2. Iconic Sign
The iconic sign of this cover is Lady Gaga
this has been done as for this edition of Q
magazine she was used to create further
stories and articles inside the magazine.
This alongside her name being the largest
text, other than the headline, creates a
focus on a global known brand and
identity. Thus the image of lady gaga is an
icon of pop and in the music industry;
therefore it is an iconic sign. This is also
further supported how Lady Gaga has
been made the largest and only image on
the page making her the main focus of
this cover.
3. Symbolic Sign
An example of a symbolic sign
in this cover is Lady Gaga’s
provocative manner and pose
in medium close up image. This
creates an almost outrageous
atmosphere to what is normally
seen on a magazine of this
type, although this signifies the
edgy and outrageous style of
music that she creates.
4. Preferred and Oppositional Reading
• The preferred reading of this cover is that they are
portraying Lady Gaga as an iconic figure who should be
looked at as aspirational. She is also looked at as an icon to
feminism and promoting women as inspirational figures
who can be provocative and edgy without constraints,
which they had not too long ago.
• Although, the oppositional reading of this magazine cover is
that Lady Gaga is too exposed and this is promoting
unrealistic looks and fashions to young and impressionable
people. Someone may also say that she promotes an
unhealthy and too provocative lifestyle which people
shouldn’t aspire towards thus this shouldn’t be pushed
onto the public in this mas published manner.
6. Iconic Signs
This contents page uses Gorillaz iconic style of art and
graphics as the iconic sign of this page. This is
recognizable to the audience that Q magazine want, this
means this type of art work is iconic to this magazines
particular demographic. It is iconic as its manga style,
when in the context of a music magazine it is
recognizable as an immensely well-known band. This is
supported by the fact that it is the largest images
amongst the others on the page, making it the dominant
focal point; alongside with the image containing the most
color on the page, other than the headline, making it
stand out and making it memorable.
7. Indexical Signs
Indexical signs can be seen throughout this contents
page as each image represents a different band or
musical artist. This is shown through two types of
images, a mix of studio posed and candid photography
giving mixed vibes of professionalism, yet engaging the
audience through the use of images from gigs and
concerts.
8. Preferred and Opposite Reading
• The preferred reading of this is that the page is giving
information while still being aesthetically pleasing;
someone would look at this and may comment on how the
images are relevant to this information given and may
entice a reader into reading further into magazine, and also
convey the information in a more successful manner;
allowing the reader to relate the text to images.
• Although the opposite reading of this contents page is that
is it too busy and has too many visual elements going on to
actually be able to focus on the information given.
10. Iconic Signs
The iconic signs of this double page spread are the L and the
image. The image of Lady Gaga is iconic to the music industry thus
an iconic sign linking the image to the article telling the audience
about its context. Another iconic sign of the double page spread is
the red L superimposed onto the text of the article this is
something regularly done in Q magazine, the first letter of the
artist or the band. This creates a relation between the article and
the artist themselves; this is also something which is icon to the
magazine itself therefore being easily recognizable to the reader.
11. Symbolic Sign
The Symbolic sign of this double page spread is once again both
shown in the image and the letter. The provocative way in which
Lady Gaga presents herself in the image is symbolic of her edgy
and unique style of music that she produces. The letter is also
symbolic as it symbolizes the artists name, although this is a
symbol which the audience would only realize if they were aware
of the artist and the magazine.
12. Preferred and Oppositional Reading
• People may look at this with the preferred reading of this
magazine is that it poses Lady Gaga as an influential powerful
woman who people can aspire to be like as an iconic
influential person in her industry.
• The oppositional reading of this double page spread is that
people may see the provocative manner in which the artist
presents herself to the public and believe this is a bad
influence on impressionable readers.
