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Research &Planning - Music Magazine analysis
1. Genre
The genre of the magazines I have chosen are rock/pop and
R&B. We can recognise this because the pop genre magazines
theme is quite colourful and they usually use a young pop icon
on the front page cover. On the R&B magazine you can tell that
is is the theme because they use a R&B icon too. The magazine
I am going to analysis ‘Vibe’ and ‘Q’.
4. In the two covers above the typography is an informal text, sans serif which is a iconic
sign. The text is used in both the magazine covers as this is more appealing to a
younger audience and reader. The masthead is also recognised by all readers and
can be easily spotted. The preferred reading would be for them to both be seen as
current and up to date. The oppositional reading would be that the magazine lacks
vital information for people who aren't their target audience. The cover lines are also
sans serif which is again seen as informal. The vibe magazine has used some script
text to make the magazine have a more personal vibe.
5. The main images on both magazines are close up images and are of an iconic pop/rock and R&B
artist. They are both looking straight at the camera, this shows power and dominance which isn't
stereotypical for a women. This is indexical as because they are breaking their stereotype, and
they aren’t looked upon as self indulgent. The preferred ready would be that they are seen as
idols to look up to and seen as well respected people and role models. The oppositional reading
could be that they are seen as seductive and a bad roll model because of their appearance for
example Nicki Minaj has a lot of fake assists and some parents wouldn’t want their children to be
influenced by this.
6. On the ‘Q’ magazine they have a PUFF which is positioned near the top of the cover so
that it is the first thing that you eye is drawn too, and it is promoting what's inside the
magazine. This is an indexical sign because it is about a pop/rock legend and if you
didn’t know much about music then you wouldn’t be interested. The preferred
reading would be that john Lennon is a pop/rock idol and more people would want to
buy the magazine to know more about him but, the oppositional reading would be,
they use ‘unseen images’ which could be seen as quite inappropriate and invading his
privacy.
7. There is a skyline at the top of both covers, on the ‘Q’ magazine this is in a blocked
black box and in the ‘vibe’ magazine it is just black text on the white background.
The skyline is put at the top of the magazine so that it is clear and stands out to the
reader. The preferred reading would be that the extra information in the skyline
would interest the reader and make them buy the magazine. The oppositional
reading would be someone who isn't the target audience might read it and not be
interested in the magazine. On the vibe magazine this does the same job as the
PUFF on the ‘Q’ magazine.
8. Head line
Head line
Main image
Main image
anchorage
House style/
branding
House
style/
branding.
anchorage
9. In both the contents pages they use sans serif which is an iconic sign because it is a R&B
magazine so this makes it look younger and more girly. The preferred reading would be
that the magazine isn't just for people who like R&B it is for everyone and this is why they
use the sans serif text so that it engages other types of audience. The oppositional reading
would be that the people who aren't in the target audience thinks it looks messy and too
small as some people may not be able to read the writing. This text is also used in the
anchorage.
10. Both of the images are indexical signs because you need to listen to that type of
music to know who they are. The pictures are both of well known R&B artists,
the preferred reading would be having the R&B artists on the contents page
would make people want to read more into the magazine and have them
being looked up too as a person. The oppositional reading would be that the
male looks too moody and having a women's arm around him looks like he is
being dragged back, saying that you need to hold on to a man or have a
relationship. Also the women is wearing hardly any clothing which isn't
something you would want your daughter to look up too. The page with kanye
on is also in black and white with a red heart in his jacket pocket which catches
your eye and is quite calming with the black and white background.
11. The image on the left has chosen to use a black and white colour on the
photo as this makes it look more calming and this is contrasting with his
music as he mainly does rap music. The page on the right has used a
coloured image but it is still neutral toned which represents her style of
music.
13. On the left page of the double page spreads they use the informal text sans
serif where as on the right they use a more formal text which is
which is an iconic sign as the genre is linked with the informal text as the
magazine is more towards a teen audience as is the music genre. The
preferred reading of the informal text would be that they are seen as
young and cool. The oppositional reading of the informal text would be for
people who aren't in the target audience would think that is too informal
and not have the correct information in it for what they are looking for in a
magazine.
14. Both of the images are of well known pop/R&B artists this is an indexical sign
as you have to know the genre of music to know who they are. The
preferred reading would be that they are hard working and in control. The
oppositional sign would be that they are controlling the media which isnt
something that you would want a child thinking they could grow up being
bossy and controlling.
15. Both images have been chosen to be done in a high-key lighting as this shows
them as someone with a high authority. Both images are indexical signs as
you need to listen to the genre of music to know who they are. The
preferred reading of this would be that they are looked up to as roll
models whereas the oppositional reading would be that they are trying
too hard to be liked by social media by wearing make up and always
looking the best they can which is not something you would want to look
up too.
16. For both magazine the general colour is the same they use black and white
with a slight flash of colour like blue and red which links with the main
image which is in colour too. It is a symbolic sign as this represents the
stereotype of music. The preferred reading would be that the magazine is
seen as clear and professional. The oppositional reading would be that for
someone who isn't the target audience this could be seen as quite plain
and boring and they wouldn't want to buy the magazine again.
