1. Analysis of 4 Different Magazine Covers

2. Identify the features/characteristics they all have:
• Recognisable artists for the specific genre as the main image.
•A big, central masthead (recognisable).
•Follow a house style to match the genre.
•Coverlines that relate to the genre.
•Name of the artist is the 2nd biggest/dominant text on the cover, after the
masthead.
•All have plain backgrounds – to enhance the artists more.
•Follows the Rule of Thirds.
Why are these features present on all of the magazines? Why are they
important?
•The target audience can recognise it instantly, and won’t buy another one.
•Presented well – understandable, easy to read.
•The target audience can easily identify the genre, meaning that people can
differentiate between the them.
•Overall so the magazine can make profit, meaning they can produce further in
the future.
List 5 differences between the magazine and account for these differences:
1. CU was used on two, “Music” used a MS and “Kerrang” used a LS to fit all the
band in the frame. They’ve used this so the target audience can see clearly
which artist is on the front, so inviting them to buy the magazine for the
latest gossip on that particular artist.
2. House style is different, helps set the genre, again so the target audience can
identify it and buy it.
3. The mood/tone of the picture, associates with the genre of the magazine.
4. The style/colour of the copy used on the magazine is different which again is
associated with the genre of the magazine, hence the readers distinguish
between the different genres.
5. The mise-en-scene of the picture, the 3 of them are stripped back, whilst the
other one has a lot of make-up on the artists, to highlight the music related to
them. Another one has a prop of the violin, which target audience can
instantly see whether or not that is their type of music. The other two are
relying on the artist in the picture to drive the readers in, this can also be
immediate as if the readers don’t identify who the artist is they won’t buy it.

3. Take one of the magazine cover and say what genre of music magazine it is.
Provide at least 4 specific examples from the magazine that supports your claim
that it belongs to this particular genre:
This music magazine belongs to the rock/punk/metal genre.
1. The name of the band even associates with the genre by using “black veil
riders” the colour black in terms of music is often connotated to be part of
the rock genre, with the heavy guitar rifts, as in contrast this colour isn’t
going to be associated with the likes of the pop genre.
2. The magazine has promised readers 5 posters, all the artists on these posters
are part of the rock genre as well.
3. The style of the font is very sharp and messy, suggests the music is very sharp
with the sounds especially with the guitar and drums. It’s messy as people
have stereotypical views that all punk rockers are messy people and always
have messy hair.
4. The mise-en-scene of the picture is a plain background to make the band
stand out more, with the heavy make-up. Using the make-up on the band
makes them look scary, making it easier for the readers to determine that
this is a rock magazine. A lot of people associate punk rockers to wear
eyeliner even if they are male, this band are doing this as the edition is based
around Halloween.
For the same magazine, say who you think the target audience is. Give reasons
for your answers – I think the target audience for this magazine are:
• Both genders as they have a range of different artist who appeal to both
genders.
• The readers will be ranging from 14 and above, because the magazine is quite
dark, which suggests that some of the articles maybe unsuitable for younger
children. But with advertising gigs, its suitable to everyone older.
•They like listening to heavy guitar music, as “Kerrang!” also have a radio and TV channel, which is mainly rock music all of which have some sort
of guitar playing, with drums playing a part.
•Their bedrooms are covered in posters, as every issue keeps dealing lots of posters, with different artists on them.
•Enjoy Halloween and doing/keeping stuff that is creepy as this whole magazine is based around Halloween where readers can win new creepy
coffins, and reading scary articles, as this magazine has put aside 64 pages of “horror”.
•Like loud music as using the name “KERRANG!” in capitals and using the exclamation mark, suggests they are shouting the name of the
magazine at you, hence like loud music.