The Big Issue cover analysis

The Big Issue cover analysis

To begin with, the main image of The President of the United States Donald Trump would immediately attract reader attention due to him being the most controversial yet most powerful man in the world. The effect of enlarging Trump's head to resemble a bobblehead character could be indicative of the extreme power he obtains and the mental instability which many people believe he definitely has. The image of him screaming has become his renowned facial expression, and the purpose of using this on the cover of this issue is that it gives the impression that the magazine believes Trump to be angry and a little bit crazy whilst also attracting the audience as it appears as if he is screaming directly at them. Due to Trump being such a recognisable character, especially in the current climate, he is bound to attract reader interest due to his every move at the moment being scrutinised in the public eye. The masthead for this issue is placed in only the top-left corner of the cover page and does not go all the way across the top of the page. It takes up a minimal amount of area and is very simplistic in style and colour, but this has the effect of making it stand out on the shelves because its simplistic looks contrast greatly with the exuberant colour and art used on the rest of the cover. The colour scheme used on the front cover mainly consists of blue, white and yellow with hints of green used on the picture of the Earth and black being used to outline and emphasise the text on the front. In the top right corner of the article, there is a yellow triangle with writing upon it which symbolises the page being turned and indicates to the reader the fascinating information they will find on the next page. At the top of the cover, the price is shown to inform the reader of the cost of the issue. This issue contrasts greatly with most magazine cover pages as there are no selling lines adjacent to the right and hand left margin of the cover, demonstrating that they are more focused on the impressive artwork rather than clunking the cover page with mass amounts of information.

The main image on this issue of the Big Issue is the music artist Morrissey who at the time was making a highly publicised return to music. Fans of Morrissey and his music would obviously be immediately attracted to this issue as they know that the content will contain information on Morrissey. The pose that Morrissey is performing and the use of using a black and white effect on his face allows him to stand out vividly in contrast to the bright and exuberant background, thus making it aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. Morrissey is an easily recognisable figure in the music industry and so therefore would generate a lot of consumer interest due to his profile.  The masthead of the magazine is in the top left corner and fits in with the style and colour of font which is used on the rest of the cover, and like all big issue cover pages the masthead does not go across the entire top of the page. Surrounding Morrissey are a variety of words that describe him as a man and are style in a very effective artistic way that exaggerate the effect of the colour and are extremely aesthetically pleasing to the consumer. The font used on the cover allows for the cover to have an artistic and stylish look. The background of the cover resembles flames and fire to enhance the effect of Morrissey as the star of the cover.

                                                  

In this issue of the Big Issue, the main image is of legendary British rock artist Liam Gallagher who has always been a very controversial yet supported figure in the music industry. Fans of Oasis and Liam Gallagher would obviously easily recognise him due to his distinct style and the unique way that he behaves. Liam is performing a pout pose to show himself to be serious and therefore create curiosity in the mind of the consumer. Due to him being such a high profile figure he is bound to create a lot of consumer interest. The catchphrase pull line used on the cover of this issue epitomises Liam's controversial and vain character, which is easily recognisable with the fans of Liam and those who understand his characteristics within the music industry. Similar to all issues of the Big Issue, the masthead is placed in the top left corner of the cover, with a simplistic style and not going all the way across the top of the page. The main cover line 'It was always all about me anyway' is stereotypically indicative of his temperamental and modest character, therefore making him easily recognisable for the consumer. In the top right corner of the cover a flasher is used to indicate to the consumer other information which they can find within the contents of the issue. The colour scheme used on the cover is very bright and exuberant, therefore immediately attracting the attention of the consumer.