analysis of magazine cover

1. Main image-
A picture of the band, Kasabian, has been
included as the main image on the cover of
this issue. They are situated in a contrast of
dark and light clothes which could represent
the genre of the magazine as they are a
mixture between light and dark. The main
image highlights that the genre of this
magazine is going to be rock due to the props
that have been incorporated. The guy on the
right is holding a guitar which is attached to
an amplifier which is seen in the background.
This has been done to portray the rock genre
of this magazine as it is a prop that you would
associate with this style of music. The
physicality of this image also highlights the
fact that it is rock as they are standing up as if
they are very overpowering and serious. The
image is also equally balanced as they are
positioned in the middle of the cover. This
image has been used to immediately catch
the attention of fans of Kasabian.
Design principals - The primary optical area of
this cover includes the logo of the magazine
along with an image of the main focus of the
issue. This is to catch the attention of potential
buyers when looking for a magazine in the
shop as they can immediately get a sense of
what the issue is going to consist of.
The strong fallow area - this magazine
includes an image and text which
makes it clear that Jeff Buckley is
going to appear in this issue. His name
is in bold black lettering which
highlights him as another main artist
that will be staring in the magazine.
Genre and target audience- I would
say the target audience for this
magazine would be for people over
the age of 25. This is because it is
well laid out and put together. It
looks like something that would
appeal to an older audience due to
the type of music that is included
on the cover. I would say the genre
of tis magazine is rock because of
the prop that are used, the band
that are on the front are also a well-known
rock group. He colour pink is
usually a colour that is aimed at the
female gender although it is clear
that this issue is aimed at both
genders due to the main image
which is in contrast to the amount
of pink. The magazine is also quite
expensive so you would not expect
it to be purchased by a young
person as they will not be able to
afford buying every issue.
Masthead- the masthead of this
magazine has been created to fit
the genre of the magazine as the
font is quite formal and posh
looking. The masthead is situated
in the corner of the magazine in a
square red box. This has been
done to catch the audience’s
attention as it is in contrast from
the light pink background. It is in
the primary optical area which is
the first place the audience will
look.
Cover lines- the cover lines on this
issue mainly include the other musical
artists that are going to be included in
this magazine. The words ‘ JEFF
BUCKLEY’ ‘COURTNEY LOVE’ AND
‘THE HORRORS’ are clearly brought t
attention as they are written in bold
capital letters. This has been done so
that he magazine appeals to a wider
range of people which will improve
the magazines income. More people
will buy the magazine if they know
there is an artist involved in it that
they are a fan of.
Model credit- the model credit of this
magazine is KASABIAN “IT’S OUR
TURN!” this has been written in bold
capital letters which attracts attention
of potential readers. This gives a little
bit of information about what people
will be expected to see in tis magazine.
It is clear that there is going to be an
exclusive interview with the band
somewhere in the magazine as it is
written in quotations. This is enticing
to fans of the bad as they will want to
know what the quote is referring to.
House style- the house style of Q magazine is
usually relatively similar for each issue. The layout
is very formal. It always includes the masthead at
the top of the cover along with a music artist
situated in the middle. This particular cover may
differ from others because the background colours
are different along with the image as there are two
people.
Strong fallow area- the strong fallow
area of this magazine includes an
image of another musical artist
named Jeff Buckley. This has been
put in this area as it is not initially
the first place people will look
although it is quite attention
grabbing due to the image and the
bold black capital writing. This gives
the magazine a wide range of
audience as they have included
other artists to the magazine that
may appeal to people. They have
also included information being that
it is a 17 page special which could
entice them more.