Front cover analysisConventionsPhotography

Representation(Relates to Q4- codes and conventions)

When shooting for a front cover you must consider:

1. Position of text and features on the page2. Position and size of the masthead (must take

up the top 1/6 of the page)3. Whether the audience will be able to see and

recognise the star from far away/ on a crowded news stand

4. Use of light, colour, negative space, framing, eye level of the star, plain backgrounds.

Representation• Representation is how you choose to FILTER

your image to appeal to your target audience, and exclude those you don’t want using your product.

• Key to creating a positive representation for your audience are:– Facial expression and eye contact– Costume– Posture– Shot type– Height of the camera (e.g. If the camera is lower than eye level

the star will look more dominant)

Magazine profile

Name of magazine: NME

Target audience: alternative

Brand identity: The name of the magazine gives the magazine its own brand identity. NME – standing for new musical express, suggests new music and individual style. Having a short, catchy name like NME is a unique selling point – being easy and recognisable.

1 -EYESEyes on the top line, being the first thing you look at when you look at the magazine.

2- MASTHEADlooking up from the cover stars eyes you see the NAME of the magazine. Being in the top left corner.

3- FACEFace being the main object of the page, is placed in the middle box.

4-FEATURES The reader reads from top to bottom, as a list. This also stops the text anchoring the cover stars face.

5-COVER STARS NAMEBold and in black the cover Stars name stands out, being anchored on the white of her T-shirt. Her name being in the left bottom corner, shows the audience that the magazine is being aimed at may know who she is already.

Masthead The masthead needs to be the largest piece of text on the page. It needs to be striking and bold.

Colour SchemeThe colour of her hair, face, t-shirt and text, all collaborates to create a distinctive house style. Giving it that professional look.

Barcode Essential for the magazine to be on sale, showing the price.

Eye contactEye contact with he consumer, is important to engage their attention, to buy this magazine over others.

Fonts No more than 3 fonts should be used on the front cover. On this front cover 3 fonts have been used, it gives it a professional look – neat & bold.

Tag lineSmall & short but distinctive.

Anchor‘Florence’ is the next biggest piece of text on the cover. Showing the consumer who the cover star is.

QuoteGiving the reader a snippet of information of what the interview will be about.

Importance Important text goes at the top to show importance.

FeaturesWho or what is in the magazine. Creates a genre.

Minimal use of colour in her clothing, doesn't take away the attention from Florence’s vibrant hair.

Cover stars clothing

The reader is also drawn in by the fact that the cover stars giving the reader eye contact.

Eye contact

Mouth

The use of a pout but not a smile shows a hard look – the star looks strong and defiant.

Hair The use of a close up on the cover stars face, doesn’t show much colour, but here Florence's vibrant red hair, (which she is known for) can show emotion - red meaning danger or in the quote in one in one of the features where she refers to the ‘X – Factor’. This is also it is a unique selling point, for it would stand out amongst other magazines on a stand.

You should have AT LEAST two front covers annotated at the start of your planning to

show that common features are UNIVERSAL across all magazines.

In your planning for your final product you should have analysis of AT LEAST two

magazines that are similar to what you are trying to make