Analysing a Magazine Cover

I analysed the front cover of a well known magazine, to look at how front covers are put together in order to appeal to the buyer. The magazine I analysed was 'The Big Issue'. (below right)

 The title of the magazine does not suggest that it is actually 'big', because it is actually quite thin, but it suggests that the issue which the magazine supports is big. This charity is homelessness, which is definately a 'Big Issue'.

 The front cover of the magazine is very basic, with only one advertised story, and the blurb. The main image is a close-up shot of a red-haired woman's face looking shocked. The way that her face fills the whole page and there are no other pictues suggests that the story of the woman is the main one.

 The blurb states the date and issue number of the magazine in a contrasting colour to the woman's bright hair (green), and above that, the masthead, is witten in a large white font which stands out and makes the name of the magazine easy to read and recognise. The price and the amount which goes to charity is written in a contrasting, eye-catching green at the bottom of the page and the lime-green-text-on-red-background makes it stand out.

 The picture of the woman is anchored by her name "Kathy Burke" in large white text across her face. "I'm just a bit of a scally really!" is the text associated with the picture, which makes the reader want to buy and read the magazine to find out why she regards herself as a "scally".

 People would buy this magazine in order to give money to the people who sell the magazine, to help the homeless. It isn't a very appealing front cover so people may not be drawn to it if it were to be sold in a shop. Therefore people are inclined to buy it just for the charity appeal, even if they do not read it at all.

 The audience most likely to read the magazine are people who are genuinely interested in the cover story, or charitable people wishing to donate money.

 I don't think the front cover of this issue of The Big Issue is very interesting, as it is just the masthead, one picture of a woman's face and the anchorage text. I think the only way this magazine could make any money is to be sold on the street where people know it is for charity. I don;t think it would sell very well were it to be sold in a shop.

 http://www.bigissue.com/