This study investigated readers’ perception of the aesthetics in cover page designs of newsmagazines in Nigeria using a survey method. The study which was anchored on the uses and gratification theory and the individual differences theory, used the purposive sampling technique to select 300 respondents with background knowledge of the study, drawn from academic staff, final year undergraduate and postgraduate students of University of Lagos, Nigeria and Delta State University, Nigeria. A 10-item questionnaire with 100% return rate was used. Findings showed that readers of newsmagazines are significantly aware of aesthetic elements in cover page paper designs of newsmagazines, different quality of paper used for the cover page of newsmagazines, and preferred glossy paper type Also, it was found that cover page designs of newsmagazines influence readers in a number of ways, such as: attract readership, influence purchase, enhance retention among others. The study recommend that cover page of newsmagazines should be designed to be aesthetically pleasing.

Key Words:   Aesthetics, Graphics, Mass Media, Newsmagazines, Nigeria.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 1, No. 2,  October  2009,  207 – 216.

About the authors

*Udoakah, Nkereuwem ,Ph.D, is a lecturer in the Department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo,  Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria.

**Olise, Festus Prosper is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka. Delta State, Nigeria.

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Article Citation

Udoakah, N. & Olise, F. P. (2009): Readers’ perception of the aesthetic elements in cover page designs of newsmagazines in Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research 1(2): 207 – 216.