mastheadskyline

Main image

date

Feature story

Feature story

barcode

Price and issue number

Main feature

Front Cover Conventions AnalysisThere is a clear colour scheme in this front cover. The use of red black and white is evident. This gives continuity to the product and creates a brand. This is done as without a colour scheme there would be no brand created. The masthead, in this case NME, also enhances branding of the product as it is clear to see that the brand is NME. The main image is very important on a front cover as it gives visual aid to the audience on who the main feature is about. The main image also reinforces the genre of the magazine as NME is indie/rock, it would not convey the genre if it featured Jay Z or Justin Bieber.The main feature is used to give a slight insight as to what is covered in the feature, and the artist mentioned again matches the genre, this creates a brand, as does the use of the colour scheme. The main feature is something that sells the magazine so it needs to be bold and stand out so the audience and prospective buyers see it and want to buy it. There are also smaller feature stories, this are again used to sell the magazine to show what is inside the magazine. They feature artists linked with the genre to sell the magazine and create a brand. This will persuade the audience to buy the product as these stories may show that the magazine is of interest to an individual, therefore increasing sales.A skyline is also used, this is to again promote a featured artist on the front cover and persuade the audience to buy the magazine. A skyline is located at the top of the page and usually features all colours from the colour scheme to stand out against other magazines that may be on the shelf next to it. The skyline however doesn’t have to have a featured artist, it can have a slogan from the editor which is used to sell the magazine. A price and issue number is on the front cover to inform the audience of how much the magazine costs and what issue it is of the series. This is important as they won’t buy the magazine if it is too much but the magazine needs to make a profit and can’t undercut itself as the magazine market is competitive.The barcode is used to allow the magazine to be sold in outlets, the barcode provides sales information which can provide the magazine with where the magazine is most popular and which stores are popular for buyers, this can help with marketing and advertising as they would know places are most successful and which locations need a boost for sales.

Contents titleReference to magazine logo

Page numbers

Main image

Sub heading

story

story

Sub heading

Main feature

Photographer credit

Contents Page Conventions Analysis

The logo of the magazine is seen in the background which will reinforce the brands identity. This is important as the brand will want to be recognised and by featuring the logo this is done. The colour scheme will also follow on from the contents page into the double page spread which shows continuity and creates a brand image. The main artist is again featured on the contents page which sells the main feature, the reader has probably bought the magazine from the effectiveness of the front cover and it is important to follow this through on the contents page. In the main image Kanye West’s heart looks to be out of his body, this may make the reader ask questions and this may make them want to read the feature. There is also a bold contents title, this informs the reader of which page they are on, contents pages are not always found underneath the cover as there are sometimes adverts before. This draws the readers attention into the page as they will be able to find a feature that interests them.

Large image of artist.

quote

Bold artistname

Stand-first

Size 11 textbylines

Colourscheme

Double page spread conventions analysis

A main image of the artist is usually direct address, meaning that the artist is looking at the reader. This makes the feature seem personal and the audience will feel like the feature is for them. This sells the magazine. There is also a quote seen on the spread, this is done to show a sneak peak of the interview. They are used within the text to break up the interview. The quotes can be quite shocking or revealing to engage the reader. A standfirst is used to open and introduce. This can set the scene and provide a platform for the writer to construct the interview. The text used is conventionally Arial 11, however some magazines don’t follow this as they want to create a more powerful and individual brand image. The drop cap is used to introduce the start of an article and columns are used to make the feature look neat. The colour scheme will follow on from the front cover and contents page to make a fierce brand image.