Magazine cover analysis_worksheet 2

Salford City College Eccles Centre AS Media Studies Foundation Portfolio

Masthead

The masthead used is the title, NME, in large bold

white font. This font is sans serif and very simple,

which stands out against the background of the

cover models bright red hair. This masthead is

suitable for target audience of teenagers and older

with an interest in indie rock music.

Main image

The main image is of Florence Welch, from the

band Florence and the Machine. It is a close up

image of her which fills the page. Her head is tilted

to one side and the page is framed by her red hair.

Her lips are parted and the image is using direct

mode of address in order to make the reader feel

as though Florence is looking directly at them and

is identifying with the reader.

Model credit

‘FLORENCE’

The cover models name is in large black bold

capital letters, which stands out against the white

background and grabs the readers attention.

Coverlines

This cover uses cover lines sparingly in order to

draw attention to the image. The fonts used are

small and simple, in order to avoid

overcomplicating the over. One cover line features

a simple list of the artists and bands featured in

the magazine in order to give the reader a taste of

what is inside and to encourage them to buy the

magazine and read on further. Main cover line

The main cover line features the model credit in

very large font which is of similar size to the

masthead. It is used in conjunction with a quote

from the main cover story which is controversial and

will grab the attention of any music fans.

Colour

The colour scheme used in extremely simple, as it

uses just black and white, and the bright red in the

background. This keeps the cover sophisticated and

contemporary and makes the cover appear more

like a piece of art or a poster than a magazine cover.

Typefaces

The typed faces used are either serif or sans serif,

and both are used equally. The bold sans serif font is

used in the heading of the cover lines and the

thinner and detailed serif font is used in the

information on each article. The use of this simple

font again keeps the cover simple but also adds to

the modern and clean appearance of the cover.

Photography Lighting

The cover image uses high key lighting to make

Florence look very pale which makes her red hair

stand out even more against her white skin and top.

It also makes her facial features stand out more,

drawing attention to her eyes and lips.

Design Principles Used?

The cover follows the Guttenberg Design Principle to

an extent as it features lots of information in both

the primary optical area and the terminal area.

However it also features a large amount of

information in the weak fallow area which is not the

most observed area of a magazine cover.

House Style

The house style of this magazine cover is extremely simple and contemporary, making the

cover uncomplicated and image-focused.

Salford City College Eccles Centre AS Media Studies Foundation Portfolio

Salford City College Eccles Centre AS Media Studies Foundation Portfolio