3. Analysis
The layout of this page is appealing we found. By having the image in the
middle we think it makes the page look more appealing. This is because of
the models skin tone. The colour of her skin tone is pale much like the Vibe
masthead. I think that this compliments the tone of the background colour
as it is a very strong blue. By the background being a blue colour and
having the white and yellow text on top it shows the audience that this
magazine has a summer theme thorughout. The model’s make up and
clothing is very plain and simple, however I feel this is very affective
because having too much going on would cause confusion for the reader,
and it would perhaps not look as appealing. The sub headings around the
image have parts that are in bold and parts that have no weight, by having
parts of the text in bold it signifies the importance of that part of text. The
font used on this ford cover is very big and bold, which will attract people
into buying it. Moreover the over all layout links together very well as the
page does not look too crammed with information and it pleasing to the
eye due to the contrast of colours complimenting each other.
4. Stereotypes
Appearance
The image of the model we feel is very simple. She is wearing no clothing that is
visible for the reader, and you cannot see her eyes. In addition she has sunglasses
on and only red lipstick. I feel the producers of this magazine have dressed her in
this way because it is a summer theme, and by her wearing sunglasses and a
minimal amount of clothing it represents the warm. In addition I feel that she has
red lipstick on to make her look less plain. The lipstick brightens up her face along
with the front cover.
Behaviour
I feel like the behaviour of this model in this picture shows that she is being
submissive for the enjoyment of men. This is shown through her having her mouth
open along with her hand on her face. This pose compliments the fact that she does
not have any clothes on and that this cover would attract men to go and read it.
We think that the representation of gender on this cover conveys that this model is
trying to be submissive towards men. This means that she is posing the way she is
and wearing what she is for the attention of males. In addition this signifies that the
female gender is being projected as submissive and perhaps sexualised.
5. Hegemony, Pluralism and Ideology
Hegemony
Hegemony is the approach that argues media industries operate
within a structure that produces the most dominant ideology (a
belief or view that gets the most exposure).Hegemony projects the
fact that the worlds views are controlled by white, middle class,
middle aged, heterosexual men. For this front cover hegemony fits
in well because it is a pretty much naked woman on a front cover
posing in a submissive way, which realistically, any heterosexual
man would like to look at, as they would find it attractive.
Pluralism
Pluralism is when someone can perceive something how they want
to. For example, in contrast with men looking at this image
thinking that the model looks attractive and submissive, some may
have an opposed view and think that she looks independent and
almost idolised.
6. Mediation
I think that the editor of this magazine has put the
Masthead behind the model to prove that they feel
confident that their magazine will sell without the
masthead being full on show. Moreover I think they
have put the image right in the middle of the page
because it is an attractive woman it will attract people
into buying the magazine. In addition I think that they
have put the stories to the side of the image because it
won’t take the attention off of the main image.
7. Audience Theory
I think that this magazine is for a mass market as it is aimed at
everyone who likes R&B music, which is their target audience. Their
target audience I would say would be the ages of around 18-30. I
think this is aimed at a younger target audience because of the
images that they have used along with the content of the stories
around the side of the main image. I think that by the magazine
being called ‘Vibe’ it represents the target audience as this is a very
youthful word which will appeal to them. Moreover the stories on
the side are not aimed at a younger target audience. This is
because there is a side heading that says “60 year old prostitutes,
still grindin’”. This is not something that someone underneath the
age of 16 should be reading about as it is inappropriate and is not
something that they should publicise to someone that is young.
Moreover the stories are more aimed towards adults as the
contents are not something that someone who is young would
want to read about as they would not find it very interesting.
