Signs and Signifiers

1. Jade Mason
SIGNS AND SIGNIFIERS: MUSIC
MAGAZINE

2. Q

3. The genre of Q is pop/rock which mainly concentrated on the rock
side. I expect to see artists that major in pop/rock music such as top
40 artists and rock bands. An iconic sign in this magazine cover is the
master head 'Q' because it is a physical representation of the letter Q
and is a logo which is a physical representation of the brand. The
graphic 'Q' would have a preferred reading of how the sign is so easily
recognizable that everyone should be able to see that 'Q' and
immediately think of the brand and what the brand represents
(pop/rock music.) The curved typography of the Q isn't as formal
as other masterheads which shows that it is more accessible to
everyone rather than more formal audiences.
Q: COVER PAGE

4. The main image of Adele is iconic because it is a literal photograph of the
pop star Adele. She is iconic for her fans and to an audience due to the fact
that if you saw a picture of her you would instantly recognize her .
The colours used in the front cover is a symbolic sign: the use of red
represent love and passion which is shown in Adele's body language being
very flirtatious and her look of lust in her eyes. Adele's music is mostly
about love and lust and this is transferred to her pose and the colours in the
cover. Women are tend to be seen as sexual beings and Adele's pose is
showing that she is very flirtatious however she represents a large majority
of women who feel like they are not the stereotypical 'beautiful'.
Oppositional readers will see this image of Adele and feel that she isn't
representing herself in a good way as she is posing very flirtatiously and in a
sense sexually, which is what she is supposed to be avoiding.

5. Her body language is an indexical sign as she very sultry and
seductive which suggests her flirtatious side. The side angle could
show that she is hiding something or is trying to be flirtatious and
innocent. The preferred reading to this is that she is powerful and
independent which would encourage girls who wish to be like her
to be the same. The oppositional reading would be that she is
contradicting what she stands for and should be promoting her
career and music rather than being flirtatious and concentrating
on becoming a sexual object.

6. Q

7. The masterhead has the iconic Q which represents the brand and is in
contrasting colours to the Black and White title 'Contents' which
makes the brand stand out which could suggest that the brand Q
doesn't want to stick to the stereotype and wants to draw in readers
who want to stand out from the crowd.
The main image of Adele is iconic, symbolic and indexical for many
reason.
It is iconic because it is an actual photograph of the artist Adele and it
represents her as an artist.
Q: CONTENTS PAGE

8. The size of the photo is indexical as the image is the largest thing on
the page which could link to the size of her as an artist being very
large and influential and how she is growing bigger and bigger with
more and more fans. The shadows on her face is indexical as it
suggests that she may still be hiding a side of her which is intriguing
as you as the reader wants to find out more about her and find out
what she is hiding. Her facial expression is very relaxed which
contrasts to the cover page spoken about above. The preferred
reading will like the fact that she appears very relaxed and conserved
and very poised and formal looking.
Q: CONTENTS PAGE

9. The typography of her name ADELE is very bold and formal which
links to her pose and her costume and makeup being very formal and
sophisticated which could suggest her as an artist at the moment or
could foreshadow where she wants to go as an artist in the future. The
oppositional readers may feel that her pose seems very catty, malicious
and venomous, the same as her looking her eyes.
Q: CONTENTS PAGE
As you can see in
the image on the
right, the girls look
very mean and
catty which is
similar to Adele’s
pose.

10. Q

11. The image of Lady Gaga is Iconic as is the Letter L; the image is iconic
as it is a physical representation of Lady Gaga as it is a photograph of
her and the letter L is iconic as it is the initial of her first name. Her
name is also iconic within the Pop genre and her fans. It is also
symbolic because the L is very large and it is in bold typography to
show that she is a large and well known artist as well as very defined
and professional. The use of red suggest lust and love which is shown
and linked to her pose being very flirtatious and sexual. The use of
columns spread out the text and make it easier to read meaning that the
younger readers can read it better. The use of columns are also used in
newspapers which is formal and will appeal to older readers who would
avoid magazines with a lot of large writing and lots of font types. It
will also appeal to a higher social class because it appears more
sophisticated.
Q: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

12. The photograph of Lady Gaga can also be indexical. Her pose is very sexual
and symbolizes what viewers would find attractive. Her hands on her breasts
could show that she is empowered and is loving the skin that she is in (which
is what her as an artist represents) however oppositional readers can say that
she is promoting and encouraging others to view her as a sexual object rather
than a classy, influential woman. They could also say that because she is such
a large artist and has many fans that she is a bad influence on them and
should be aware that her actions could have an impact on her fans (some
being young). The use of black and white is symbolic because it suggests class
and a vintage appeal which suggests that she is branching as an artist and will
become a vintage artist in the future. The image dominates the page showing
that she is a large scaled artist, a household name, and the shot is in black and
white to show age which links to knowledge and tradition.
Q: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

13. NME

14. This cover has many iconic signs: firstly the Masterheads and Logo
'NME' is iconic as it is a physical representation of the brand and the
magazine- when audiences see this logo they will immediately think
of the brand and the magazine. The image of Lana Del Rey is also
iconic because it is a physical photograph of her. She is iconic for
her fans also.
There are also symbolic signs; the American flag symbolizes
Nationalism and will endear American readers to want to read it. It
suggests that this issue will include many American artists which
could encourage international readers to want to read so that they
can find out more about American artists also. Her pose is symbolic
because it suggests her being strong and powerful (which is normally
what 'hands-on-hips' normally suggests. Preferred readers will see
this as influential and inspiring.
NME: COVER PAGE

15. Her facial expressions however are indexical; they can be viewed in two
ways. Firstly it could suggest that she is taking more of a rock approach
to her music now as more heavy metal and rock artists stick their
tongue out as a symbol of rebellion. It could also suggest that she, as an
artist, is trying to break out of the stereotypical cut-out pop artist. She
is also juxtaposing her own style as she is seen to be a very classically
beautiful women, her hair is golden and shiny and styled the way it
would have been in the 1950's which juxtaposes with the 'modern' rock
pose with the tongue. The words 'I'M A PSYCHO!' links with her pose
as she appears to be a bit crazy and out there. The pun 'true face of a
modern American' literally means that people are using this facial
expression more and more which metaphorically suggests that
audiences are changing the music that they are listening to. Oppositional
readers will say that her facial expression is too harsh and may be
ruining her beauty and poise, and encourage the wrong mindset.
NME: COVER PAGE

16. NME

17. The iconic signs in this contents page are the Logo 'NME' is iconic as it
is a physical representation of the brand and the magazine- when
audiences see this logo they will immediately think of the brand and the
magazine. The image of Kasabian is also iconic because it is a
photograph of the artist which is a physical representation.
The use of colour is a symbolic sign; red symbolizes love which is linked
to the title of the article 'Kasbian got ROMANTIC in a church.' This
would attract women because women stereo typically are attracted to
anything related to love and romance however men would also be
attracted to the article if they listen to the artist. The image is also
symbolic as the backdrop of the church will suggest that the artist is very
wholesome and sophisticated as a church symbolizes religion and purity
which could attract readers that may not necessarily have heard the artists
NME: CONTENTS PAGE

18. NME

19. The image of Florence Welch is an iconic sign because it is a physical
representation of the artist and she is an iconic sign to her fans.
The use of red is symbolic because it symbolizes love and lust which is
shown in her pose. The words 'got the love' is symbolic as it links to the
colour red being linked to love and indexical as it links to her as one of
her songs included that lyric. She appears very sultry and flirtatious and
she is showing lots of skin on her legs. Her pose an indexical sign as she
is very strong and empowering which could link to the 'USA' in the
background suggesting that America is strong and powerful also.
NME: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

20. The curved typography of the letter 'D' is symbolic and indexical as it is
typical feminine and pretty which also links to the theme of love and her
as she is feminine. Preferred readers will feel that she is representing
women in a good way as she appears powerful and strong however
Oppositional readers will feel that she is teaching women to show less
skin and view her as a sexual object.
NME: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD