The document analyzes the layout and design conventions used in NME magazine. It discusses several key aspects of the magazine's front cover and inside pages including the masthead logo, center images, story titles, color schemes, and page elements like pull quotes and advertisements. Overall, the analysis finds that while NME follows many typical magazine conventions, it also employs some unique techniques to draw reader attention and highlight important stories and artists featured in each issue.

1. NME Analysis
By Najat Hachem

2. The masthead for NME is always in the top left hand corner
of the magazine. It is also in a sans serif font in white and in a
red rectangle shape. Moreover, it is also used as a logo which
makes it recognisable for the readers. In Q magazine they
also have their masthead in the same position. The colours
used for the masthead is also used for the cover story, which
reflects to the readers its importance.
The centre of visual interest is the main image on the
magazine which is a close up shot of Noel Gallagher which
links with the main cover story. This is a main code and
convention in most magazine that the main image on the
front cover links with the cover story. The image is in black
and white for the famous artist. The facial expression of the
artist shows he is serious and he is looking directly at the
camera which makes the reader feel he is looking at them
and trying to make direct connection towards the reader.
The splash over story is the largest text on the front cover
except for the masthead. It is in white and in sans serif bold
font and underlined in red. The catches the readers attention
and suggests to them that it is the main story in this issue, as
it has the name of the artist. There is a wob effect used on the
masthead where the white text is placed on black or different
coloured background which is the image, this makes it stand
out and shows how important it is, especially from the rest of
the text.
The issue date is placed vertically in the rectangle shape where
the masthead is. In most NME magazines the date is placed next
to the masthead. Not all magazines place the date next to the
masthead, usually next to the masthead.
The pull quote is placed in a square shape box with white
outline and the text is in white. Locating the quote in a box,
suggests that is separated from everything else on the front
cover and it makes the reader want to look at it separately,
not like the other features on the page.
The bar code is placed vertically on the side of the page and in a
white rectangle shape. This does not follow code and
conventions of magazines as usually bar codes are located on the
bottom right third of the page. The bar code is noticed on the
front page, which suggests that the audience can look straight on
it when buying the magazine as it includes the price of the
magazine.
The colour scheme of the magazine is white, black, red, grey and some blue. Following the colour scheme creates a sense of
professionalism and it is a main code and convention in most magazines. The colours used are similar to ‘MOJO’ magazine.
The colours black, white and grey go well together however, the red and the blue makes features stand out on the front
cover. The use of the colour shows importance and suggests to the readers that they must see this specific feature. The
colours also meets with the target audience as the target audience for NME is men as they like dull colours such as grey and
black.
The running head is a list of artists that are covered inside the
issue. They are in white serif font and below each head in a
blue rectangle shape which states specifically what the article
inside the issue is about and the title. This follows codes and
conventions of the other magazines as they usually promote
what articles are inside the magazine.
The ‘+’ sign that is used here and followed with subheadings
suggest that there is more inside the magazine and is another
way to inform the audience what type of stuff will be included
inside the issue, for example some band names and if someone is
interested in one of the bands would want to read the magazine.

3. In NME instead of stating that it is the contents page by
having the title as ‘contents’ they said it in a different way
by saying ‘Inside NME’. However, this doesn’t follow the
codes and conventions of magazines, as they usually refer
to it as ‘Contents’. Also, it doesn’t stand out as much on the
page, which makes the audience focus on what features are
inside the magazine. The ‘NME’ masthead has also been
placed on the contents page which is most common in all
NME magazines. This suggests that they always refer to the
magazines masthead. The masthead is also the same
colour and font as the front cover.
The date is located under the heading, which is similar to
MOJO magazine. The date will allow the readers know if it
is the latest issue.
The main image on the page is placed slightly on the
bottom centre of the page. It is a medium shot of the
singer Mark Ronson, where below the image it has the
contents title of his name, so there is a link between the
image and the contents title. This is a professional
technique that it used in most magazines, so the audience
can refer to what they want to read and makes it more
interesting.
Similar to MOJO, they self-promote the magazine and
include a sell line on the contents page. This shows that
the magazine is an independent and successful brand, so
they don’t need sponsorship. However, not all magazines
self-promote their magazine on the contents page, they
might of done it on a different page inside the magazine.
Moreover, as they have placed it on the contents page it
shows that NME has a big promotion as it a limited offer
‘January Sale’ so they might not be able to get this offer
again, so they should make it easy for the readers to see it
as soon as possible.
One of the main contents title is the band list, this is a
professional idea as it would inform the readers what
bands are inside the magazine. The use of colour red makes
it stand out on the page and suggests its importance on the
page. This is not a main common and convention in
magazines as not all the magazines include a band list on
the contents page. This suggests that it is a unique
magazine and uses different techniques. Moreover, it also
makes it easy for the reader to find the particular band
they are looking for.
Another contents title is ‘REGULARS’ which is common in
most magazines and contents titles are a common code
and convention in magazines. It is in a red rectangle with
white in sans-serif font, which stands out from the rest of
the text. Also it is the same font as the masthead which
suggests its important to look at.
The colour scheme is similar to the front cover, as
they only used the colours white, red, and black.
The connotations of the colour red on the page
show that it is an important and significant colour
and it is only used on important features. Keeping
with the colour scheme makes the magazine
more successful and professional.
The contents are in a black rectangle and with white text
inside; this is a wob effect. This has been used to make
easier for the audience to read and find what they are
looking for. It is also makes it look neat and readable.

4. The centre of visual interest which is the
image that is spread over the double page
spread which makes it dominate and that it
has a link over the two pages. It is a
photograph of three famous artists and it is
a medium shot. This follows conventions of
double page spreads as most of the time
the main image spreads over the two
pages. The information the DPS is linked to
the image and which grabs the readers
attention while flicking inside the magazine
and if they are interested in these artists
they would like to the read article. Also, if
they don’t know them they might would to
read it due to the image.
The use of the drop cap on a double page
is a code and convention as on most DPS
they use a drop cap to start an article. This
suggests to the readers where the article
starts if they are not sure.
The page numbers for the pages are
usually located at the bottom or the
top of the page. However, in this DPS
they are located differently to other
magazines.
The cutline is a common code and
convention is magazines as they use it
to inform the readers that are not sure
who is in the photograph. This
technique is used to keep the audience
filled up with information so they don’t
miss on any important information
and navigates them in the magazine.
The pull quote is located under the main image and it stands out from the rest of the text which makes it
significant and important. It also grabs the readers attention as it seems important and they would be
interested because the artist said it and before they start reading the article. Pull quotes are used to make
the reader more excited about reading the article and it gives them a quick idea what it is about. It is in
white on a black background and text that is larger than the rest of the text in the article which makes it
stand out to the reader. Below the pull quote it says who quoted in in an orange rectangle shape around
it.
Similar to MOJO, on the DPS they
advertised the discography that the
artist has and has some information
about them. This promotion makes the
reader interested and informed about
the music the artist has. So, they would
want to find out about them and would
might like to buy the tracks. This
promotion is located in between the
article text, so while the reader is
reading the article they would see it
straight away and would feel that they
are missing out if they don’t have
them. Also, instead of the reader
reading the article continuously, they
can take a break by looking at different
things.
Double page spread
The layout of the columns
makes it easier to read for the
reader as it is clear. However,
there is a lot of text which
suggest that the reader would
be interested in reading
articles in depth and would
like to know a lot of
information, also the font is
readable.