Front Cover Analysis

This front cover is from an issue of Top of the Pops.

At the top of the magazine we see the BBC logo. This

is a well-established institution, so the audience are

familiar with it and trust it. The reference to the BBC

would make parents more willing to let their

children read the magazine, as they know the BBC

would not allow anything inappropriate to be

affiliated with them.

The skyline says “OMG! Out to lunch with 1D!”

There is also an image of 1D. This will attract the

audience because 1D is such a popular band, so they

will want to win the competition. This would appeal

to the fans because they would really want the

chance to be alone with One Direction and so they

will want to buy the magazine to find out how they

can win the competition. The mode of address is

casual, so the audience can relate to it. Furthermore,

OMG is a buzz word and so this generates

excitement within the audience. Also, for the person

that wins the competition there will be a sense of

self-actualization as they would feel like they were

being the best they could be, and are fulfilling their

dreams. “OMG!” is written in a different font to the

rest of the skyline, a script font, so it stands out. The

use of a script font makes it look handwritten, so the audience feel the true excitement of the

competition. It is also a phrase that young teenage girls use frequently, so the audience can identify with

it.

Then we see the masthead of the magazine. The background is in hot pink and it is also slightly diagonal.

This could represent the girliness of the magazine, but also that it is unique and fun. “Top of the Pops” is

written in a display font in white, and this makes it stand out against the rest of the magazine. It is also

in the same font as many of the other, more recent issues of Top of the Pops and so this creates a

symbiotic link between the magazines. The “S” is in a different style, this makes the masthead more fun

and interesting. It could show that since the “s” stands out and is the only different letter, this magazine

aims to stand out and be different to other pop music magazines. The masthead is also decorated with

stars around it. This adds to the creativity of the magazine, and could show that each issue of their

magazine is filled with lots of celebrities, or stars. The stars would appeal to the audience because the

audience would enjoy seeing the decorations around the masthead. Also, teenage girls also doodle

things like stars, so they can relate to this. The tilted masthead reflects the fun personality of pop.

There is a bright yellow box on the right hand side of the magazine. The bright yellow stands out and will

catch the audience’s attention. The title says “Cheat the look!” “Cheat” is an attention grabbing word so

the audience will be interested to see what the article is about, and the exclamation mark adds interest.

The font is smooth, soft, and pink. This represents the femininity of the target audience. Also this would

appeal to the audience because they love fashion and make up, and are interested in their image. They

also would want the chance to be able to look like their role models. There is a small, pink puff that says

“Celeb beauty on a budget”. The pink, matches the colour scheme of the magazine and makes it more

professional. “Celeb” is a slang word, and this represents the laid back, relaxed atmosphere of the

magazine. The puff will attract the audience because they know that celebrities normally spend a lot of

money on beauty which normal people usually can’t afford, so the fact that it’s “on a budget” shows

that they will be able to get celebrity styles for a cheaper price. We then see a pictures of eye shadow

and nail polish, with the prices next to them. This will attract the audience as they will know some of the

prices they have to pay to get celebrity styles. They will want to read the magazine to find out about

where they can get them and about more things they could buy. There is also a small picture of Jessie J,

with a speech bubble saying “It’s all about the price tag”. This is humour because this is a lyric from one

of her popular songs- Price Tag. This relates to the section as it was about money, and Jessie J’s song is

about money. Fans of Jessie J will also be excited to see her, and will want to read the magazine to see if

there any more information about her.

The main image of the magazine is a medium shot of Justin Bieber. He is a popular celebrity, so he will

attract attention from his fans and they will want to buy the magazine. He is looking directly at the

camera, so this is a form of direct address and this makes it more personal for the audience. This also

shows his confidence. His hair is styled in a quiff, which is a style is fans would be familiar with. He is

wearing a white shirt, with a blue gilet. This is quite casual clothing, and so it relates to the casual and

relaxed feel of the magazine. The main sell line says “Oh Boy, It’s Bieber!” The magazine is following

conventions by allowing the main sell line to link to the magazine. The colours used are black and pink.

Pink matches the colour of the masthead, and the black contrasts and stands out against the pink. It is in

a display font, so it stands out and grabs attention. The small puff underneath gives the audience more

information on the article, but it doesn't give too much away. “Secret Side” is an example of alliteration,

and the word secret will grab the audience’s attention and make them curious to find out something

Justin Bieber may be hiding. The fans will be excited when they read that Justin Bieber “just wants a

cuddle” and they will want to read the magazine to find out more.

There are more sell lines on the left hand side of the frame. They are in the left hand third, so the

audience’s eyes will go there first. This means they will be interested by all the articles that are inside,

and this makes them want to buy the magazine. The names of the celebrity featured in each article is in

bold, so this stands out and attracts attention. There are buzz words like “Woah” and “Wahey” and

“Wow” which are alliteration and they also will help to spark the audience’s interest. The pull quo tes

from Harry and Jay’s article are interesting, and make the audience want to read to find out more. They

use “I”, so the audience know it is direct quote from them. Also, direct quotes give a little bit of insight

as to what will be in the main article, without giving too much away.

There is a small medium long shot of Rita Ora at the bottom left hand side of the magazine. She is

looking at the camera and smiling, and this creates a happier atmosphere for the audience, while

reinforcing her confident star image. Rita is wearing shorts with a matching jacket and a colourful top.

This confirms she is a pop star. She is smiling at the camera, which links to the magazine’s fun star

image. She is also using direct address by looking at the camera, and this makes it more personal for the

audience, because they will feel like Rita is looking directly at them and persuading them to buy the

magazine. The puff next to her image says “Rock it like Rita”. This is attention-grabbing, because the

audience know they have a chance to look like Rita. The mode of address is quite casual and laid back,

so the audience feel comfortable while reading. “Your instant style makeover” is a form of direct

address and this makes the audience think that if they buy this magazine, the n they will have a style

similar to Rita’s. “Instant” shows the audience that their makeover can happen quickly, and this will in

turn make them want to buy the magazine.

The feature article photographs at the bottom of the page will entice the audience because they will

have a good idea of the celebrities that will be featured in the magazine. If they see their favourite pop

star, they will want to buy the magazine to find out the latest information on them. The small, blue box

at the bottom right hand side of the page says “9 NEW dating tips to try today!” This is effective because

the buzz word “new” creates a sense of exclusiveness, so the audience think that if they buy the

magazine, they will belong to a group of people that know things other people may not. It is also typical

for a pop music magazine to feature information on dating and love. The hearts relate to the section,

and they are in pink so they link to the masthead. The nine is also in pink, so this matches the colour

scheme. The exclamation mark adds excitement to the section. Also, the dating tips will appeal to the

teenage audience who will be interested in dating. The use of an imperative-“try” gives a sense of

urgency and persuades the audience to read the magazine. There is also a pug at the bottom of the page

which contains the barcode, price and the dates it will be on sale for. This is at the bottom of the page in

a small, inconspicuous font, so the audience get drawn in by all the exciting, colourful information on

the page, and then see the price after. This means that even if they think the price of the magazine is

expensive, they will have been so excited by the other information on the page that they won’t mind

paying the money.

This front cover is effective because it manages to include conventions of music magazines while also

being unique and individual. The general mode of address is casual, relaxed and friendly, while also

being informative. The layout is conventional of pop magazines, for example, the main sell line reflects

the main image. The fonts used in the magazine vary, keeping it interesting, while also looking

professional. The front cover will appeal to the audience because it is bright and colourful, and all the

articles relate to the teenage target audience’s interests. it is also funny, while promising to give the

audience relevant information about their favourite celebrities.