This document provides an analysis of a magazine cover design. It summarizes the key design elements and how they are used to target a specific audience. The cover features an image of a musician in a brooding pose with a color scheme of red, white, and black. These design choices along with the lack of distraction are meant to draw attention to the central image and portray the musician as masculine and slightly dangerous to appeal to their target audience of guitar players.

1. This was my first attempt at a
magazine cover. I Chose the
masthead because it looked like
college art; it looks like somebody has
drawn it, the type of thing a student
might do when listening in a lesson. I
felt it would appeal to students. The
image is of one of the students in my
media class. This was meant to make
students feel that this magazine is for
them and by them.
The teasers on the cover were chosen
to interest the target audience as well
as raising the profile of the college
I chose the background colours of
the teasers to stand out from the
background but to blend with the
overall colour scheme. I used the
same typeface on the teasers but
altered the size. I didn't want o have
too many different typefaces on the
cover as it could make it look messy

2. My choice of background for the
contents page was chosen as this is a
very well known location within the
college. Most students walk down this
corridor everyday. This would make
students feel part of the magazine. I
used 70% transparency so that the
image is clear but the text can still be
seen. The corridor perspective helps
draw the eye into the image.
The other 2 images were also chosen
for their familiarity to a student; the
canteen and the library. I purposely
chose an image with a student in it as
the corridor background and empty
canteen look a bit deserted.
The choice of colour for the contents
was a mistake as it does not stand out
sufficiently but putting each item at a
different angle, and jumbling them
around makes it more interesting and
less like a list.

4. Total Guitar Essay
This report is a textual analysis of a magazine cover for “Total Guitar” featuring the image of a leading guitarist.
The black title on a contrasting white background is stark and clear. It would be instantly recognisable to existing
customers but would also catch the eye of someone who has not read the magazine before. The alternating red
and black used for the smaller print on the cover stands out against the white background. It adds to the slightly
gothic feel of the cover which is carried through into the way Matt Bellamy is presented. The red and black motif
is also suggestive of blood and vampires, which is again echoed in the central image of Matt Bellamy.
In direct contrast to the red, white and black theme is the name “Matt Bellamy” in gold, the only place where
this colour is used. Apart from the colour and font size making the name stand out, this could connote that he is
the “golden boy” of guitar playing who would appear golden to his fans. However this colour is often used to
connote jealousy. Possibly the intention is to portray someone we should feel envious of. He is labelled “guitarist of
the decade” which also gives the impression of a superior being.
Another feature that stands out because of colour is the blue tag. It denotes a partially torn, stick on label. This
gives the impression that this amazing offer is so important that the label has been attached to prevent readers
missing this opportunity.
The image of Matt Bellamy is positioned in front of the magazine title showing that the publisher is confident that
readers will still recognise the magazine even if the title is partially obscured. The image is a medium shot, from
the waist up which is an effective way for the magazine to make Matt Bellamy appear to connect with the
audience. Surprisingly, there is no guitar in the image, drawing the audience’s attention to Matt Bellamy as man,
rather than as a musician. There is no background or depth of field, just the stark white cover, suggesting that
Matt Bellamys image is enough by itself to attract the audience’s eye. The lack of anything else to distract the
audience adds importance to the central image. The image is completely symmetrical, even down to the turned
up collar of the guitarist’s black coat. This gives a strongly dominant masculine impression to the image, while the
choice of colour for the clothing matches the overall colour scheme and gives Matt Bellamy a brooding “bad
boy” look. His masculinity is emphasised by his hands on hips posture which appears covertly hostile.
There is an interesting use of lighting in the image (chiaroscuro). Matt Bellamy is lit from above causing shadows
which define his brows and cheekbones and making his face look very pale. This reinforces the gothic vampire
look which fits well with both his clothing and the overall colour scheme of the magazine cover.
In conclusion, the magazine cover is presenting a strong confident image of the musician as an individual. He is
being portrayed as slightly dangerous and very masculine. Overall, the cover is stark and plain with very simple
but effective use of colour. This simplicity of design ensures the audience is drawn to the central image.

5. The colour scheme is unusual for a
music magazine; they are cool
relaxed colours, not the angry
colours of rap or rock covers. The
image is very posed, and they are
wearing clothes we associate with
previous times, giving a very
traditional feel to the image. This
would not appeal to a young
audience but is more likely to
appeal to an audience of 25+. The
image covers the title, showing that
the editor is confident that readers
will recognise the magazine without
seeing the title. The font is also
classy and likely to appeal to an
older audience. She is wearing
ballet shoes and adopting a dance
pose, giving an arty, creative feel to
the cover.

6. Bruce Springsteen is represented in a
mid close up which is a very natural
shot. The camera angle is slightly
higher, looking down, and he is looking
directly at the camera which is very
personal. He appears to be on our level
unlike many celebrities. The necklace
softens the “hard man” image that the
leather jacket might give. Because the
background tones with the image the
readers are more able to focus on the
advertisements. The writing is simple
but bold, making it easy to read,
definitely not a classical magazine! The
fonts used are fairly similar which avoids
making the cover look cluttered. 2012
draws the eye as it is the only blue used,
and the audience would then
automatically read the text underneath.
The top bar stands out as it is blocked in
red, again referring to the same article.
The artists names have been picked out
in colour to contrast and stand out from
the mainly white text.

7. This is a black and white, medium shot,
which is quite dramatic and eye
catching. This effect is increased by the
text not being placed across the image.
This gives the impression that he is
very important, as he is the only person
featured on the contents page. He is
not engaging with the audience which
will make them curious as to why. The
colour scheme is cool apart from the
minimal use of red which leaps out of
the page. This is a simple and
sophisticated look that will appeal to
people in their 20’s, particularly
females, who would be attracted to his
brooding good looks. Even the article
descriptions are of similar size giving an
almost symmetrical appearance. There
is a consistency of fonts and font size
adding to the cool sophisticated appeal.

8. Contents page
It is a very striking colour scheme
(yellow on red). They are contrasting
colours so it is easy to read. The
subtitles are clear bold, the overall effect
is clean and clear. Most of the pictures
have borders around them to catch the
audience eye and separate them from
each other. The medium long shot on
the left hand side stands out because of
its unique positioning and more posed
structure than the other pictures. It
appears more important to the audience
than the other images. The shape of the
image reflects the shape of the sleeve
tattoo, drawing attention to it. The
sleeve and sleeveless top make him
look hard and dangerous, a stereotype
for rock musicians. I believe this
contents page is targeting 14-20 year
olds because this is the “angry teens”
age who are likely to listen to angry
music and find these images attractive.

9. Article page
The yellow on black colour
scheme stands out. The
black represents darkness
and the yellow represents
light. They are opposites.
The yellow banner looks
like police tape which
gives a sense of the
forbidden. The image on
the left indicates that he is
the most important
member of the band, and
the one that the audience
is most likely to recognise.
The black and white image
of the band shows the
lead singer with his fist held up aggressively and the word “fuck” on his knuckles. This
suggests that the magazine is not aimed at a young audience. The other images
appear to be snapshots of them on tour. The white border increases this impression.
The photos link with the text and so give a taster of the article to a potential purchaser.