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Textual Analysis • NME 27/08/11
Front Page Colour The background is a light blue colour, with white and yellow writing in order to create a big contrast between background and foreground, which gives easy visibility and readability. Also, red highlights are used for the most important pieces of information, where the editors wanted the audience to focus. Also, the image of the artist has quite a lot of black, which could mean Layout and design The focus of the cover is the image, and everything else is situated according to the position of the image. The artist’s name is situated below them, letting the audience know who’s image is on their front cover. The rest of the information is spread out on the page and positioned around the model’s face, which tells us that the most important thing on the page - and perhaps in the magazine - is this particular artist. This shows that the artist on the front cover is very important and is probably the main feature of this issue. Images The image of the artist on the front cover is used as the center of attention on the page, as the audience will look at the image first, which will most likely grab their attention. If they know the artist from looking at the image, they are probably interested in what the magazine has to offer about this artist. If they do not, the image is quite attention drawing, therefore the audience will most likely become interested in who the person on the front cover is, therefore drawing them in and reading the magazine. Pose, style, hair, makeup The pose of the model is quite unique, as the model is looking down on the audience, it can be quite intimidating, almost as he is telling the audience to buy the magazine and read about them. The style of the model is quite mediocre, it is not particularly any extreme of any genre. This might suggest that the music of the artist can be enjoyed by anyone. Composition and Framing The shot of the model is a mid close-up, which shows that the audience needs to focus on the face of the artist rather than their outfit, which could mean that personality is more important than style and genre. Also, the colour of the background suggests that the model is under the sky, possibly at a festival or a gig. Written codes The phrase saying “record together in New York” suggests that these two bands - Vaccines and Strokes - are similar genres of music. This could mean that the fans of one band would probably listen to the other band as well if they are not already. Language The text on the front page is quite short and informative, meaning that there are not too many full sentences used, rather than short phrases that tell the audience important information. The rest of the text if phrased so that it is as if the editor is talking directly to the reader (“Get ready for...”), which suggest that the readers are considered to be very close to the editors of the magazine, as if they knew each other very well. Overall impression With the focus being the face of the artist, the outstanding text and the unique pose of the model, this is a very effective front cover. The image draws the reader in, the contrast between the background and the foreground makes the audience instantly read the highlighted text, and the language familiarizes the reader with the magazine, making them want to read on.
Colour On this page there are a variety of colours on a white background, which makes the images stand out from the background. The writing is in a traditional black colour, which makes it easy for the audience to read the text. All images except one is in a traditional colour scheme, which gives a sense of realism to the page. One of the photos is in black and white, which makes it stand out from the rest of the images, however in the same time it also blends in with the writing and the background. Layout and design The main focus of this page is the larger image in the middle of the page, where the eyes of the reader will go first. The rest of the images are laid out around the larger image in the middle. This highlights the importance of the image in the middle, which is the main feature in this issue of the magazine. Each image has a couple of lines in order to give a bit of information about the different features in the magazine. Also, there is an advertisement in the bottom right corner of the magazine, which promotes an NME subscription. Images The images on this page are images of artists that are included in this issue of the magazine. Most of them are taken during certain events, such as recording sessions, gigs and festivals and tours. These images give an insight into what the life of a musician is like, which is great content, as most readers are fascinated by certain artists, and a feature like this would be great to include in a magazine. Pose, style, hair, makeup Two of the images are taken while the artists are performing, therefore they would pose as their stage presence would be. This could give the band an image and a style straight away. Other images were taken especially with the intention of them being used in magazines, therefore the artists would be posing as they are being interviewed or in a way that it represents their style and genre. Their style is presented through their body language, facial expressions, the clothes they wear and also their surroundings. This is done deliberately in order to show what the are like. Composition and Framing In one of the photos, a band member was cut off n the photo; as their upper body is not visible, only their legs and their instrument. This is quite unusual, as in most cases all of the band members can be seen on the photo, unless it is a performance photo. It also stands out from most of the other photos on the page where all band members are included in the photo. Written codes One of the captions on the page say “We ate a pig’s face, a pigeon and a whale’s blowhole” which is a humorous way to say that the band is talking about their diet (while on tour). This sort of language is most likely appealing to the younger audience, such as teenagers and young adults. Another caption states “We stole chilli sauce then vomited on a security guard” which tells the audience a story from the band’s adventures, telling us that the lives of an artist on tour is interesting and energetic. Language Phrases such as “vomited on a security guard”, “No animals were harmed” and “Bombay Bicycle Club are sick bastards” gives a humorous and friendly tone to the magazine, which is good as the readers will feel comfortable and think that they belong with the readers and the editors of this magazine, as they are similar people. Overall impression Overall, the page is very informative. It first gives us images to look at, which gives us a vague idea of what is included in the magazine, then there are captions which give us a bit more information about the articles included. The purpose of this page is to give information of what is included in the magazine, and this is fulfilled in an interesting and effective way. Contents page
Double page spread Colour Once again. a white background is used with black text and a red coloured highlight of the most important pieces of information. Layout and design Images Pose, style, hair, makeup Composition and Framing Written codes Language Overall impression
