Magazine analysis:Covers

Analysis of the covers of three magazines: Q, KERRANG and UNCUT

Q Logo(1)

Slogan(2)

Pull quotes(3)

Main cover line(4)

Barcode, date issue

number(5)

Cover lines(8)

Main image(6)

Special edition(9)

Colour scheme and

style(7)

1. Logo is large, easily noticed and distinguishable. It’s not obvious what the genre is just by the logo. Bold single letter, stands out in strong contrast from the red background. Single letter ‘Q’ derived from ‘cue the music.’ Being in the background suggests it is already a successfully established magazine and requires minimal characteristics to be recognised.

2. Slogan small compared to logo, just underneath it so as not to draw attention from main part of the magazine but still easily found. Being in the background suggests it is already a successfully established magazine and requires minimal characteristics to be recognised. Only showing part of the slogan makes the reader engage as they have to think about what it could be to arrive at ‘discover great music’

3. Pull quotes are used to show that an interview is within, without using the word interview and gives reliability to this promise as it is a quote from the interview. It is clearly not the main focus as everything around it is much bigger and more colourful. This is because the magazine is designed to grab the readers attention, then give them a little more information so that they buy the magazine.

4. 4) Main cover line is large and the same red as in their house style- except the last three words to make them stand out more. This connoted a more established connection between the band and the magazine- seemingly legitimising their claims to an interview. It explains the main image and link to the pull quote above to give further information to the reader.

5) The barcode, date and issue number and all grouped together in the bottom left hand corner as, to the average reader, they are not important. Having them here allows more room for the main focus of the cover while making the information easily accessible to anyone who would want it- such as collectors.

6) The main image is a full page picture of the vocalist of the band- red hot chilli peppers. The image is large and eye grabbing and the vocalist has been made to appear like he is secretly a robot. This then conjures images of the Terminator; a cybernetic organism from the future that is notoriously difficult to stop. By using this it brings connotations of the band being classic and yet modern, bringing them to a new generation of fans.

7) The colour scheme that is used is mainly red, white and black (with the exception of some of the cover lines.) This is typical of most rock magazines, though each gives a slight variation. The style and layout of the magazine also gives clues as to it’s intended audience. Everything is centred around the main image, which suggests that this is what is important to the audience, but also points out the other key features- suggesting that the audience wants more than just interviews.

8) The cover lines used are linked with it being a special edition, it gives further information on what will be in the magazine but does not give away any major details. Being in a different colour to the main colour scheme it suggests that this is a ‘one time only’ special- not normally in the magazine.

• 9) This issue (September 2011) is a special issue, in which they list the top bands and tracks. The cover lines then give further information, telling the reader some of the names on that list, which draws them in to see who else made the cut.

KERRANGLogo(1)

Main cover line(3)

Barcode, date issue

number(6)

Cover lines(7)

Main image(8)

sky line(9)

Colour scheme and

style(2)

Banner with buzz

words(5)

Give aways(4)

1) Logo is black, with a crack effect and based on the sound an electric guitar makes. This all makes it obvious that it is a rock magazine, harder than Q. Bold letters, stands out in strong contrast from the white background. Derived from the sound of a electric guitar. Being in the background suggests it is already a successfully established magazine and requires minimal characteristics to be recognised.

2) Colour scheme is mainly black, white, red and yellow This is typical of most rock magazines, though each gives a slight variation. The style and layout of the magazine also gives clues as to it’s intended audience. Everything is dwarfed by and underneath the main image, which suggests that this is what is important to the audience, but also points out the other key features-suggesting that the audience wants more than just interviews.

3) Main cover line is about Avenged Sevenfold, a well known and popular rock band. This also explains the main image an shows what the main focus of the magazine is on. Stands out from the rest of the magazine, draws more attention to it.

4) Giving away free stuff is another technique often employed by magazines and means that more people will but it simply for the gift. The gift is often not truly free as the price varies with the quality of the ‘gift’. Music magazines mostly give out band posters and occasionally CDs. Another variation of this is to offer a competition, winning a much higher value item than a free gift and increases profits as more people buy and less stuff is given away.

5) Banner with buzz words. This offers additional information on the contents of the magazine, but makes it seem more exciting and exclusive to that magazine.

6) The barcode, date and issue number and all grouped together in the bottom right hand corner as, to the average reader, they are not important. Having them here allows more room for the main focus of the cover while making the information easily accessible to anyone who would want it- such as collectors.

7) The cover lines give further information on what is in the magazine, it shows interviews and lists their top albums.

7) The main image is a half page picture of the band Avenged Sevenfold, a well known and popular rock band. This also explains the main cover line and shows what the main focus of the magazine is on. Stands out from the rest of the magazine, draws more attention to it and therefore the cover lines around it.

8) Skyline shows extra things that are in the magazine that would not normally be there but would be of interest to some of their readers, drawing in those that want it but not discouraging others as it could be passed by being small and out of the way.

UNCUTLogo(1)

Main cover line(3)

Barcode, date issue

number(6)

Cover lines(7)

Main image(8)Colour scheme and

style(2)

List of extra features(5)

Give away(4)

1) Logo is large, easily noticed and distinguishable. It’s not obvious what the genre is just by the logo. Bold single letter, stands out in strong contrast from the red background. Being in the background suggests it is already an established magazine but still shows the majority of it, suggesting it is not as well known as Q or KERRANG.

2) The colour scheme that is used is mainly red, white and black (with the exception of some of the cover lines.) This is typical of most rock magazines, though each gives a slight variation. The style and layout of the magazine also gives clues as to it’s intended audience. Everything is centred around the main image, which suggests that this is what is important to the audience, but also points out the other key features- suggesting that the audience wants more than just interviews. Uncut is more reserved than the other covers, suggesting it is aimed at a younger audience. It uses the sae colours as the others but in a much milder way, there appears to be a lot more white and empty space.

3) Uncut appears to be aimed at an older audience as thus is more reserved. The main cover line is of a 52 page review of the best songs of 2013. This may not be as exciting as those of Q and KERRANG but is well suited to their target audience.

4) Giving away free stuff is another technique often employed by magazines and means that more people will but it simply for the gift. The gift is often not truly free as the price varies with the quality of the ‘gift’. Music magazines mostly give out band posters and occasionally CDs. Another variation of this is to offer a competition, winning a much higher value item than a free gift and increases profits as more people buy and less stuff is given away.

• 5) This offers additional information on the contents of the magazine, showing that there is more to it than what is in the cover lines. This means it cn suit a wider range of audiences.

• 6) The barcode, date and issue number and all grouped together in the bottom right hand corner as, to the average reader, they are not important. Having them here allows more room for the main focus of the cover while making the information easily accessible to anyone who would want it- such as collectors.

• 7) The cover lines used are linked with it being a special edition, it gives further information on what will be in the magazine but does not give away any major details. Being in a different colour to the main colour scheme it suggests that this is a ‘one time only’ special- not normally in the magazine.

• 8) The main image is of an older more respectable gentleman, reflecting the audience the magazine is aimed at. The rest of the magazine is based around him, suggesting that he is to do with the main aspect of the magazine, but that there are other aspects to it.