1. Mast head:
The mast head is the title of a magazine at the head of
the first or editorial page. Q is a less used letter which
makes it memorable as a brand. The red and white
makes it eye catching on the page. The main image is
slightly covering the mast head which indicates the
magazine is a well established and easily recognisable
brand which doesn’t need to be fully on show for people
to know what it is. Its placed in the top left third
because that’s the most visible third when stacked on
selves.
Main cover line: The main cover line is
smaller than the mast head but larger than
the rest of the coverlines ‘U2 EXPLAIN
THEMSELEVES’. This makes it clear (along
with the main image) that the magazine is
featuring the band U2 as the most popular
article. The white colour contrasts the back
section of the image which helps grab the
readers or fans eyes in the shop.
Main image:
The main image is the first and main thing the
reader will see. The black and white image is
uncommon for magazine covers because it can
appear dull however this issue is in this effect
because they are making a comeback. This
colouring can reflect the past and the inside
articles can explain what’s to come in the future.
The image is made appealing by the positioning
of the cover lines and mast head which brings
the image to life. The band are dressed in dark
formal suits which suggests they are mature and
sophisticated. The shades also make them
appear ‘coo’. The image is taken at a slightly low
angle which makes them appear powerful, iconic
and superior. Its uncommon for images to be
long shot but its used successfully to create a
certain image of the band
The bar code, date
and issue number
follow the
conventions of
magazines because
it’s a legal
requirement. The bar
code is usually
placed in the bottom
left or right corner
however to make the
main cover line more
eye catching, the
barcode is place enar
the top so it blends
with the white part
of the image.
Cover lines:
Cover lines tell the reader
what is inside the magazine.
The cover lines of Q magazine
advertise the different
articles inside in the hope of
attracting certain fans to buy
and read more inside e.g. the
‘Kate Bush 22page
celebration.’
All of the artists names have
been capitalised to
emphasise their importance
in the magazine. The white
text is highlighted against the
dark background to show the
significance of each feature
to the audience.
The magazine is gender neutral
due to the unisex colour scheme.
Although the band are presented
as icons which can make men
aspire to be them, they are also
seen as powerful men which
women can ‘fancy’. Q is often
gender neutral by maintaining the
red black and white colour
scheme throughout. This also
strengthens the brand identity
which follows the conventions of
music magazines having a certain
layout/theme all the time. If the
magazine changed with each
issue, the public wouldn’t be able
to recognise the brand.
Skyline:
Clearly
informs the
reader of
appealing
offers to try
and get them
to buy future
magazines for
the next
month. Its to
promote sales.
Along with the
skyline the
advert in the
bottom left
third. By
showing the
next 3 issues
of the ‘come
backs of the
year’ it
influences the
audience to
keep an eye
out in shops in
order to read
about
upcoming
favourite
artists.
