The first magazine cover I decided to analyse was called NME. It matches the genre of magazine I would like to create. NME is an indie magazine pitched primarily at white males aged 17-30, social grade B-E. It is clear that all the elements of the cover are designed to attract this target audience.
In terms of imagery, there are three images on the cover; two minor images and the central image. The first image the audience will see is a picture of Jake Bugg, an up and coming singer/songwriter recognisable by fans of this particular genre. It takes up most of the cover space. This choice of star vehicle also represents the target audience of the magazine. This will help people unaware of who he is be able to understand the target age range of the magazine. The other two images are of another singer who fits the genre of the magazine and should also be known to fans of the genre.
In terms of colour, the magazine has a colour palette of red, yellow, black and white. The black and white background allows the red and yellow to stand out, creating an eye-catching effect that which makes it stand out on the shelve. The red could connote sex, violence and trouble. This links to the theories of Hall (1904) and Hebdige (1989) who claim youth as troublemakers.
In terms of typography, the cover features a single font throughout in various sizes and colours. The size of the font indicates what the designers wanted to stand out the most. This is done so when somebody glimpses at the magazine they see the most interesting captions first which may attract them to look closer. The masthead is bold and large so it easily stands out and attracts previous buyers that liked the magazine.
The second cover I analysed was Brink magazine. This magazine has a target audience of ages 17-30 like NME but doesn't seem to have a particular gender choice. Its magazines seem to swing between male and female targeted between issues. It features sections that may attract men, such as entertainment industry news, and also feature that will attract women, such as fashion.
In terms of imagery, there is only one image of the magazine. This images takes up the whole page and is in full colour, providing the background for the captions. It features singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran who is widely recognised by fans of the genre. He is the star vehicle of the magazine who also represents the target audience. Once again allowing people unaware of him to see the target audience of the magazine. The colour of the captions also match his hair colour, which can be seen as one of his most recognisable features. He also is has a tattoo or at least a drawing of sorts on his arm. Tattoos are generally stereotyped onto young men to show rebellion or similar views. This backs up Hebdige (1989) who claimed youth as troublemakers.
In terms of colour, the background image creates the main colour for the magazine as it takes up the whole page in full colour. The magazine features white. orange and green as its colour palette. The white and orange easily stand out on the dark green background. The orange also matches the star vehicles hair colour, one of his most recognisable features.
In terms of typography, the magazine features one font used for every piece of writing on the cover. The masthead is partially hidden behind the star vehicle and gives the magazine a sense of depth. This depth keeps the magazine more interesting instead of it being boring and flat.
The final magazine I analysed was call The Fly. This magazine also follows the 17-30 target audience. It seems to be slightly female targeted compared to the others but I think it's intended for both male and female. In terms of imagery, the magazine also only features on main image that takes up most of the magazine. It shows they are the only vehicle driving the audience in. It does mention other artists at the bottom in small but it seems it expects its audience to be interested in The Vaccines.
In terms of colour, the magazine uses a small colour pallet of just blacks, whites, blues and reds. This keeps the page clear and focuses attention on the main image.
In terms of typography, the magazines sticks to just one font which changes colour and size throughout. This also keeps the cover simple.
After reviewing these magazines I have found some common conventions I may follow in my magazine. The first is featuring just one large image for the cover with would be a star model to pull in fans of the genre. The magazines are all simple and uncluttered with a relaxing attitude. Another convention is the small colour pallet which also keeps everything on the page tidy. The font on all the magazines stays the same throughout the cover also.
I will follow some of these conventions when creating my magazine cover. I may break some conventions if I believe something might work better or just to add something new that could be successful.
In terms of colour, the magazine uses a small colour pallet of just blacks, whites, blues and reds. This keeps the page clear and focuses attention on the main image.
In terms of typography, the magazines sticks to just one font which changes colour and size throughout. This also keeps the cover simple.
After reviewing these magazines I have found some common conventions I may follow in my magazine. The first is featuring just one large image for the cover with would be a star model to pull in fans of the genre. The magazines are all simple and uncluttered with a relaxing attitude. Another convention is the small colour pallet which also keeps everything on the page tidy. The font on all the magazines stays the same throughout the cover also.
I will follow some of these conventions when creating my magazine cover. I may break some conventions if I believe something might work better or just to add something new that could be successful.
