Cover Analysis of Clash Magazine

By Saba Kebede

CoverlinesThis is the front cover of Clash magazine, and it has no main cover lines or explanatory text, because it is simple but effective. The fact that there are no main coverlines is effective because it makes the magazine look pure and clear. It also makes the magazine seem less busy and chaotic. The only conventions on this front cover is the masthead “Clash” and the kicker “Heavenly” which are bold and stand out significantly.

LanguageThe language used in this front cover of Clash is simple but meaningful, due to the fact that the only word is “Heavenly”, therefore the lack of writing on this front cover is significant because it looks uncomplicated. It seems as though it doesn’t need to be packed with information to look effective, like this front cover portrays. It looks formal and direct to the audience because its just one word and makes the reader think why the word “Heavenly” is used as oppose to any other word and therefore makes the reader reflect on the picture of Florence to find out why.

Colour Scheme & FontThe colour scheme of this Clash front cover is clear and simple with the colours blue, red and white mainly. These colours together, match and the effective use of her red lipstick is apparent to along with the colour of her hair. It also seems as though the colour of Florence’s eyes is the same colour as the blue background. In addition to this, the words “Clash” and “Heavenly” are in white along with her clothing. These colours all match and therefore looks effective.

Red

White

Blue

LayoutThe layout of Clash’s front cover is clear, because firstly, the eye flow goes through the masthead “Clash” then the image of Florence, then the word “Heavenly”, therefore clearly shows a pattern. The eye flow determined what parts of the front cover the reader will see first, in which this front cover clearly shows . The use of white space is kept to a minimum and the image of Florence takes up most of the space and also the masthead. However, there is a lot of space in the background, which could have been filled by the main coverlines and explanatory text etc. The layout is clear due to the fact that there are three main aspects of this particular front cover, such as “Clash”, the image of Florence and the word “Heavenly”. There is no eye contact,

due to the fact that Florence is looking up in which seems impersonal, however, clearly represents the word “Heavenly” as she is looking upwards.

Representing the word “Heavenly”

Image AnalysisThis front cover of Clash magazine is effective seeing as the image is taken from a close-up position so that the image is clear and the reader can see Florence’s face and the purity it brings to the front cover. The mise-en-scene of this image is in a studio and there is clearly lighting coming from above to show the innocence and clarity of the image to reflect the word “Heavenly”. There are no props or paparazzi in this image and therefore it looks clear and the reader can concentrate on the image rather than the background image. There is no strap line or selling line in this front cover, but the price line is on the barcode. I think that this front cover is effective seeing as the use of celebrity is effective because she represents the genre of Clash magazine which is indie and alternative rock and also for the fact that she is famous and well known in which makes the magazine more catching and appealing to the audience. The barcode position is on the bottom right hand side of the front cover in which is effective as it goes through the eye-flow.

InspirationClash magazine is one of my inspirations alongside NME and Rolling Stone, but in particular this one because the content is clear and effective and the language and layout of each page is produced with good quality. For my music magazine I intend to use the same clarity and simplicity that Clash uses. However, what I would do differently is to make sure that I add main cover lines, kicker and explanatory text and the date and issue. Overall I think that this magazine is very effective and useful inspiring my own music magazine.