Magazine Cover Deconstructions

Rachel Beck

Masthead – The title is in big bold writing which stands out against the blue and black backgrounds. The title is central and the colour red is used for it and throughout the magazine. This makes it recognisable to the usual reader. The name of the magazine is self explanatory as you would expect to see bands with a ‘rock sound’ in the magazine which will interest the fans of rock music.

Main image – Fall Out Boy are the main image on this cover whom are easily recognisable and greatly respected artists. The mid shot of the musicians makes the reader feel like they’re on level with them. The direct address makes the audience believe they’re looking at them which draws them in.

The main cover line – announces the main focus of this magazine. This issue includes ‘Fall Out Boy’ whom are a famous band and would automatically grab the attention of their fans. Furthermore, with the teaser line ‘if this is our last shot we’ll go down fighting’, it will cause fans to buy it to assure themselves that their favourite band aren’t breaking up.

Essential information – Allows the reader to see what date it was published, the issue number and the price. It’s small therefore hinting that the info isn’t as important to the publishers as the content of the magazine.

The colour scheme is very obvious as it’s only four different colours: black, blue, red and yellow. The colours draw you in to the magazine.

Coverlines – explains in little detail the stories which are in the magazine. E.g. ‘The 20 great new bands you need to hear’ will intrigue fans as they will be interested in hearing new bands.

Free posters and CD – The free posters will enhance the readers choice to buy the magazine as it’s labelled as ‘free’, this tricks the reader in to thinking they’re getting more for their money. The range of posters also helps the reader to decide whether they’re going to buy the magazine or not as it depends on the bands . The free CD will introduce the reader to new music which they might like and as ‘Rock Sound’ is a trusted and well known magazine they will believe the CD contains good songs.

Main image – Unlike Rock Sound, the main image is superimposed over the masthead to show the importance of the singer, Alex Gaskarth. The main image links to the main cover line as Alex is dressed as a priest to symbolise he’s a saint. However, his cheeky smile tells the reader otherwise. The direct address used by the singer connotes that he’s about to tell the reader a secret and it’s just between them.

Essential information – Allows the reader to see the important details such as: what date it was published, the issue number and the price. Just like Rock Sound, it’s small therefore hinting that the info isn’t as important to the publishers as the content of the magazine.

The colour scheme – red, yellow and white are the colours largely used. Black and blue are used in minor doses

The main cover line – announces the main focus of this magazine. This issue includes ‘Rockstar Confessions’ which will interest the reader in finding out about the secrets rockstars have kept. Furthermore, with the teaser line ‘will your favourite band find salvation?’, it will cause fans to question how bad the confessions get and to find out if their favourite band has confessed to anything.

Masthead – The title is in big bold white writing which stands out against the red and black background. The title is central and the colour white is used for it and throughout the magazine. The name ‘Kerrang’ is the sound a power cord, which are mainly used in rock songs, makes on an electric guitar. The shattered effect on the writing has the connotations of stereotypical broken instruments from band members.

Coverlines – explains in little detail the stories which are in the magazine. E.g. ‘Pierce The Veil Who’s Punching Vic in the face’ will intrigue fans as they will be interested in seeing the rest of the image and the story which goes with it.

Win – The competition to allow people to meet their favourite band will encourage readers to buy the magazine massively. It will bring out their competitive side and allow them to feel more involved in the magazine.

Poster Special – Some people, especially from this genre, will collect posters of the bands they love to put on their walls and admire. By showing numerous posters within the magazine, the reader has got a better range of choice to put on their walls and a better chance of collecting more posters they like.

Masthead – The title ‘Big’ is in big red writing which stands out from the background due to it being outlined black. Furthermore, the title ‘Cheese’ is in big bold white writing which stands out against the dark red background. The title is central and the colours white and red are used throughout the magazine. The broken effect on the masthead has the connotations of the magazine being tough.

The main cover line – announces the main focus of this magazine. This issue includes ’30 Seconds to Mars’ will draw in the fans of the band as they’re more likely to buy it if it includes a band they know. Furthermore, with the teaser line ‘There’s nothing like a good fight to rally the troops’. This will interest the reader in finding out about what the ‘fight’ is that is mentioned.

The colour scheme – The colour red is used a lot throughout this magazine and others in this genre. The colours black and white are also used heavily in this magazine.

Essential information – Allows the reader to see the important details such as: what date it was published, the issue number and the price. This issue also includes a website. Just like Rock Sound and Kerrang, the information is small therefore hinting that the info isn’t as important to the publishers as the content of the magazine.

Coverlines – explains in little detail the stories which are in the magazine. E.g. ‘We’re taking the band back! My Chemical Romance Studio Exclusive’ will excite fans as their favourite band is getting back together. They will buy the magazine to ensure they know what new music they’re doing in the studio. A picture is used of the lead singer Gerard Way to draw the reader into the magazine.

Win – Unlike ‘Kerrang’ and ‘Rock Sound’ there are no prizes or competitions to be won.

Main image – Like Kerrang, the main image is superimposed over the masthead to show the importance of the band, 30 Seconds to Mars. The main image links to the main image as it’s the band name . However, his cheeky smile tells the reader otherwise. The direct address used by the band connotes that they’re staring the reader down as if they’re ready to go to war.

Free posters and CD – Unlike ‘Kerrang’ and ‘Rock Sound’, this magazine doesn’t have any free posters or CDs.

FINAL SUMMARY

I’ve found out that the main image for most magazines are superimposed over the masthead to imply the importance and popularity of the magazine. These images are usually mid shots to show the clothing of the artist and at the same time, to show the facial features. Furthermore, the magazines bring customers in by offering ‘free’ merchandise such as posters and a CD compilation of either new artists or artists which appear in the magazine. Moreover, I have found out that the colours used in the magazines are primarily red, black and white. Light blue is sometimes used. The essential information, such as the issue number, is placed at the bottom of the page and next to the barcode as it’s not as important to the reader as the main articles are. I like the border at either the top or the bottom of the page to highlight other articles in the magazine and therefore will think about using it in my magazine cover. This separates the other articles from the main one so it is clear to the reader. I also like the images which are superimposed over the other images. For example, in “Kerrang!” Vic Fuentes’ hat is out of the circle the rest of the image is in.