Front cover analysis 4

The music magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is published every month and specialises in the classical genre. The magazine is followed on from the well-known British Classical commercial radio station, Classical FM. The magazine targets the older generation, this is suggested through the pictures and use of language. An example of where the target audience is suggested though pictures is at the bottom right hand corner of the magazine where we  see a male casually dressed in a suit, and the key image of Myleene Klass who is represented as a sophisticated woman.

The copy is written in a mature font, this reinforcing the target audience of this magazine. The name of the magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is written in an elegant font in the colours; black, white and red. These three colours are the three main colours used on the front page, this allowing the information to look neat. The name of the magazine is repeated on the front cover of the magazine, once within the masthead and twice on the cover of the free classical music CD. This makes the name of the magazine stick in the readers mind.

The key image is of Myleene Klass. She is a well-known respected woman who works in many different industries from being a musician, to a designer, model and TV and radio presenter. Unlike Ciara in the R&B magazine ‘RAP-UP’ Myleene Klass is represented as a mature woman, allowing the target audience to refer to her. The picture is kept very natural and simple and this again reinforces the target audience who are generally older and can relate to the simplicity. The magazines unique selling point is Myleene Klass, as she’s a guest editor for this edition; the main image enables the audience to relate to her. This may also persuade audiences to buy the magazine.

The sell lines inform the reader of some of the content included inside the magazine. The use of alliteration “My Musical Mission” makes the information stick in the readers head, this sell line also draws in the audience as they will be wanting to find out about the mission. “100 CD’s, books, DVD’s rated” suggest there’s reviews of these three things inside the magazine. This makes the audience aware and attracts the audience. If the magazine is purchased the consumer will receive a FREE CD! This may be used to pull in buyers of the magazine, because there’s a decrease in sales of magazines; due to the load of people using internet to view magazines online for free.  This draws in the audience as they will be getting a ‘two for one’ offer – purchasing the magazine and receiving a free CD. When purchasing the magazine, the CD is not the only free gift as it states on the right hand corner besides the CD “Plus FREE best live music guide!”. People tend to view the magazine from the left hand corner at the top and read across, looking at the right hand corner last. This could again draw in the target audience as when they purchase the magazine they could again get another free gift, which is the ‘best’ guide, another unique selling point for the magazine. The image of the suited male in the right hand corner represents the age of the target audience. The sell line in front of the image states “Fiddler on the surf” this is a pun of the film Fiddler on the roof, people who have an interest in classical music (generally older people) would be able to identify this.

Usually the masthead is behind the key image, however, the name of the magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is placed in front of the main image. On the top left hand corner “FREE CD” is written in bold place on a red background, this allowing the copy to stand out. As it’s usually the first thing a reader sees, this connotes it’s important for the audience to know there’s a free CD, and encourages the audience to purchase the magazine. The word “favourite” is written in red, however, the rest of the wording is written in grey, this making the word stand out. This connotes that “Classic FM” is the most popular magazine of its genre and will draw in more consumers.

The front cover of Classic FM sticks to the typical conventions seen on the front cover of a magazine. The audiences are attracted to the magazine, by reading sell lines and the masthead, and also being able to connect with the key image. However, also have other conventions such as; the issue (October 2007), a barcode and the price (£4.25) which the target audience are willing to pay, as they are of an older generation and can afford to buy a magazine at this price.

Front cover analysis 3

The music magazine ‘Q’ was first published in 1986, founded by Mark Ellen and David Hepworth. This magazine gives a comprehensive view of music targeting different genres of music for the older generation of music listeners. The name of the magazine was to at first be called Cue (cueing a record) however, they didn’t want their audience to be misguided into thinking it’s a snooker magazine and therefore changed it to Q.

The copy stands out, and is written in a mature font. There’s a use of two main colours (red and white) within the writing, this allowing the magazine to look neat, and the information to be clearly set out. The use of the red and white relates back to the logo of the magazine as its red and white making the magazine look professional.

The key image is of the band Green Day. This represents the genre of the magazine as the band targets more of the ‘older’ generation of listeners. The three band mates are looking directly at the camera this engaging the reader and attracting them. The mise-en-scene reinforces the fact that Green day are an American punk rock band as they are wearing dark clothing, this is stereotypical for a punk rock band. The background is plain green, this reinforcing and relating back to the band name.  The plain background also lets the band stand out as there are no other significant images on the cover.

As mentioned before, there is little amount of colour used within the copy. We see this within the sell lines. The use of alliteration helps information to stick in the reader's head, for example, alliteration is used within the sell lines 'Brucie Bonus'. In order for the magazine to attract readers and engage them, ‘Q’ use words such as SPECIAL and EXCLUSIVE - these words connote the content is new. The sell line ‘WORLD EXCLUSIVE’ suggests the magazine is the only music magazine to have this information allowing it to have a unique selling point from their competitors, this attracting audience’s. The magazine promotes an American indie rock band ‘YEAH YEAH YEAHS’ - and states their achievement of their five star album. This could attract the audience as the magazine associates with well known bands. By the audiences reading the sell lines and getting attracted, this allows them to expand their knowledge on music they like. The masthead states ‘The UK’S biggest music magazine’. This allows the audiences to acknowledge this magazine is well-known and is professional. This may draw in readers as they know they can trust the information in this magazine.

The front cover of Q has the conventions of a magazine. This is as they are able to attract their target audience through their key image, sell lines and masthead. However, also have other conventions such as the barcode, date and magazine logo.

Front cover analysis 2

Rap-Up is a magazine which focuses on two genres, hip-hop and R&B. It was first published in 2001 by the founder Devin Lazerine. The magazine is issued four times a year and is targeted to a young audience, aged between 14 and 28. The magazine is sold in more than 20 countries.

The copy consists of two main colours; black and white, and they typography is written in one font. This allows the magazine to look organised and the sell lines are able to be read clearly. ‘OH SNAP!’ is printed slanted; this could connote the target audience of the magazine as you wouldn’t expect slanted words on a magazine aimed at an older generation. The use of language could also link back to its target audience as the words are easy to understand and read.

The key image is of Ciara, who is a well-known American singer. She is seen to be in front of magazine name Rap-Up this connoting the magazine is already well-known and enables Ciara to stand out. She connects with the audience by looking straight to the camera, this makes them attracted to look at the magazine. Ciara is typically stereotyped as she is seen as a sex symbol, and can make customers feel intimidated. The camera she’s holding comes under the technical code mise-en-scene and relates to the sell line ‘OH SNAP! THE PHOTO ISSUE STARRING CIARA’, this helps the audience identify the American female used as the key image. The black and white strips that Ciara is wearing, sticks to the theme of the copy. The minimal colours make the typography and key image stand out.  In addition, the pink background allows Ciara to stand out and attracts the audience.

As mentioned previously, the sell lines use two colours – black and white, this making the text easy to read as it’s clear. The sell lines display many famous artists’ names such as; Rick Ross, Akon and Fat Joe, this suggesting the magazine is up to date with the latest charts. These appeal to the young targeted audience as they want to keep up with the current artist music and interviews. The wide range of artists that specialise in different genre, suggest the magazine focuses on a couple of genres which benefit a wide range of audience. ‘The photo issue starring Ciara’ attracts the audience as they will want to look at the pictures, this encouraging them to buy the magazine. Another sell line that engages the reader is ‘Jackpot! Letoya Luckett Hits Las Vegas’ this connotes this is a head line of a story, and the audience may be persuaded to buy the magazine in order to read the story in full. Similar to the sell lines, the masthead also lists a handful of well known artists, this again allowing the audience to be attracted to the magazine. ‘15 stars you should follow on Twitter’ connotes the magazine again is keeping up with the most popular and most interesting artists in the music industry covering the two genres of hip-hop and R&B that Rap-Up specialise in. The mention of Twitter reinforces the age of the target audeince, and connotes Rap-Up are accommodating the change in consumer habits. The 15 stars also relate to the eight stars that are displayed on the front cover of the magazine.

Rap-Up, attract their audience through the typical conventions that are seen on a front cover of a magazine; the key image, sell lines, and masthead. The magazine also has the date, issue (summer) and magazine name on display, however, like most magazines does not display the barcode on the front cover.

Front cover analysis 1

The music magazine ‘VIBE’ is owned by Quincy Jones, which specialises in four main music genres: R&B, hip-hop, rap and pop. In summer 2009, the production came to a halt and a private investment fund InterMedia Partners purchased the magazine. The magazine is issued four times a year which targets males and females between aged between 16-24.

The copy is written in block, and consists of two colours yellow and white, through the sell line and the masthead. This allows the magazine to look neat and professional, attracting their target audience. The words used are easy to read, which again reinforces their target audience. The name of the magazine is repeated twice, once in the masthead and once again above the barcode, stating the webiste address. this allows the magazines name to stick in the readers mind.

The key image is a medium shot of Drake, who is a well-known American rapper. He’s looking directly at the camera, which allows the audience to feel involved. Drakes clothing (mise-en-scene) reinforces that fact that he’s a rapper, and he’s wearing an era cap, chains and a printed top; this is seen as typical for rappers. Drake attracts both male and female audiences as he is seen as a role model for the males and attracts females within Vibe magazines target audience. The black back-ground is plain black and this lets the audience focus on the key image of Drake and the sell lines.  

The sell lines use three main colours: yellow, black and white. The bright colours attract and appeal to both males and females (their target audience). The words NEW and EXCLUSIVE allow the magazine to hook the reader as these words connote the information is recent. The sell line directly under the word EXCLUSIVE states 'Chris Brown the definitive interview' this suggest the information inside is one of a kind and attracts the audience. Another sell line 'Drakes hip-hops new religion' relates to the medium shot of Drake, allowing the audience to recognise the key image and be drawn in. Although there are no free items for the readers when they buy the magazine, through the sell lines it clear that they offer tip, as stated in one of their sell lines ‘Fashion forward’. Similar to the sell lines, the masthead reinforces the fact that the magazine is aimed at young people as it states well known singers/rappers. The two colours used (white and yellow) allows the audience to see the separation and view the different names. The use of the colour allows the magazine to separate the stories and look neat.

The front cover of Vibe adhere the typical conventions of a magazine. This is as it consists of the main characteristics such as a key image, sell lines, masthead and a barcode. This attracts the audiences as it reinforces the fact that this magazine is professional.