NME Magazine Cover Analysis by Chloe Morley

Masthead:In the top left hand corner. Partially covered

by the main cover stars head – shows that it is

recognizable enough that it doesn’t need to be fully

shown – shows it’s an established magazine. It’s in bold

block capitals in a bright blue colour – makes it stand

out against the background and makes it the first thing

you see, it attracts the reader. Also has what the initials

stand for underneath it if you didn’t know what it stood

for. The text is for this is quite small so it doesn’t take up

to much space and attracts less attention.

Main image:It’s a mid-shot of her torso upwards. The

artist is looking straight at you and drawing you in

which is a direct mode of address. The image is quite

provocative and revealing and the items that she is

wearing (the skin suit with zips) link in with the main

cover line. It could attract more readers because it is so

revealing, unusual and attention grabbing that they just

have to pick it up and buy it. Could be said to be quite

stereo-typical of a woman – looking provocative with

barely any clothes on, etc. Other may find it offensive

that she is wearing hardly any clothes – so then won’t

buy the magazine. She also stands out against the

background – contrast – stands out. As well as the outfit

being revealing – the artists makeup and hair and the

fact her cheeks and shoulders are spiky also add to the

interest in this image and make it stand out – it shocks

the eye as it is not what you would see daily. The

background is a golden colour, which whilst it is

contrasting with the image, it could symbolise the fact

that gold is usually related to 1st place and this artist is

one of the best and most successful out there.

Model credit: Links with the cover line – has been

merged into one. Popular model has been used, clearly

states who it is.

Coverlines:The cover lines fill in the spaces around the main image and main cover

line – makes the page look busy and makes it look like it has a lot of content. The

text is all in bold, block capitals in either white, blue or black but they all vary in

size – the names of the artists are usually the biggest, attracts the eye. Also there

is a cross on the page which separates the coverline from the main coverline.

Main Cover Line:the main cover line is in the lower

middle part of the cover, it is over the top of the main

image showing that they are linked and this is who the

story is about. The writing is all in bold, block capitals

but it varies in size – the artist name is larger than the

story showing she is most important. Also the artists

name is in a bold blue colour compared to the white of

the other text making it stand out. Also the actual

words used draw you in and you want to find out what

she is talking about.

Colour:The colours used are black, white and blue – they

all contrast with one another and they are quite bright

and make the other stand out which draws the eyes

attention in and is pleasant on the eye. The most

important pieces of text are usually in blue which is the

brightest colour to show that they are important.

Typefaces:All the text on the cover is easy to read. All the

text on the page is in bold, block capitals which is sans

serif meaning it is easier to read for everybody – more

people might buy the magazine because of this and it

also stands out. All the text fits well onto the page – fills

up the entire page so it looks like there is a lot of content

in there and the cover lines are much smaller surround

the main image and main cover line so the main

attraction is still that.

Photography Lighting:The lighting of the main artist is

quite bright and illuminated – makes the artist look

flawless and it also highlights the spikes of her cheeks

and makes them bold and striking – catches your eyes. It

also contrasts with the background – almost like a

silhouette.

Design Principles Used:The Gutenberg Principle has been

used here. In the primary optical area there is the

masthead as it will be the first thing the reader will see.

It is in big bold lettering so it stands out. The axis of

orientation is used well and is easy to read, make it more

appealing to the reader. Barcodes have been put in the

fallow area as they aren’t of much interest.

House Style:Would run throughout the whole of the magazine. Colours used

would be blue, white and black - they all contrast and make the other stand out.

All the wording/coverlines are in block capitals – makes it more eye catching and

makes the reader want to read it as it looks important. The font is easy for the

readers to read.