ANALYSIS OF KERRANG’S FRONT COVER

MAIN IMAGELike all the other magazine front covers that I have researched Kerrang also follows the codes and conventions and uses a main image as the centre of the readers focus. The main image is bold and out there and has a contrast with the colours that are used on the rest of the front cover. Andy Biersack is the main image for this weeks article were he is represented as a boxer wearing red shorts which stand out against the black background and red design. He is also presenting a serious look upon his face which gives connotations towards what the exclusive interview with him will be about.

MASTHEADThe masthead ‘Kerrang’ is the name of the magazine and is bold and in the readers face to show to the reader the name of the magazine. The header is bold and in capital letters with its own unique font defining it as its own individual magazine to separate it apart from any other magazine that is in the industry. They have also placed the masthead at the top of the page as it is following the codes and conventions of a magazine front cover. The Masthead is also being covered by the main image.

BUZZWORDSKerrang also uses buzzwords as part of there front cover so that they can assure that they are following the codes and conventions. They use buzzwords to entice the audience into picking up their magazine and making them want to purchase and read their magazine. With one set of their buzzwords they have used alliteration to make the words jump out further to the reader along with the colours of the text being in contrast with the rest of the front cover.

MAIN COVERLINEThe front cover for Kerrang has also used a main coverline on the front as the main coverline is used to inform the reader of the main article that will be present in this issue of the magazine. The main coverline also links together with the main image as the main article is with Andy Biersack, lead singer in the band Black Veil Brides which is also the name of the coverline as it is being used to capture the attention of any fans of the band as they know that they will be the main buyers that week of the magazine as they will want all the latest gossip on their favourite band member. The coverline is white and bold in capitals letters to further make it stand out to the audience.

COVERLINES

Coverlines are also used to show to the reader what other articles will be present in this issue of the magazine. They are smaller that the main coverline as they are not as important as the main story but they are still important as the editors want there magazines to be able to reach out to other readers who may not be interested in the main article but will like what other articles the magazine has to offer.

STRAPLINESThe magazine editors also use straplines on their magazine front cover to give the reader more of an insight into what the magazine is all about. Often they use the straplines at the top of the page however this time it as been used at the bottom of the magazine which I think they have done because they don’t want to overcrowd the top of the magazine as they already have the Coverlines and Masthead on the top. This strapline includes information on 5 seconds of summer plus a sneak peak into magazine being a guide to the biggest music around!