Fonts and colours

explained
Common fonts
Two common fonts used are serif and sans serif – serif is more
traditional while sans serif is more modern, these fonts are used
because they are very easy to read at smaller font sizes.
Script fonts
These fonts often appear on wedding invitations, certificates, diplomas etc.
They are elegant and light as they do not take up much space but aren't designed to be used
as body copy or for small text.
Display fonts
Designed to grab the audience's attention and so should be used sparingly –
often found on movie posters, mastheads, banners, etc.
Hand-written fonts
These add a more human element to designs and so can help to make content
more relatable – used sparingly. 
Size and capitalisation 
Font size and capitalisation are both used to signify importance of text and so the most
important texts, like the masthead, strapline and name of the artist covered in the main
article are capitalised and the largest. 
Modern block font for the
masthead to signify the
importance and established
reputation of NME

Hand-lettered font for

'David Bowie anniversary
special' and 'Ziggy
Stardust' to signify the
'inside' and personal nature
of the feature for this issue

Bright pink and red colours

contrast with the
predominantly white text 
The colour grading of the
cover also gives
contrast/highlight to David
Bowie himself through the
contrast of his pale skin
and the vibrant reds on his
lips and hair and the pink
background
Contrast of blue and red
employed to highlight the
most important
articles/aspects of this
issue. E.g. 'special' '10
things' 'hot 100' 

A slight Vignette is used

alongside a cooler and
softer red background to
provide a less aggressive
cover whilst still
highlighting key features
and the cover figure
through contrast

Reviews/coupons/free
offers for instruments
related to the music
featured in the magazine –
tailored towards musicians,
not just more passive
general music audiences
 Strapline indicates that the
magazine is for dedicated and
adventurous music fans – targets
audiences of genre-
bending/multiple genres

Website address informs readers Anchorage text 'Dissent into the

that 'WIRE' is available on multiple mainstream' reinforces the idea that
platforms and thus targets/attracts a the magazine is only concerned
much larger audience with the music as an art and craft
and the people behind this work –
rather than the 'mainstream' which
Extreme close-up shot in black and brings drama,gossip,personal life
white colour and font connotes and more into the conversations
rawness and personal nature – the around music 
magazine isn’t about industry
drama or celebrity, it is simply
about music

Plain black background means that

the biggest contrast – white, is Regular capitilisation to signify the
reserved for the most important formal and articulate nature of the
features on the cover other than the article
image e.g. 'Radiohead' and the title
of the main article and its author –
this is the content the target
audience is largely attracted to
Modern Block font masthead
in a deep blue signifies the
importance of the masthead
and the magazine itself – it
stands out and contrasts and is
huge and important

Soft pink/red background lends

emphasis to the otherwise plain
font of the magazines features

Typography is predominantly
sans serif and uses normal
capitalisation as a way of
seeming unique as most music
magazines use mostly block
capitals instead

Free Compilation/anthology
CD of underground music –
Targeting musicians and
hardcore music fans