Front cover textual analysis three

Textual analysis Three: Kerrang! magazine

This is a well-known rock music magazine, as showed in the title as it is the noise associated with strumming all the notes on a guitar, an instrument that is commonly used in rock music.

There is a lot going on on the front cover, mainly a large selection of pictures. The main model is hiding part of the title which could make it hard to read what the magazines masthead is, unless you habitually buy the magazine every time it comes out so you immediately know anyway. She is also hidden by the main coverline ‘the photos they didn’t want you to see!’ so you can’t see much of her, but her face is on full view so you definitely would recognise her if you knew who she was, and would buy the magazine for some information about her. The main coverline hints at previously unseen pictures of your desired bands being revealed and fans always want more material on their favourite singers or bands so that they can feel like they know them more. This obviously attracts buyers as it gives them a chance to learn more.  Its general house style is always like this, the front cover absolutely covered in pictures to advertise all the different bands and singers shown inside with different colours and a slightly eclectic layout.

It doesn’t have a sell line but I think because there is so much on the front you don’t really need one as also the contents change each issue. There is a range of fonts and colours in use which makes the front cover appear even more cluttered but if you look closely, it’s still quite organised. The use of boxing sections each picture so you know which part is related to which and don’t confuse the descriptions with the wrong pictures. I can see two competitions available on the front, one inside a puff and one on a picture, and if it was something that people really wanted they might even buy the magazine just for that.

It’s hard to say whether the magazine is obeying the rule of thirds as there is quite a lot all over the front cover but you can clearly see the first part of the masthead and some of the bands on that side so it would be recognisable from a shelf in a shop. Also one of the competitions is on that side which would further attract potential buyers.

I like the front cover of this magazine because of how much is going on you feel like you’re immersed in it even though it’s only the very first thing you see, and the content is shown really well with all the pictures spread out. I like the use of different font types and colours, which draw certain things to your eye first and are very bright so you would be able to see it from quite far away and as most of the colours are used frequently used you could even recognise it just from them.