Sophie Lee

Music magazine front cover comparison

Masthead

Lead article

Main image

Model credit

Main cover line

The two magazines that I have decide to compare and contrast are the NME magazine and Kerrang. The magazine that I will analyse first is the NME magazine. NME is a music magazine which is publishes one a month which is mainly aimed at a rock/indie audience. Kerrang on the other hand is targeted at a more heavy metal audience but to the same age group. The target ages of both magazines are between the age of 16-30. These magazines are read by avid music fans who want to read up on their favourite bands and artists. Although they aim at a similar age group, they both aim at different people on the social scale. As NME magazine is priced higher than kerrang magazine it is more aimed at people classed as B-C2 on the social scale. Kerrang on the other hand is aimed at people on the bands C2-E.

The masthead of the NME magazine shows the name of the magazine and is acronym of New Musical Magazine. NME is a shortened, catchier and more memorable. It is also more modern as many people now use shortened

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versions of words when speaking. The real meaning of the title gives connotations of a newspaper as the word express is usually used on a newspaper. This gives the illusion that the magazine is more formal and sophisticated. This is also backed up by the sans serif font used on the title. Finally the colour of the masthead is red white makes the title stand out and is a rock and roll colour therefore showing what type of music is in the magazine. The colour red symbolises rock music as it connotes blood and danger.

In contrast to the masthead of NME, the kerrang magazine’s masthead is more rocky and heavy. This is shown by the smash effect that is added over the yellow colour of the title. The use of this effect suggests more heavy metal music therefore connoting the type of music inside the magazine. The exclamation mark at the end of the title makes it seem as if it should be shouted like much heavy metal music. A noun is also used in the masthead of the magazine to show what music is inside. The word kerrang is a onomatopoeia for the noise kerrang.

House style in both these magazines is clearly shown on the front cover. The main colours used in NME magazine are red, white and black. As these colours are used throughout the magazine it allows the reader to clearly identify the magazine. These colours also connotation rock and loud music therefore showing what music is in the magazine. Serif fonts are also used throughout the magazine front cover. This style of font creates a feeling of style and sophistication. The layout of the front cover is also similar in each magazine. This is because there is usually a main image with a large model credit and writing/information in the strong fallow area. The same masthead is also used in the same place to show the importance of the title. The house style of Kerrang is different to this as it has to aim to a different audience. The main colours that are used in this magazine are black and white which creates a gothic image. Compared to NME, Kerrang uses Sans Serif fonts which help to make it attractive to the target audience. The more modern, young fonts help to aim the magazine at a younger audience.

In both Kerrang and NME the main image intercepts the masthead. This shows that both magazines must be very popular and known. The main image on the front cover of the NME magazine is of the Arctic Monkeys. This image uses the rule of thirds well as the main man in the picture intercepts all three thirds of

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the grid. The main image of Kerrang magazine contrast to this as it is more grungy and rocky. This shows that the Kerrang magazine consists of mainly heavy metal artists. The image in NME is also brighter and fresh which indicates it is aimed at a younger audience.

Kerrang and NME magazine uses the Gutenberg design principle to draw the reader’s eye to the magazine. In the primary optical area the title of the magazine is placed. This is the area that the eye sees first so instantly shows the name of the magazine to the reader. Kerrang magazine also places there title in this same area. After seeing the primary optical area the readers view is drawn down to the terminal area in the bottom right corner. In NME magazine has sections of interviews quotes from interviews from the magazine. This shows the reader what interviews are inside. Kerrang on the other hand use this are to attract the reader by showing extras that are in the magazine. The incentives make the magazine more attractive to the buyer. In the weak fallow areas both magazines place less importance. This is because it is one of the areas seen last by the eyes. In kerrang they have placed an interview with a less important artist and not as popular as the cover star. In NME magazine the weak fallow area is left empty.