Magazine analysis

Magazine analysis NME.

For my Magazine Analysis

I chose to analyse

3 issues of

NME.

The date and price are very

small on this cover, therefore

it is very difficult to see.

Making it look less

professional than it could

potentially look. Having a

barcode this small diverts all

attention to the cover

photo, and won‟t attract the

readers as much as it could.

The Masthead is very powerful, and

striking. This is a method of brand

recognition, it‟s short and sweet. It‟s

powerful because of the colour

used and the boldness of the

typeface. It is the first thing the

viewer will see on the page and

therefore has to be striking. It comes

in front of the cover photo, showing

it is an important part of any of their

magazine covers however it comes

behind the competition

bubble, which is interesting and this

could be a sign that it is a huge

competition and somewhat a sales

technique to buy the magazine.

This extra information

advertises how NME has

an exclusive interview

inside. This could create a

Unique Selling Point for

this issue because no

other magazine has it

and may show how

successful the magazine

is. Exclusive means it is not

going to be shown

anywhere else therefore

another reason to entice

buyers. This cover photo sums up what the main issue is about, as well as what kind of people Disclosure are. This photo has put them in a playful

light, which could entice buyers to find out more, and make them want to know who they really are. It shows that they are going to be the main feature of the article and how they, themselves, believe they are different to any other dance music

artists.

The importance of the

contents page. The contents page

follows straight from

the front cover

therefore it is very

important to the

magazine to follow

not only the house

style but the promises

of the front cover

articles which must

be found on the

contents page so

readers can locate

them in the

magazine.

The text is split into 3 columns however NME hasn‟t stuck to the

conventional method of staying within the 3 columns. They have placed photos and article information out of columns. This mixes the contents page up and makes it a lot more

interesting to look at.

Shown here is how

NME chose to produce

quotes from an article

onto the contents

page so that it shows

and entices people to

read this article.

Situated with a picture

also. The quote text is

in under case

compared to the

explanatory or title text

which is all wrote in

capitals. This is too

make these

explanations and titles

bold, and to make

them stand out.

Each article is

situated with a

picture which relates

to the article. This is a

good tool to use

because it allows the

contents page to

look full, but not

crowded. 5 out of the

6 photographs on this

article are

posed, therefore

personal to the artist.

This enables NME to

present the artist in

the way they would

like to but also

appeals to the

reader because they

get more of an insight

into who the artist is

rather than just an on

stage picture.

Each article is located with a page number

on the relating photo. This is a very good tool

for readers who don‟t wish to read the whole

magazine, from cover to back page

therefore with the page numbers in place

they can flick to the article in which they

wish to read. Without these page numbers, it

may be a put off for customers and NME

could lose sales.

The column in

this double

page spread

is in a

conventional

column style.

This outlines

where type is

to go, and

also makes it

easy to read.

None of the

typeface

differs in size

therefore

makes it

consistent.

The quote text is

highlighted by

extracting it from

the article and is

in bold type

face. This allows

it to be picked

out and may

entice a reader

to read the

article if they find

the quote

somewhat a cliff

hanger, or

maybe unusual.

Here they have inserted an extract from a different artist, reviewing

disclosure. This could be interesting to readers because it‟s

disclosures album from a different persons opinions, and gives the

reader an informational viewpoint of which this article is lacking.

Again, the mast head is bold

and uses sans serif to make sure

it stands out and the reader

can see it from a distance.

NME has used an approach

that is becoming very common

for large scale magazine to

use, adapting the masthead to

the issue but still keeping the

house style. For example, in the

previous issue they used block

red lettering for the masthead

with a transparent background

whereas here, they have used

a red background. As well as

using the masthead as a brand

recognition tool, they have

used the red background as a

backdrop for the date and

issue number. This is very

subtle, too subtle in fact. I

believe they could improve this

by placing the date and issue

number somewhere more

noticeable.

The front cover they have used is very busy and is a lot to take in.

However, it instantly enables you to know what the issue is about. Young British artists. The fire extinguisher can be interpreted in a various amount of ways, either a playful manner. Or a symbol of extinguishing the artists, as they

could be „on fire‟ with their music and may be becoming very successful.

These name tags can be

depicted as the extra

information boxes in this

special issue of NME. They

label what you‟re going to see

in the magazine, however

they do not explain what you

are going to see. This could be

because of the nature of this

issue, with it being a special

issue. It is thought to be self

explanatory however with

explanations, it could seem

more enticing to customers

who don‟t necessarily know

who these artists are.

NME uses a

conventional 3

column technique

here, and sticks to it

which enables the

reader to easily

pinpoint what they

want to read and

where it is located in

the magazine.

You can see here that

they have highlighted

the main article of the

magazine, by using a

question to present it.

Somewhat seeming as

if it‟s a weekly feature.

They have situated the

article title with a

picture, allowing the

reader to find out and

get more of an insight

into what the article is

about.

They have outlined

the features of the

magazine, using subtle

but bold typeface.

NME has made the

subtitles bold which

allows the reader to

know what is the title

and exactly what is

explanation of the

article.

This is a very clever technique of outlining exactly what is in the magazine, but doesn‟t tell you where meaning it entices you to

read the whole magazine and to purchase it. With the red background it stands out completely, and could be classes as one of the main features of the contents page.

This two page

spread is mostly

taken over by

the main

picture, which

gives the reader

an instant

knowledge of

what they‟re

about to read. It

is very obvious

the story is about

the alarming

festival

drugs, with the

high saturation it

stands out

because it is

very colourful

and vibrant.

By starting the

spread with a

highlighted

question on a

black background

a white writing, it

instantly stands out

and alarms you.

Because of the

nature of the

article NME has

chosen a colour

scheme that

complements the

article. By using

black white and a

touch of yellow, it

doesn‟t look too

busy with the

vibrant picture but

stands out enough

to make you read

it.

NME has used a 2 column grid for this spread, making it very clear and simple to read. Not only does this look consistent but also looks very uniform which ties in with the black and white colour scheme.

The use of

minimal colour

complements this

cover because

the picture is very

vibrant and

exciting therefore

by over doing it

with the colours it

would of washed

the cover picture

out. Therefore by

using black, white

and red, it has

stuck to the NME

house style.

The cover picture is very vibrant and

draws you in. It makes you want to know

more about the sisters and who exactly

is HAIM? The picture is very playful, and

put the sisters in a light in which they

can connect with the youth of today.

You can see from the Mise en scene

that they are trying to be fashionable

and look unique. The use of the camera

connects with the headline “GET THE

PICTURE?” hence one of the sisters

holding the camera trying to translate

that they know what kind of artists they

are and they are trying to show this

through their cover.

These „speech bubbles‟ are quotes from the girls, enticing you to read their article knowing that from what they‟re saying

and judging from the cover whether you want to find out more. This is a good technique to use because it allows the reader to judge their interest in the sisters before they‟ve read the article and may be a unique selling point for NME.

The structure of the contents is very

clear and organised. The sub

images show where the reader will

find each article and gives a

personal photo for anyone who

maybe doesn‟t know the artist or

would like to know who they are

reading about. Each sub image is

numbered with page numbers so it

is clear as to where you will find

the article you are looking for and

exactly what you will be reading.

This advertisement is

positioned here

because every reader

will look at the

contents page

because it follows the

cover therefore by

showing a special offer

promoting your

magazine, it allows the

reader to be drawn in

and wonders if this

offer is for them.

This contents page

has a feature that has

featured on all of the

rest of the NME

contents pages a

„PLUS‟ section. Not

necessarily features

but articles that will

be of interest to the

reader.

This clear title outlines exactly what you are going to find on this page and what is in the issue this week. It also states the date and title which is informative but also is

useful as the reader may collect NME magazine therefore if this magazine is memorabilia, they will know exactly what issue they are reading and can clearly identify it.

NME has extracted

quotes from the

articles that may

make people

wonder, therefore

enables them to feel

as if they have to

read on to find out

more. By extracting

and spacing out the

text with a box

quote, the extract

stands out and is

very noticeable.

They have used

a very

stereotypically

girly colour

scheme by using

pastel colours

which contrasts

with what the

girls are wearing;

very rock chic

fashion. The

contrast is also

shown in the

faces they are

pulling in their

portraits.

Also shown in this article are photos from their

tour, concerts, backstage. All of which giving you a better

understanding of the girls and giving the layout a much less

conventional look tieing in with HAIM‟s status.

This article involves a special feature „Haimline‟ This goes through the timeline of HAIM‟s success, and outlines the girls intentions from day 1. This is an interesting feature and makes the article look more fun to read, and gives the article a different feel to it. It allows you to feel closer to the sisters, because you know how they became so successful.

The Masthead is very creative, and

striking. This is a method of brand

recognition, because it‟s inventive

and out of the ordinary. It‟s powerful

because of the range of colours

used and the print theme of the

typeface. It is the first thing the

viewer will see on the page and

therefore has to be bold and grab

the readers attention. The front

cover is very simple and minimalistic

however this works because of the

bright and contrasting mast head.

The printed method they have used

makes the masthead look as they

have printed the title using print

blocks which is very contemporary

and fits with the cover photo.

The cover photo symbolises what

Iggy Azalea is all about and shows

her in some a vintage, roughed up

scene. This tells us a lot about

Iggy, from the cover photo you

could interpret her as an artist that

has made her fortune, coming from

a place where there were no

opportunities. You can tell this from

the clothes she is wearing, where

her usual modern dress sense has

taken a back seat and her older

roots has come through.

These extra information give you a

taster as to what is in the magazine.

They catch your attention and draw

you in, making you wonder what is

inside. For example, this extra

information box tells the reader that

they are about to get an inside view

into the LA life. This could be eye

catching and enticing because by

reading this you feel more on the

level of the stars and partyers. Not

an exclusive but similar because you

feel as if you are getting closer to

someone‟s exclusive life.

The date and price are sized

on this cover, therefore it is

easy to see and recognise.

Making it look professional

because by. Having a

barcode this size diverts

enough attention to the

cover photo, and will attract

the readers because it looks

like a magazine and not just

a photography piece.

PAPER has gone with a

conventional 2 column grid

however they have chosen to alter

this by placing a large picture of

Iggy Azalea, as she is the feature of

the main article in the

magazine, this is very appropriate.

The method they have used with the

large picture and smaller lettering

has made a substantial picture and

makes the contents page look

elegant, bold and minimal. All these

3 feature work absolutely brilliantly

together.

PAPER has chosen to use an

effortless photo of Iggy Azalea, one

which frames her rawness and

naturality. It allows the contents

page to look effortless, with a cold

colour scheme and individual

highlights. For example the lipstick

Iggy is wearing matches the colour

of the page numbers. These are the

little details that make up this

contents page because every part

of it ties up well together.

PAPER has used a very clever

method of using the bold typeface

combined with italic. They have

used bold when trying to highlight a

name, possibly an author or artist.

The for the general information, they

have used straight face and when

highlighting credit e.g. a show

etc, they have used italic. These

mixtures of typefaces work because

they are used in a simplistic manor

with just the black on white. This is a

classic twist on a very modern

magazine.

One thing in which they don‟t do on

this magazine is clearly state this is the

contents page. Instead they use

„Cover Story‟ which is fine if this page

was the article however it is not.

Therefore this could cause confusion by

readers skipping this page then

wondering where the contents page is.

One way to improve this, is by either

state Contents at the top of the page

or mention it somewhere visible, so that

this page will not get confused with

articles.

The quotes have used a word in complete drop capitals to start off every

paragraph. This was an effective technique because it adds more layer to

the article however if it was a coloured article then this amount of drop

capitals would have been too much and made the article look cramped

and cluttered,

Again the text that has been used (the house style) is black on white, allowing the main article picture grab all the attention and you instantly recognise the article is about this artist. It is in 2 very rigid columns, this gives the effect of

uniform and consistency allowing one to read the article easily and not get mixed up jumping from column to column.

PAPER has used the Iggy Azalea in the same

clothing, this could be a method of creating a

theme throughout the magazine regarding her

article. She is in a different pose however still

holding the rawness of herself and her

personality/ This could be a new method of

brand recognition for Iggy azalea or it could

simply be how the stylist wanted her to look.

Either way, on the grey background, she still

looks bold and stands out which is what this

article needs to contrast with as the writing part

of the article is very simplistic and again a class

black on white which red highlights.