The document analyzes the front covers of 8 issues of NME magazine to identify shared design features. [1] All covers feature a band as the main image, with the lead singer positioned prominently, to attract readers. [2] Band members are shown wearing dark, casual clothes consistent with indie rock. [3] Additional photos promote interior articles and contests to engage readers who are likely aspiring musicians. [4] Consistent layout, colors and styling help maintain NME's recognizable brand identity issue to issue.

1. FRONT COVER OVERVIEW

2. All front covers are from the front cover of NME magazine and so they have all been
designed with the intention of attracting fans of metal/heavy rock/pop punk music. Through
carrying out an investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it is possible to
identify shared features within them and to establish repeated patterns.
The eight front covers all feature typical magazine front cover conventions. We see expected
general and layout conventions, such as the inclusion of a main image that dominates the
front cover, sell-lines that surround the main image, feature article photographs that relate to
content inside and a masthead designed in an appropriate font.
In addition to this, we see other repeated patterns. Each of the front covers features a band
as the main image. Obviously, we expect to see some kind of music artist on the front of a
music magazine, but the consistent appearance of a band on NME indicates that solo artists
are rare in the world of indie rock. This is likely to be due to the kind of sound that is
synonymous with these genres of music, a powerful, sound that is generated by heavy
drums, loud guitar solos and ‘live’ performances from a band. In each of the front covers, we
can see that one member of each band is positioned at the front of the frame, with the
remaining members of the band creating a triangle formation behind. This composition is
repeated consistently to indicate the importance and status of the leading member of each
band, who is usually the lead vocalist. This is, of course, a powerful and clever way of
attracting the magazine’s target audience, as the main singer is probably likely to be the
most recognisable and popular member of each band. This iidea is taken a step further on
the front cover featuring Muse, as lead singer Matthew Bellamy, in addition to being placed
centrally and at the front, leans forwards towards the audience, beckoning them to give him
their attention.
We can see other similarities in the mise-en-scene elements that are presented on each
front cover. In terms of costume, the artists are united by the fact that they are all wearing
dark, muted colours and costume that is fairly low key and relaxed (T-shirts, motif T-shirts,
hoodies, etc). This is a look that is fairly synonymous with bands within the genre of
indierock. On one front cover, the members of Artic monkeys are wearing elf costumes,
which is a break away form the costume that we commonly see on NME.
Another shared feature across the eight front covers is that they all include feature article
photographs. Generally, these tend to showcase, in a smaller form, the posters that are to
be found inside the magazine. The fact that space on the front cover is devoted to
presenting the posters illustrates how the typical fan of metal music is partial to a poster or
two that they can use to decorate their walls. Other feature article photographs relate to
bands that are featured within the issue in question.
On each front cover, the signature NME masthead appears in exactly the same distressed
font and in exactly the same place. Each time, the masthead is either red on a black
background or vice versa, establishing a dark, masculine mood. Without exception, the head
of one or more band members is placed on top of the masthead so that it is not fully visible.
This suggests the success and popularity that NME has achieved as a publication, as it
would be too much of an unwise move if the magazine was new, unestablished or did not
have a loyal fanbase. Another feature that occuactionally comes in the form straplines that
sometimes sits directly across the entire NME masthead.

3. Each time, this is used to draw attention to the bands that will feature inside or to promote a
giveaway or competition. On one of the front covers featuring ‘Benicassim’, the audience is
informed of the fact that they could win tickets and flights. A giveaway like this, of course,
reminds us that the readership of NME is likely to be an aspiring musician themselves.
Over the eight front covers above, we see the main sell-line in bold, large and display font
across the centre middle, to show that the main topic of the magazine is about the main sell-
line. The audience also see that the less main sell-lines are smaller than the main and are
closer to the edge of the page, and most of the smaller sell-lines are in smaller font and run
over two lines.
Colour-wise, NME tends to stick to a similar colour scheme in each issue. Red and black
feature most consistently and these two colours are accompanied by either white, yellow
and, in the case of one front cover, blue. Being primary colours, these will appeal to a male
readership, while the use of red and black captures the dark nature of metal and rock music.
Layout is consistent across the eight front covers too. As mentioned earlier, the placement of
the bands featured is similar in each. In seven out of eight of the front covers, the main sell-
line is placed in the centre of the frame, across the main image. The remaining one cover
features the main sell-line top between the artist and below the masthead. Meanwhile, this is
a key area for audience to look on front covers as that is where the audience’s eye goes
first. Featured article photographs are generally placed at the bottom, where they will not
cover the main image or main sell-line, but where they can be seen next by the audience.
Having carried out this overview, it is obvious that NME has its own brand identity and
signature look that can be easily recognized by its target audience. This is maintained
through the repetition of stylistic and layout features from issue to issue and is a wonderful of
helping the magazine to sell and be a success.