The front cover of the September 2009 issue of NME magazine features Dizzee Rascal. The layout follows a standard format with the masthead at the top, the cover image centrally located, and the artist's name and main headline below. The sans serif font, red, white, and black color scheme, and imagery of graffiti appeal to the target male audience in their 20s. The main headline references Dizzee Rascal "spreading joy around the world" in a somewhat formal way, while also using the informal term "man" to connect with younger readers.

1. Task 2
Analyse the front cover of NME
September 2009

2. Analyse the front cover of NME
• The genre of the music magazine is largely associated with alternative and indie music. This is
shown through the artist
• The layout of the front cover is a 4 strip layout in the order of the masthead, cover image, name of
the model and the main coverline. This allows the name to stand out and NME can then sell for the
name of the artist. The use of a text tilt with “DIZZEE” implies that he is not mainstream and is
rebellious like the music genre rap. The rap genre is usually associated with rebellion and rule
breaking. Rap doesn’t conform to the standard rules of society and wants to be individual.
• The colour scheme is red, white and black. This leans towards a male audience as it is plain and
bold. The use of black and white gives the impression of plainness which is quite masculine.
• The mise-en-scene of the graffiti relates to the rap genre due to rebellious actions. The colour
scheme is matched with clothes gives a design that is not completely in your face but is simple
which again would appeal to the male audience.
• The main coverline starts off with “spreading joy around the world” which is quite a formal and
serious however the word “man” is informal which a younger audience would be able to relate to.
The use of a pull quote further implies that there is an interview in the magazine which is a
standard convention of the contents of a music magazine.
• The barcode is a typical convention of a magazine cover however it is not very important so it has
been placed in the bottom right hand corner where it not that visible.

3. Task 2b
• Font : the contents page has used both sans serif for the headings and
sub-headings which is typical for headings and also used serif for the main
body text. Sans serif has been used for the column on the right. This is
plain but also looks bold and chunky which gives a clean and clear design
with the colours. This modern look would appeal to the target audience of
males in there 20’s.
• Borders : the border around the photograph is a thin white border making
it look old fashioned and like a physical photo which has been stuck to the
black background. The black background is a flight case. This is an iconic
object for music as it connotes tours and is therefore metaphorical for the
text on the flight case which is about tours.
• Language : Humour and irony are used to talk about British weather :
“Thank god the sun has disappeared, eh?”. The alliteration of
“masterclass in messiness” adds to the fun of the language and gives an
informal effect. Colloquial language of “eh” gives off an informal, chatty
and friendly effect