Similarities+Differences

SIMILARITIES-HOUSE STYLE/COLOUR• There is constant use of house style on the NME Magazine cover, contents page

and double page spread as all three feature the same colour scheme, layout and appearance. The use of the colours red, white and black is significant to the style of the NME Magazine as it makes it iconic; when people see those three colours then they may be led to immediately think of the NME Magazine brand which is also known as branding. The colour scheme makes it very easy for the audience to recognize the brand and the magazine when on sale. The use of these colours obviously represents the type of genre of the magazine as well as representing the target audience who are likely to be youthful, bold, forward and outgoing. The use of the colour black clearly signifies being outgoing as well as the urban culture and the graffiti font. The colours white and red are then used in contrast which shout for attention from the target audience as they stand out on top of the black. By using this on all 3 pages, NME are clearly trying to influence the audiences and make themselves relevant to other audiences.

SIMILARITIES-TYPOGRAPHY• The use of bold typography reflects on the audience as well on the genre of the

magazine as does the colour scheme and house style. By using bold writing, the magazine is attempting to make an impression and almost make the target audience feel like they are a part of the magazine because of the similar culture they both represent and stand for. The black outline on the typography doesn’t only make the writing pop out but also represents graffiti from a very urban and street culture. This links back to the genre of the magazine and the model on the front cover who is Dizzee Rascal; a person who found fame after trying extremely hard to succeed; someone who comes from a rural and urban background and is now living what we would call the ‘high life’ This again links to the fact that the magazine features trending music; rap, hip hop etc. The typography then has a red fill which is an alarming colour and would catch the eye of the target audience with ease as well as the white outline which contrasts and works very well with the black in order to achieve a professional look. By using similar typography on all 3 pages, NME are successful in trying to make themselves important to other audiences and be of greater significance to newer audiences.

SIMILARITIES-RULE OF THIRDS• The use of rule of thirds can be seen on all three pages as NME have

tried to make sure their content is not seen as boring. On all 3 pages, not only are the hotspots filled up but even the dead spaces are filled up which makes the magazine appear a lot more interesting and appeals to the target audience a lot more. By filling up as much space as they can, they are leaving no chance for their audience to get bored or look for something new as there will always be enough in an NME magazine to satisfy the audiences interest. All 3 pages have a title, one image or more and standard text about topics featured in the magazine. By applying the rule of thirds, NME have made sure there is no empty spaces and that when the audience looks in once hotspot, they will begin to look in other places on the cover too where they will find even more.

SIMILARITIES-IMAGES• There is at least one or more images on all three pages.

The generation we are living in is technological based and so images play a huge role in influencing people. By using images, the NME Magazine is directly involving the audience into thinking about what the images suggest. For example, if Dizzee Rascal was on the front cover but there was no cover line in regards to him, then the audience will usually begin to start visually thinking for themselves about the significance of Dizzee Rascal. Images are also a very good way to keep the reader interested and by using images the magazine has automatically captured their target audience.