This document analyzes and compares the layout and design of three music magazines: NME, Kerrang!, and MOJO. It summarizes key elements of the front covers, contents pages, and sample double page spreads for each magazine. Overall, the document finds that the magazines utilize various design techniques like large images, headlines, and plugs/promotions to attract readers' attention and highlight the main stories or artists featured in each issue. The purpose and target audiences of the magazines are also discussed.

1. Textual analysis of magazine pages
NME Magazine
Kerrang! Magazine
MOJO Magazine

2. NME Magazine
front cover
Blue, red and
white colours.
Colours of the
Great British
flag. Main focus
of the issue is
on a British
band.
Additional stories
that are inside
the issue.
Masthead- Bold title
of the name of the
Magazine. Also in
the left third of the
front cover. This
means it is the first
thing a buyer sees
due to the way the
magazines are
stacked in stores.
Large image of
the focus of the
issue.
Headline- Who the
issue Is about in
larger font.
Barcode and price.
Price is small as the
magazine does not
want is to stand
out. It may put off
some buyers.
Selling line. Buzz
word “exclusive
attracts more
readers.
Plug- something
extra to entice
buyers and readers.

3. NME Contents
Masthead- title
of the magazine
also features on
the contents.
Images to show
what the
magazine will
contain, and
which artists will
feature. Gives
and idea as to
who the focus of
the issue will be
on.
Page numbers as
well as a short
description of
what will feature
on the indicated
pages.
Plug- Advertisement
to attract the
readers and give
them a discount.
Date of the
issue.
Index which
indicates which
bands feature in
this issue, and the
page number
they appear on.

4. NME Double Page SpreadThe title of
the article
uses a pun
featuring
the name
of the artist
the piece is
focused on-
draws the
reader in.
alliteration
is also
used.
Image of the
artist who the
article is
focused on.
Also features
him holding
the magazine
which may
encourage his
fans to
purchase the
magazine as
well.
Secondary lead. Gives additional information
that is not featured in the actual article. In this
case, background knowledge of the artist.
A small
extract from
the
interview on
the page.
Usually
something
more
interesting
or important
is picked out
and
maximised.
Image of the
featured artist
during a
performance to
add something
extra to make
the page
brighter and
more appealing.

5. NME Magazine Analysis
The purpose of NME magazine is to entertain, as well as inform them on the latest news in the
music world. It provides the reader with an insight into the indie rock genre, and an extra look
into their favourite artists. The magazine is aimed to a worldwide audience, however is mostly
concentrated in Britain.
The front cover is quite busy which catches the eye of
the audience. The contents page is clearly set out with
the page numbers and short titles easy to read, and it
makes it clear where to find each story. The front cover
of the magazine has several features which entice the
reader further, such as plugs and selling lines.
The double page spread I have analysed is plain, however
this is necessary to get the relevant information on the
pages. On each of the three pages I have analysed, the
important information NME are trying to get across is
made clear and easy to read through the size of the font,
the positioning on the page and the order in which things
appear on each page.

6. Kerrang! Magazine Front cover
Masthead.
Bold and
large font to
catch the eye
of the reader
and let them
know
instantly the
name of the
magazine.
Puff plug- informing
the reader what they
can receive within. An
attempt to entice
more readers, as they
are attracted by the
thought of getting
something back from
the magazine.
Bottom menu
strip. This tells
the reader what
will also feature
in the issue,
which will attract
a wider
audience.
Large image of who this
issues spotlight is on. The
image covers the whole of
the magazine cover which
indicates straight away who
the issue will be focused on.
Top strip also
features a plug. This
attract the reader
as it is in the top
centre third of the
magazine, so it will
catch their eyes
straight away.

7. Kerrang! Contents Page
Large picture of the
artist that the main
story of the magazine
is focused on. Takes up
half of the page to
cause it to look more
appealing to a reader.
A letter from the
editor of the
magazine which
makes it feel
more personal to
the reader. It is
like the editor is
speaking directly
to them. The
letter is also
accompanied by
a picture of the
editor.
The date and
issue underneath
the contents.
Contents title in
bold, bright font
to stand out.
Images of previous
magazine covers, as
well as an
advertisement plug
trying to entice
readers into signing
up to a subscription.
Page numbers as well as
titles of what the page is
focused on. Contrasting
colours of yellow and
black also make the sub
headings stand out.

8. Kerrang! Double Page Spread
Title of the
band that
the girl in
the image is
a part of. In
contrasting,
bold colours
to give the
reader a
clearer
indication of
who she is.
Large
image of
the artist
that the
article is
focused
on.
Contrasting
font. Pink
and bold
font makes
the question
asked stand
out and
clear to
read.
Small
extract of
something
interesting
the speaker
has said
throughout
the
interviewed.
Expanded to
entice
reader into
reading
more.

9. Kerrang! Magazine Analysis
The purpose of Kerrang! magazine is to entertain, as
well as inform them on the latest news in the music
world. Kerrang is mainly focused on the rock genre of
music. the front cover often contains the colour
scheme of red, black and white, which is often
associated with rock.
Kerrang is a British magazine, so therefore has a lot of focus on
British artist, both renowned and upcoming artists. The contents
page of the magazine is very busy, with half of the page being
covered by a large image. The page numbers are also
accompanied by a brief description of what will feature, however
it is not as clear as NME’s contents page, and is quite dazzling for
the reader.

10. MOJO Front Cover
Title in large bold
font, in the top third
of the front cover.
Instantly catches the
audience eyes.
Top strip also
features a plug.
This attract the
reader as it is in
the top centre
third of the
magazine, so it
will catch their
eyes straight
away.
Additional stories
that are inside the
issue.
Puff. Selling line.
Buzz word
“exclusive” attracts
more readers.
Barcode and price.
Price is small as the
magazine does not
want is to stand out. It
may put off some
buyers.
Additional image
of what is being
offered inside the
magazine. In this
case a CD is being
given for free
inside, and what it
looks like is shown
in the image.

11. MOJO Contents Page
Title of the magazine
also features in the top
third, centrally of the
contents page.
Date and issue
number of the
magazine in
smaller font,
due to it not
being vital
information or
important to
the reader. Large image
covering half of the
page. image
indicates which
artist the issue will
have its main story
on.
The features of
the magazine,
with a title of
what each story is
focusing on. Also
accompanied by a
brief paragraph
describing what
will feature, and a
page number so
readers know
where to look for
each story.
A small extract of a
quote from an
interview within the
magazine, and a page
number to show where
the story can be found.
This extract indicates
who the main focus of
the issue will be on.

12. MOJO Double Page Spread
Large
image of
who the
story will
be
focused
on.
Large image of
who the story
will be focused
on.
Small
paragraph
giving a brief
introduction
to who the
article will be
focused on, as
well as some
small
background
information.
Reference to the writer of the
interview and the photographer who
took the featured images.
Not very
colourful or
bright scheme.
Quite plain but
also has a
vintage sense to
it.
Large bold
capital font
with a colour
scheme. This
sets the
colour tone
of the whole
page.

13. MOJO Magazine Analysis
The main purpose of MOJO magazine is to entertain the audience whilst giving some behind
the scenes information on famous music artists. This magazine is focused on Indie Rock, and
provides stories on past and present bands and artists.
The front cover uses several different
methods to draw buyers in, including
plugs and puffs. The contents page of
mojo is the most clear of the 3
magazines I analysed, with the page
numbers and stories clearly set out,
vertically spanning the whole length of
the page. There is no distraction on the
page, but there is a photo which takes
the page away from being bland.
The double page spread of the magazine is set out simply, with images of who the page is
focused on. The conversation of the interview is clearly set out and it is easy to identify when
each speaker is talking.