This document analyzes the front covers of three issues of Q Magazine. It finds that all three covers use the large masthead "Q" in the top left corner to identify the publication. They also all place the main cover line featuring the artist's name (Adele, Noel Gallagher, or Kate Bush) in bold white font at the bottom. Additionally, they have smaller additional article lines down the left side and prominent close-up facial images of the featured artist. While some stylistic details like colors and quotes differ, the overall format and layout is very consistent across the three Q Magazine front covers.

1. What makes an effective front
cover?
Nicola Nightingale 12R

2. Q Magazine – Adele front cover
The letter ‘Q’, which is the masthead
is very visible and is placed in the left
hand corner of this magazine. This
will inform readers that this magazine
is called ‘Q’. The cover line says
‘Adele’ which shows that the
magazines main article is about Adele
or could be an interview with her. This
cover line is placed at the bottom of
the front cover and is in a bold, white
font which stands out. There is a
quote which Adele may have said in
the main article interview placed
above the main cover line. Moreover
the additional cover lines are placed
down the left hand side of this front
cover. They are all in the colours of
red and black and they are all in the
same font type. The image used of

3. Q Magazine – Noel Gallagher front
cover
You can tell from this front cover that this is a ‘Q’
magazine as well. This is because of the
massive ‘Q’ in the top left hand corner, which is
the masthead. The main cover line from this
front cover is ‘Noel’. This is who the main
magazine interview/article is about and therefore
informs the reader this. This is very much the
same as the ‘Q’ magazine in the previous slide
as it is in the same white font type. It is also
placed at the bottom of the front cover. In
addition, it has a quote which Noel may have
said in the main articles interview. This is very
similar to the magazine in the previous slide as it
has been placed just above the main cover line.
Similarly, the additional cover lines have been
placed down the left hand side of the front cover,
however these additional cover lines are in the
colour white, unlike the ones in the magazine in
the previous slide. Just like in the magazine in
the previous slide the image they have used of

4. Q Magazine – Kate Bush front
cover
Just like in the magazines in the previous
slides, the masthead of this magazine ‘Q’ is
placed on the top left hand side of this front
cover. The main cover line of this magazine is
‘Kate Bush’ which has been placed in the
same way as the magazines in the previous
slides; the bottom of the front cover. However
this magazine does not have a quote that
Kate Bush has said in her interview in the
main article of this magazine like the other
magazines in the previous slides did.
Furthermore the additional cover lines have
been placed down the left hand side like the
other magazines in the previous slides have
in the same column-styled way. Like the
magazine in the previous slide all the
additional cover lines are in the same colour
white but are in a different font size than the
other magazines. The image of Kate Bush
they have decided to use is a close up shot of

5. Q Magazine
From these 3 magazine front covers it has now
become apparent how similar they are even though
they are from different years and have different
artists on them. The masthead of the letter ‘Q’ is the
main giveaway that these are the same magazines.
Also, the main cover lines are all the same colour
and placed in the same way; at the bottom of the
page. Furthermore the additional cover lines are all
placed down the left hand side in the same column-styled
way. Although in not all 3 magazines are they
the same colour. The images of the artists are all
close up shots of their faces. In many ways, ‘Q’
magazine has a traditional style of front cover they

6. Nicola Nightingale 12R