Front cover analysis

Front page analysis- Media Studies

Front cover 1

The first magazine which I researched was a ‘VIBE’ magazine which targets an audience which likes R&B music. The colours which are used on the front cover is limited is limited to 4 colours, those being blue, black, pink and white. The white background is effective and makes the front cover instantly look professional as it white and ensures that the other colours which are brighter fully stand out to the reader. The colours are also linked between the dominant character which is Kanye West as the blue and white is also used on his clothing. This makes the magazine instantly fit for purpose as the darkness of the celebrity’s features and hair contrasts with the bright and light colours in the background and on his clothing. The bright colours used also suggests a sense of irony as Kanye, the central image, tends to wear dark colours and it also contrasts with the music genre itself.

The main image which is used is clearly the first feature of the front cover which attracts the reader’s attention. It is shown to be the main feature as it is centred on the page. The text is then laid out to revolve around the image, this is shown as much of the text is around the sides of Kanye’s head. Kanye’s head also takes over much of the magazine’s front cover. This adds extra emphasis to his smug facial expression. The image has been shot from the shoulders up, the purpose of this could be implied by the little emotion which is shown on his face. This could be to make the reader want to read on as if there isn’t being too much given away on the front cover. It could also connote masculinity as men are known not to show emotion like women do. Masculinity is also shown by the top button which is undone on his jacket. Around the grey jacket, there has been a dark glow shown to be coming from his body. The purpose of this is to ensure the white doesn’t clash with the jacket as they are both light colours. It then appears to have faded completely as it gets to his hair as his hair is the same colour as the fade which is used. It would then mean it would clash with his skin tone and hair as they are both the darker colours which are used on the front cover. There are no other images used on the front cover other than the main image, the purpose of this could be to ensure that the readers’ attention is fully drawn to Kanye and there being no distractions. It also allows the page not to be over crowed causing no diversions between the most important and less important features.

The selling line of the magazine consists of all three of the main colours used on the front cover. The beginning of the text ‘Exclusive on set-report’ is in the same colour as the cover line text which is pink. The purpose of this is to show there is a link between the two and emphasises the importance which instantly grabs the readers’ attention. They are both about Kanye West which then links to the image on the front cover as he is the main objective of this magazine. The three colours which are used are clearly readable as they contrast so well with the white background.

The cover line is “Kanye West ‘I am rap’ + his 50 greatest songs (and 10 to delete).” This is in a bold font, as well as the rest of the same font on the front cover, however this is a bigger size as it wants to emphasise that it is one of the main features. The ‘I am rap’ is in blue which is the same colour as the title of the magazine. This implies the genre of the magazine is to do with ‘rap’ which is professional as it shows a clear link. It is also in quotation marks which emphasises this point.

I like the use of the main image how Kanye is the dominant feature to the front cover. Also the hue which is used around his upper shoulder/bottom of face allows the image to stand out to the full extent. Also the colour scheme is very catchy, also being ironic linking to Kanye’s style and personality. I also think the amount of information used on the front page is at an appropriate, professional amount, not giving too much away but also intriguing the reader immediately to read on into the magazine itself. I like how Kanye is the only image on the front cover, this allows him to be the main and only image attraction ensuring there will be no distractions from that.

What I think is slightly unprofessional is the fact that Kanye’s head covers much of the Masthead. This means that, for people who have never head of or read this magazine before wouldn’t be able to make out what the title says/ what the name of the magazine is. If it was my choice I would alter sizes/ placements so that the title is fully readable.

Front cover 2

The second magazine which I researched called ‘blender’ which targets a younger age as it is a dance/pop music genre, it holds information about the top hits and new released tracks. The colours which are used on this front cover are limited to three colours which are black, white and pink. The leading colour of the three is black. The reason for this is the background is white, this shows that the colour black obviously stands out as it is the colour which contrasts the most with the colour white. The colour pink is then used with other various points which are important for this magazine. The white background also contrasts with the main image of the front cover which is Katy Perry, for those who don’t know who she is, it is clearly shown using two out of the three colours to the left of the main image. The colours used also contrasts with Katy Perry’s skin colour which makes her certain to be the first feature which is noticed.

The main image is centred on the front cover which clearly shows it is the dominant feature. The purpose of the image being thigh up and centred is to ensure her figure is shown to be neat and also seen as sexy. This indicates femininity and could be seen as being inspirational. Her black hair links to the colour scheme of the magazines front cover, however, it slightly slashes with the magazines title as they are both black. This could be seen as being a disadvantage to the magazine and should be improved in order for the magazine to be fit for purpose. If the title was to be the same colour pink which occurs in various text it would fully stand out to the reader. The text is set out around Katy’s body; the purpose of this is to fully lay emphasis on the main image showing that the text is surrounding her which also shows significance. It also highlights her amazing figure and posture by the way it is placed. This magazine, like the first one I reviewed has no other images along with it on the front cover. The purpose of this is to ensure the main image is the focal point of this page causing no distractions to the reader. The way the text is laid out as well as the one main image allows the page not to be jammed with irrelevant information which would prevent it from being fit for purpose.

The selling line of this magazine cover is directly above the title. It includes two of the three colours to get the important facts across and ensure it fully stands out. The ’10 hot new tracks’ is in the colour pink and also in capital letters. This is to emphasise that is an important aspect of the text but also the location of the text shoes the importance. The word ‘hot’ also links to the main image of Katy Perry as it is aimed at a younger audience.

I like how the text and main image are clearly separated from each other. This allows nothing to get in the way of the image ensuring it fully stands out. I also like how the most important information on the front page has a page number to immediately inform the reader of where they will find the information without them having to take time finding it themselves. I like how there aren’t any other images on the front page as it allows the main image to fully stand out.

I dislike how the hair colour clashes with the Masthead preventing the title from being able to stand out. I also dislike the childish-like font which is used as I don’t think it’s very appealing. I also dislike the name of the magazine as I think it has no clear link to the magazine itself.

Front cover 3

The third front cover which I researched was for the magazine ‘NME’ which stands for ‘New Musical Express’. It is a British weekly music journalism publication, published since March 1952.  It is largely associated with rock, alternative and indie music. This is instantly shown though the range of colours, fonts and positioning of images. The main three colours which are used within the colour scheme are red black and white but the colour yellow appears on the selling line and the strap line which is ‘jack white’s shock new album’. This strap line is also in capital letters as well as much of the font on the front cover. The purpose of the yellow font then being added it to ensure the exclusive/shock message is immediately noticed by the reader.  The red text contrasts well with the white background and as you can see it is the opposite within the white text and the red banner at the top of the page. The title of the page slightly overlaps with the red banner and is in the same colour; however the title has a white outline followed by a further black outline to prevent the colours clashing which would mean the title would be unreadable.

The fonts which are used on this front cover are modern, bold fonts. The purpose of this is because this magazine targets wide, younger audience so it anchors the magazines style and genre. It also varies in different areas of the page; the purpose of this is to show that they don’t want the magazine to be boring with just one font; but also not over doing it to the fact where it looks crammed and unprofessional. There majority of the text on the front page is brief information as to what is going to be in the magazine. There are headers for each of the brief information in bold text which enables it to be eye-catching to the reader. This is professional as the enlarged key words instantly intrigue the readers’ into wanting to read the magazine. There is large text over the main image of Alex and Miles, varying between red and white font in order for them to contrast with each other, as well as the black clothing on both of the singers. Both of the singers are wearing dark enclosed clothing, these matches with their facial expressions which are giving off no emotion. Their skin colour also looks drained and pale which, along with the clothing choice and colour, links with the colour scheme of the magazine.

I like the colour scheme which has been used for this magazine as it is simple, as well as being attention grabbing. I think this is professional as it isn’t too much or too little in order to please the reader.

I think the front cover is slightly overcrowded with text and slightly distracts the reader from the main image. This prevents the magazine from being fit for purpose as it may push the reader away as there is lots of text; there will be enough text as it is within the magazine itself.

Front cover 4

The fourth front cover which I researched was a ‘Q’ magazine which is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. It was first issued in October 1986. The genre which this magazine promotes is mixed; it consists of recent hits along with older, well-known artists. It is also aimed at both genders mainly targeting people over the age of 25.

Florence and The Machine is the main feature of this front cover. This covers the purpose of the magazine as Florence currently has music in the hits but is also a well-known artist. The colour scheme which is used on the front cover is limited to 3 main colours, these being red, white and blue. Cleverly, these colours are what makes up the main image of Florence. The white is used in her skin, the blue in her eye make-up and the red in her hair. Smartly they used a more orban colour for the hair to ensure the hair contrasts with the red on the masthead so it stands out fully. This shows a clear link between the house style and features of the magazine.

The Masthead is situated at the top of the page in a large, bold font. The purpose of the Masthead contrasting with the background on the magazine is to allow it to stand out against other magazines on the shelf.

The fonts which are used are all white in order to contrast and stand out with the full page image of Florence. The font which is used is a modern font which is used to link in with the genre. This also attracts the readers’ attention immediately. The main cover line ‘feel so alone’ followed by ‘Florence woman on the edge’ is in two separate fonts, and the second font being in two different sizes, however it is all in the colour white sticking to the house style. The purpose of the two different fonts being used within the cover line is to add more emphasis to the cover line in order for the audience to be more fascinated by it. Just below the cover line is a blue dash which shows a divide between the cover line and the exclusive information of which is held within the magazine. This blue dash occurs within each divide to separate information for the readers benefit; also linking it in with the house style. This ensures the reader won’t get information mixed up etc.

The layout of the front cover is quite busy, giving a lot of information before even reading the magazine, which gives the reader plenty of information straightaway. The font is placed around the main image allowing it to still be the main importance of the page, as well as attention being dragged to the text.

I think the use of the house style for this front cover itself is professional as the colour scheme is simple but effective. I like how the colour blue is one of the three colours used however, it is the least used but still stands out. It potentially, in my eyes, stands out more than the white as it isn’t usedh a lot but a main part of the main image.

There isn’t much I can say I dislike about this magazine as I think it looks very successful. If I was to pick something it would be to reduce a bit of the information which is on the front. Only slightly to reduce the amount of text.

Front cover 5

The fifth and final front cover which I am going to analyse is a ‘Rocksound’ magazine. It is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more “underground” and less commercial whilst giving coverage to more well-known acts. What is meant by underground is a subculture is a group of people within a culture that differentiates itself from the larger culture to which it belongs. The colour scheme uses a range of four colours which is different for the other four magazines which I have analyzed as they all had three. The colours which are used are yellow, turquoise, dark blue (which is only for the background) and white. The most popular amount to have is three. The age which this magazine is mainly targeting is the ages 16-45.

The main feature of the front cover is one dominant character used as the main image. The way it has been take is to make it look as if it is being zoomed in to the face. The purpose of this is for the face to attract attention instantly. The image also allows attention to be drawn to the tattoos on his arm. This links with the genre of the music which is held in the magazine, also adding emphasis to the image. Also the characters beard links in with the genre of music and the target market as well. The colours which have been used for the front cover of this magazine are ironic as they completely contrast with the music genre. The purpose of using these colours is however to be ironic, as well, if colours were used to match the music genre it would be simply all dark colours which isn’t very satisfying or interesting. The head of the main image takes over the majority of the Masthead which prevents the reader from being able to read what it says. This is unprofessional and pushes the reader away from buying the magazine if they haven’t heard of the magazine as they won’t know what it’s called. On the other hand, the Mast head consists of one of the brightest colours from the colour scheme in order to try and make it stand out as much as possible.

There are two possible cover lines, these being “bring me the horizon” followed by further text, of “Deftones” followed by “their heartbreak and hell”. It isn’t actually made clear. However, I think it is the ‘deaftones’ as that it the bolder, more visible font out of the two. IT consists of two different fonts in order to attract the readers’ attention more effectively. The text is laid out to surround the image in order for the main image to be the main visual attraction. However, the text is slightly overcrowded and covers much of the image allowing this to happen. The slightly prevents the magazine from being professional as theres is too much on the front page. Another feature which takes the attention away from the main image is other five images to the bottom right of the page. This focal point makes the page instantly too over crowded distracting the reader from the main image.

I like the irony between the colour scheme and music genre. I also like how the tattoos are made visible for the reader to see which links to the music genre and audience which listen to rock music. I like the brief information which is given to give the reader and idea of what is going to be inside, however not giving away too much information.

I dislike how crowded the page is as the main image is being taken over by text as it will push the readers’ away from picking up the magazine as there is too much to read already on the front page. I also dislike how the characters head, like a few magazines I previously analyzed, takes over much of the Masthead as the reader could potentially not be familiar with the name of the magazine. This again will push the reader away from picking up the magazine.

Overall, the front cover which I like the most is probably the ‘Q’ one. The reason being for this is I just generally prefer the layout and like how dominant the main image is and how the colours all effectively go together. This inspires me a lot for when I come to create my own front cover.