NME MAGAZINE COVER• The masthead is positioned in the top left third of the page-which

is important because readers tend to read the top left first so therefore it automatically gives them an incite to what the magazine is about, also it consists of the magazine logo which is ‘NME’. Furthermore, this stands for ‘new musical express’ and this gives a sense that it’s fast, new and it expresses what’s on your mind or what you have to say about music. It is bold and sharp giving at sense that the music is edgy, also it consists of the colour schemes of black, white and red which emphasises importance and urgency of the latest music as well as fitting in with the house style of the magazine edition.

• The main image is a long shot of the featured artist for this addition which would be ‘Dizzee Rascal’, it shows his full body in the shot as if he’s coming out of the magazine which make it more original and enticing, also showing connotations of his dominance and importance. Additionally, the mise en scene shows us that he is wearing a white top, dark jeans and white and red trainers which reinforces the colour scheme of the magazine. Furthermore, Dizzee is also wearing a gold chain which stereotypes the urban/street person he is. Also the background consists of graffiti, this could represent the stereotype of the lifestyle of a typical rapper who has lead a past rough life.

NME MAGAZINE COVER CONTINUED…

• The coverlines are a key point of the cover for a magazine because it’s the main element in which attracts the audience further. A main coverline used is a pull quote which says “I’m spreading joy around the world, man!” This reinforces the artist used on the front cover because he’s an urban artist, therefore by using slang it links to the certain type of artist. Furthermore, by using a comma in front of the ‘man’ it adds more emphasis onto the final word which is ‘man’. Another main coverline would be “Dizzee Rascal” with the text being anchored and slanted which gives a sense of dizziness, reinforcing the artist and his name as well as giving a sense of breaking the rules and showing rebelliousness which again represents the particular artist. Furthermore, the house style chose to keep to the colour scheme and the white emphasises it being new and fresh. The word “news” suggests connotations of it being now, and current yet serious.

CONTENTS PAGE ANAYSIS• The contents page continues to use the set colour

scheme from the front cover which emphasises professionalism and consistence. In addition, the bands are listed in red with the page numbers in black and then it varies using them colours throughout the page. The main image used on NME contents page shows a connotation of live music and an ecstatic atmosphere, however, it also gives a sense that it was taken at a gig or concert due to the tour bus. The image has been edited to make it look more like a printed photograph which could emphasise that the event was memorable and worth it. The border based around the main image and text below it, gives us a sense of a suitcase or case for gig equipment, reinforcing the idea that it’s a music magazine. Rule of thirds have been used which shows connotations of professionalism in the magazine. The logo is reused at the top of the page to inform the reader that that’s what the specific magazine contains…

ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE PAGE SPREADA key convention would be the main image, which takes up the left page of the spread. It consists of the chosen artist and a graffiti background which reinforces the stereotype of a rapper/urban artist lifestyle. The text begins with a large letter ‘Y’ using drops cap, this could suggest to the readers that’s where you begin to read from as well as emphasising the first word ‘you’ which is telling us that the text is direct. At the bottom left of the page on the left, it has the date and the page number which are key conventions as well as doing to job of telling readers it’s up to date.

The circled area shows the by-line, showing us that

the photographer of these pages was Dean Chalkley

and the text was produced by Tim Chester.

Additionally, this could entice a particular reader

if they are fond of the persons work. There is

text wrap used around the images to the left which are bottles and a type of music player, this could

mean the text is focused on the subject of the images.

The main heading has been edited so that the text

is wonky /not lined up to give a sense of rule

breaking or dizziness which again represents the

artist.

The layout of this double page spread involves columns and the necessary

conventions for a magazine which increases the level of professionalism. In addition, the

layout seems quite busy and jam-packed, however, this works very well due to the face it’s representing the artist ‘Dizzee Rascal’ and

his personality extremely well.

BACKGROUND & RESEARCHOn NME Magazine…

HOUSE STYLEWHAT IS IT? HOW IS IT USED ACROSS ALL PAGES?

After analysing the magazine cover, contents page and the double page spread I have come to the conclusion that the editor has chosen to use a colour scheme of

three main colours which are: red, black and white. By sticking to a set colour scheme it makes the magazine look more professional and serious so therefore

less tacky. In addition, the three colours together go really well and make the magazine look stylish and modern which will attract the reader more. The layout

seems more laidback in a sense that it’s a little messy and busy to represent ‘Dizzee Rascal’ the chosen artist, but however, the text and images are easily

readable and seen.