Student Copy

What you get on front covers

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Plug

Selling Line or Banner

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Bar Code

Date Line

Headline

The masthead of billboard magazine connotes fun and liveliness through the use of bright, contrasting and mainly primary colours. Billboard represents fame and power whilst having an association with the imagery of towering above everyone else, ensuring celebrities want to be involved with the connotations of the magazine. The main feature on the page is the main copy of ‘M.I.A.’ This is because the font size is the second largest on the page and also the bright blue colour contrasts heavily with the neutral background and draws in the audience. This is also the case as the text describes the main photo and adds meaning to the cover. Very informal, conversational language is used such as “DON’T MISS!” Which is made personal through the direct address and

exclamation.

How front covers are conceived and laid out

Direct mode of address can appear ‘in yer face’, serious, warm…

Indirect mode of address can be mysterious, lively, sombre…

Creates a wacky, fun image, sharing an identity with the reader that offers the ‘independence’ of indie music.

Enigma – what are they getting up to now?

Colour changes with every issue however they are usually dark or neutral tones so they don’t clash with the colourful bold masthead. Colour is used for a number of reasons, for example on the Rihanna cover of billboard, red is used to promote femininity and sexuality. Whilst on the other hand a greyscale is used to connote masculinity, power and sophistication. There is three fonts used on the cover, one for the masthead, one for kickers/anchorage etc and one for small print and details on the barcode. They help break down information and also help to hold up the structure of the cover. Although there is a direct mode of address, the mood seems to be very relaxed and powerful, rather than being a ‘super smiler’ and over exaggerating a pose to invite a reader. The style is very modern and fits well with the popular music genre, all camera shots are mid to close up, either creating a link with the audience or promoting sexuality as well as representation of clothing through indexical codes. The use of space goes against convention although only subtly. The masthead cuts across all of the top thirds, instantly jumping out to the reader. This is also apparent as the face is slightly to the middle of the cover. The cover is very relaxed in terms of text although all dead space is covered if there is any. The billboard covers are a combination of slick style and fun. The colours always complement each other and the cover image. It is very tidy and is structured into different sections which appear to stay in the same position from cover to cover, for example the main copy and anchorage of the artists name are identical from the Drake and the M.I.A cover.