The Big Issue

Analysing A Front Cover

Issue 1364 – 24th – 30th June 2019
Featuring Julie Adanuga & Maya
Jama

Masthead – This would cleverly

suggest that a lot of contents/all of the
contents are based around big issues,
such as rough sleepers or addiction (as
we know). This is also a clever double
meaning as it can simply also mean
that it is a big issue of their magazine
(every issue is a big issue).

People – The people on the front cover

are two recognised female radio
broadcasters. They have a big
platform/audience to help raise
awareness. They would certainly get
more people reading and helping to
fight the cause. They are represented in
a very positive way, as they are coming
across as helpful and supportive. They
are not being objectified in anyway and
their clothing would stereotypically
represent a masculine outfit, with
jeans, tee shirt and high cut tops. Their
body language is not provocative and
their bodies are mostly covered by
writing, so its not about their bodies its
about what they are trying to say. Their
mode of address is a direct approach as
they are staring directly at YOU!

Other Pictures – There are no

secondary images on this front cover
apart from the two female presenters.
Their story Is the main focus that the
magazine wants readers to engage in.

Colours – The colours are bright and

used with a sharp, jagged, lined effect,
to draw the eye and really make an
impact statement. I think this makes
up for the lack of other photos, as the
background is not simple. The colours
chosen are bright pinks, yellow and a
slight hint of blue. This could suggest
an aim for a female reader, but with
the female radio hosts having such a
strong masculine presence, I would say
this colour choice balances out the
gender representation in which the
magazine seeks, making it suitable for
everyone.

Font – The font is big and bold!!! This

grabs the attention of the reader. The
font colour choice reflects the
background and draws the eye, even
more than the title.

Words – The main focus article on this

front cover reads “We are doing it for
the big issue”, which represents a quote
from an interview the radio
broadcasters have done. This is cleverly
used to tell the reader they are doing
something for the magazine, and to
make the reader wonder what exactly
have they done to help?. You can
clearly see they have done an interview
and are given direct page references so
that YOU can find it straight away. Also
on the front cover you can see the
females names are written over their
images. This is a clever way of exposing
who they are to people who may not be
familiar with them and also to entice
those who are already fans.

Free Gifts – There are no free gifts,

giveaways, or promotions on this front
cover. This is because The Big Issue is a
charity based magazine and aimed
more at showing awareness of people
in poverty. Such as addiction, poor
health and housing and addiction. For
these reasons, The Big Issue is not
funded through advertisement and
instead uses the magazine as a
platform to seek help for BIG ISSUES.