Billboard

The graphics on the cover are there to make the page look more busy suggesting to the audience that the magazine is full of stuff. The graphic used looks like plants which has connotations of growing and being natural, this could be suggesting that the magazine isn't pretending to be something that it is not, that it isn't trying hard because it knows that there is an audience for it. Because it looks like the graphic has the cover lines growing on it, it could be suggesting to the audience that the magazine is constantly growing bigger and bolder as a brand. the graphics are centralized around the main buzz word 'Music' suggesting that the magazine has everything that an audience could want to do with music all the 'separate branches' of the industry. I also think however that the graphic looks futuristic and computer like which has connotations of forward thinking and constantly developing which would interest those interested in the music industry.

Graphics

The mast head is a sans serif blocky font with some letters holes filled in with a bright color. The vivid colors against the white of the text contrast with each other. White symbolizes purity suggesting that the magazine is pure music which would be what the audience wanted from the magazine. Whereas the vivid colors of red blue and yellow which are all primary colors have connotations of excitement and playfulness which suggest that the magazine would be interesting to read, they also are the raw basics to all the other colors suggesting that the magazine has all the elements that the reader needs. Because the cover image is covering the majority of the mast head it suggests that the magazines brand is not what is most important to it, the contents and the music is. however it could also suggest that the brand is so big that it does not need to shout about who it is because the readers are 'in the club' and already know. this makes the reader feel special and accepted therefore making them more likely to re-buy the magazine.

Mast Head

Cover Image

The main cover image is a medium close up of Adele, this is the distance that one would be if you were talking to her it is her private space reserved for people that she knows. because the audience has been invited into this space it suggests to them that they will get to know the celebrity better, that they will identify with her. She has direct address with the audience engaging them into her. Because she has her hair pulled away from her face this suggest that she has nothing to hide and is going to be completely honest with the audience. This is echoed by the enhancement on her eyes to make them look larger. ' the doorways to the soul' she is showing she is letting you inside. However none of the graphics or cover lines touch her face it suggest that she is a class above the rest of the artists and is therefore the most important reason to read the magazine.

Cover Analysis

Strap

The text that one would usually assume was the strap is not placed along the top of the magazine as it typically is, it is on the right hand top corner of the cover in a box above the masthead. This means that it is not covered by the cover image so it is clear to the audience. It is also in the same sans serif font as the mast head suggesting that the brand can boast about itself because it has exactly what its target audience is looking for.

The cover lines on the cover of the magazine are all center justified, yet none of them are in straight lines, this gives the audience the impression that the page is more full that it really is. They are all in the same sans serif font as the mast head creating a clear link between the two if them this suggest that the magazines brand identity is based solely on the quality of its contents and this suggest to a potential audience that because the brand is liking itself with the contents so heavily that the contents has to be good, therefore making it more likely for someone to pick it up and read it. Each cover line starts with 'The year in' this suggests to the reader that each of the cover lines has an important role to play in the music world and is therefore important for the audience to know about.

Cover Lines

The main cover line is situated in the lower third of the front cover, with a retro serif font used in the word 'music' making it stand out from the rest of the text on the cover. The same primary colors used in the masthead of the magazine have been used in the the word music making a clear link between the two suggesting that the brands reputation is based on their good knowledge and usage of music. The font without the vivid colors it looks like the old 1920's font used to advertize bands and venues, this has connotations of vintage classics and therefore suggests that the magazine has been around and knows its stuff.

Main Cover Line