This document analyzes various elements of an issue of the music magazine NME, including the front cover, contents page, and a double page spread. The summary is as follows: The front cover features the typical masthead and cover lines to attract readers. It uses a close-up image of a rap artist against a graffiti background to target a young, "rebel" audience. The contents page continues the simple, informal style with one-word section titles and a travel case background image. The double page spread employs a grid layout with many images, including a large photo of artist Dizzee Rascal spray painting, to maintain a visual and chaotic "party" atmosphere through its design.

1. Task 2- Analysis of NME
music magazine
By Vikki Grimmett

2. Task 2a –
Analysing front
cover

3.  Masthead- The masthead is in the traditional place on the magazine front cover, it is following the
typical conventions of a magazine.
 Cover lines- They allow the audience to gain knowledge of what is in the magazine, this will
establish what the target audience is. This links to the use of language for the informal tone of the
magazine would attract young people most because the language is familiar to them. The cover
lines establish the atmosphere of the magazine- this appears to have a ‘rebel’ like image to it,
meaning this may attract teens or young people who are more ‘wild’.
 Main cover line- Introduces the key article with in the magazine, for it is the cover line that stands
out the most to the audience. The main cover line is what convinces someone to buy the magazine
because it presents the main story, this would determine the target audience.
 Connotation- How specific techniques are used to effect the reader. The magazine background is
graffiti which links to the main image and his genre of music which is heavily represented in
student parties.
 Denotation- The word that describes simply what is in front of you.
 Genre- This issue is focused on rap music because of the artist on the front cover however generally
NME caters for most varieties of music.
 Barcode- The barcode on the front is less visible than most magazines as they wanted other things
on the front cover to stand out more.
 Layout- It is not conventional, it is styled with four horizontal strips which makes it more original
and more likely to be memorable to the public.
 Mise en scene- It is a chaotic design it creates the stereotypical atmosphere of a party which
makes it more relatable to the target audience as it is a social norm for the generation.
 It is a medium close up that gives the illusion of a long shot because you can see all of his body,
this makes he appears ready to party.
 Strap line- Using the word “special” makes it seem more desirable.
 Colour scheme- The red, black and white are definitely more masculine colours as they are bold and
eye catching this would attract a male audience due to the connotation of red being danger.
 Target Audience- Target audience age would be people in their 20s also it is more directed to a
male audience because the setting is messy but a more general audience would be student that are
at the drinking age and partying.

4. Task 2b – Analysing
the contents page

5.  Layout- Appears more structured compared to the front cover even though the page is full of writing it
doesn’t appear as busy because there is blank spaces and there is blocks of colour.
 Fonts- The font is the same as the one on the front cover, it links to the general theme of the magazine.
The writing is more simple which appeals to the target audience of men.
 Language- It is simple and informal with some abbreviated words which links to the age of the audience as
it is a familiar way of speaking.
 Content- It splits the magazine up into different sections but it is not specific in page numbers and article
titles which means you want to buy the magazine to find out more.
 Titles- The titles they have chosen are one worded in the same font which continues to present the
simplicity of the magazine.
 Mise en Scene- The travel case background creates the theme of music as the travel case is typically used
by bands when they are on tour.
 Editors Letter- It is very informal almost like text speech this creates a friendly base atmosphere meaning
the audience feels more welcome to read the magazine.
 Main Heading- The denotation is straight to the point which allows the reader to know exactly what they are
looking at.
 Sub Heading- They are simple and denotations as you know exactly what they mean, they do not have an
effect on the audience in the form of connotations.
 House Style- House style continues from the front cover as the colour scheme used is the same. On both
the front cover and the contents page it uses the same amount of black and white with a hint of red
resembling the simplicity yet the fun atmosphere of the magazine.
 Main Image- The main image is a woman next to a tour bus this signifies a behind the scenes feeling so it
feels more personal. This links to the articles in the magazine as they are about touring musicians.
 Brand Identity- The NME title is always black, white and red this crates a recognisable logo that you
associate with the brand of NME.
 Target Audience- it relates to people in their 20s that are interested in the genre of music represented in
the magazine.
 Shot Type- The image is a medium close up which represent how the magazine is trying to be more
personal as you can see the woman's expression and imagine how she is feeling.
 Date of the issue- Lets the audience know that they are looking at the most recent issue.
 Rule of Thirds- The contents page follows the convention layout as it follows the structure of the rule of
thirds.
 Borders- Creates the effect of the photo being part of a scrapbook so it feels like we are following the
journey of the musicians.

6. Task 2c – Analysing
double page spread

7.  Basic layout- the layout is simple and set in a grid-like format, meaning the page looks ordered and square, this links to the target
audience for it will appear more suitable for them as it does not have too much writing.
 Column width- the columns are fairly thin meaning that the page looks like it has less writing compared to images.
 Font- The font again is fairly simple, it is one of the most common fonts, this symbolises how they stick to conventional magazine
techniques to assert the familiar atmosphere for the audience. The size of the font is small meaning that it feels like there is less
writing on the page, again creating more interest as readers would prefer to see pictures over writing.
 Colours- The colours are still following the code of red black and white, this ensures that each part of the magazine works together
to create something original yet memorable for the audience.
 Images- the double page has a half taken up entirely by one image, this creates a more visual atmosphere for the audience
therefore ensuring their interest in the magazine.
 Branding- the set out continues to create the brand, which is a party-like atmosphere for the target audience, this makes the
magazine even more memorable for the audience for in asserts a feeling of fun.
 Captions-they are brief and to the point this means they are eager to share as much as they can as quick as they can, this
stimulates the feeling of excitement, this again ensures that there is a party-like atmosphere.
 Integration of image and tect- the text overlays an image of a graffiti wall, it creates a chaotic appeal and therefore introduces
more fun and excitement to the magazine as the writing is not just written over a block colour background. It ensures the interest
is kept on that page.
 Main image- the main image is of Dizzee Rascal spray painting a wall and looking suspicious, this asserts the daring attitude of the
young audience, searching for a thrill and a ‘good time’. It takes up one half of the double page this means the image is an
important part of the double page and therefore the editor wants the audience to see this image.
 Language- the language that has been used is simple and brief, this expresses how the text is not the important factor of the
magazine, this therefore explains that the target audience is likely to be interested in visual factors rather than the writing. The
language that has been used would be familiar to the target audience for it is the way that this generation speak, therefore they
will feel comfortable knowing that they can understand what is being said in the magazine (there are no large sophisticated words
used) this states that the target audience is most likely working class.
 Design- the design is very chaotic even though it has a system, this is achieved because of the background used, it makes it look
almost messy. The main title of the article and the writing appear as though they are in scrap book format, the title takes up half
they page and the text only takes up a small section. The title itself is not straight, it slants in a diagonal direction, this makes it
appear almost childish rather than the sophisticated format you would expect for older people.
 Overall impression- this double page gives the impression of fun and excitement for the chaos it introduces is the type of
atmosphere young people strive to find, it ultimately hands the audience the fun they have been searching for with their favourite
artist in the mix.
 Drop cap- this adds to the scrap book effect as it looks like it has been stuck in, this therefore asserts the informal atmosphere of
the magazine. It guides your attention to the writing which will therefore make you want to read the article because you interest is
now directed at the text and what it is about.
 Denotion- As explained them page creates the atmosphere of a party, it is achieved with the images of alcohol bottles and a radio,
you know these relate to parties and therefore they give you feelings of excitement and fun.
 Connotation- they are exactly as they seem, therefore the bottles and the radio strictly show that there is or was something
happening.
 Mode of address- the subject in the image is not looking at the audience this may suggest that he is ‘up-to-no-good’ because you
often avoid eye contact when you know you have done something wrong.