Magazine cover graphic elements analysis

Magazine cover graphic elements analysis

1. Magazine graphic elements. Analysis Identify and explain in your own words the graphic elements in these magazine covers.

2. Starter Looking at your chosen magazine cover , answer these questions: How many graphic elements can you spot? How has been the masthead designed (choice of font types, composition, colour? Is it a conventional one? Is it conventional for this specific genre ? What is the headline/main cover line (image/cover line)? What other cover lines are included? What is the composition of the text and images ? Think of size of text and position of images. What are the main two colours in the image ? What are the main two colours in the text ? What are the codes and conventions of that particular genre . (See some examples in the next slides)

3. Graphic elements Examples and templates

4. MASTHEAD : This is the title and/or logo of the magazine. Identifies the brand. It is usually located in the same place MAIN IMAGE : This is the photograph or illustration that occupies the biggest area in the cover. This image tells you what the magazine is about, as well as what is the main issue. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image. It further explains the more about the main issue. COVER LINES: Aside form the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different issues inside the magazine. COLOUR SCHEME : Colours such black, white and pearl/golden convey elegance, glamour and luxury. The choice of black for the background matches the model’s dress and hair colours. EXAMPLE 1: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS

5. MASTHEAD : This is the title and/or logo of the magazine. Identifies the brand. It is usually located at the top of the magazine. COVER LINES: Aside form the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different issues inside the magazine. COLOUR SCHEME : She’s holding a purple flower which matches her lipstick, so the masthead has been coloured in a matching shade. This integrates both image and text. White is used for the rest of the text, which contrasts with the darker shade of the background. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image. It further explains more about what will be in the magazine. MAIN IMAGE : This is the photograph or illustration that occupies the biggest area in the cover. This image tells you what the magazine is about, and how the target audience can relate to it. BARCODE/DATELINE

6. MASTHEAD : This is the title and/or logo of the magazine. Identifies the brand. It is usually located at the top of the magazine. COVER LINES: Aside form the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different contents inside the magazine. Some of the texts are bigger than others to illustrate their importance. FONTS: The masthead of the magazine is bold and black, matching the main colour of the image. It uses an elegant serif font type, which connotes sophistication. Furthermore, some of the fonts are pink. This is a convention associated with femininity and matches the model’s lipstick. COLOUR SCHEME : She is wearing a black dress and a white blazer, with a soft pink lipstick. The colours of he font types used match those of the image, over the soft green contrasting background. This helps all the different elements to stand out. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image (‘Suit up!’, in white). This colour is matched to her blazer. However, this bold and big font type helps to highlight the main feature of the magazine over the image. MAIN IMAGE : This is the photograph or illustration that occupies the central area in the cover. This image illustrates the main feature or theme of the magazine (fashion and beauty, in this case).

7. COVER LINES: Aside form the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different issues inside the magazine. FONT TYPES The font types used in this magazine cover are sans-serif fonts, which connote ideas of modernity, a characteristic of rock and roll music. MAIN IMAGE : David Bowie is an iconic British rock and roll artist that defined a generation (glam rock) He is the main feature in this issue of Uncut, a rock and roll magazine. Even the word rock and roll features in this front cover. BARCODE/DATELINE: Conventionally situated in the less prominent area of the front cover, it features the date of publication, price as well as the magazine’s website. COVERMOUNT: This is a freebie attached to the front cover, in this case a CD, as this is a music magazine. FLASH: Additional unique selling point (CD/cover mount) STRAPLINE: Highlighting new changes or additions to the regular features on the magazine. MASTHEAD : This is the title and/or logo of the magazine. Identifies the brand. It is always located in the same place, at the top of the page. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image. It provides more information about the main issue. COLOUR SCHEME : Colours such black, white and red convey a sense of excitement, due to the high contrast and the connotations of danger and passion, conventionally associated with rock and roll music. The choice of white for the background helps for Bowie’s red hair and shirt to stand out, as well as the use of black and red for the text creates a colour scheme that is consistent across this front cover. EXAMPLE 2: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS

8. MASTHEAD : This is the title and/or logo of the magazine. Identifies the brand. It is always located in the same place, top left corner in this case. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image. It further explains the more about the main issue. FONT TYPES The font types used in this magazine cover are a rounded, space age sans-serif fonts, which connote modernity as well as brush stroke/graffiti fonts for the main cover line, with connote the urban nature of this music genre. COLOUR SCHEME : Colours such as black, white and red convey a masculine look. The choice of white for the background matches the model’s t-shirt as well as the use of black and red for the text creates a colour scheme that contrasts with the background and makes the cover lines stand out. MAIN IMAGE : This is the photograph or illustration that occupies the biggest area in the cover. This image tells you what the magazine is about, as well as what is the main issue. BARCODE/ DATELINE/ PRICE: Unconventionally situated by the masthead, includes the publication date, issue number and price. STRAPLINE: In this case, the strapline states the different music genres that can be found in the magazine, and therefore the magazine’s genre. EXAMPLE 3: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS ADDITIONAL COVER LINES: Aside form the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different features inside the magazine. They feature in different sizes, according to the relevance in this magazine’s issue.

9. MASTHEAD : This is the name and logo of the magazine. It is usually located at the same place to identify the brand . The bold sans serif font and large size makes it easily recognisable. COLOUR SCHEME : The combination of orange with white and black is effective in integrating the text and the image. The use of white and orange for the text creates a colour scheme that draws the of the audience’s attention to this strong contrast at the same time that matches the main colours of the image. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that goes with the main image. It further explains more about the main image and feature in this particular issue MAIN IMAGE : The image shows the photograph of the person that occupies the biggest area in the cover. This image tells and shows the reaction of the person in the magazine and describes his expression towards the issue on the magazine which is addressed to the audience. COVER LINES: Aside from the main cover line, there will be others that flag up different issues inside the magazine for example the colouring of the OSCARS is an additional cover line. BARCODE/DATELINE/PRICE: Informs us of the price of the magazine and the publication date. SKYLINE: Usually offers information about additional content or is used as a unique selling point. Explain

10. MASTHEAD : This is the name/logo of the magazine. Usually located in the same place to identify the brand . The contrasting colours and large font are intended to attract the audience’s attention. COVER LINES: Aside from the main cover line, there will be others that flag up other additional contents of this magazine’s issue. FONT TYPES The font types used in this magazine cover are sans-serif fonts , which have a contemporary look, and are easy to read. COLOUR SCHEME : Colours such red combined with plain black background and white types create effective combinations that draw the audience’s attention. The simple block letters connote sophistication and thus target a young adult audience. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that accompanies the main image . It provides further information about the main feature of the magazine. MAIN IMAGE : The biggest image, which occupies the central area of the cover. This image illustrates and represents the main feature of this particular issue, being this usually the main article. BARCODE/DATELINE: In this example, the dateline is placed below the barcode. SKYLINE: Usually offers information about additional content or is used as a unique selling point. Explain

11. MASTHEAD : This is the name and branding image (logo) of the magazine. It is usually located in the same place to identify the brand. The bold colours and large font is intended to make it immediately recognisable for its target audience. COVER LINES: Aside from the main cover line, there will be others that flag up other additional contents of this magazine’s issue. Cover lines are conventionally written in CAPITALS . The FONT TYPES used in this magazine cover are sans-serif fonts in capitals , which have a contemporary look, and are easy to read. COLOUR SCHEME : The colours used in the font types match , harmonise or contrast with those of the main image. It is paramount that both graphic elements (text and image) are perfectly integrated in a balanced and coherent design. MAIN COVER LINE : This is the text that accompanies the main image . It further explains the more about the main feature of the magazine. It is usually the biggest text box after the masthead. MAIN IMAGE : The biggest image, which occupies the central area of the cover. This image illustrates and represents the main feature of this particular issue, being this usually the main article. BARCODE: Is not a graphic element as such, but a purely functional element. DATELINE/PRICE: Informs us of the price of the magazine and the publication date. SKYLINE: Usually offers information about additional content or is used as a unique selling point. Explain

12. Template for your analyses Task: Using the examples and templates provided in this presentation, analyse the graphic elements of three magazine covers of your choice, from three different genres. Use the same format as in the previous examples and the following slides as a template for your analyses.

13. MASTHEAD : COVER LINES: FONT TYPES: COLOUR SCHEME : MAIN COVER LINE : MAIN IMAGE : BARCODE/DATELINE: YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE EXAMPLE 1: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS OTHER : OTHER : OTHER : OTHER :

14. MASTHEAD : COVER LINES: FONT TYPES: COLOUR SCHEME : MAIN COVER LINE : MAIN IMAGE : BARCODE/DATELINE: YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE EXAMPLE 2: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS OTHER : OTHER : OTHER : OTHER :

15. MASTHEAD : COVER LINES: FONT TYPES: COLOUR SCHEME : MAIN COVER LINE : MAIN IMAGE : BARCODE/DATELINE: YOUR MAGAZINE COVER HERE EXAMPLE 3: GRAPHIC ELEMENTS OTHER : OTHER : OTHER : OTHER :