media studies

1. Introduction
• I have chosen to annotate two front covers, two
contents pages and two double page spreads. I
have decided to analyse different genres of
magazines which include pop, rock and r&b.
These 3 genres are very different from each other
and can be idenified by the colours that are used,
images and text type.

2. The colour themes for these magazines are completely opposite for
example the pop magazine uses a purple and pink theme (symbolic
sign), where as the other rock magazine uses a grey and white colour
theme (symbolic sign) . The ‘we love pop’ magazine uses bold colours
like pink and purple which attracts the young female readers which
tells us that the magazine is directed at a female audience. On the
other hand the rock magazine uses a dark and dull theme with
splashes of orange to make that text stand out. The dark colours goes
with the stereotype of rock music. The prefered reading for the pop
magazine is that pink represents friendship, caring and love. However
the oppostional reading for this magazine is that pink symbolises
sexuality which is inappropriate for the target audience. The prefered
reading for the rock magazine is that the colour grey is formal,
sophisicated and neutral colour. However the oppostional reading for
this is that the colour grey could be classed a moody colour which is
typically associated with meanings of dull and dirty and also coloud
be associated with loss.
The main image for both magazines use a mid shot however they are
completely different. The pop magazine has a picture of Cheryl Cole which
is a really famous pop artist which will attract the people that are
interested in pop music. In the image Cheryl is smiling which can be more
appealing the pop readers as they are usually a younger audience. However
the rock magazine has the lead singing of muse (Matthew Bellamy) on the
front. The model has quite a closed body language with a serious facial
expression.this image is an indexical sign because it suggests that rock stars
are well dressed nice people when the stereotype is that they are always
drunk and rude. The prefered reading for the pop magazines main image is
that the magazine is happy and mainly focuses on happy subects, also her
body language is open which makes them want to buy it also cheryl cole
acts as a role model for the young female audience to look up to. However
the oppositional reading could be that she is wearing a a lot of make up
and also expensive clothes that the readers may not be able to afford. The
prefered reading for rock magazines main image is that he looks strong and
powerful. The opppostional reading for this main image could be that he
looks arrogant and doesn’t have very open body language which can repel
readers.

3. Both magazines above have used the informal text of sans
serif. The pop magazine uses a variety of colour for the text so
it matches the colour theme for the magazine and then they
have used black and white to get the important text to stand
out to the background. On this magazine they also have used
script text on a few words. On the rock magazine the san serif
text is a iconic sign which is seen as a rock icon. the preferred
for the pop magazine is that the informal text appeals to the
younger audience because its easier to read. However the
oppositional reading is that the text varies so it makes it look
messy and confusing. The preferred reading for the rock
magazine for the informal text is that they are dangerous and
seen as a ‘rebel’. However the oppositional reading is that
people might think that text is scruffy and rough around the
edges.
Both magazines mast head are very different in many ways but
they do have something in common which is that their mast
head is small than the main head line. The pop magazines mast
head is at the top left hand side which is unusual for a magazine
as they are normally across the top of the page. The words are in
capital letters as well which makes it easier to read and makes it
stand out. It is also in a box and it also has an image of a heart
(symbolic sign). The rock magazines mast head is across the top
of the page and it also uses an image of two stars. The preferred
reading on the pop magazine is that the main headline stands
out as that is the thing that will attract their audience and also
the pink heart attracts female readers as it shows that it is a
loving magazine. However the oppositional reading for the pop
magazine is that

4. The colour schemes for both of these magazines are completely the
opposite. The ‘we love pop’ magazine uses a range of different bright
colours where as the ‘vibe’ magazine uses dark colours. The ‘we love
pop’ magazine has the main colour of green and the background
white with splashes of a baby blue and yellow. These colours are
bright and bold which make the magazine more exciting for the
readers. On the other hand ‘vibe’ magazine uses grey and black
colour theme with the heart being the only bit of colour. The
preferred reading for the ‘we love pop’ magazine is that green
symbolises life and energy. However he oppositional reading could be
that green symbolises money and jealousy. The preferred reading for
the vibe magazine is that the colour grey is formal, sophisticated and
neutral colour. Also the fact that the only colour is the heart could
relate to the fact that it is a symbol of love which could raise the idea
that the magazine reveals some stories bout Kanye's love life.
However the oppositional reading could be that the colour grey is
associated with loss.
The main image for both magazines are very different. The ‘we love
pop’ magazines main image is of Olly murs a famous singer. In the
image he is smiling and looks very happy which will appeal to they
younger target audience. The ‘vibe’ main image is the main focus of
the magazine as it take up almost the whole space. The image is of
Kanye West a famous rapper. His body language and facial expressions
are very negative as he has his arms in his pockets which is a closed
stance and his face looks very moody almost angry. The preferred
reading for the ‘we love pop’ magazine is that the magazine mainly
focuses on happy topics throughout the magazine. Olly murs also acts
as icandy for the young female audience to look at. However the
oppositional reading could be that Olly murs is only smiling for the
purpose of the magazine and he is making it seem like he has an easy
life which will appeal to the younger audience because they are more
vulnerable and gullible so will start to dream unrealistic things. The
preferred reading for the ‘vibe’ magazine is that the main focus is on
Kanye. Kanye is looking directly out the page this could be so the
readers feel engaged with the magazine using direct address which
may make it feel more personal. However the oppositional reading
could be that Kanye is an arrogant man and looks down on the
readers.

5. Both magazines have sections on their contents page which
tell the reader a bit more about what’s going to be inside the
magazine. The ‘we love pop’ sections they are all about
celebrities within the music industry and their life and
stories. Where as the ‘vibe’ sections have two subheadings
feature and fashion. The feature part of the magazine talks
more about music and celebrities and their newest news and
the fashion talks about the latest fashion which is a bit
unusual to see as it is a music magazine. Also on the
magazine the text is very small and the section descriptions
are very brief. The preferred reading for the ‘ we love pop’
magazine is that they want to draw the audience by telling
them all the famous celebrities inside which will attract the
readers . However the oppositional reading is that there is
not enough detail in the descriptions and doesn’t give the
reader enough information. The preferred reading for the ‘
vibe’ contents page is that the small text makes you focus on
the main image. The oppositional reading of this is that the
The pop magazine has a puff on the contents page
however the r&b doesn’t. The pop magazines puff
is a free poster. The preferred reading for this is that
it will make the readers want to buy the magazine if
they know that there is a free poster inside.
However the oppositional reading for this is that
you can get a poster in lots of magazines they
should do something different as they may get more
buyers if they cant get it anywhere else. The
preferred eading for the r&b magazine is that the
reader of this magazine are older so don’t need
bribing to buy the magazine as they are buying it for
the content.

6. Both double page spreads have a main image which takes
up most of the page. The pop magazines main image takes
up a whole page which is common with magazine spreads.
The image is of Cher Lloyd a famous singer. She is holding a
camera and putting her hand over her mouth as if she is
shocked about the story. She is also wearing quite casual
clothes. The image is full body picture of the singer which
is different compared to the other magazine below. The
other magazines image is of Nicki Minaj. She is standing
upright with a neutral expression on her face. The image is
a mid shot photograph. The preferred reading for the pop
magazine is that Cher is just like one of us which could
represent how celebrities are ordinary people. However
the oppositional reading is that Cher has been told what
to wear by the magazine to give off a fake image. The
preferred reading for the r&b magazine is that nicki minaj
is a pop icon.
Both of the magazines colour scheme is generally the
same. They both use pinks and white. The pop
magazine uses white as the background and with bits of
text pink and some highlighted yellow. The r&b
magazine uses pink as the background colour white
some bits of the text white and pink. The preferred
reading for both of the magazines is that pink is pink
represents friendship, caring and love. However the
oppositional reading for this magazine is that pink
symbolises sexuality which is inappropriate for the
target audience.

7. The text used in both magazines is mainly san
serif. The pop magazine uses the same font
through out and which very informal which is
suitable for their readers. Also the magazine has
used different colours to make it clear who the
interviewer is and which one Cher Lloyd is. They
have also high lighted part of the text in yellow.
On the other hand the other magazine uses a
variety of different fonts but the main font style
used is sans serif. But the first words on that page
is in decorative style and then then some of the
sentences with in the columns are slanted or
bold. The preferred reading for the pop magazine
is that the text is simple and easier to read for
their younger audience. However the
oppositional reading is that there is no need for
the text to be highlighted as it just makes the text
look messy and confusing. The preferred reading
for the r&b magazine is that it makes the text
more exciting and makes the important text
stand out to the reader. However the
oppositional reading is that it makes the text look
messy.