This document provides an analysis of the design elements and principles used in a music magazine cover. It summarizes the use of color, typefaces, photography lighting, model credit placement, cover lines, and consistency with the house style. Gold, black, and white are used to connote wealth, mystery, and purity. Sans serif fonts create a softer, more feminine feel fitting for an indie magazine. Strategic use of lighting highlights the artist against the backdrop. The artist's name is the biggest cover line in the primary optical area to indicate who is the focus. Cover lines are placed in the strong fallow field to frame and emphasize the main image without overcrowding. The house style maintains consistency in fonts and colors

1. Salford City College
Eccles Centre
AS Media Studies
Foundation Portfolio
olours
Mastheadthe font is constructed in a strong gold metallic
colour. This is effective because the colour gold typically
connotes wealth and is impressive to own. In addition, the
font is fashioned in the sans seffi. This is effective because
it creates a more feminism feel because it is softer.
However the magazine fits in to the genre of indie. This is
effective because it illustrates the magazine as being
unique
Main imagethe artist demonstrates clear direct address
because she is looking directly into the camera. The use of
sharks could be Iconography for the fact that the artist is
scene as a threat to other artist in the industry. Also I could
create a narrative enema code for the audience. For
example, why is she not scared? This will make them want
to buy the magazine. The fact that she is dressed
proactively introduces a secondary target audience of
males because of the sex appeal.
Colourthere is three distinct colours used. They are gold,
black/grey and white. The colour white connoted purity
however the colour black connotes mystery/danger. Therefore
this introduces a contrast. The black could reflect her
personality of being dangerous and mysterious. The gold
connotes wealth and also symbolises urban music and the
genre of R&B.
Typefacesthe cover liens are displayed in white blocked
capitols witch juxtaposes with the text in italics. However the
text in italics provides an artistic combination with the mast
head that is also in italics.
Photography Lightingthere is a predominate use of low key
lighting in the background, however in the foreground there is
obvious high key lighting. This makes the artist stand out
against the backdrop, it also make the artist look like the most
important image on the cover. It highlight that she is portrayed
in a positive way. Also the high key lighting creates shadows
on the artist body witch displays her muscles.
Model creditthe name of the artistis the biggest cover line
that is on the page. This makes it clear that the artist is the
dominate interest of the page. It is in white colour this
presents a contrast to the background and makes it stand
out. It is in a serif font witch links the genre of R&B. It is
placed in the primary optical area which make it the fist
thing you see.
Design Principles Used?The Guttenberg had been uses as a
typical convention of a music magazine to create a successful
cover. The primary optical area, the strong and weak fallow
field, and the terminal area have been filled to make the,
magazine appear bursting with new stories.
Coverlinesthe cover lines are in the strong fallow field
area. This is effective because it helps the emphasise the
main image because it is the second thing you will look at.
Also they frame the image so the cover is not
overcrounede. The fonts are in serif with clear white
lettering.
Main cover linethe name of the artist is the main cover
line. This is effective becausleaves space for additional
cover lines, this will help sell the magazine because the
target audience will think they are getting more for their
money. It is issued in the primary optical area next to the
main image of the artist. Also because it is the main cover
line it entices the audience to buy the magazine.
House StyleThe house style is consistent in all aspects of the magazine. The font is the
same, furthermore the colours that are displayed are consistent witch helps to create an
urbant atmosphere.