Colours
NME Magazine is very British using blue , red and white. Although they are using blue (which is known as a a colour which reflects sadness) is's 'electric blue' which is quite bold and eye catching, the colour red is also usually used for 'danger' but again it reflects quite a bright look that catches peoples eye. The white is used to neutralise the bright colours and to keep the pattern of the colours looking simple and clear. Whereas the VOGUE magazine has used quite neutral colours like grey,beige and cream.
The background is grey which helps the main image (A model in a Chanel top , holding a jacket , staring at the camera) stand out. As the colours are all quite mellow the red writing "COCO CHANEL" helps it stand out but the image is still quite Luke warm.
Also the NME's cover writing is all in capitals and is more in-your-face but the VOGUE cover is more sophisticated and clean cut and not all of the words are written in capitals which gives a softer effect.
Also the NME's cover writing is all in capitals and is more in-your-face but the VOGUE cover is more sophisticated and clean cut and not all of the words are written in capitals which gives a softer effect.
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Design
The NME magazine had bold font for the header which really stands out and is striking. The image of the MOD target behind the main image is bright but simple and really makes the pictures of the band members stand out.
Down the left hand side of the magazine is a list of who features in the magazine e.g.. THE WHO , SMALL FACES AND THE JAM.
The fonts are blue,white and red just like the MOD target, this shows colour co- ordination and pattern of colours on the cover.
Round the edge of the cover is writing also showing what and who else features in the magazine. Also there's a small picture shown in the bottom right hand corner of a very old issue of the magazine. (To advertise and show how long the magazine has been around for)
The vogue magazine however uses very simple fonts using the classic font for the header "VOGUE". The whole cover only has 8 words used, keeping it simple which can be more attractive for a reader sometimes, whereas the NME magazine has quite a lot of words jammed in with three different types of colour blue,white and red.
The VOGUE magazine only uses two colours, white and red. It tells you it's a "COCO CHANEL SPECIAL" then says underneath in French "look at the present".
Images
The images grab the readers eye as they are not too confusing and stand out because the backgrounds are relatively simple. The NME magazine has a cut out picture (with no back round just the body) of Paul Weller, Pete Townsend and Kenney Jones , Pete is standing at the front looking straight at the reader with an almost 'solemn' and 'sulky' look on his face so has Paul Weller. Kenney Jones seems to be sneering a little. All the people on the front cover of the NME and the model on the front of VOGUE have serious faces. I think this represents their importance on the front cover, it's their job and duty to get your attention and make people want to know more, their expressions, although serious, are intriguing and quite interacting. The VOGUE model is very serious too but her posture is proud and tall which represents confidence and contentment which many readers whom are mainly women would look to as an idol and aspire to her.
The bright colours on the NME images and the neutral colours on the VOGUE magazine images both stand out as the headers catch the readers attention but in the middle on the page (centre of the main image) there's usually something striking to look at , with the NME magazine it's Pete Townsends moody stare with his union jack patterned blazer, he is jutting out at the readers and sort of in-your face. However with the VOGUE magazine it's mostly the womans face that catches a readers eye then , the chanel symbol. Her face is quite plain but she also wears red lipstick which stands out also and symbolises compassion.
Pose,style,hair ,make-up
On the NME cover Pete, Paul and Kenney are standing in a sort of triangle they all have their hands away from their faces and down by their sides, they are trying to draw as much attention as possible to their faces and the patterns and colours of the cover without confusing it with hand gestures etc.It's simple and bold. The VOGUE magazine model however is holding a Chanel coat over her right shoulder and her left hand is on her hip with her elbow confidently facing outwards, i think this gives a laid back look (with the coat slung over her shoulder) but the hand on hip also contradicts this and shows determination to stand out and to be seen as a phlegmatic strong woman.
She also wears dark red lipstick which enhances her compassion for beauty , the rest of her make-up is quite plain her hair is also scraped back so the lipstick can emphasize her statement.
Composition and framing
Firstly when i glance at the NME magazine cover , i notice the red "NME" lettering in the top left hand corner and the red on Pete Townsends jacket, then the mod target , then his face, then his body then the two other figures behind him. His picture is larger than Pauls and Kenneys so it stands out more, they've take out any sort of back round from a previous photo the images have been taken from and laid a mod target in the background, this is very attractive to readers.
However there is no pattern/bright colour back round on the VOGUE magazine just a plain grey backdrop, Which actually makes the model and the clothes she is wearing (and holding) stand out more.The first thing i notice is her face , then the main header, then the the Chanel symbol on her top.
I think the only part that may have been digitally manipulated was the flawless skin of the model and the exposure and contrast on some of the mens faces and outfits.
written codes - how are words used on the cover?
In their own rights both of the headlines on the covers are very prominant , the NME one is bold because the writing is chunky and in capitals which always catches someones eye , but the VOGUE cover is quite plain but stands out because its white against a grey cover and the models head is actually blocking out a "G". Because the models face is attractive it leads people straight to the title which we 'think' catches our eye first. But subliminally it's the face.
It also reads "VOGUE.paris. SPECIAL COCO CHANEL UNE ALLURE AU PRESENT" - That's only 8 words yet in that piece of writing the magazine is clearly telling you it's a "coco Chanel special" , usual readers of VOGUE may be even more attracted to this issue, and that is all that needs to be said about it to entice them. It's also making a statement underneath in french (as it is a paris issue) saying "look at the present" this maybe a positive spark warming up the coolness of the whole main image entirely for readers.
On the NME magazine on the left hand side is tells you who is featuring on the cover then underneath it tells you the point of them being on the cover , it says "40 years of maximum R&B" which tells us that the magazine is clearly celebrating a genre of music and the men on the front of the magazine are representing this to the reader in the most attractive way possible as they were once (and still are) very popular. Round the edge of the cover it tells you other information and people who feature in the magazine like; posters of popular musicians, interviews and history on all the old bands etc.
"The over all impressions of the front covers are very effective, although, i'm writing as a reader of both magazines so any expectations of mine for the front covers are strongly influenced by my fondness of both magazines.
I still think however that both covers are eye catching and make bold statements about what type of magazines they are, the VOGUE magazine indulges the reader with pictures,models , blogs from different fashion brands and designer gossip.Which is what a fashion fanatic or someone that likes reading about fashion is interested in and will be pleased with what the magazine has got to offer.
Whereas the NME magazine cover is bright and quite rocky , it's designed for those with a varied and different sort of music taste (New, Music, express) it usually features new indie music, legends of pop, rock or sometimes folk and jazz , interviews with usually extremely talented and hard working bands or solo performers and sometimes even sitcom or sketch actors/actresses. The covers are always as good as the contents. But obviously the cover of the magazine has to be significant and quite simple so it's easier for people to catch a glimpse at it and want to know more.
I think an NME reader would agree. The theme of the magazine (NME) is generally music that stands out one way or another , either because of its sound, the band member, or the way they got famous (performance) it doesn't have to be always popular in the charts , so it attracts a lot of people that have an equired taste in music. which isn't always positively encouraged in society/trends but is encouraged in the magazine.
The bottom line is that both the magazines are trying their absolute hardest in two very different ways (as shown) to sell their product which represents a compassion in the readers life."