The front cover of a magazine is very important as this is what can be seen on the shelves as well as giving potential reader’s main insight about the magazine content. Therefore it is very important for the front cover to apply to its target market and draw attention. I shall look at a number of magazines and do a semiotic analysis on them, so that I can gain an idea on key concepts and gather ideas which I could apply to my own. I will be looking at different genres of magazines.
The first magazine I shall analysis is NME (The New Musical Express) published weekly by IPC Media (Time Inc.) it is a music tabloid and bring news on music and the artist to its readers.
Along with its typical features expected on a front cover of a magazine such as the title, price, bar code and date shown at the bottom right, the front cover of NME displays a large photograph MGMT looking intensely into the camera whilst positioned on the floor.
The back ground consists of white wall and radiator which could have connotations linking to a phrase in the heading ‘madcap’ suggesting they are in a calm confined space in care. The sitting and crouching positions suggest that they are waiting for something to happen, which could be perhaps found out inside the magazine. The colour scheme is mainly black, red and white this is simple however is also eye catching. This keeps the magazine from looking cluttered therefore allowing a crazy/busy back grounds which represents the types of artist the magazine deals with.
The subtitles on the magazine also suggest the audience of NME is broad due to the different music artists like Dizze Rascal and Noel Gallagher. On the cover they have also included a chance to win tickets which draws in attention of potential readers as they are free.
Secondly I shall analysis Mixmag a British dance music and clubbing magazine. It’s published monthly by Development Hell Ltd. The magazine covers dance events, reviews a variety of dance music and club nights.
The cover has a bright yellow background in this issue, the colour of the background changes each issue but is always bright and colourful linking to the happy dance music the magazine features and suggest youthfulness.
The title of the magazine is situated across the top of the magazine where it can usually be found, its in a smooth, bold font keeping the layout of cover tidy therefore allowing it to have big crazy photography in the background which have connotations of the music featured.
The background image is in front of the text and consists of a man and woman standing close with their mouths wide open. They are not artist but link with the subtitle ‘party or die!’ this image insinuates at these two are ready to go out and party. The couples lively facial expression and positioning suggests that they are energetic and like to do things their own way therefore, rebelling against the conventions, similar to some of the genres and artists in the magazine.
The font is bold and clear colours are white, black and blue which stand out clearly against the vibrant yellow background. The main heading for this addition has a black drop from behind it to make it stand out even more and to like it to the title of the magazine making the heading seem almost as important. All the sell lines and teasers are at a slanted angle this could suggest the creators of the magazine looking at a new angle of music. It also flows with the angle the two artists featured on the cover are leaning.
The magazine gives away a free CD of specially featured music in each monthly addition this makes the magazine more appealing and helps increase sales and people are drawn to free gifts. The title of the magazine 'Mixmag' proposes that there is a range of different styles of club music. this makes Mixmag more appealing over other magazines as it is inclusive and saves the buyer having to buy three different magazine for three different genres that are similar for example like trance, house and dubstep.
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