the articles. And the explanatory text is in a smaller size to give the reader some description of the kicker. And as the
font is the same, the users can relate the explanatory text and kicker together. The master-head is a similar font to the rest of the text which
keeps a consistency throughout the front cover. All of the text is typed in capital letters, this attracts the users instantly. However, the
capital letters are only used for on explanatory text on the far right of the page. This is because is particular kicker and explanatory text are
special featured in this magazine. The featured article is noticed by the audience has the format is different from the other text; therefore
this attracts a wider audience.
The colour scheme is limited and selective. The colours have been selected from the primary palette; therefore this creates a bigger impact on
the appearance. The colours stand out and attract the users instantly. The colour scheme is consistent as a hint of red has been used on the skin
colour of the model gaze; this makes the front cover successful and attractive. The black font relates to the black costume and jewellery worn by
the model. Finally, the hat the man is wearing in the photo shoot associates with the skin colour and the red strand on the design matching the
skin tone. Overall, the colour scheme is limited in colour, with different shades. This is used as to highlight shadow or lighter areas. With the
colours being limited, the yellow exclusive text stands out and draws attention to the eye. This attracts the users to read this magazine.
The model gaze has direct eye contact with the audience which makes the communication more effective. The body posture of the model makes the
magazine look realistic and this convinces the audience to purchase this magazine. This photo has been edited in Photoshop. Changes have been
made to the face, where artificial lightening has been added to highlight the face of the model gaze, which is the focal point in this magazine
front cover. Therefore this appeals to the audience, as the light tints makes the white background stand out. As well as highlighting the
brighter areas of the image, shadow has been used to complement the black jacket which reflects the kicker and explanatory text. The effect of
black costume and shadowing effect contrasts the white background which makes the front cover more interesting and realistic. The use of the
white spacious background is effect because it allows the text to stand out which allows effective communication to the public. A shadow effect
has been used to add a shadow behind the model to make the photo more realistic. Artificial lighting has been used where the feature kicker is
positioned. This attracts the audience as this bright light contrast with the shadier side on the left alignment. Therefore, this suggests to the
user that this kicker is exclusive and one not to miss.

5. Conclusion
Differences
Target audience
Language
Genre
General layout
Purpose
Similarities
White background
Model gaze eye contact
Limited font & colour scheme
Barcode positioning
Unchallenged conventions
 White background
 Median shot, point of view angle photograph
 Limited font and colour usage
 different colour font to highlight exclusive feature
 Bar code positioning in bottom left hand corner
My front cover I will use:
This PowerPoint has been presented to you by Rita Sharma
St Marylebone School 2010