Alternative Press Cover Analysis.

Mast Head: The mast head here is using the abbreviation of ‘AP’, meaning Alternative Press and complies with the well-known codes and conventions of magazines that are widely recognised. This is shown in how the main image covers the mat head, meaning that the name of the magazine isn’t a major factor, it’s that recognisable the fans of the magazine ill be able to differentiate it from other magazines.

Sell Lines: There is a slight break in the typical codes and conventions of music magazines, as there are barely any sell lines on the front cover as aids to try and attract the target audience. The main sell lines are relevant to the main image and there are only a limited number of sell lines about related bands across the other side. This may give the magazine a unique selling point in terms of using other forms of marketing to sell itself.

Price: The price isn’t portrayed on the main front cover as shown, another break in the typical codes and conventions of music magazines as even though they are sometimes hidden in a small corner, this isn’t actually shown on first sight at all.

Layout: The layout is typical of any magazine, having the mast head being the largest area of text in order t inform of which magazine it is and to establish itself as a recognisable name. However, there is a cover line which is usually seen to be an exclusive, Kerrang also share this convention with Alternative Press, suggesting they both stick to a unique set of conventions. The main image is the central focus of the page and takes up almost the whole page, in order to try and sell itself to the target audience.

Typography: The typography here are much like the typography seen within both Kerrang and NME, using bold and bright colours in order to appeal to a target audience of teenagers, and a secondary audience of the parents of those teenagers. Having these as agents for selling itself, it gives Alternative Press a place in the market that is portrayed as professional yet unique.

House Style: The house style here seems to be similar to NME in terms of using a lack of bright colours, but using a very attractive model to gain the attention of its readers. By using black and red colours in the text, it sticks to a typical convention seen within music magazines; using colours that are the most dramatic for effect and that are easiest to show against a background that is blocked with colours such as white or black. However, something tat breaks the conventions seen within music magazines is having the sell lines at the very bottom of the page, this would mean that the main aim of the magazine is to sell rather than inform its readers.

Main Image: The main image here is relevant and a direct portrayal of the main sell line being ‘Sleeping With Sirens’, having the front man of the band, Kellin Quinn to attract attention to fans of the band and those who may becomes interested due to knowing who he is. The direct address seen from the model allows for the reader to become more consumed buy the story and the band itself, establishing a more intimate relationship between the magazine and the reader.