Main Task: Analysis of existing magazine covers

When you first look at this magazine, you can tell that the major story is about Biffy Clyro who headlined the Leeds and Reading festivals. In the top right corner there is a pug (kicker) about Paramore saying 'I NEVER EXPECTED THINGS TO GET THIS CRAZY!' There is also a very good overlap with the magazine name (Masthead), picture of the band (image which is medium shot) and the main headline (splash). The editors have done a very good job with the overlap on the splash and the image, which makes it look like Simon Neil's hands are 3D and coming off the page.

There are many fonts on this cover, the main title, the headline, the sub-headings, the kicker that says "kerrang tour 2014" and the "<<READING/LEEDS>>". Kerrang do not always use hese fonts as they are used for specific bands and music festivals, but the main title always has that font as it is recognisable. The colours used in the cover are used to bring out the text more, this draws your eye to everything on the page making you want to read the articles inside. The yellow writing for "BIFFY CLYRO" in the middle of the page makes it stand out. Biffy Clyro are a well know Scottish band, known by most around the world, it is made to stand out so people interested in the band look at the magazine.

The RockSound magazne shows many things which can catch the eye. things such as the image which is a medium shot, splash, and masthead. Olly Sykes, the lead singer of the band is shown to be infront of the other band members, as he is more well known that the others, this would draw the eye of the audience as they would recognise Olly and it will maike them want to pick up the magazine. The main colours used in the text on this cover are red and white, this would draw the viewers eyes as the red and white would stick out on the cover. the black background behind the white text saying 'ROCKSOUND' makes the title stand out, and will make people realise that it is the magazine they are interested in. The target audience for this magazines would be people who are interested in the genre heavy metal, with such bands as Bring Me The Horizon and MCR ((My Chemical Romance) in the kicker) featured on the front cover. The font of the title is the same as it always would be, this is because it can be easily noticed by the audience who buy it, they will know what type of title font to look for when they are searching for a magazine.

 

Rolling stone magazine is one of the most well know magazines around the world, with its views on many things especially music. On this cover we can see the masthead, the image, the splash, sub-headings and a kicker. The masthead is the classic 'Rolling Stone' in the regular font that the magazine always uses, this makes it easier for the customer to recognise the magazine and make them want to pick it up and buy it. The image shown is of the band 'Fall Out Boy', a well known American band. The image is a medium shot, as you can just see their trouser line, the editor has also done a good job overlapping the band member Pete Wentz over the title, this give it the effect of Pete looking 3D and in front of the other band members. This shows that the band is very important on the front cover of the page. The looks on the band members faces show that they mean business and are in control, showing their authority as one of the best rock/punk bands in the world. The main text colours on this magazine covers are red and white, this makes the text stand out and makes it easier for the viewer to read.