AS Media NME analysis

1. MASTHEAD:
Big and bold, stands out
amongst white background
it is on due to use of red
lettering with a solid black
outline. The target
audience will already
recognise the logo already,
potential viewers will
automatically be drawn to
the logo first, helpful as
music magazines are
located just above or
below eye level on shop
shelves. By using three
colours, the masthead is
linked to the main sell-lines
and coverline.
SELL-LINES
These offer more to the
reader, in the form of
simple one to three word
features. The actual
features themselves are
names of bands, which the
audience will already be
familiar with, NME knows
this, allowing them to cater
the magazine precisely to
the target audience. At the
top of the sell-lines is the
word ‘starring’, this
connotes fame and
success, all of which artists
featured in NME would
already have, attracting
potential readers and the
already solid readership.
MAIN IMAGE:
This reflects the main
coverline in that Dizzee
Rascal is crouched with his
arms spread wide, across
the whole page, and sports
a large smile, reiterating
the coverlines. The image
itself is a medium close up
of the artist, a convention
of magazine covers. The
image uses a direct
address, denoting
connection with the
readership in the form of
eye contact with the
reader.
MAIN IMAGE
CONTINUED II:
who may be fans of Dizzee
Rascal, due to the fact he
is the subject of a double
page spread article. The
background of the main
image is predominantly
white, with bursts of colour
that differ from the colour
scheme, but aren’t out of
place.
MAIN IMAGE CONTINUED: The use of this artist is unusual for NME, who usually feature alternative
rock artists and bands, such as those featured on the main sell lines, this attracts potential readers

2. Skyline:
Includes a key feature of
the magazine, offering
exclusivity in the form of
theword “special”, denoting
an unusual issue of the
magazine, and connoting
rareness. The use of the
word “Autumn” connotes a
time frame in which to buy
the issue, as well as
showing how up-to-date
the magazine is amongst
music news, something
well respected in musical
circles. This intrigues the
reader, making it far more
likely they will buy it before
it goes out of print or
becomes irrelevant.
Main Coverline:
Anchors main image, showing
who main image is of.The is
text is bold and makes use of
strokes in order to create a 3-
D shadow effect from the text.
The text Is the biggest feature
other than the masthead,
showing the artist is one of the
biggest, being reported on by
the biggest magazine.
Strapline: The strapline is an
important feature of the
magazine, its minimalistic
typeface fits the colour
scheme of the rest of the
issue, and matches the
skyline. It breaks conventions
of the music magazine genre
in that it isn’t brightly
coloured, rather the opposite,
but this makes it stand out
more than colour would.
Barcode: Digital
information about the
magazine, allowing it to
be scanned, and NME to
see how many copies
were sold. Place in the
bottom right hand corner
of the magazine, this is
done so as to not distract
from the rest of the
magazine, but still fits the
colour scheme and is not
out of place.
Quote: This is a direct address too, spoken like an everyday conversation, effective in creating
interaction between reader and magazine.

3. Editorial/Main Image:
The main image is of
an NME editor clinging
to a tour bus, fitting the
issue being a touring
special through use of
the mise-en-scene
which includes an
image of a tour bus.
The text underneath
the image contains the
words “Touring
Special” so the copy
anchors the image. The
image itself is edited to
look worn, giving a
‘road worn’ effect
common in rock music
that fits the theme of
touring. The editorial
introduces readers in
an informal manner,
creating a direct
address with the
readership who will be
used to the brand of
language. The editorial
is bordered by a road
cased, used for
transporting musical
equipment, again fitting
the tour theme. The
uneven placement
connotes unconformity,
a staple of rock music.
Masthead: The same as on the front, anchoring the cover and contents page. Also helps establish the
brand, through use of repeated imagery.
Contents:
The contents of the
magazine are clearly laid
out using the colour
scheme of the magazine,
anchoring cover and
contents page again.
Subscription:
The only deviation of the
colour scheme is in the
subscription box, this is done
to attract attention, as NME is
likely to make more money
off subscriptions from an
individual due to them not
having to repeatedly buy the
issue in stores, where it could
sell out, or not be bought, but
subscriptions are delivered.
Band Index:
A key feature of NME, no other
music magazine has an index
quite like NME’s. It shows the
focus is on the bands and music,
which readers will appreciate.

4. Mise-en-scene:
Use of graffiti and how
Dizzee is spraypainting a
wall gives rise to a
convention of hip-hop
music, unusual for NME to
be reporting on. Also
alludes to rebellion, a major
theme of the magazine.His
facial expression connotes
mischief and being up to no
good, these themes are
reflected in his music.
Masthead:
Shown again on the
bottom left hand
corner, very small, but
a constant reminder of
the brand and
magazine, also
connotes NME being
omnipresent in music,
always on the scene,
as it is shown literally
in the picture
Header:
Makes use of a play on words of ‘from rags to riches’ in order to create a catchy header.
The typeface is uneven and unaligned, making it look like it could be graffiti on a wall.
The word ‘tags’ relates to the culture of hip hop and what it’s about, also giving a reason
for the grafiitied backgrounds featured throughout the cover and double page.
Secondary Image: Shows images of empty bottles and glasses and a boom-box,
showing a street scene one might find in a hip hop music video, again
alluding to the music of Dizzee Rascal and what it represents.
Article:
Emphasis is put on the
article by the use of drop
capitals on the letter ‘Y’
which draws the eye
towards the article as it
is the focal point of the
double page. The text is
split into four columns,
allowing easier reading,
it also wraps around the
secondary image
allowing more space for
the main body of the
article. The subheading
above features the
artists’ name in bold,
showing once again
emphasis is put on the
artist, as he is the main
focus that will sell
copies.