2. Billboard Magazine
Target audience
This magazine cover is aimed at an adult audience of younger women, around
the ages 18-30. who like pop and R&B music. It is also aimed at women who
have an interest in in pop and R&B music.
Colours
The colours used are pick, black
and white. The black backdrop
provides a muted background for
the bright white and pink, which
stand out against it. The pink
colour links back to the target
audience, as it is a colour
associated with femininity, and
also with the cover artist, whose
name is P!nk. The cover lines are
highlighting ‘Women in music’
so the pink colour helps to show
that the issue is about women.
Text
On this magazine there are
only two sell lines. The main
sell line is about the cover
artist who is described as
‘woman of the year’. The
only cover line is ‘Women in
music’ and both are kept
small so that the main focus
is on the image.
Image
The image is a medium close-up and
stands out against the dark backdrop.
As this is a music magazine it is
assumed you will have musical
knowledge of the cover artist as she
is well known so the image of her is
relied on to sell the magazine to you.
She is smiling in the photograph,
presenting the idea that if you read
the magazine you will also be happy.
Essential information
The essential information is very small at
the top of the page so that is doesn’t
distract from the main image. There
doesn’t appear to be a price on this front
cover, which suggests that they are
aiming for a target audience who have
disposable income and do not buy based
on price. The masthead is in the top left
hand corner, where your eyes are
naturally drawn, so that you know which
magazine this is.
Fonts
The masthead is in lowercase letters
and in bold, which helps it to stand
out as well as its colour. All the
fonts used are very simple, however
in cover lines words are in capitals
to show their importance and grab
attention. The words in the
background are in italics and create
a pattern, which catches the readers
eye.
3. Q Magazine
Text
The masthead is in the top left hand
corner of the page. The single ‘Q’
means it doesn’t reach far across, but
it has been placed where your eyes
are naturally drawn. The main sell
line is large and displayed across the
main image, making it obvious it is
relating to this musician. A quote
from the article has been used as a
subhead to try to draw the reader in
and buy it to find out more. The cover
lines have been arranged around the
main image which improves the
overall appearance without distracting
from the main feature. It is also trying
to show it is better than the
competition saying it is the ‘UK’s
first’. Fonts
Target audience
This magazine cover is aimed at an adult audience of around 20 onwards, who
like indie/rock music. I is aimed at an older audience because the musicians
referred to are from previous decades, so younger people may not know them.
It is gender neutral, so that it appeals to people based on their music
preference, not their sex.
Essential information
The date, issue number and price are
displayed in the barcode. They are
very small, as not to distract from the
main image. This magazine will also
be expensive so the price has been
displayed discreetly try to prevent
people changing their minds about
purchasing it due to the cost.
All the fonts used are very similar,
which creates a professional look.
They are simple and plain, making
them easy to read. Almost all of the
text is in capital letters, which
makes it look as if the information
is important. Sizes differentiate, but
it is clear that the largest sell line is
the main thing to catch peoples eye.
Colours
The colours used are red, white,
black, yellow and gold. The red
and white match the magazines
logo and are synonymous with Q.
The black stands out against the
white background so it is easy to
read the text. Gold and yellow have
only been used once, which
suggests that they want you to pay
attention to those features as they
are special.
Image
The image is a close-up and shows
who the main article is about. This
musician is in a rock band, which
matches the genre of the magazine,
so it is thought that readers will see it
and buy the magazine as they want
to read the interview with him.
4. NME Magazine
Target audience
This magazine cover is aimed at an adult audience, as the image shows the
cover artist smoking and expletive is used in the subhead of the main sell line,
indicating it is unsuitable for children. It appears to be aiming at 20-30 year
olds, as the musicians mentioned are mainly current artists, although mainly it
is trying to attract people with an indie pop/rock music taste. The cover is
aiming for both men and women.
Essential information
The date, issue number and price are
displayed in the barcode and at the top
of the page. They are very small, as
the magazine wants the reader to
concentrate on the sell lines. They are
trying to distract from the price, as it is
expensive and may deter people from
purchasing.
Text
The masthead is in the top left hand
corner of the page. It is very large so
the name is obvious, and in the area
where you eyes are naturally drawn.
The main sell line is a single word,
‘MIA’, and relates to the image. The
subhead is a quote from the interview
inside, to make the reader want to
read on. The cover lines are
advertising the other artists featured
in their magazine, in the hope of
peaking fan interest.
Colours
The colours used are red, white and
black. The red matches the
magazines logo and stands out,
making words look urgent and
important. Black is only used once,
but helps to break up the bright
red. White is used for the cover
lines, and matches some of the
musicians costume, and stands out
against the background.
Fonts
The font is plain and simple, so that
the words are clear. Different fonts
have been used, however the same
font has been used for all cover
lines, and likewise subheads. This
gives a neater appearance. The
cover lines are bold, making them
stand out more. All words on the
page are in capital letters, which
creates the idea that everything is
important.
Image
The image is a medium close-up and
links to the main sell line. She is
smoking, which links in with the
target audience – it wouldn’t be
suitable for children. Her appearance
is casual, as the magazine wants the
focus to be on her music, not her
image.
