3. Analysis of Q Magazine Covers
Each of these Q magazines share the similar characteristics that the
masthead is positioned in the same place so that the readers become
familiar of its place and will look out for it when shopping. The masthead is
bold and unique therefore standing out amongst others for both of these
reasons. As the masthead is recognised throughout the entire magazine it
creates brand recognition for the company. Another common feature is
the use of just one image on each of the covers, this implies that the main
article in the magazine will be about the model on the front cover and
therefore they are usually well-known pop artists that are relevant to the
theme of the magazine and therefore are likely to attract the target
audience. The typography used to describe the main feature on the cover
varies according to the type of article, an example of this is the Coldplay
cover which has ‘Coldplay’ written in a white font that looks like it has
been roughly handwritten across the page linking with the style of the
bands image; where as the cover with Adele, has a sophisticated and
simple font type for her name and again represents her style. The most
appealing articles are positioned in the first third of the page as to attract
the readers first and are often split up using different types of font.
4.
5. Analysis of other Magazine Covers
Most of the covers selected above fall into the pop music genre however I
have also included some of upper class fashion magazines which I think
represent the style of magazine I like more evidently. I like the selection of
colours used for these magazines with the main colour being pink,
suggesting that the majority of the audience targeted by pop magazines is
females. These covers also consist mainly of just one main image that
advertises the main article and is important to the genre of the magazine.
Each of the photographs of the models use direct address to communicate
with the reader and works as a useful marketing tool that attracts the
readers attention and persuades them to buy the magazine. The majority
of the images are in the centre with a block colour used for the
background creating a simplistic design that is clearer and more classy.
Each of the mastheads are placed along the top of the magazine, some of
which have the model covering some letters and although this isn’t
necessarily conventional it is excepted because they are successful, well-
known magazines who’s mastheads are immediately recognised with just a
few letters in the usual typography.
6.
7. Analysis of Q Magazine Contents Page
All of the contents pages for Q magazine have used the same colour
scheme recognised with the brand logo such as red, white and
black. The masthead ‘Q’ is positioned in the top left corner and a lot
of the pages have a red strip across the top of the page, behind this.
They all consist of a large image that is mostly on the right side of
the page and with the rest of the page being filled with a white
background and black text. Some have smaller images relating to
articles within the magazine and have large numbers put next to
them to stand out to the reader once they have taken an interest in
the image. The pages are split up into the conventional 3 columns
that makes it easier for the audience to read and also reduces the
daunting look of a bulk text. Each of the articles are separated using
a small space between them and some have red text as small
headings with black text for the minimal description and others use
a red horizontal line which works well in making it easier to read
with text in black to follow.
8.
9. Analysis of other Magazine Contents Pages
These contents pages vary in many different ways
although the layouts are pretty consistent for each
magazine during a consecutive time period. The first
thing that is noticeably different throughout some of
the designs is that some pages have large headings
which are the masthead of the magazine whilst others
largest heading on the page is the title of ‘contents’.
Some of these contents pages are more cluttered than
others being filled with many smaller images, pugs,
banners etc, although it is obvious that it is the pages
from more expensive magazines that are recognised
for having more simple layouts using just one large
image on the right side of the page in a similarly way as
the Q magazines contents page.
10.
11. Analysis of Q Magazine Double Page
Spreads
The majority of the double page spreads in Q are set
out differently depending on the specific story that is
being presented. If an image is not used for the
background of the images, a plain white background is
with contrasting black font for the text. The colour red
is noticeably significant throughout the pages as it is
the colour that the magazine as a brand is recognised
by and is therefore used repeatedly to create more of a
brand identity. The red is often used to separate
sections of text and used as a drop cap either at the
start of the article or behind the text on the entire page
as a background.
12.
13. Analysis of Pop Magazine Double Page
Spreads
The double page spreads of these magazines each share the
common convention that they are made up of mainly one
large image that is either positioned across the two pages, fills
up one page or is used as the background of the entire spread.
The typography styles vary throughout the pages however
most of them have a significant heading that is clearly the title
of the article. Another common feature of the magazines is
the colour schemes used which are mainly made up of 3
colours, mostly consisting of black, white and a brighter
colour. Most of the images on the magazines use direct
address to communicate to the reader as well as doing so
through the article; this helps the reader engage as they read
the article and makes the article feel more intimate.
