Front cover textual analysis five

front cover textual analysis five

For my last magazine front cover textual analysis, I am doing this mixmag issue from September 2012. The masthead is at the top of the page, and even though the models head is partially obscuring it, you can still tell that beneath him it says mixmag. The selling line ‘the world’s biggest dance music and clubbing magazine’ is at the very top which gives you an automatic expectation of what’s inside.

I really like the colours used in this magazine as it is pale and almost looks like a painting because of the way the man’s head merges with the background. I think this is quite a contrast to what the content will be as you know its dance music which is fast paced and anything but calm as shown in the picture. The models pose makes him seem as though he is deep in thought or contemplating something which could be to show how seriously he takes his music.

The coverlines are on both sides but I would say more are on the right which is unusual as it would normally be on the left, obeying the rule of thirds.
Clearly ‘sub focus’ is the main coverline and it has been directly related to the model as it has been placed over him. The dateline is at the bottom next to the barcode which is where it normally is on any magazine, even ones that aren’t music. The colours used for the coverlines are mainly black, white or a pale yellowy colour. I like this colour scheme because it complements the background picture and is very clear and relaxed. The fact that each coverline is in a box separates them so it is clear when the information changes and the use of capital letters makes them more obvious. It hints at what is inside without giving too much away and is all about the music which is generally what people will want when reading that magazine.

I can’t see any competitions on the front cover but there is an offer for ‘20% off beatport downloads’. Competitions are normally used to attract people to the magazine but I think they are gaining readers for the content as it says it’s introducing ‘bass music’s new superstar which lovers of that music will be interested in.

I don’t think this magazines front cover really gives someone who has never seen it before the impression that it is for dance and clubbing music but I actually quite like that because it would make people pick it up wondering what it was all about which gets them more interested. I like the layout with how each coverline is in its own little box and that you can clearly see which one is the main coverline. Also the font is very clear so there’s no mistaking what is being written which is another aspect I like.