1. Colour– More basic style of colours but slight changes; black, white, pink, purple. Design Principle Used – the magazine front cover follows the
These are all dark and bright colours connotation of that there is maybe two sides Guttenberg design principle as it has full balance and goes diagonally
to this about Rihanna and in the magazine. The colour pink stereotypes girls as it is as the viewer is attracted to the masthead, to the picture then to the
the typical colour to associate with girls it is a representation of gender on this barcode in which they see the text as well.
cover. The colour pink also has very sensual and sexual connotations to it and the
connotation of love this suggests that she is trying to care for the audience it also
Masthead– It is a unique style it fits in the top left corner of the gives off a friendly styled approach to the magazine cover as it is bright and
cover and is a short easy to remember name “NME” it is unique cheerful.
because most mastheads cover the whole top line of the
magazine cover whereas this is in the top left. Bright pink colour Typefaces– The typeface is more formal on this cover, partially
and big size makes it stand out. suggesting that this magazine in particular is aimed at an older more
young adults typed target audience yet the star appeals to a younger
audience that see her as a role model. The typeface is more mature
and formal to appeal to an older audience as they would read more
Main image– Main image is a picture of Rihanna so it therefore
whereas a younger target audience may look more to the pictures
appeals to her fans automatically. She is making direct address
rather than the text. The selling line of this is the writing just under
to the camera she has a seductive look, it’s appealing, and sort
the masthead which says “New Musical Express” this suggests that
of a convention to magazine covers appeals to a male audience.
this is a new style of magazine it appeals to the audience as the new
The bird sat on her shoulder is all glammed up, representation
thing that’s upcoming it is the products marketing scheme.
of social class that she is rich and famous. She is the unique
selling point. She is also an appealing part to younger target
audience more than likely girls due to it being Rihanna as she is Photography Lighting– The lighting is high key this gives the
seen as a role model to them she is an ideology of what they connotation that she is a bright character and doing well in life it
would like to be so she is the star profile of the magazine cover. appeals to the audience because it makes them want to take her
This links to the theory of Blumler and Katz of uses and advice and listen to what she says, take notice of her. The use of
gratifications that if the audience read this they will find out bright lighting on her shows she’s a stereotyped seductive type of
how to be like Rihanna take her advice, it’s a search for star maybe the convention that she is a flirty character. This appeals
entertainment and this source of the ideology it appeals and to the male audience side of things at the teen age to around middle
sells. The fact it is in the centre of the page suggests she is also age it’s a source of money making in this and a typical convention of
the centre of attention on this cover. music magazine covers.
Model credit– The model credit is a quote from Rihanna so it
Coverlines– The cover lines use the big bold text as pink so it stands
therefore appeals to the target audience, it gives the audience
out then the font and size changes so we know that this is what it is
a showing of almost her attitude and the way that she herself
the colour changes to black so it is formal as it is spaced out well and
speaks. It has an influence to the target audience and fans of
is easy to understand. The cover lines frame the main image itself
her as they may see it and because it is her actually listen to it
which is a quite common usual thing apart from the main cover line in
and follow what she says.
the middle of the frame but that is used to show it is from Rihanna
and as soon as you see the image you are meant to see that. Also
how other big name stars are listed below the bold cover line it
suggests that the whole magazine will be about these, shows what
Main cover line– This is the biggest text on the page other than the the genre is and it appeals to the target audience that these stars are
masthead so it therefore stands out and shows that the audience is in the magazine and it sells, helps make money by doing this.
meant to see it. It appeals to the target audience as it appeals to
Rihanna fans and it is also appealing to a more middle-age audience
or young adults because of the language that is used it shows her House Style- The colours that are used are there to be used as a symbolic was they suggest that this is a loving type of cover and
personal attitude and gives the viewer a sense as if they are getting magazine, from the colours the audience can automatically get an idea of who this magazine is aimed at, the colours are more
to know the star profile here. It also suggests that there will be a bright and the pink suggests it is more girly. It is a formal style to a magazine it is the type of design that you would expect. The
longer article in the magazine about Rihanna. size and font of everything is consistent throughout the design and there are more darker colours to stand out in a dark image the
colour is emphasised. The image is in the centre to be the unique selling point of this it is a convention of placement on magazines
and it is there to be centre of attention.

2. Colour– The colours on this issue are quite basic as there are only 4 which are; black, red, dark red, grey. These
are all colours that can be symbolic for darkness especially red, the colour goes on Eminem’s name as red this
links to the part saying he almost dies as red is symbolic of blood and death so this can suggest that Eminem
went through lots of pain before becoming clean but he has survived it. There are only 4 colours used which is
quite typical for magazine covers it keeps it formal and common. The colours are dark suggesting this issue
may be dark, relating to rap music and stereotypes within it.
Masthead– ‘VIBE’ it is quite common and a convention of music Design Principle Used – The front cover is used thoroughly to the
magazine covers it is quite typical for it to cover the full top line extent of the Guttenberg design principle as the iconic V of the VIBE
so this is formal and the colour of it stands out on the page so masthead stands out and is placed in the right place; also the barcode
that the viewer automatically notices it as it is the biggest font is placed in the dead zone of the magazine front cover.
on the page.
Main image– the centre of attention and the unique selling point of
this magazine cover as automatically the audience can recognise
Eminem as a international star, even if you were from another
country the viewer would most likely know who this is. He is the star
profile of this cover and he automatically attracts a wide range Typefaces– The text is more formal, there isn’t much of it and the way
audience, his music is mainly aimed at males so this suggests that this the language is presented shows it is an issue aimed at rap fans, this
shown by the main image too. The typeface is framing the main
magazine may be aiming at a male audience. A big well known star is
a convention of music magazine covers so it follows this way, the image which is a convention of magazine covers and suggests it is
proxemics of the star is that he is tough the way he gives direct more formal. The selling line of the cover is the quote at the top “Is
address to the camera suggests this too, he is stood with his arms 1998 raps last classic year?” this suggests that there will be a growing
folded looking tough which empathises that he is a rap artist, his debate and opinionated view inside the magazine which has the
arms are full of tattoos which relates to the stereotype of rappers effect of getting the audience involved with it and causing them to
that they are like gangster type characters so this appeals to rap fans. want to be a part of it by buying this magazine.
The cross necklace he has on suggests that he is religious as are most
rap artists so this can be related to the style of music Eminem does.
Photography Lighting– High key lighting is used on Eminem suggesting
he has come back into the light this is also connotation of death
Model credit– The model credit is where it says ‘I latterly almost seeing the white light before dying this can be intertextual to the text
died’ this suggests that he does not do drugs or anything that he saying he almost died as he has survived it and come back to life,
has finished doing bad things, almost like appealing to the suggesting his music and fans are a source of life to him. Appeals
audience saying that it is a new him, he’s survived and feels lucky massively to the audience as the light is very bright on Eminem’s face
which relates to him being a religious man, the model credit is suggesting he will open up in the story about him in this issue. It can
formal and shows what type of character Eminem is and that he’s also link to his style of music as usually it is quite open and he uses his
sort of like a ‘bad boy’ appealing to a girl audience. life to make his songs have a certain meaning and unique story to
them.
House Style– The colours that are used on this cover are quite dark
Coverlines– The cover lines that are on this cover are not direct to and common but they have links and connote the style of music that
the main image they relate to other things giving the viewer is being represented in this issue, it is common and unique as it
information of what will be in the magazine, suggesting that it will relates massively to the main image on this cover which suggests that
give the buyer their money’s worth and be worth paying for, this he is such a well know star that he must be centre of attention on this
Main cover line– ‘Eminem Comes Clean’ this appeals to all Eminem fans and it shows cover. The colours suggest that it is aimed at a more male audience
appeals to the audience as it suggests that there is a lot for them
that its information he wants out there it’s almost like he’s communicating with the this issue as the colour red is usually associated more with males. The
to see in this magazine and that they should buy it. It appeals as it
buyer of this magazine end it is associated with the main image of the cover size and font of the typeface on the cover suggest that it is a more
names other big artists to get the viewer interested.
suggesting that there will be a big story inside on Eminem that he is the star profile of formal type of magazine. The placement of the main image is
this issue, it appeals massively and targets specific audiences as being his fans for this common and the way the typeface frames the image is quite usual for
issue. Shows that he is the unique selling point but it could also be seen as model magazine covers.
credit for the cover.

3. Colour– 4 colours used; red, gold, white, black – quite simple and basic. Quite common
for a magazine cover to use the same colours through the cover and a small range of Design Principle Used – it follows the Rule of thirds design
Typefaces– The text is more formal and is common as it frames
them it keeps the cover basic and simple, also more formal. For example the colour gold principle on the magazine as the top left third of the cover is
the main image of the cover, a more mature font is used to
is used as it is symbolised to mean wealth, fame, power, and this suggests that the the huge masthead of Q and the big main image attracts the
appeal to a more mature audience and the style of the writing is
people in the magazine and the main image are associated with this. Also the colours viewer to it as it is in control of the majority of the thirds of the
formal this suggests that it is aimed at an older audience. The
used are brighter, cheerful covers suggesting that the magazine brings almost good news magazine.
typical convention of text framing the image is included here. The
to the audience.
selling line of the cover is the top of the page going straight
across covering the whole top line saying “The 10 most exciting
people in music now” this suggests that the magazine has a
Masthead– “Q” big, unusual type of design, huge font, the titles in whole load of stars in just for the audience to read about, appeals
the corner. Recognisable it is easy to remember, short, bold, red to the audience and makes them want to read it.
and white colours, top left hand corner so it is less formal. A
unique design of the masthead which has a strong impact on the
audience it helps them remember it as it is short and simple
Main image– The unique selling point of the magazine cover, the
centre of attention meaning he is the central protagonist of this Photography Lighting– The lighting is high key, the white
cover. The size of it is big and in the centre of the page, placed there background. Giving it a suggestion he’s a bright figure, the colour
so that the audience notices it straight away and once they notice white is usually connoted with heaven, god, sparking a
who the star is they instantly become gripped and want to read the suggestion that Jay-Z is being shown as a godlike figure in the
magazine, it attracts readers and attention to the magazine through music industry. It surrounds the indication that his serious look
the use of this star profile. The star is giving direct address to the with the close up shot used it suggesting he is a serious man and
camera and this is used to make the audience feel like they are takes care with his work. This look also links to his style of music;
connecting with the star, this is a typical convention of what you rap. It is a serious type of style he does. The lighting is bright and
would expect on a music magazine cover, a big star that is known dominates the stars face this is showing his full face to the
worldwide for his achievements. This is a relation to the uses and audience which appeals to females who would love a man like
gratifications theory that if you read this magazine you will get the Jay-Z and it’s near enough seductive to the female gender. He is
inside view on stars and find out more about them how to be and stereotyped with the type of music he does through the serious
dress like them. He himself is an ideology to having this perfect look that is represented by the lighting.
lifestyle that everybody wants. Fame, money, girls, appeals to male
audience
Model credit– The model credit that is shown is not directed at the
main image of the magazine cover so it is quite unique and unusual, House Style– The colours that are used on this cover are
it is formal, but the artists stated of the model credit is a different used to show different meanings and connote things to the
colour so that aspect is not formal of the magazine cover. For star of it that is the main image; the cover is more direct
example it says “Muse? That guy is a superstar” this appeals to the and less relative to the main image itself which is unusual
audience and fans of this artist as this also connotes that the whole to most magazine covers. Also the colours that are used
magazine is packed with stars so the target audience of the cover is automatically suggest it is formal and indicates that the
widened due to this. target audience may be older and more that style. The
colour also suggests it is more aimed at the male audience
as they are linked to men more the colours. The size and
Coverlines– The Coverlines that are shown on the cover are not
style of the font through the cover is similar so that
related or direct to the main image whereas the main cover line is.
indicates it is more formal. The placement of the image is
The Coverlines are aimed at other artists, suggesting that there is a Main cover line– The main cover line of the magazine cover is the star of the main images name, this empathised by the photography lighting with a bright
lot in this magazine for the reader and it is worth the money they suggests that the magazine will be about him mostly in an article through it, that this star is so big he symbolisation. The image is in the centre to be the unique
pay for it so this therefore appeals through this, it gives the reader a gets to be the centre of attention on this issue of the magazine. It appeals to fans of Jay-Z and a more selling point of this it is a convention of placement on
very brief text to what their story in the magazine will be about, male audience, more likely an old teens-middle age. Which maybe even listen to his music and enjoy magazines and it is there to be centre of attention.
gripping them to buy and read. it, follow him round for gigs that he does? He is the star profile of the cover and the fact the main
cover line is his name in bold and biggest size of the cover suggests he is very important.