2. All double page spread are from NME magazine and so they have all been designed with
the intention of attracting fans of metal/heavy rock/pop punk music. Through carrying out an
investigation of them and by comparing them to each other, it is possible to identify shared
features within them and to establish repeated patterns.
The eight double pages spread all feature typical magazine double page spread
conventions. We see expected general and layout conventions, such as the inclusion of a
main image that dominates the double page spread, excluive feature normally a interview
about a new band or a band who made a comeback, photographs of the band/artists
perfoming or relaxing at a gig and a masthead designed in an appropriate font.
In addition to this, we see other repeated patterns. Each of the double page spread features
a band as the main image. Obviously, we expect to see some kind of music artist on the
front of a music magazine, but the consistent appearance of a band on NME indicates that
solo artists are rare in the world of indie rock. This is likely to be due to the kind of sound that
is synonymous with these genres of music, a powerful, sound that is generated by heavy
drums, loud guitar solos and ‘live’ performances from a band.
In each of the double page spread, we can see that one member of each band is positioned
at the front of the frame, with the remaining members of the band creating a triangle
formation behind. This composition is repeated consistently to indicate the importance and
status of the leading member of each band, who is usually the lead vocalist. This is, of
course, a powerful and clever way of attracting the magazine’s target audience, as the main
singer is probably likely to be the most recognisable and popular member of each band. This
iidea is taken a step further on the double page spread featuring Muse, as lead singer
Matthew Bellamy, in addition to being placed centrally and at the front, leans forwards
towards the audience, beckoning them to give him their attention.
We can see other similarities in the mise-en-scene elements that are presented on each
double page spread. In terms of costume, the artists are united by the fact that they are all
wearing dark, muted colours and costume that is fairly low key and relaxed (T-shirts, motif T-
shirts, hoodies, etc). This is a look that is fairly synonymous with bands within the genre of
indierock. On one double page spread, we see Pete Doucthy in a pub/club having a pint of
beer and the other one having a chain around his neck.
Another shared feature across the eight double page spread is that they all include feature
article photographs. Generally, these tend to showcase, in a smaller form, the posters that
are to be found inside the magazine. The fact that space on the double page spread is
devoted to presenting the posters illustrates how the typical fan of metal music is partial to a
poster or two that they can use to decorate their walls. Other feature article photographs
relate to bands that are featured within the issue in question.
On each double page spread, the signature NME masthead appears in exactly the same
distressed font and in exactly the same place. Each time, the masthead is either red on a
black background or vice versa, establishing a dark, masculine mood. Without exception, the
head of one or more band members is placed on top of the masthead so that it is not fully
visible. This suggests the success and popularity that NME has achieved as a publication,
as it would be too much of an unwise move if the magazine was new, unestablished or did
not have a loyal fanbase. Another feature that occuactionally comes in the form straplines
that sometimes sits directly across the entire NME masthead.

3. Each time, this is used to draw attention to the bands that will feature inside or to promote a
giveaway or competition. On one of the double page spread featuring ‘Benicassim’, the
audience is informed of the fact that they could win tickets and flights. A giveaway like this,
of course, reminds us that the readership of NME is likely to be an aspiring musician
themselves.
Over the eight double page spread above, we see the main sell-line in bold, large and
display font across the centre middle or right, to show that the main topic of the page is
about the main sell-line. The audience also see main quotations from the interview extracted
and made slightly bigger.
Colour-wise, NME tends to stick to a similar colour scheme in each issue. Red and black
feature most consistently and these two colours are accompanied by either white, yellow
and, in the case of one double page spread, blue. Being primary colours, these will appeal to
a male readership, while the use of red and black captures the dark nature of metal and rock
music. However the colours vary depending on how it composing with the band or artist.
Layout is consistent across the eight double page spread too. As mentioned earlier, the
placement of the bands featured is similar in each. In seven out of eight of the double page
spread, the main sell-line is placed in the centre of the frame, next to the main image. The
remaining one cover features the across the artist. Meanwhile, this is a key area for
audience to look on double page spread as that is where the audience’s eye goes first.
Other related information is generally placed at the bottom, where they will not cover the
main image or main sell-line, but where they can be seen next by the audience.
Having carried out this overview, it is obvious that NME has its own brand identity and
signature look that can be easily recognized by its target audience. This is maintained
through the repetition of stylistic and layout features from issue to issue and is a wonderful of
helping the magazine to sell and be a success.