The document analyzes magazine covers from NME, Mojo, and Rhythm magazines. For NME, the summary is that the logo is prominently placed, the central image conveys mystery, and the minimal color scheme looks sophisticated. For Mojo, the summary is that the main image grabs attention but the masthead is not prominent, and the color scheme of red and gray is dull. For Rhythm, the summary is that the bright masthead stands out but the busy page with scattered cover lines looks messy and lacks a coherent color scheme.
2. NME
I think by placing the logo/title on the top left it
stands out better than it would, say, in the middle
as the space around it would be off putting as it
is fairly small. The logo is usually black or white
to suit the background but sometimes changes
depending. In this case it is black which fits in
with the general theme and colour scheme of the
cover. The main font is sans serif which makes it
stand out and looks less formal, although
underneath it states NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS
(NME) which is in a serif font as it is a more
important line and is the official name of the
magazine.
The main image looks quite suave, the centre
man is using a direct mode of address but he is
wearing sun glasses which makes him look
mysterious as if he may be hiding something.
The man on the left also seems to be looking
directly at the camera but seems a bit
unsure, and the man on the right is looking the
complete other way. The centre man covers the
majority of the cover and is stood in front of the
other two which shows that he is more important
3. NME
The main coverline is the artists name, which
is in the biggest font so most eye catching.
Then underneath what seems to be a quote
from him. “MAGNETIC MAN” is in a sans serif
font to make it more bold and prominent, as
are the artists written above this, but the quote
is in a different, serif font which makes the
magazine still keep a professionalised look
and implies that this is from the article.
The other coverlines are down the left hand
side of the page and are a combination of
serif and sans serif fonts for the same reason
as before. “THE STATE OF MUSIC TODAY” is
the most important part and seems to be
either the title of the article or the topic of the
article as it then continues to say by and then
lists the artists.
The colour scheme is very minimal keeping it
just black and white/silvery-grey. This makes it
look very mysterious and suave yet important.
4. MOJO
The masthead is along the top of the page yet it is not very
prominent and the title doesn’t stand out. A puff is used in
the top left corner to advertise and promote the free gift of
a CD. It stands out quite well as it is a contrasting colour to
the background and a shadow effect has been used which
makes it stand out even more. I think it would be better if it
was bigger as this would be even more eye catching.
Also, not many magazines give free gifts very often so this
would probably entice people to buy this magazine rather
than another. There is also what looks to be a tagline
which is written across the main title, but the main image
restricts the view of this so I don’t know what it says. There
is the use of some cover lines at the top of the mast head
and some secondary images which tell you some of the
articles which will be in the magazine. Although they are
quite small, they are quite noticeable and use quite strong
words to advertise such as “sex. Anger. War.”
The main image is a band and is the first thing that grabs
your attention. It covers most of the page and overlaps the
mast head which shows that this is the most important
thing on the cover. They are both using a direct mode of
address which involves the reader and catches their eye.
The man on the left has his guitar upon his shoulder which
makes them look quite carefree and easy, which could
show that the magazine is quite laid back and not too
5. MOJO
The main cover line is the name of the
artists on the main image with a tag line “We
Rocked!” This is probably the name of the
article or a quote from it so is advertising
what’s involved in the magazine. It is written
right across the centre of a page in a sans
serif font which makes it stand out and catch
your eye.
The other cover lines are written across the
left and right hand side of the bottom half of
the cover. They are all in grey and red which
creates a colour scheme for the page. This
isn’t the most exciting colour scheme but it
works because it is frequently used. The
cover lines are the names of the artists that
are featured throughout and some of the
articles in the magazine.
The colour scheme is fairly dull, as it is just
red and grey. I think it would be better if the
grey was a bit darker so it looked a bit more
6. RHYTHM
The mast head on this magazine is quite
prominent and eye catching as it is in a bright
colour and stands out from the rest of the cover.
It also includes the date of the issue but very
small, it is still noticeable though. A puff is used
over the top which says “Every Drummer Needs
it!” This is to try and promote the magazine even
further. The selling line at the top, “The UK’s
Best Selling Drum Magazine” again this is to try
and get more buyers – the “Uk’s Best-selling” is
in a different colour to the selling line as this is
obviously a proud achievement so they want to
emphasise this. The font is sans serif so it is
more bold and stands out, and a slight shadow
is used again for effect.
The main image is the drummer from Muse
which is quite a popular band and is the main
coverline. He overlaps the masthead which
shows he is more important. Muse is probably
the main article in he magazine, as the coverline
is on them as well. Although the coverlines do
go over the picture which shows that they think
their content is more important than the pictures.
7. RHYTHM
There are many cover lines on this
cover so it is quite busy and hard to
determine which is which. The main
coverline would be the one that says
about MUSE and their
drummer, Dom Howard. The use of
colour and font makes this much
more eye catching.
The other coverlines are scattered
about the page which in my
opinion, makes it look messy and the
page is too busy.
There is no obvious colour scheme
as there is lots of different colours
used over the page which all seem a
bit random, so this does not work as
well.
