work

1. I have decided to analyse the music magazine NME as I have drawn a lot of inspiration for
my own magazine from this, and I will also briefly be comparing NME to Rolling Stone

2. NME is so individual because their range of front covers and house styles vary so widely, barely any two covers are similar or
the same. Even down to the logo of the magazine, NME is constantly changing up their image to keep readers excited. One
trait of NME’s house style is that the artist on the front cover is always the anchorage and the main pull focus – this shows
that their magazine is all about the music and they draw in their readers with the use of artists that would appeal to their
target audience. Text is always big and bold to also catch the reader’s attention and draw in their interest with stories about
their favourite music artists once their attention is already captured by the picture, this is the next thing they see so NME
have to make it sound interesting to make the reader want to find out more and buy the magazine. NME also use very
effective and dramatic colours – typically but not always bright, which shows their magazine is fun and out-there, which will
appeal to their readership.

3. In comparison to NME, Rolling Stone has a much more distinctive house style, and each front cover shares a few of the same features –
i.e same logo style, similar photograph angles (mid-shot or close up) Each cover also typically has a very plain background, showing
that the artist is the main focus on the cover. The anchorage is also usually the artist’s name, as it is always in bold and large font,
meaning Rolling Stone rely on the artist’s identity to sell magazines. One thing that does tend to vary on Rolling Stone’s front covers is
font – each font is different depending on the artist on the front cover, so if the artist is perceived as a classic artist the font will be
simple and elegant, or if the artist is bold and exciting the font will be large and exaggerated. One thing that both magazines do is
that they make the artist the main focus of the cover, the text is ordered around them and the pictures are always studio shots that
make the artist appear important, which shows that both magazines are all about the music so the pictures that they put on the front
of each cover is very important.

4. From what I have looked at so far I have looked
back at my own magazine and decided to make a
few adjustments. I have decided to add some
more colour and depth to my magazine logo to
make it appear bolder and more distinctive. I
think this is a good change to make because it
gives the magazine more of an identity, for
example Rolling Stone’s distinctive title is very
recognisable and creates more of an identity for
the magazine. I would also like to decrease the
size of my article text and possibly add in another
picture to draw inspiration from NME’s busy and
vibrant look that appeals to my younger target
audience.

5. I have made the changes and this is what my magazine looks like now:

6. Large pictures featuring the main star of the magazine
Lots of pictures – the magazine want to appear visually attractive to
younger audience who are less interested in long chunks of writing
Distinctive and recognisable house style
Large, blocky and bold text to catch the reader’s and help them decide
which articles they are interested in
Clear organisation of layout – pictures are always in the left hand side and
text is always on the right
Noticeably more text, this magazine is aimed at an older audience that is
interested in more information
Both texts have clear house styles on their contents pages, they want
their readers to feel familiar to the magazine
Colour – Darker, shows that the magazine is more alternative
Colour – distinctive and simple, shows the
magazine has a strong identity and house
style and they stick to it

7. Band’s name is in big bold letters to catch reader’s attention and make it clear
what the article is about
Brief description to show what the interview/article consists of
Large picture of the band
Pull quotes to engage interest
Band’s name is in big bold letters to catch reader’s attention and make it clear
what the article is about
Brief description to show what the interview/article consists of
Large picture of the band
Large blocks of writing, lots of information

8. Band aimed at
older music
fans of classic
rock and rock
fans (these are
the kind of
people that
would be
interested in
this film)
Younger
generation
alternative
band
Simple yet
effective –
lets the
iconic logo
do the
talking but
adds a twist
to show the
film’s sense
of humour
Shows band
popularity/sh
ows that
they’re in
demand
Main focus is the band/the
new album
There are some very obvious differences between these adverts – for example the NME advert is advertising the new album and tour of the band The Black Keys,
whereas Rolling Stone is advertising about a film based around music. This shows that NME is all about the music whereas Rolling Stone features other things as well.
Also this further shows the age gap in their target market as The Black Keys are a modern alternative band and their typical listeners are usually younger people,
however the play on the iconic AC/DC logo would appeal to an older audience too as they would have grown up listening to rock bands such as AC/DC and therefore
would be tempted to go and see the film.