Analysis of a front cover

The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical. (Wikipedia)

The mast head is placed at the top on of the magazine directly in the centre. The bright red font colour helps the masthead to stand out against the neutral tones in the background. The colours are bold and extremely eye catching. The colour red is used representing blood, danger and passion. Part of the main image covers the masthead; the brand is well-known and clearly recognisable and they would not do this if it wasn’t a well-established magazine.

The main image of the game is the focal point of the magazine, and takes up most of the room on the front cover. It is a close up shot that helps the cover to feel intimate. The expression on his face is defined and the colour and tones of the image contrast well with the font colours and the warm background. The Game is a well-known and respected gangster rapper. People, who are interested in this genre, would instantly recognise The Game and may attract or influence someone to buy the magazine. It is important to put a well-known person on the magazine cover, meaning it could potentially attracting new buyers as well as the usual buyers.

The strapline is placed above the masthead in order to be noticeable and bold; it is put in a central place as a main feature in the magazine, meaning it is noticeable. The colour of the strapline matches the tank top The Game is wearing; this helps the magazine cover to look tidy. The colours used on the magazine (mainly red and white) suits the target audience which is working class people between the ages of 18 to 25. The colour white has connotations of purity and freedom which could be representing the youth of the readers which contrasts with the red, showing danger and adventure. This helps to create the overall image of the front cover.

The purpose of a cover line is to give the potential buyer a chance to experience what the rest of the magazine will be like, therefore using bold fonts and a certain colour scheme is important. The main cover line is bolder than the rest of them and instantly grabs the reader’s attention. ‘Suicide is not an option’ intrigues the reader to want to know the bigger story behind this powerful statement. Overall the cover lines themselves have a red and white colour scheme which matches the mast head and strap line.