Analysis of VIBE magazine's TA and front cover

1. Vibe Magazine Analysis
By Avneet Gill

2. Background | Target Audience
Vibe is a music entertainment magazine that was founded by the
producer called Quincy Jones in 1993. The printing mainly features
R&B and hip-hop music, actors and artists. Despite production
shutting down in 2009, the magazine itself was purchased by
Intermedia Partners.
The magazines target audiences is predominantly young, urban
followers of the hip-hop music culture. Centralised between the
ages of 18-34. The magazines distribution stats represent that in
the year 2007 it was 800,00.
Vibe’s issuance is largely associated with the magazine’s own
website, although the magazine itself can be purchased from a
few specific stores.

3. Target Audience
Every cover of the VIBE magazine production carries out one single bold theme
which I think could be used to represent the magazines serious attention
towards music. The covers also include a rather simple nature, always ensuring
that the person on the cover of the magazine stands out, and also the key sell &
tag lines too. This way the audience are drawn in with their key focus on the
artist and the music being represented on the cover too. This suggests that the
TA are also serious about music and wanting to be highly informed not only of
new and upcoming songs and artists but also the background of the artists and
the inspiration of the music too. The magazine’s single colour theme helps
support this idea.
The house-style of this issue of VIBE consists of bright orange, black and white.
These are all bold colours, with orange being the dominant colour (even in
Nicki’s hair). I think that these colours are great for attracting younger audiences
as they can attract attention easily and be seen from a distance! I particularly like
the contrast of the orange and white as I feel it adds dramatically to the overall
impact of the front cover and I like how each title colour scheme varies between
each and every issue and can be tailored to suit the theme of every cover.
The main image portrays NICKI MINAJ as dominant and the words ‘NOTORIOUS
KING’ next to her help portray an image of female power which I think is great. I
am please with the lack of sexual or ‘male gaze’ used on the cover because this
makes the magazine appropriate for the young TA that it attracts. Nonetheless
the expression that the artist has on her face is very intriguing making the reader
or passer-by want to know more.

4. Masthead – This is the name of the
magazine. Clearly the name of this is
VIBE and the colour of the font is
used as part of the house-style of
the front cover. This has a block
effect where the font is solid and
complete
The background – As you can
see the background used here
is plain white. Not only does
this allow the rest of the
colours and features of the
magazine to stand out and
appeal to the audience, it also
puts the main focus on the
artist on the cover while
remaining with the house-style
of the magazine
The main image – The main images of
any music magazine is usually of the
person being featured in a particular
issue. Not only will this be the key selling
point of the magazine, but will also
determine how appealing or ‘interesting’
the cover or issue itself will be to the TA.
Here, Janet is wearing a simple white
strap top with a basic pair of denim
jeans, her outfit and makeup does not
look OTT or dramatic, suggesting that
her outfit use of mise en scene keeps in
line with the house-style of the
magazine too.
The header – This is basically
designed to give more
information to TA. It is used to
attract audiences by portraying
information on other artists
that will be featured in the
magazine other than who is on
the cover or one of the other
big names on the cover, who
the TA may find interesting and
want to read about. In this case
information on rapper BUSTA
RHYMES and his ‘untold story’
has been used to provoke
audience attention.
The cover lines – these are
supplementary features to a
magazine nearby or next to the
main individual being featured on
the cover. Despite this information
not being the initial source of
attraction to the TA they are vital
and are presented in a manner that
they will be seen (in this case bright
and bold). If you take a close look at
this additional information you can
tell that the sizes of text and info
appear to vary. This may be to
emphasise the interest and.
importance of each advertisement.