Textual Analysis of cover pages.

1. Music Magazine Research
Music magazinescome invariousshapesandformsespeciallywhendirectedtowardsaspecific
target audience.Ourtaskwasto researchpopularUK music magazines whichhasshownme the
mainelementsof thisparticularstyle of magazineandhow the layout,textandimages are able to
effectivelytranslate itsgenre tothe directedaudiences.
What I foundnoticeable when researchingUK musicmagazineswasthatquite alot of themare
dedicatedtowardsRockandMetal.When musicmagazineswere firstpublishedwhichwasaround
the 1950s, the mostpopulargenre of musicwas especiallyRock. Musicwas
startingto move awayfrom traditionandwasmodernisedintothisnew genre. Ithinkthatthishas
almostbeena keyfactorin the productionof musicmagazines.Althoughmusicmagazinesare a
lotmore variedintoday’ssocietyfrommulticultural musictastes,it’simportanttohighlightthat
longstandingmagazinessuchas ‘Kerrang!’ and‘NME’ still containsthisheavilyinfluencedgenre
of musicwhichIthinkis evidentintheirdesignof magazine.
Target audiencesare amainpriorityforparticulargenresof music.It isevident
that rock magazinesseemtobe mature intheirdesigns,fromtheirphotographs
displayedonthe frontcoverandevensomethingasminorasthe font.These magazinesare
directedtoquite mature audiencesbecause of the simplicityof theircoloursandstandout titles.
In contrast,‘Top of the Pops’magazine isverydirectedtowardsyoungeraudiences.Theircontent
isa lotmore relevanttotoday’smusicsuchas boybands and typical popmusic.The brightness
and busynessof the actual magazines coverappealstoamuch youngeraudience whoare enticed
by these particulardesigns.There isamassive difference betweentwogenre’sandtheirmagazine
content.The factor beingthe audience playsalarge role inwhatwe wantfrom a musicmagazine
and howit ispresentedtoshow itsgenres.
I alsohad to lookat publishersof these magazineswhichIthinktellsusaboutthe relationshipof
themesandcontentinparticularmagazines.BauerMediaGroupisa popularpublisher,who
publishes‘Kerrang!’,‘Q’,‘PlanetRock’and‘Mojo’.Each magazinesistargetedtodifferent
audiencesinorderto broadentheirconsumerbase andpresentrelevantmusicindifferentgenres
intoday’sindustry.ImmediateMediaCompany(Topof the Pops),TeamRock(ClassicRock),Ryan
Bird(Rock Sound – dedicatedtoupcomingandestablishedbands) andMusicRepublic ltd.(Clash)
are some otherpublishersof popularmusicmagazines.

2. Textual Analysis of ‘Q’ (Past version)
MASTHEAD – The ‘Q’ is one of the main and effective
elements of the magazine. The boldcontrast betweenthe red
background andthe white letter stands out and is easilycaught
by the reader’s eye which could influence the reader into
thinking that it is a relevant and popular magazine – this use of
colour doesn’t isolate genders andpresents this magazine to a
wider audience range with little limitation. The font is very
formal, suggesting that it’s a modernmagazine that has content
from today’s popular music industry. The simplicityof the font
and use of one letter wouldimplythat it draws a more mature
audience. The logo is something that effectively stands out,
enticing the reader and becomes memorable.
MAIN COVER LINE – The common
theme of white and thin font is very
appealing and is easy for the reader to see
and pickupon. The name ‘Florence’ is made
prominent through enlargement of the
font. ‘Q’s unrivalled access to the biggest
names brings music’s most exciting
characters to life’ (HR) which is claimed on
their BMG’s website, increases the
importance of this particular artist,
enhancing her relevance to the industry. It
influences the audience to want to know
about her andwhyshe is worth focusing on.
RULE OF THIRDS – Used to create a balance to
the front cover so that it adds this professional
qualityto the cover that makes it easier for viewers
to see and understand. It highlights the photograph
that spans the page - again adding a sense of
authority and attention towards the person in the
photograph.
MAIN IMAGE – There is nowhite space
left on the page as the photograph
connoting ‘Florence and the Machine’ is a
close up shot. This draws the audience in
and enhances many facial features of the
artist, such as the makeup used onher eyes
which may relate to this idea of sadness
conveyed in the anchorage. By looking
towards the camera, this shows an
engagement with the reader themselves
and almost creates a connection between
the reader and the celebrity. The way the
photograph was takenand how it hasbeen
editedto span the page seems to put across
an emotional connection to the reader
which relates to the main cover line andthe
anchorage. It adds to this theory of the
‘Male Gaze’ byfocusing onher features and
the emotionalexpressionfrom the artist;it
makes us seemmore aware of her state and
encouragesus to purchase the magazine to
connect. The subtle colours of the blue and
her hair colour determines the focus and
almost reduces the importance of other
elements on the front page, grasping the
reader to want to know more about her.
ANCHORAGE – The bottom
tagline is very effective due to its
short anddramatic context. It makes
the audience want to know more
about what is happening to make her
feel like she’s on the edge,
highlighting her priority within this
issue. Although the size of font is
reduced in comparison to the main
cover line, the font remains the same
style to create coherency between
them. It is noticeable that above
‘FLORENCE’ a new font is introduced.
This seems to add a more personal
qualityto the quote encouraging this
idea of personality coming from the
artist through to the magazine.
TAGLINE/SELLING LINE – The selling
line is used to highlight the main marketing
point. ‘Discover great music’ implies that
this magazine will focus on the up to date
and best music currentlyinthe industry. The
fact that it’s smaller than the masthead
shows that it isn’t fully required to make a
statement. It almost acts as a support to this
idea that ‘Q’ is a popular magazine that
everybody should know about. It highlights
their success in their content and popularity
of magazine which is relevant to what the
audience wants to know and hear about.
COVER LINES – The cover lines
demonstrate further variety and
information contained in the magazine. It
highlights other important stories that are
good enough to be featured and gives the
audience a chance to discover new music
and tells them what they need to know
about the industry. The language used like
‘Heroin’, ‘Hookers’ and ‘Bastard’ isn’t very
formal, andshows the target audience tobe
around 18+, almost stereotyping common
behaviour and language within this
audience.
FLASH – The blue outline circle is boldly
presented onthe front of the magazine
which is enhancedbyusing black writing.
There is a contrast betweenthe black and
the white background, makingit stand out,
but alsoit contrasts against the writing
usedon the magazine cover.
BARCODE – Common convention
usedon magazines for readers to be
able to purchase the magazine. The
selling date is alsomentionedwhich
shows whether the magazine is recent
or not.
Thismagazine lookslike anexpensive magazine due toitslayoutand quality of
editing. This then may seem like it is focused towards a mature age group,
which is supported with the language used on the cover in comparison to
sweetgirlyorboyishmagazines that appeal to a younger audience. The mise-
en-scene of the character is very specific and makes me think that the
audience is mainly directed to women. Although the focus on the celebrity
froma close upperspective issomethingthatlinkstoLaura Mulvey’s theory of
the ‘Male Gaze’,the fontand feminine lookof the magazine suggests that it is
focused towards the gender of women.

3. The mise-en-scenewithin
the magazinesare very
unique bynotjustfocusing
on one person’scharacter
and setting,whichadds
varietyanddiversitytotheir
magazine,makingit
appealingtoa different
target audience thanbefore.
Comparative Textual Analysis with Current ‘Q’ Magazine
There isa definitedifferencewhenlookingatthe twomagazines.The magazines
themselvesare extremelydifferentintheirlayoutsanddesign. Thisdifference difference
I thinkrepresentsthe modern twistof magazinesandhow they shouldbe portrayed
to capture the attentionof ayoungerage group and potentiallyadifferentsocial
classbecause of thisuncleanlookingdesign.
FLASH - ‘Relive your ‘90s’ suggests
that the directedaudience are people
that knewwhat the popular music was
like in the 90s. The shape used
corresponds to the rectangle usedfor
the headline whichagainsupports the
content of thismagazine.
ANCHORAGE– ‘The decade that
shapedmodern music’ shows how
music has changed, andQ want to let
their audience know the importance of
this music. Bymentioningolder music,
it allows us to appreciate how music
has changed, making the audience
want to knowandunderstandmore
about the developinggenres ofmusic.
There is a coherencybetweenthe
colour of this font with the ‘100’ and
‘90s’ which is effective because it
draws inthe audience, supporting this
importance of previous music.
DATE LINE & BAR CODE – A
common magazine conventionusedso
that customers are able to purchase the
product.
HEADLINE – The headline is a major
factor that influenceswhere the
audience lookonthe magazine cover.
A verylarge font is usedandcontrasts
betweenblackandred. The use of red
within the title represents the
importance of the ‘100 greatest
albums of the ‘90s’ whichmakes the
audience want to knowwhat these
are.
MASTHEAD – The masthead is stillthe same which
shows that the popularityof the magazine remains the
same as well as the target audiencesremainingmature.
There isn’t a tagline/selling line within the masthead which
almost shows enhances the popularityof the magazine. The
audience know that it will containwhat theywant to know
and readabout, andso the simplicityof the ‘Q’ being large
and bold onits owndemonstrates their understandingof
the target audience.
TOP STRIP – The top stripis used to
show what else is includedinthe
magazine, acting almost as cover lines.
Although the font is smaller, it is still
easilyseenbythe reader and lets them
know that there is more content inthe
magazine than just what the headline
suggests. The font ofthe band names is
in capital letters whichdemonstrates the
high positionthey’re in to be mentioned
in the magazine - suggesting their
importance to today’s music. It contrasts
against the headline bystill focusingon
the modern aspects of music as well as
past music which invitesa younger
audience towards the magazine ifthey’re
unaware of 90s music.
BOTTOM LINE – ‘Rod Stewarts ultimate guide to life’
seems like it is attractingto anolder audience – possibly
aroundthe age of 35+. Comparedto the typicalage target
audience of being 18+, I thinkthat thisspecific magazine
focuses onanolder age group sothat theycan reminisce
about music in their day. As well as the age of readers, it also
seems relevant towards the genre of the magazine. Although
the cover image suggests it’s a range of genres, RodStewart
as well as Royal Bloodare withinthe genre ofrock, meaning
that this magazine maybe aiming towards rock music fans.
COVER PHOTO – Compared to the
first magazine cover this is verynoisyin
the mixture of images. It maypossibly
attract a younger audience due to this
messylooking magazine cover. The mix
of mise-en-scene is veryapparent
through the contrast of artists and
genres through the heavy colour
differences and impact of images. This
shows that theyare trying to appeal to
a wider audience without fullydirecting
towards one specific type. The mix of
colours withinthe image is very
appealing to the eye andmakes the
audience want to lookaroundthe
images. Comparedto the image of
‘Florence andthe Machine’, this
modern idea of taking more thanone
image ofalbum covers is really
interesting yet stillconnects withthe
audience because of the diversityin
audience preferences.
COLOUR SCHEME – There is a high
ratio of redcomparedto other
colours, especially the font colours. I
think that redis a verystrong and
confident colour whichcould highlight
Q’s abilityof being confident inwhat
they’re presenting onthe cover, and
also withintheir magazine. The
boldnessof the colour draws the
consumers towards the media product
in comparisonto other magazines. The
colour of the different pictures also
adds anattraction towards the
magazine, making it seemfresh and
current in comparisonto an older
version ofthe magazine
‘90s lost classics’ makes the audience
remember the songs within this
decade, allowing a connection
betweenthe audience andthe
magazine content. The use of album
covers alsoact as a guide to what
theyforgot about makingthem think
and engage with the magazine.

4. Textual Analysis of ‘mixmag’ (Past Version)
TAGLINE/ PUFF– ‘The world’s
biggest dance music andclubbing
magazine’ shows the target audience to
be betweenthe ages of 18-25,
suggesting a teenagedandyoung adult
target audience because ofthe common
stereotype of younger people enjoying
partyingandloudmusic. It alsoboosts
the overall effect andpopularityof the
magazine, making people want to buyit
as it seems to standout fromthe rest.
MASTHEAD – The boldcolour of yellow corresponds to the
mise-en-scene – the setting ofthe sunset – and alsois
typicallya knowncolour that represents happiness and
enjoyment. The large and boldfont andis knownto be a sans-
seriffont. It is apparent that the word ‘mix’ itselfis mixedwith
different fonts and capital letters, from the ‘i’ andthe capital
‘X’. It stands out andadds thisfeeling of youthtowards the
title whichcould potentiallydemonstrate the effects of
drinking due to the mixing of fonts and letter sizes.
MAIN IMAGE– This image highly
represents the theoryof the MaleGaze
due to the waythe model looks intothe
camera, attracting a male audience,
especiallya younger audience because
of the teenaged target audience. The
Mise-en-scene within thisscene from
the sunset settingandthe clothes the
model is wearing emphasizes a young,
partyingatmosphere. The bright yellow
necklace compliments the title, bring
the cover andthe title into
correspondence. The tiltedorientation
of the photographmayalsorepresent a
‘drunk’ aspect to the magazine, making
things seem exciting andout ofthe
ordinaryincontrast to other magazines.
FONTS – There is a clear use of
multiple fonts usedon the cover. This
keeps the audience’s attentionand adds
varietyto the magazine.
MENU STRIP – lets the audience see what else is involved
in the magazine, againit is related to Ibiza, encouraging the
reader to buythe magazine to findout more. It is highly
relatableand realistic, becoming more attractive to the
consumer and making themfeellike theyare gaining
something fromthe purchase of the magazine.
FLASH – Used to present further
informationonwhat is in the magazine.
The ‘be veryafraid...Circoloco returns to
DC10!’ makes the audience be wary
about what is coming up. Circolocois
actuallya mainevent that takesplace
which encourages people to love music
in simple terms. Thisevent adds
excitement to the audience with an
interest in clubbing andshares an
unforgettable experience. It makes the
audience want to readmore about this
and is encouragement to purchase the
magazine. Combining it with event
alreadyposted onthe page, it highlights
the liveliness of Ibiza andthe content of
the magazine.
SUB IMAGE– A close upshot of this
person adds detail to their face and
makes the audience see what is clearly
involvedinthe magazine. It allows the
reader to see what is featuredinthe
magazine, making themwant to see
more information containedwithin the
magazine. It also adds a visual addition
to the magazine to make it interesting
and dynamic to the reader.
FEATURE HEADLINE – This headline
draws inthe audience as the words ‘ibiza
wants you!’ adds a socialinteraction
betweenthe magazine andthe viewer.
Ibiza links to the partytheme of the
magazine and soit supports the idea that
the target audience is directedtowards a
young andyouthful audience. It is very
appealing to this audience andconnotes
towards people with aninterest in
partying. This engagement between the
audience and the words makes people
want to findout how theycango to Ibiza
if theyhave this interest.
The insert belowthe headingrepresents
the events going onIbiza, attracting the
audience towards the magazine and
wantingto be includedin the event. The
fact that it overlays the womaninthe
image makes thisevent seem really
important andsomething that is
unmissable. Also it’s noticeable that this
left third is veryfull of informationand
large images. This enhances the
importance of Ibiza to the audience due
to the eye-catching layout of the cover
because of thisslight unbalance between
thirds.
Overall this version of ‘mixmag’ magazine heavily relates to the ideology of partying, making it clear that the target
audience isveryyoungandcurrent.The use of differentfontskeepsthe viewersinterested in what they’re seeing and
engagesthe reader.Itis also apparent that the mise-en-scene in the setting and the model, through her clothing and
longshotare complimentedbythe fontsanditall fitstogether - making it balanced and easy to read whilst remaining
eye catching.I like how to gender isn’t specific and applies to both. There is no specific obviousness to which gender
this magazine is aimed at and so brings in a wider audience.

5. Comparative Textual Analysis with Current ‘mixmag’ Magazine
MASTHEAD – The masthead is a verydifferent style
compared to the previous cover. The use ofblackfor the colour
creates a more serious approachto the media product andis
much less of a partythemed magazine which mixmag is usually
representedas. The boldness of the black alsodraws the
attentionof the audience because of its solid blockintensity. The
font style is the same andinformal, suggestingthat the target
audience is stillwithin young age rather thanolder readers.
Thismagazine relatestowardstoa targetaudience whodonot wantto be the same as everyone else in
traditional society.Thismaybe referredtobeingalternative orindie,butthisaddsa social change against
ideologiesandstereotypes.Ithasa clearfocus onwhat itwants to presenttothe readers inthe magazine layout
and relatestoa mature youngaudience enforcedinthe colourschemesanddesign.
MENU STRIP – Their magazine
content is displayedinthe centre of
the magazine and edited over the
group. The smaller font mayindicate
that these are cover linesanda
collectionof what is inside the
magazine. Bynot having it visually
portrayedwouldbe interesting to
the reader andagaindifferentiate
them from other magazines by
havingone main focus.
MAIN COVERLINE/SUB TITLE – ‘The TechnologyIssue’ is
surroundedbya leading box designwhich makes it standout on
the page as well as the font being white andin capitals. This
demonstrates that this is different to their typical magazines and
links to their target audience wholikes techno style music. This
could have beenusedto diversifytheir magazine but gainthis
different reader base whichmaylater influence their production
of magazine style andtarget audiences.
MAIN IMAGE– The style of
photographyis almost sequenced in
how the people are positioned on
the cover. Byhaving twopeople of
similar height duplicatedacross the
page creates a different approach
on how to typicallyphotograph. A
long shot is usedto reinforce this
duplication, removing the detailed
expressions of their faces and makes
the magazine cover a lot more
interesting and eye catchingto the
readers as it is not a typical wayof
viewinga group. The waytheyare
standing is alsodifferent as three
people are all looking inthe same
direction whichshows themlooking
behindthe camera. Thisadds a
discontinuitybetweenthe
duplication and makes them stand
out against the one individual
looking directlyat the camera. Only
havingone personmakingeye
contact withthe camera engages
the reader andmakes themwant to
know what the other people are
looking at.
The use of dark clothing andminor
difference between the people
within the scene couldhave been
usedto addto this importance and
equalitybetweenthe magazines
itself andthe people within it. The
clothingis verysimple because of
the blackcolouration, however the
difference in style (suchas a dress,
hairstyles and material) is usedto
conveytheir personalities and
highlight their differences despite
being equal in their importance.
LAYOUT – The use of little colour
differentiation keeps the magazine
quite neutralandformalinsome way.
The colour purple is a relaxingneutral
tone inthe backgroundwhich is heavily
contrasted against bythe intense black
font andthe use of costume from the
people. The colour doesn’t depict a
gender that the magazine solely
focuses on. It createsa wider audience
betweenthe genders andgoesagainst
typical stereotypesof colour. The
neutral idea reinforces this and
remains accessible for all genders.
The coordinatedblackcolour fromthe
costume and font choice maybe used
to add balance to the cover without
being outweighedbynumerous
different colours andfonts. I alsothink
that this adds importance to the people
on the front cover because the selected
colours – it’s like the band contains the
same level ofimportance as the
magazine itself andportrays a high
status inthis particular issue. It adds
this ideaof equalityanddominance the
band has against the successful media
product.
The front cover is not verybusywith
inputs of flashes and plugs whichcan
usuallybe usedto attract anaudience
base ofyounger readers. It redefines
the fact that the magazine is meant for
an older audience around18-25. It may
indicate that the banditself onthe
front cover is the main focus of the
magazine and therefore it is
unnecessaryto containlots ofdifferent
elements that goesagainst the title and
imagery.
The layout also is not strictlywithinthe
typical convention ofthirds. This could
be usedto claim that their magazine is
not the typicalcontemporarymagazine
and worth reading, but also because it
mayrepresent their audience. Their
target for this particular magazine may
lie withinalternative and certainindie
stereotypes whichwouldinfact
interest these people to purchase the
magazinesdue to this unique aspect. It
creates a connectionbetweenthe
target audience andthe magazine,
engaging the viewers.
BARCODE – Used for the purchasing of the media product.
TAGLINE – Above the magazine name in a smaller white font
says ‘dance music, clubculture’. It is short and formal which
demonstrates what the magazine is about andinfluences their
target audience. It relates to a young age groupwhoparticularly
like dance music andclubs. The white font is the same as the
maincover which indicatesthis is more about a techno/DJ style
magazine issue that typicalpartying.

6. Textual Analysis of ‘NME’ (Past Version)
Thismagazine Ithink
focusestowardsmore of
a male audience because
of mainly male bands
usedand style of imagery.Ithinkthatthe magazine focusesonolderbandsandmay focustowardsan older
audience atfirstglance fromthe oldereffectgivenfromthe magazine –throughthe blackand white image,
simplistictextandcolourscheme.The magazine isconformandneatwhichaddsvisual appeal toattract the
audience andlinksinwell withthe stereotypical rockfonts,coloursandclotheswornbythe artists.
HEADER – The font usedfor the header creates a coherency
betweenthe fonts of the main band‘The Strokes’, highlighting the
‘special’ area ofthe issue. As well as the same font, the same cover
line is used. The repetitionintensifies the importance of the band
and makes the reader thinkthat this is something theyshouldknow
and readabout, therefore makingthe reader want to purchase the
magazine. The red colourationof the header makes it standout
against the image andalso links inwith the colours of the masthead
and cover line.
FOOTER – The footer contains bands that are featured withinthe
magazine. This mayinclude artists of interest that the audience may
be drawnto or like, andtherefore encouraging the purchase of the
magazine sothat theycanreadabout their favourite bands. It shows
the relevancyof the magazine to the reader andtoday’s music, and
therefore becomesa product that theywould get.
MASTHEAD – A bold redis used to
make it standout against the main
cover photo. Because of the boldness
of the title andthe simple 3 letters, it
can easilybe overlaidbythe artists
because it doesn’t needto be the
mainfocal point. The redmakesit
obvious for the audience to know
what theyare readingandtherefore
allows themto include thisoverlay
due to its remembered appearance.
The red also makes the magazine
name standout much more, and
makes the audience more aware of
the mediaproduct.
MAIN IMAGE– The cover image
acts as a framework to add a balance
to the rule of thirds which makes the
image stand out as a centralpart of
the cover page. The audience is
drawn to the image because of the
symmetrywithinthe position ofthe
band and acts as a centralfocus to
draw the reader. The image itself is
composed ofthe band looking
directlyinto the camera, at eye level,
and is a long shot. This idea ofthe
band beingat eye level seems more
direct andengaged withthe audience
and acts more natural andless
intimidating. The deliberate removal
of colour fromthe photomaybe
linked to the idea of a timeless
quality, linking to the ‘10 years’
aspect of the cover line; suggesting
that their music is the same andas
good as boththe past andpresent. It
also removes the colour andfocus of
the clothingto adda more timeless
effect, but it alsodoesn’t showoff
expensive colours andclothes that
most celebrities wear inthisdayand
age. It could link withthe acceptance
of casual comfort in what you wear
and not wear what seems socially
acceptable. However, the clothing
does linkto the typical representation
of rock and therefore wouldattract
the target audience
BARCODE – Allows the audience to
buythe media product. The feature
of ‘690 gigs listed’ differentiatesthe
look of this barcode and createsa
unique qualityto this magazine.
COVER LINE – The cover line is
made upa large font intwo colours.
The intense redusedfor ’10 years’
makes the reader more alert ofthis
importance. The colour alsolinks in
with the masthead to showthat this
is particularlyof some significance to
the magazine. The font for the band’s
name is subtlybigger whichadds to
this ideathat this bandis important
and needs to be readabout. It also
woulddraw in a reader whohas an
interest I the bandandtherefore
makes them more likelyto buythis
magazine.
PLUGS– Plugs are usedonthe page
to show other main stories of the
issue sothat the reader is able to
understandwhat is inthe magazine,
but shows what the consumer needs
to know about. Eachplug contains a
different colour scheme to possibly
diversifythe stories theymention, but
also as a colour contrast to the
magazine to make them standout
more against the black andwhite
photograph.
TAGLINE – The tagline links inwith
the image’s colouration andthe idea
of a focus on the past. It alsoentices
the reader because it is made to
soundlike that it hasnever been
revealedbefore. It acts as almost
exclusive andwouldmake the
audience want to readmore.
COLOUR SCHEME – The colours
usedare black, white andred along
with a blue flashwhich represents the
typical rock theme ina music
magazine. It allows the colours to
standout against eachother because
of their contrasts andalsodraws
attentionfrom their target audience
associatedwith the rock genre.
LAYOUT – The fonts usedwithin the magazine are verysimilar and alllinktogether. This makesthe magazine
design neat and easyfor the reader to read. The central focus onthe bandadds a balance to the magazine and
focuses onthe rule of thirds, whichthe text conforms to as well.

7. Comparative Textual Analysis with Current ‘NME’ magazine
MASTHEAD – The masthead has beenusedcleverlyto give a more atmospheric feeling to the magazine and
its readers. The bright red, bold, capitalsand outlinedwhite font draws attentionspecificallyto the masthead
and its repeated placement, representingtheir boldnessanddominance as a magazine. The crazedpositions of
the mastheadshows the active involvement NME has withevents that go on, making themappear on trend
and engaged withwhat theydo. It has been placed randomlyacross the page alsoto make the audience feel
involved as if they’re there at the event. The redmaybe usedto adda youthful andideologyof rock feel to the
cover presenting their target audience straight away. Alsothe acronym of‘NME’ makes it easier for the
audience to readand understand.
TAGLINE – Smaller font is usedbut
it is the same style as the main cover
line. This adds consistencyto the
cover line and links to the band from
the description ‘Gonna make you
sweat’. Thisparticular style ofwriting
(like ‘gonna’)woulddefinitelysuggest
that this bandandmagazine is trying
to target younger people whohave
interests in music festivals and
partying. This is evident inthe
unevenness of the font to really
signifythis.
MAIN IMAGE– The maincover
image focuses on the setting and
locationwithin mise-en-scene. The
lack of focal point allows us to see
that this is a music festival or concert
event whichadds to the intense
atmosphere enhancedbythe fonts.
There is focus on the bandSlaves due
to their engagement with the camera
and a more close up midshot of them
within the audience. Their placement
into the foregroundas wellas the
guitar almost becoming3D highlights
them as artists in comparison to the
people inthe background.
Expressions are clearlyseenin both
the artist and audience’s faceswhich
show a connection betweenthe two
and also engagesfans wholike them
as artist who sees this onthe front
cover. The use oftattoos andcrazy
atmosphere captured links inwith a
‘rock person’ stereotype of rebellion
and intense situations. This may
engage fans because of the fun,
intense andactive involvement inthe
settingand small details that would
influence them as a person.
MAIN COVERLINE – ‘Slaves’ is
usedto indicate whothe bandis on
the front cover, makingthe audience
aware of the genre andstyle of this
magazine issue. The fact that this is
the onlycover line adds an importance
to this artist which is enhanced by
spanned image of themacross the
page. This wouldencourage the target
audience wholikes thisband want to
read about themandthe event due to
the heavyatmosphere the magazine
presents to the readers. The bold
white and capital letters makesthe
font standout demonstrating their
prioritywithinthis magazine. The font
is purposelyplacedunevenlyto link
with the setting of the imageryand
links withthe crazedplacement ofthe
title. It adds a more interactive quality
to the magazine and couldpossibly
relate to the hectic event that would
appeal to a younger target audience.
There is a commonmisconception
that rock music veers towards the
male gender because of the intense
atmospheres andoutgoing events.
Withinthe image there is a large
number of boys especiallythat are
youthful, linking in withtarget
audience age, but alsothe
heightened and busyscene, having
more thanone personin the main
cover photo heavilyinfluences who
the magazine maydirect their sales
towards.
MENU – NME presents the general informationthat is contained
in the magazine throughthe use of a flashstyle and black
underlinedfont. The yellow contrasts against the magazine cover
as well as the cleanroundcircle and font which contrasts against
the different placements of letters. It adds a calmer tone to the
front page andmake lets the audience see beyond the visual of
what is presentedon the front cover bysimple text. Againit is not
a typical menulayout which isn’t verydescriptive adding a unique
aspect to thismagazine.
COLOUR SCHEME - The colour
scheme is extremelyrangedand
there is nospecific colours other
than the red, white andyellow from
the digital editing. This demonstrates
the typical colours from a rock
themedmagazine andenhances the
atmosphere inthisparticular event.
Thiscurrent versionof NME magazine isheavilyorientatedtowardsamale audience due
to the male,rock stereotype andintense atmosphere.Itwouldstereotypicallylinktoa
man’sappeal more than a woman’sbecause of the lackof conformityandneatnessthat
a woman’smagazine wouldpossess.The targetaudience age isveryclearaswell due to
the environmentandsettingthe photographwastakenin.The layoutandthe font isnot
a conventional wayof presentingonamagazine coverbecause of the little use of thirds
and traditional magazine structure.Ithinkthatthisisdifferenttoothermagazines
because itcapturesa realisticeventratherthana setand the atmosphericqualityismore
appealingtoa readerto differentiate thismagazine.

8. Evaluation on Textual Analysis’
In this particular research task, I wanted to look at how magazine designs have
changed from their past and most current magazines. I wanted to see what is
more visually attractive within the style of today’s media products in
comparison to previous layouts to really understand what I need to focus on in
the production of my own magazine to make it relevant in today’s media
development.
I think that this has given me an insight on how society has changed and what
looks more appealing to purchase when looking at magazines, and it has also
told me a lot of things about genders and stereotypes. In the older versions of
magazines, there was a common traditional theme of stereotypes, such as
mixmag and the younger age and partying culture, along with Q and their more
connective stories that would appeal to a more mature audience and
informative content. The development of society and music preferences have
certainly changed influencing the layout and features on a magazine cover. The
range of music genres within the different magazines is evident in their layout,
especially with mixmag and NME which has a more minimalistic layout to
highlight the genre of their magazine using mise-en-scene components such as
sets, locations and people. It influences the way a target audience is approached
and is an unconventional, unusual way to present magazines. It catches the
reader’s attention a lot better due to this effect and I really like the minimalist
impact it has.
This portrayal of genre and target audience would require me to focus on these
particular elements of mise-en-scene and camera work to produce a successful
magazine in my music genre for today’s audience. The modern and traditional
values of a magazine layout is constantly changing and it is interesting to see
how the traditional conventions like cover lines have been overlooked by a main
title to present a more fixated view of what is important to a particular
magazine.
Overall I think looking at old and new has helped me to understand what is
more appealing to today’s music readers and gives me a knowledgeable
advantage to use in my magazine production.