Analysis of NME Cover
In terms of denotation, the masthead reflects the personality of the specific target audience chosen. The typography is styled to cater their needs, adopting a masculine appearance which makes the audience feel as though they are masculine. This especially works due to the gender of the target audience: males who like to think that they are tough. It is also red, which is a colour that represents youth culture because red connotes; sex, violence and trouble which links to the theories of Hall (1904) and Hedbridge (1989) who both claim youths are trouble makers. It has a white and black outline to ensure it stands out against whatever colour background is chosen to be used for each issue. The masthead reads NME in capital letters, which is seen as exciting and daring. Each of these stylistic choices connote that the target audience is male, as stereotypically the younger generation are attracted to abbreviations, as they feel as though they are cool, casual and represent them. If the title does not stand out, the specific audience chosen will not be attracted to the magazine. This means that it is mandatory to ensure the masthead stand out as it is, effectively, the brand name for the magazine and conveys the magazine as a whole. Customers feel as though it needs to represent them to appeal to them, and returning customers need to be able to see the same name. When creating my own masthead, I must ensure that it represents my own target audience to attract them and cater to their needs. The positioning of the masthead must follow the generic convention of covering the top 1/8 of the cover or the 'sweet spot' on the top left to ensure it will definitely not be covered by other magazines on a crowded shelf.
In terms of denotation of the imagery, there are three different images on the cover, common concerning NME and most magazines. Two of these images are minor images, and the other a central image, which take up a vast majority of the cover space. The other is a medium close up. The main image is a medium long shot, as is the smaller image of the band. Usually, the central image is a Mid Shot, though this particular image is not, as there are multiple people in the space. This is a Medium Long Shot of a well-known band which will not only draw in the specific target audience required, but also an entire fan base. This is a good choice of star vehicles, as the band is the same genre as the magazine: Indie. This particular choice connotes the target audience, as they are young men, as this age group is generally stereotyped to be trouble, representing “youth as trouble” (Hedbridge, 1889) and youths as; reckless, law breaking, drug taking, thrill seekers (Hall, 1904). The frontman has an appearance of which makes him look as though he is on drugs, again supporting Hall's theory. Each of the members of the band look outgoing and pretentious, as their postures and positioning differs with each of them. All of these look ostentatious, and encourage behavior in the youth of which is considered to be 'fun', for instance, the male on the right who is jumping looks as though he is an extrovert who is not afraid to have fun and is used to it. Two of the members of the band use direct address in consideration of eye contact, which makes the cover personal to the audience and they will feel more inclined to purchase the magazine. Clearly, the other images denote that the people in them are in bands. One is singing into a microphone with his mouth open, capturing the action and showing that he is musically talented. The other is a typical band picture, which is incredibly common. It is four males lined up together taken at a canted angle, and the lead singer slightly in front of the other members. Their heads are in slightly different directions as not to be plain, but all are looking towards the camera very seriously to make the image personal to the audience with a direct address. Due to this type of imagery solely connoting darker music it is not associated with other genres or the likes of television programs, radio shows, plays etc.
In terms of typography, the colour palette consists of yellow, red and white; this sticks to the generic convention of having but three colours to ensure the colours do not crash and the readers are not confused by a horrific amount of colours, as they would not know where to look. The specific colours used draws the audiences attention to different areas. All of the cover lines have been written with white text in blue boxes. Blue is a boyish colour, which can be related to the connotation of childhood, and roll with the theme of 'fun', as the males will relate their own childhood to this fun magazine and purchase the magazine. The cover lines are in capitals, which attracts the reader with professionalism and excitement, as capital letters connote importance over lowercase letters, and give the areas they have been used on a sense of shock and exhilaration. The more important cover lines are in bold, to make them stand out to the audience more than the less important lexis. The text of the feature article is the only text of which is yellow, with the exception of '1929-2008', connoting importance. It is also larger than the rest of the text excluding the masthead, which allows it to stand out and reach the audience far more quickly than any of the other text. Each font used is relatively standard and regular. Nothing is 'fancy' or 'metal', and there is not much change to what the reader itself would use if they wrote something on a document. This is familiar to the target audience, and does not introduce any risky fonts of which they might not like. There is nothing special about the four different fonts used, and they are quite similar to each other.
In terms of denotation of the imagery, there are three different images on the cover, common concerning NME and most magazines. Two of these images are minor images, and the other a central image, which take up a vast majority of the cover space. The other is a medium close up. The main image is a medium long shot, as is the smaller image of the band. Usually, the central image is a Mid Shot, though this particular image is not, as there are multiple people in the space. This is a Medium Long Shot of a well-known band which will not only draw in the specific target audience required, but also an entire fan base. This is a good choice of star vehicles, as the band is the same genre as the magazine: Indie. This particular choice connotes the target audience, as they are young men, as this age group is generally stereotyped to be trouble, representing “youth as trouble” (Hedbridge, 1889) and youths as; reckless, law breaking, drug taking, thrill seekers (Hall, 1904). The frontman has an appearance of which makes him look as though he is on drugs, again supporting Hall's theory. Each of the members of the band look outgoing and pretentious, as their postures and positioning differs with each of them. All of these look ostentatious, and encourage behavior in the youth of which is considered to be 'fun', for instance, the male on the right who is jumping looks as though he is an extrovert who is not afraid to have fun and is used to it. Two of the members of the band use direct address in consideration of eye contact, which makes the cover personal to the audience and they will feel more inclined to purchase the magazine. Clearly, the other images denote that the people in them are in bands. One is singing into a microphone with his mouth open, capturing the action and showing that he is musically talented. The other is a typical band picture, which is incredibly common. It is four males lined up together taken at a canted angle, and the lead singer slightly in front of the other members. Their heads are in slightly different directions as not to be plain, but all are looking towards the camera very seriously to make the image personal to the audience with a direct address. Due to this type of imagery solely connoting darker music it is not associated with other genres or the likes of television programs, radio shows, plays etc.
In terms of typography, the colour palette consists of yellow, red and white; this sticks to the generic convention of having but three colours to ensure the colours do not crash and the readers are not confused by a horrific amount of colours, as they would not know where to look. The specific colours used draws the audiences attention to different areas. All of the cover lines have been written with white text in blue boxes. Blue is a boyish colour, which can be related to the connotation of childhood, and roll with the theme of 'fun', as the males will relate their own childhood to this fun magazine and purchase the magazine. The cover lines are in capitals, which attracts the reader with professionalism and excitement, as capital letters connote importance over lowercase letters, and give the areas they have been used on a sense of shock and exhilaration. The more important cover lines are in bold, to make them stand out to the audience more than the less important lexis. The text of the feature article is the only text of which is yellow, with the exception of '1929-2008', connoting importance. It is also larger than the rest of the text excluding the masthead, which allows it to stand out and reach the audience far more quickly than any of the other text. Each font used is relatively standard and regular. Nothing is 'fancy' or 'metal', and there is not much change to what the reader itself would use if they wrote something on a document. This is familiar to the target audience, and does not introduce any risky fonts of which they might not like. There is nothing special about the four different fonts used, and they are quite similar to each other.
Effectively, the center of the magazine is the main image, and the writing is located around this, not interfering with the faces, but anchoring parts of the image. The masthead is in the 'sweet spot' (top left) only in the top 1/8th of the page to ensure it is seen amongst other magazines. The cover lines run down the left and right side of the page, and the feature cover line overlaps the torsos of the band, and is around the centre of the page width ways to stand out against the rest of the text.
To conclude, this magazine cover would be good to base my own magazine on, though I do feel as though it is not exactly what I am looking for, as I want something with a warmer tone. Before I decide, I will analyse two more covers. Through this analysis, I have learnt that in order to attract the specific target audience I have chosen, I must include a colour scheme of which does not consist of more than four colours, a main image and cover line that represents my chosen genre and the target audience, and a masthead that covers 1/8 of the cover.
To conclude, this magazine cover would be good to base my own magazine on, though I do feel as though it is not exactly what I am looking for, as I want something with a warmer tone. Before I decide, I will analyse two more covers. Through this analysis, I have learnt that in order to attract the specific target audience I have chosen, I must include a colour scheme of which does not consist of more than four colours, a main image and cover line that represents my chosen genre and the target audience, and a masthead that covers 1/8 of the cover.
Excellent understanding of issues around audience, institution, representation, forms and conventions in relation to production
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