Analysis: Front Cover

NME 
Front Cover- The Killers

The NME logo comfortably takes a 3rd of the page.
One thing that strikes the reader immediately is the sans-serif bold title. The red has an inner emboss which make the white outline look as though it is sticking out of the paper.
The sans-serif fonts are used to show that they are the important parts of the page. The serif font used is only on speech, which shows it is less important for the start of a magazine.
3 different mid shots are used, to show the frontman in a different perspective. The serif text links in with the images of Brandon, to show how he is unsure of his personality.
The cover clearly follows the rule of thirds due to the NME logo taking up the top third and the images of Brandon clearly separated into thirds. The text also follows a tricolour scheme meaning that Brandon’s green shirt stands out from the text.
The barcode, issue number and date are clearly at the bottom of the page.

NME Front Cover- Lily Allen

A mid shot is used, mainly to show that the expression on Lily’s face is very plain to show her attitude as if she doesn’t care about anything. She is also wearing, casual checked shirt to show her young vibe.’ The font is random to show her being young and rebellious again. Also the text that reads: “I can’t keep on living like this. It’s doing my head in” is in a very wobbly font and on a slight slant again making the words look wild and messy. Most of the informative text on the front cover is in basic colours, white, black, yellow and red fonts, which again shows that the genre of the magazine is indie. There are 2 circular symbols of text on this front cover and 1 rectangular symbol, which are coming of the page and are on a slant, this again makes the magazine look messy not neat. It is clear that three different layers were used to set out the front cover, the title ‘NME’ and a couple of bits of text are the first layer then the figure of Lily Allen is the second layer on top of that, lastly the bits of informative text on top of that. This idea of layering is very effective because it makes the cover look more raised which makes the magazine stand out more and catches people’s eyes more. 

NME 
Front Cover- Muse
Straight away, the image of the band appeals to me. It is clear, who is the front man of the band, due to him being positioned in front of the other band members. The band has been layered in front of the NME logo. This is to show that in that issue, Muse are the important part.
The embossed circle next to Dom’s (left) head it designed to look like a sticker. It is also to fill up space, so that magazine does not look empty. Sans serif text has been used above the big blurred sans serif font. This is to boldly introduce the band, Muse. The cover has been kept to a tri-colour scheme of red, white and black, which helps to keep to the rule of thirds that has clearly been used. 
The barcode, issue number and date are clearly at the bottom of the page.
 


Guitar World 
Front Cover- Keith Richards

As my magazine is going to be called 'Raw' I decided to analyse a Keith Richards front cover. I think it is very raw, due to the black and white image. 'Guitar' is written in a large, orange sans-serif font with the word ‘world’ written in a smaller white sans-serif font. It is positioned at the top of the page clearly taking up a 3rd of page, this clearly states that it is is the headline of the magazine. 'World' is written in 'Guitar' as it shows it is less important than guitar, this clearly states that it is a guitar magazine. .  
Guitar world have mostly sans-serif text making the page quite smart and blocky to look at. Orange, black and white has used meaning that the magazine is using a tricolour scheme. As The way the magazine is structured it appears that the main is the least important. As Keith is a musical legend, the black and white image may have been used, as he does not need marketed and stand out to the reader. Also the fact that the main title is above the main image shows this. The orange clearly stands out, allowing the reader to be impressed that Guitar World has an article on Keith Richards. Keith Richards is also holding a guitar, once again proving that it is a guitar magazine. The world 'king of rock and roll' are used, standing out in orange. This could be to attract younger readers who do not know who he is.

The barcode, issue number and date are clearly at the bottom of the page.

NME 
Front Cover- Kasabian
At the top of the page the NME logo is in a yellow banner containing photos of bands. This is to let the reader get a feel for the magazine.  NME have used another tricolour scheme. The red logo instantly stands out on the yellow. All inset images used are the same size, showing equal importance.  The main image of the singer and guitarist in Kasabian takes clearly covers two 3rds of the page. This is to attract readers due to Kasabian being a popular band. Both members are looking at the lens of the camera, as though they are looking at the reader. The text in the centre of the page is in san-serif text showing that it is important due to its blocky nature. Even though the same fonts are used for 'Kasabian' and 'New Albums,' they have tilted 'new albums' to an angle to show they are unrelated. TThe price is written in a circle in the top left of the page. It is as though it is a feature due to its low value in price. The barcode and issue number are in it's usual place of the bottom right hand corner, making it easier for the seller.