Magazine Analysis Essay

How do magazines use front covers and contents pages to attract readers?


There are many aspects to which a magazine front cover and contents page are designed to attract readers. These specific elements draw upon particular features such as layout, text and colour, all to which are seen as attractive to a specific audience.


Usually a magazine front cover would include an image of a particular person or celebrity, occasionally a scene or object. The magazine I have analysed is Blender, the April 2008 edition music oriented magazine. On the front cover is a large image of Taylor Swift which is wide shot. This may appeal to an immediate audience for things such as clothing that is almost being advertised alongside the contents. The image positioning creates a powerful look to captivate onlookers as well as the directional positioning of Taylor Swift, which addresses the readers and ensures that the pose is iconic. Therefore this will attract fans of the country pop singer and those inspired by her will turn their attention to it. Also many things can be interpreted from the main image, connotations for example that will set its readers thinking.


As well as the main image, the text on show acts as a callout and informs the readers of a particular article being featured. Elements such as this are very effective as they display insight via descriptions, which persuade the readers to want to know more on the particular subject. The text column attracts attention to the articles within the magazine also, and the words written in colour stand out from the original black. This outburst of colour creates a sense of excitement for the information contained and would make readers more interested than if the text was written completely in standard black. The blue text displayed contrasts with the white background and black text, and elaborates on the initial coverline. As well as the main coverlines, there are smaller ones displayed which are designed to be read after the bigger pieces of text and the celebrity names also shown here, are used as a final attempt at captivating the reader. Presented below the title, are more pieces of texts known as scoop and hooks deigned to attract potential buyers and are set aside so as not to deviate attention from the main picture.


The magazine title is a crucial persuasive and informative feature. As it is the largest text shown it stands out amongst everything else and is shown in bold. It announces the name of the magazine in “stand-out-ish” bold blue in it’s fixed location. Brand identity can be associated via the particular text and style, this then directs more readers to take a peak as it is unique and likable. It also helps that the text style and colour used are clear and easily read so that potential buyers are immediately satisfied.


A contents page usually consists as a list of features included and needs specific qualities to attract readers. For example, a main image, though not necessarily as central or large scale as that of a front cover. The picture is often associated and therefore linked to the front cover to further advertise a particular celebrity attracting readers to the magazine. And with this the magazine appears fluid which appeals to it’s readers as it is easily read and comprehended.

Also displayed on the contents page is plenty of text. For example, a tag line underneath the heading like “inside Britain’s No.1 magazine”. The use of this feature creates intrigue. Further below this, numerals or bullet points, list the magazines contents in columns so that articles are found with ease. Tiles of articles are often shown in bold in correlation to the rest of the texts for convenience that therefore allows the reader to choose what they would like to look at.

The colour scheme is one of the most important features in attracting readers because it appears more exciting and is often eye-catching. Also, significant colour connotations can been drawn upon and associated or representive of a particular genre of magazine. i.e.) rock music, home, gossip, and children’s magazines. Depending on which type of audience the magazine is advertising to, depends on the colour scheme used. A group of 4 or less recurring colours are more beneficial in attracting attention as the readers will be able to easily identify it and yet not feel it is too hectic with a too wide a range of colours that deviates attention from the contents.

It is also important that to attract readers, the background is fairly simple so that text can be easily read over the top of it. In keeping with the front cover and overall identity of the magazine a continued theme of specific colours demonstrates fluidity further.

In conclusion, it is a wide combination of aspects that contribute to the overall success of attracting readers to the magazine and the specific layout applies a professional and memorable magazine that is easily read and approved by readers.