magazine cover analysis

1. Masthead
The masthead is in a large font which attracts
the attention of new and old readers. Also, the
colouring, purple, is to show that this is a
rock/metal magazine as we associate dark
colours such as purples and blacks with the
rock/metal genre. The masthead is slightly
covered by the main image which shows that
the magazine is well known and even without
all of the masthead showing, will be recognised.
Another thing about the masthead is that it has
the iconic Rocksound symbol making it even
more likely to be recognised by avid readers.
The font is rounded and quite thick which fits
with the genre as rock and heavy metal are seen
as loud, screaming and this font gives off a vibe
of being loud and destructive.

2. Main Image
The main image is large and covers most of the
magazine cover, this is to attract regular readers
and also to attract those who are fans of the band
but don’t read Rocksound. With it being a rock
and heavy metal magazine the band are expected
to be wearing dark or insane clothes, the other
members of the band are wearing dark colours
whilst the main member is wearing brightly
coloured clothing, this shows that he is definitely
the most known of the band. Also, the cover
image slightly covers the masthead, this is to show
that the band are well known and the main focus
of the issue. Also, because of the size and the fact
that it shows the band/cover stars pictured with
comical expressions it may interest someone who
is not a fan of the band, and they could try the
magazine just to see if the band/cover stars will
interest them.

3. Cover lines
The cover lines are written in capital letters to
show that the magazine has more interesting
content besides the main cover line. Also, the
are different colours to attract attention and
also to make the magazine look well
presented. The use of different fonts is to
attract the reader, show that the magazine is
well presented and also that there are certain
articles in the magazine that would be even
more interesting to individual readers. Some
of the cover lines also have coloured
backgrounds this is also to catch the readers
attention and to present the magazine well.

4. Main Cover line
The main cover line is presented inside a circle. The
circle is reminiscent of a puff, this is so that it does
not cover to much of the main image but also allows
it to be big enough to gain attention. The big font of
‘PIERCE THE VEIL’ attracts fans of the band and also
interests those who have not heard the band before
because they will read the interview and that might
interest them in the band. Also, the writing
underneath has a coloured background that goes
with the rest of the cover line.

5. Issue Information
The issue information is in a smaller and less noticeable
font as it is important but also would not attract readers.
The issue information is purely there to inform a reader
of the price, the issue number, the publication date and
the web address. The price is often by the barcode
because often readers like to know the price either to tell
people of to get the right amount of money out before
paying. Also, readers like to know the issue number and
the publication date because it allows them to see how
well the magazine is selling and to allow them to see how
often it is published. The web address is there simply to
allow them access to the webpage for the magazine.

6. House Style
The house style for Rocksound consists of dark colours,
white and also colours related to the genre of rock/metal.
House style is always consistent as it means that the
magazine is familiar and recognizable. This may also give
readers a sense of comfort because the magazine stays in a
similar colour scheme, the page is always set out the same
and the masthead is always in the same font and is the
same size.

7. Masthead
The masthead is large, this attracts attention
from regular readers and possible new
readers. The Q is white on a red background,
which is the iconic masthead to the Q readers.
Also, this keeps with the house style which is
mostly red and white with other dark colours.
The masthead is also slightly covered by the
main image, this shows that the magazine is
well known to the public and people will
recognise which magazine it is even without
seeing all of the masthead. This also, shows us
that the magazine is clearly a frequently
bought magazine and this will attract potential
readers to the magazine.

8. Main Image
The main image takes up most of the page, this
shows the band is well known as they are on the
cover of a popular magazine and also regular
readers and fans of the band will be interested in
the magazine issue. The fact that only one
member of the band is being shown as the main
cover star shows that he is the most well known
member of the band that will attract the
attention of readers, however they also decided
to include the rest of the band, but they are
inside the main cover stars mouth showing that
they are less known but still members of the
band. Also, the use of the band in the mouth
along with the flames shows they are a rock band
as flames are associated with the rock genre and
rock is a loud screaming, shouting genre. The
main image also matches the main cover line.

9. Cover Lines
The cover lines are all in the same font to
show that the magazine has a specific style
(house style) and it also makes the magazine
look professional. The use of different fonts
however shows what the difference between
the articles is, the ones that are more likely to
be popular are in brighter more attention
grabbing colours whilst the ones less likely to
be popular are not such bright colours. Also,
the different size of the cover lines attracts
readers attention as the can see the more
popular ones as that font is bigger but they
will have to actually pick up the magazine to
see the smaller text.

10. Main Cover Lines
The large white text shows that ‘FOO
FIGHTERS’ is the main cover line that matches
the main image. The font size attracts readers
and fans of the foo fighters, whilst also
keeping with the house style of Q. It is
Presented in the same text as the other cover
lines to keep with the well presented and
professional look of the magazine.

11. Issue Information
The issue information is available next to the
barcode to make it easy to find, also the
information is a smaller text to show it is not part
of the issue and cover lines but part of the actual
magazine. Another reason the information is
easy to find is because some readers like to
know the price before buying and some like to
know what the issue number is because they
like to know if they are up to date and have the
last issue.

12. House Style
The house style of Q is red and white
although they do also include other dark
colours. Another, part of the house style
is the use of the same font and also the
fact that they stick to a specific size of
text. The mast head is also part of the
house style due to being red and white.
Whilst Q is not a magazine that is
specific to genre it does cater to those
who like the rock genre.

13. Puff
The background for the puff is red and the
text is two different colours, the ‘FREE’ is
black and large to show importance and also
to attract the readers attention so they might
buy the magazine for the incentive. The white
writing goes into more detail and is smaller to
make the reader continue reading and read
the rest of the cover. The puff also keeps with
the house style because it is red with dark
colours, this also keeps with the professional
and well presented image of the magazine.

14. Masthead
The mast head is positioned to the left, this is
because the style of the magazine consists of
different sections, the white section has the mast
head and a cover line. The mast head is red with
a white background and a black outline, the
colours draw attention. Also, the mast head is
smaller than on most magazine which may
interest readers as this also shows that just the
text colours and fonts can be recognised.
Another attraction technique is the way they have
styled the mast head as if it’s a banner, the
letters are kept the same size and neatly
outlined, this make the magazine look
professional.

15. Main Image
The main image takes up most of the magazine
cover, this shows the magazine is popular as they
get the biggest bands/artists. Also, the regular
readers and fans of the band will find interest in
the magazine issue. Only one member of the band
is on the front cover showing that they are the
most well known and likely to be recognised, this
will attract attention from readers, although they
did include instruments such as the guitar and
drums which represent other members of the
band. The main image matches the main cover
line.

16. Cover Lines
The cover lines are all the same font to
represent the house style and specifics of the
magazine, also keeping to the professionalism
of the mast head. They used different text
colours to show what is expected to be popular
and also what information is the most important
whilst the rest is in a colour that is not seen as
bright and exciting. Another change in the font is
the size they use, the most popular/important
are the ones with the bigger font whilst the
others are smaller indicating the fact that they
are not as important as the bigger text, but are
simply more information based.

17. Main Cover Lines
The main cover line is large and mostly black,
however to show how the magazine is popular
they have made ‘GREEN DAY’ green which also
associates with the bands name. Also, the size
of green day attracts fans of the band and
regular readers. The band name green day is
the same colour as the skyline which keeps with
the professional presentation of the magazine.

18. Issue Information
The issue information is near the barcode because it
makes it easy to find and also helps those who want
it in finding out the date the magazine went on sale
and also the issue number keeping them up to date
with how many issues have been released and if
they have missed any. Another, thing the issue
information does is give you the website so that you
can access more interesting things and even have
an online version of the magazine.

19. House Style
The house style for NME consists of colours such
as red, white and other darker colours, although
they do not have a particular colour scheme they
do not go for brilliantly bright colours. Also, the
house style includes the fonts that are used, they
have specific fonts for the mast head, the adverts
on the sky line and the cover lines. The mast
head keeps with the house style which is
professional and smart looking. Even though
NME is not a genre specified magazine it does
have many aspects of a rock magazine whilst
including articles for other genres.