Music Magazine Covers

Masthead – By putting the masthead behind the picture of Grohl, it suggests that he is more important than the actual content of the magazine. The size of the masthead itself is also important. It is big so that it stands out, and also the effect of broken glass shows the rock side, either letting us know the power or rebellion that rock music stands for.

The Header – this tells the audience extra information about who is going to be featured in the magazine. This particular issue states new gigs/tours. They would be familiar to the readers of the magazine.

The main image – is a mid shot of Dave Grohl, lead singer of the Foo Fighters. He is dressed casually, but in a red shirt that stands out. He is staring straight at the camera in a very arrogant way, perhaps showing that he knows how important he is to this issue (as we can see from the large caption across his chest).

Barcode/price/issue number – These are essential part of a magazine, although are usually placed in the bottom corners, away from all of the main copy/text/images of the cover.

The Footer – The Footer, similar to the header, gives extra information about what can be found in the magazine. It helps to appeal to the reader by using ‘plus’ which might suggest that there is a lot more to be found inside.

The rule of thirds – This is put into use to make the cover more appealing to the reader’s eye. Grohl has been placed in the middle third, slightly off centre as that is where the eye is usually drawn to, and the left third has been used for all of the important copy. The right third has been left pretty clear, mainly used for the barcodes and other less significant things.

The main caption – This has been placed strategically, in a place that is most obvious. It lets the audience know who the main image is of, and also who is going to have the biggest article within the magazine. It gives the reader a little clue as to what it’s going to be about (‘Uk Tour Exclusive’) which often helps to sell more magazines and broaden the size/range of the audience.

This little bit here along the left third also gives a clue as to what will be featured in this issue.

Masthead – The masthead here has been brought to the front of the image, but is only small so does not affect the main image in any way. The title is bold and red with a black and white border in order to make it stand out. Making it quite big also has this effect.

The left third – This is usually used to put some of the more important cover lines in, as you can see from this issue.

The edge of the left third has a ripped effect, perhaps symbolising rebellion? You could also say that these newer talents have been discovered, and the older talents have been tore from the spotlight.

The Footer – As you see on most covers, the footer has been used to list the content of the magazine that doesn’t fit into the cover lines around the edge.

Barcode/Price/Issue number.

The Main Image – the main image on this magazine is a close up, although Morrissey is stood on an angle, looking down on the reader through the corners of his eyes; this suggests he thinks he is better than us. He is dressed in a black suit which gives the impression of power and sophistication, and it radiates the fact he has money. The background is simple, showing a couple of skyscrapers which suggest America. (New York, maybe?)

The main caption – The top 3 words have been placed on top of the other, although they look as though they are toppling over. This gives the impression that there is no control over Morrissey, especially when they use the word ‘again’ which tells the reader that this has happened before; this then reinforces the thought of uncontrollability. These words are also underlined and in bold which makes them stand out from the background, the image and the other text.

A pull quote has been used to give the reader an idea what sort of things will be said within the interview that is featured.

The Header – On this particular issue, the header has been used to tell the reader what can be found within the magazine as a form of free merchandise.

Masthead – the masthead on this magazine is pink, perhaps suggesting it is a magazine aimed at girls, especially those of a young age.

The footer – on this issue, the footer is broken up by the barcode and price because the rest of the cover is too crowded for it to go elsewhere. It also gives the reader promises about what sort of articles they can find inside the magazine.

Pull Quotes – These have been used in order to try and pull the reader in so that they will buy the magazine to find out why these things have been said. The ‘those’ has been put in italic to ensure that it stands out, and adds a sense of mystery as to who ‘those’ people are.

The left third – it contains pictures of popular pop band McFly going go-karting, something you would not often expect to see a pop band doing. The yellow frame makes the photographs stand out.

The main image – the main image has been is quite small and doesn’t take up much room on the cover. He has also been placed slightly behind the photos in the yellow frame, suggesting that he is not the main focus of the magazine, and that the other people who appear on the front all have equal focus within the issue. He is dressed all in black, with a hat which suggests sophistication or wealth as he looks well off.

The colour scheme is pink and yellow which are bright, poppy colours that fit in well with the type of music. (i.e. not heavy and dark like rock or metal etc)

Music Magazine Contents Pages

Serif font on the title.

Issue number and date.

Main image.

Serif font.

Letter from the editor.

Other images to let the reader know what else is in the magazine other than what is listed below.

The Actual content of the magazine.

The contents page of this particular magazine has been made very organised, contrasting with the actual content found, which would be very disorganised and spontaneous (as rock music is). Everything has it’s own little section which always tend to be square – for example, the main image is placed next to a box containing the contents list, and below 3 more boxed photos and the letter from the editor, which is also in a box.

Serif font has been used on the titles which make them look disjointed, and the colours are again black, white and red which reflect rebellion etc.

The image of Chester is a low angle shot, showing us his superiority as the lead singer of Linkin Park, and is also backlit, emphasising this fact even further. The expression on his face shows us his passion to his music, and relates to the fact that people who read the magazine are also passionate about the music that they listen to.

Title of the magazine. Title of the page.

Contents.

Main Image.

Adverts.

Date.

More contents – Different subjects.

The contents page of this magazine is also quite organised, although the list of contents has been split up into two different sections – one is to do with news and reviews etc, and the other is the list of bands, listed in alphabetical order to make it easier for the reader.

There are a couple of adverts on this page placed along the bottom, and within the right third, in order to appeal to the reader (as that would be where the eye is drawn to).

There is a simple colour scheme, with the titles in bold to make them stand out.

Pink banner

Title of the page

Images

Main image

Contents

You can tell by the colour scheme that this magazine is aimed at a young female audience. It I also most likely going to be for pop music, as the colours are cheerful and stand off the page.

This page is a lot less organised than the others. There seems to be things placed erratically all over, with no particular order. This could perhaps reflect the oddness of pop music, and the fact that you don’t know what the next song will bring.

The use of the male artists in the main image also reinforces the fact that this magazine is for girls.

Music Magazine Double Spread Pages

Drop Cap Images

Title

By line

Picture credit

Pull quote

This magazine seems to be for more classical music, as can be seen by the simple black and white colour scheme. The images are very organised in where they have been placed, and these take up just over half of the page. It is unusual to see the pictures along the top with writing at the bottom, as they are normally placed next to one another.

The slight off-white background of the page is not unlike the colour parchment used to be in the olden days. Classical music is also associated with the upper class, more sophisticated people, the sort who could afford parchment in the days when it was needed.

Title ImageDrop capBy line and picture credit

Pull quote

This magazine is also very organised according to where they place the article and the main image. There is a simple red, white and black colour scheme which has also occurred in the

photograph. These colours are subtle, yet demanding and help to draw the readers attention. It seems to follow the general magazine conventions, and is neutral in style to fit in with being an impartial magazine that covers all genres.

Drop cap Title of the article

Main Image

images

title

This magazine is quite odd as the article has not been written in the way you expect it to have been written. For example, the first part of the article is on the far left, then the rest of it has been written on the pictures like captions.

The main image takes up most of the space, suggesting its importance, and the pink colour scheme around the edge, coupled with the pop band that is being focused on, tells us that it is a pop magazine, predominantly for girls.

Again, the page is very organised, which tells me that if I am to do a double page spread, then I have to make it rather organised in where I place things for it to comply to the normal magazine conventions of this type.