Front cover analysis

Typography

The font styles on this are quite large and all in capitals and this gives the effect that they are shouting and in your face. That’s the impression that this magazine wants to give you because of the genre of the magazine. They have written “AVENGED SEVENFOLD” bigger than the rest as it is big, well known rock/metal band. The fonts are all like big bold block capitals which means that it is a serif font.

Layout

The layout of this cover follows the route of the eye with masthead placed along the top of the cover and the cover lines placed down the side and along the bottom with a large central image in the centre of the page. It is quite an organised and is not cluttered with images and text, nothing is overlapping but the fonts are quite big which makes it look as though there is a lot of information on the cover. It uses the principle of thirds with the cover lines on the left of the page, central image going down the centre and more cover lines on the right of the cover. There is quite a lot more text compared to images which shows there is quite a lot of content in the magazine.

Colours

The colours used on this magazine cover are neutral in terms of the blue background, the yellow and white. Usually Kerrang use dark colours for their magazine covers and bright yellow/ white fonts to make it stand out from the dark background but for this cover I think they are aiming at both male and female and more of an age range.

Images

The central image a lot of the cover and the top of it covers part of the title as it is a well-known magazine so you don’t need to see the whole title. There is an image which is on one of the cover lines which signifies that is an important/interesting article inside. There are also content images at the foot of the cover, this persuades you to buy the magazine as it says that they are posters.

Mode of address

The mode of address on this magazine cover is informal as it uses language like “killer” and “hangover” to describes things such as posters.

 

Typography

Apart from the title of the band, the size of the font in this very small but it contrasts from the background. The font type used in this is serif which gives the cover a kind of old fashioned theme. The size of the font for the cover lines is bigger and bolder than the description underneath to attract the reader so they pay more attention to the cover. This magazine isn’t as in your face as a Kerrang magazine as they don’t use exclamation marks and the text isn’t all in capitals.

Layout

The layout of this follows the route of the eye which makes it easier for the reader. The masthead is placed in the top left hand corner of the cover and part of the central image is covering it. This can be done with this magazine as it is a well-known magazine. This cover also uses the principle of thirds with cover lines on the left and right and central image down the centre of the page.

Colours

The colours on this cover are quite dark. The colour scheme is black, red and white. The red background makes the central image stand out from it with the black coat and the white shadow around the whole image. The red is quite a strong and blood red which makes it stand out as if it was a bright colour.

Images

The central image takes up a lot of the cover. The colours and image are related as it looks as though he is wearing vampire coat and the main colour of the magazine is blood red.

Mode of address

The mode of address in this cover is quite formal. They don’t really use aggressive or slang language.

 

Typography

The type of font used in this cover is sans serif font and the fonts are big and bold which gives the impression that magazine is kind of in your face. This is what kind of image this magazine wants to create because of the genre of the magazine. This impression is also given through the use of the capital letter and exclamation marks.

Layout

Most of this magazine cover is cluttered with big bold text so only the main part of the central image is showing. It follows the route of the eye although the fonts are big and there isn’t really a lot of text. This cover does not use the principle of thirds as the main cover line is spread right across the cover and the rest are just cluttered at the bottom of the cover.

Colours

There are quite a lot of strong colours used in this cover such as the red and yellow. This gives the cover some colour as the central image has very dull and dark colours and the text is just black and white. Most rock artist tend to wear dark colours such as black so this cover wants to use dark colours but at the same time they don’t want to make it too dull so it won’t attract readers.

Images

The central image is a long shot of the band “Slipknot” and it has been edited to make it slightly darker to give the impression that it is a rock/metal magazine. There are also content images for the cover lines to show you what inside.

Mode of address

The mode of address is informal as they use swear words and capital letters and exclamation marks.