The document analyzes two magazine covers: 1) NME (New Musical Express) January 2006 issue with a special feature on the 100 greatest British albums. The cover targets males ages 18-35 interested in genres like indie and punk. 2) Empire magazine 2010 issue featuring the film Inception. The cover uses dark colors and striking images to showcase films for both male and female audiences ages 13 and up interested in popular cinema.

1. UNIT 51: PAGE LAYOUT & DESIGN
PR8- MAGAZINE COVER ANALYSIS
Daniel Hopkins

2. FIRST MAGAZINE COVER ANALYSIS.
The first magazine cover I am going to be looking at is NME (New
Musical Express). The magazine, which was formerly a newspaper,
was launched in 1952 and it’s online version in 1996, which remains
the most visited standalone music website with 7 million visitors each
month. The magazine cover I am looking at is from January 2006 and
is a ‘special issue’. The main feature of the magazine is a list of the
100 greatest British Albums ever. I think that this magazine is aimed at
the demographic classes C2 and down, due to it’s strong leaning
towards working class music and genres such as indie and punk.
NME, along with many other musical magazines such as Q and Rolling
Stone, often release special issues dedicated to one specific subject. I
also think that the magazine is aimed at a mostly male audience (all
images of people on the cover are male and all members of the bands
listed are male). However, this is not necessarily stating that the
magazine is primarily aimed at males, just that it has a more leaning to
the male gender.
I think that there is no specific age range for the magazine as the
music can be enjoyed by many people of different ages. It involves a
mix of old bands and new in the rock and punk genres, so it can attract
different generations. However, a primary target audience for the
magazine will be most likely be around 18-35. The colours for the
magazine are generally quite dark, which is in theme with the typical
genres of music associated with the magazine. However, the lead
article is very clear and bright, prominently displaying what the main
part of the magazine is going to be. The artists displayed on the front
cover are done so in quite a dark fashion, with just their heads and/or
upper bodies on show. This will most likely have been done in order to
fit more people onto the cover. Though the theme is quite dark as
mentioned, the majority of the text is clear and easily readable. The
variety of artists shown and mentioned in either text or image form on
the front cover will be in order to cater for as many tastes as possible,
which will mean more interest and attraction to the magazine.

3. In the primary optical area, we can
clearly see the masthead for the
magazine. This instantly identifies the
magazine to anyone looking at it and is
in a prominent location to be spotted.
The letters are bold, bright and stand
out clearly, which helps draw attention.
Also in the primary optical area is a
cover line promoting the fact that this
issue of NME is a ‘special issue’. The
‘special’ theme of the magazine may
encourage people to buy it and thus, it
is in a easily viewable location.
Furthermore, there is a sticker on the
magazine, which is promoting a
discount card for HMV. The colours for
this are bright and clear, as it is
something that someone may purchase
the magazine entirely for.
The weak fallow area on this magazine
cover is used entirely to promote the
discount voucher which come free. It is
very prominent and is easily viewable.
It is strange that something like this is
in the weak fallow area but, I think that
it may have been put there due to a
lack of room on the cover. The colours
surrounding the card are bright and
attractive and the ‘15%’ off is also bold
and clear.
NME Magazine Analysis
In the strong fallow area we can see a clear
and bold cover line, stating that the
nominations for the NME awards for that
year had been announced. There is also a
sticker promoting a competition to win
tickets to a tour. As well as the above, the
theme of the special issue can be found this
area: ‘best British albums ever’. All of these
things are clear and prominent and being in
the strong fallow area, people will be drawn
to this.
The axis of orientation brings us from
the masthead across the cover to the
terminal area. As we go across, we
can see some of the artists (in image
and text form) that are to be featured
in the best album list. There are many
artists mentioned on the cover, to
cater to many different fans.
In the terminal area, we can see the
barcode and subsequently, the
price. We go to this from across the
axis of orientation and the price is
small and not prominent. This is so
people are not deterred by the price
and make their decision to buy it
based on other factors. Also in this
area is a cover line promoting an
article other than the main theme of
the special issue. This will be to
attract even more people, rather
than those just purchasing it for it’s
‘special’ content.

4. Masthead
Lead Article
Kickers
Barcode
Cover Lines
Promotions
Promotion
Kicker
Promotion Cover Line

5. Pull Quote
Dropcap
Kicker
Gutters
Headline
Caption
Main article image
NME Double Page Spread Analysis

6. Second Magazine Cover Analysis
The second magazine I am going to be looking at and analysing
is Empire Magazine. The magazine is based in the UK and it’s
first issue was in July 1989. The magazine is also printed in other
countries and has a circulation of approximately 145,000. The
magazine cover I am looking at is from 2010 and it’s main
feature is on the sci-fi fantasy film directed by Christopher Nolan,
Inception. As the magazine mainly deals with popular cinema, I
would estimate that the general demographic for it is around B
class and down. I think that as much of popular cinema is age-
neutral, there is no strict age limit for readers of this magazine.
Though, I think there is no upward age limit, I think that the
lowest age for a reader would most likely be around 13-14 years
old. I also think that the magazine is gender neutral, as it caters
for a variety of different film genres and thus, different people’s
needs. The colours for the magazine are generally very grey,
bland and not very bright. However, the images are usually very
visually striking, attractive and very clear. Though the general
theme for the magazine is dark, the text is bright and bold, with it
easily being readable for someone looking at it. The magazines
always have a lead article and many kickers, which will be in
order to cater to as many film fans tastes as possible.

7. In the primary optical area we
can see the bold, clear
masthead. It is in a striking,
attractive colour that that easily
grabs the attention, which helps
people to quickly identify the
magazine. Also in this area, we
see the kicker ‘The Dark Knight
Returns’. This compliments one
of the cover lines that can be
seen on the magazine. It also
acts as an enticement, as the
ellipsis makes people want to
read about the return of
batman.
In the weak fallow area, we
are able to see a cover line,
which is clearly identified to
a series of parts. The text
and shape is white and red,
in sharp contrast to the
black and white of the
general cover background.
It is bold, clear and
attractive and is clearly
visible to a reader.
In the strong fallow area, the bold
masthead as well as the batman-
related cover line continue stretching
across the top. This is very common in
magazines. Also in this area, you can
see some of the films that are to be
featured in the magazine.
There are many things that can be
seen when you go across the axis of
orientation. The cover star- Leonardo
DiCaprio- can be seen and is
attached to the lead article on his film
‘Inception’. Also, you can see some
more of the films that are to be
featured in the magazine. These
cover lines are done in a stretched
fashion, stemming from the lead
article. Many films as well as the lead
article film are featured in order to
cater to many film needs.
Empire Magazine Analysis
In the terminal area, we can see the
barcode and part of one of the cover
lines. You can also see a gun held by
the cover model. This helps identify
the genre of film that is being
featured and immediately indicates
to people that the film is going to
feature action. This adds more to the
cover rather than simply having him
without props on the cover.

8. Masthead
Cover Lines
(Same on
opposite side)
Barcode
Cover Line
Lead Article
Kicker
Cover Line
Cover Line

9. Headline
Article
Model
Image
Kicker
Dropcaps
Caption
Secondary
Image
Body
Text
Empire Double Page Spread Analysis