MY FRONT COVER ANALYSIS

MASTHEAD

•Century Gothic font size 144.53-large for impact and visibility•Low drop shadow, brings it out from the white more, stronger graphic appeal•Pastel blue colour-not too overpowering, doesn’t take away from monochrome qualities of page but goes with colour scheme•Vertical instead of conventional horizontal, works better with image, no overlapping, makes front cover look more unique and unconventional-would appeal to my indie stereotype audience.•Just initials large, allows for space and a more distinctive logo, was initially going to be called N.A.S but then I found out that that was already a well known acronym for ‘National Autistic Society’ so I adapted it so as not to confuse or offend readers.

Use of ampersand instead of word ‘and’-more graphic and suited to singular letter style, good sophisticated contrast to other bold, sharp characters

Rest of word in a smaller font, all capitals-not distracting from the idea of the N&S being the main logo but acts as a kind of explanatory to let the readers know that this magazine is about music, use of capitals makes sure it is still noticeable.

SKYLINE AND COVERLINE

•Succinct, tells reader that by reading this they are letting go of the norm and that they are ‘entitled’ and ‘more knowledgeable’ about music by reading this particular magazine.•Bashes competition by frankly stating that this magazine knows far better about music.•Serif font-BoldoniEF-Balances out bold modernity of masthead.

•Use of word ‘PLUS’ makes reader feel like they’re getting an extra special deal, like they’re getting more than they would from other music magazines.•Hyphens draw attention to extra coverline, make sure that, although it wouldn’t follow the typical eye line, it is noticeable.

•‘Time forgot’, makes readers feel special and exempt from “normal society.”•Slightly lighter colour than the ‘-plus-’, the word ‘plus’ draws attention to the coverline, since then it has already been noticed it can fade down to the colour scheme slightly more.

BAR CODE AND BUTTON

•Price and month of issues release details-informs reader in a way that isn’t too “in your face”, attracts reader with cover image and articles before informing them of price (doesn’t scare them off/tempts them)

•Use of web address-professionalism, consistency in font colours, more elements of realism.

•Bright pink button- readers attracted to it, strong break in an otherwise monochrome/pale page, bold and exciting looking.•Circular-Simple shape, sticks with slightly minimalist theme.

•Competition is for something indie and alternative which would appeal to my target audience.

MAIN COVERLINE

•The placement is central and just below the main image meaning that the readers eye line is drawn to it as they look at the image.

•FONT TYPE, SIZE & PLACEMENT: Strong, sharp and modernistic font which instantly attracts a reader to this coverline and is relevant to the articles’ edginess.

•Larger than any of the other writing (except masthead) which shows it’s importance and the fact that it is heralded as the most interesting article of the issue.•Complementary to the image, follows colour scheme.

•CONTENT OF MAIN COVERLINE: Bold statement, instant portrayal of some sort of icon/figurehead.•‘Gracie’-just first name, well known coverstar, more personal and eye-catching•‘Mugshot’-relevant to main image (style of mugshot), shows her as a rebel and makes people intrigued.

COVER IMAGE

•STYLE OF IMAGE: Almost monochrome, other than lips, high contrast-would stand out from other magazines on a stand.•Use of a filter, more interesting and strange looking as well as adding to the already prominent idea of uniqueness and individuality.

•RED LIPS: Connotes sexuality and danger, makes her seem more enticing and may subconciously make the reader more interested in this icon.•Bold colour against otherwise monochrome image-makes it stronger.

•EYE CONTACT: Direct eye contact with camera from left eye, stares at reader, makes them feel involved/enticed.•Right eye covered by eye patch (reference to name of ‘Gracie’s band), also slightly inspired by i-D and their signature cover images as i-D is the magazine which I have been most inspired by throughout my research.