Cover Analysis

MAGAZINE COVER ANALYSIS

Kerrang!

INTRODUCTION TO KERRANG!

Kerrang! Magazine is a rock and alternative music

magazine published by Bauer Media Media Group. By

being part of this publishing group, the magazine can

afford to interview larger bands.

It’s target audience are older teens (15-19) who are

interested in this genre of music.

MASTHEADThe masthead is positioned at the top of the composition, meaning it can be seen when the

magazine is on a shelf. It is also obscured by the central image, suggesting that the brand identity is

well known enough to be recognized, even when the masthead is obscured.

The wording chosen for this splash is the main attraction point for this story. The chosen wording

"The Photos They Didn't Want You to See!", connotes gossip and secrets. By using the word 'they' it

is suggested that they audience should know who these people are. However, the names of some of

these bands are scattered around the composition (which we can tell are related to the splash, due

the the colours and style of the text (white and red)).

HOUSE STYLE

The running theme of red, yellow,

white and black colours add unity to

the magazine.This makes it look

more professional and gives it a

distinctive brand identity. All of the

text is in quite a harsh, bold font,

connoting attitude and power.

CENTRAL IMAGE

The central image is a medium close up of

Paramore vocalist, Hayley Williams. This is

appealing to the target audience, as she is well

known to most of the fans of the rock/alternative

sub-genre.This is a medium shot and, by positioning

her sideways and tilting her head for, Hayley has

been positioned in the typical 'S' shape that

photographers use a lot to connote the elegance

and grace associated with the female figure.

SPLASH

The wording of the splash is very

intriguing for the reader. The

sentence ‘The photos the didn’t

want you to see!” connotes gossip

and secrets. Also, by using the word

‘they’, the splash is tied into the rest of the cover where the artists’

names and images are dotted around the page, in a similar font and the

same white and red colour theme.

COVERLINES

Because the coverlines are situated at the top and

bottom of the page, it appears that they are framing

the splash and central image, bringing emphasis to

these elements of the cover. The covelines also tie

into the rest of the cover as the house style colours of

yellow, red and white are used.

MAGAZINE COVER ANALYSIS

Rock Sound

INTRODUCTION TO ROCK SOUND

Rock Sound is an alternative/hard rock music

magazine that was originally published by French

publishing company ‘Editions Freeway’, until 2004,

when director, Patrick Napier bought the magazine.

I chose this specific issue of Rock Sound as this

includes the same subject in the central image so

thought that it would be useful for comparison.

MASTHEAD

This masthead is similar to that of the Kerrang! magazine,

in terms of layout, being positioned at the top of the page,

obscured by the central image. However, the masthead of

Rock Sound is more formal connoting maturity, so attracting

an older audience (possibly 18 - 24, instead of 14 - 20).

HOUSE STYLE

Rock Sound's general colour theme

involves black, white, yellow and sky blue.

These colours are quite calming and connote

relaxation. The text fonts are all slightly

varying versions of similar fonts, keeping it

mature and professional, but still interesting

and fun.

CENTRAL IMAGE

The central image here is emphasized by editing. This editing brings

a professional view to the magazine, which connoting modernism. By

shooting from above, the photographer has made the band appear

smaller, which makes them seem more

easy to relate to and less separated from

their fans. This is supported by the fun

stances, which connote youth.

SPLASH

The splash here is very typical for a music

magazine, firstly stating the the name of the band in

a large, bold font to attract attention; and then slight

information on what the article involves. By only

being provided with these lacking pieces of

information, the reader is intrigued to read on.

COVERLINES

There are not so much coverlines on Rock Sound magazine’s

cover, but more band names. This may seem very vague and

counterproductive when trying to attract potential readers, but it is

actually very effective. I know from my own experience that many

music fans will buy a magazine purely for if it features their

favourite artist/band. The article on the band may be quite small,

but due to having the name there, the

magazine immediately attracts

that fan base.