Cover page analysis'

1. The mast head on this page compromises of just one
letter. This is shown in the top left hand side of the page.
It is very clear that this is the masthead of the cover page
as the letter is sectioned off with its own red background.
This makes is stand out in front of the image behind. The
white and red colours are very striking. Also the use of
the larger font size for the letter ‘Q’ makes it stand out
amongst the rest of the text.
The barcode on this cover page is displayed in the bottom
right hand corner of the page; here it does not distract the
readers from the main image and text on the page. Other
techniques are also used on this cover page to ensure that
the barcode does not spoil the general and overall design of
the page. For example, there is a white, circular text box in
the bottom left hand corner, which contains some small
black writing. This helps the barcode to blend in as a part of
the page, which is also helped by the several pieces of white
text on the page.
The colour scheme for this cover page uses a selection of
colours, but nothing which is too brash or extravagant. For
example the page uses a variety of black and whites, which
create contrast on the page. For example, blacks are used in
the image, such as hair, and eye makeup. As well as in some
of the clothing that Amy is wearing and in the font. White is
used in some of the text, such as in the mast head. Amy’s
skin tone is also quite pale, which compliments the whites
used. There are also the use of some more bold colours, such
as red and orange, which can be seen as text, as text boxes,
and in the background image (such as in the red love heart
tattoos). The combined use of all of these colours makes sure
that the text can be seen and that the image and cover in
general are eye catching and noticeable.
The image in this page makes up
the background of the cover
page, however the majority of
the image (Amy Winehouse) can
be seen on the right hand side of
the page. This keeps the
masthead and some of the other
important text separate and
stops it from blending into the
image. The pale skin tone of Amy
Winehouse in this picture makes
the picture striking. It
compliments with the white font
used (lighter tones), and makes
the red stand out more. She is
also looking directly at the reader
in the photograph. This makes
the aim of the magazine more
effective, as we see in the text
above that the magazine will be
covering a tribute towards Amy
after her death. Therefore the
way she is looking directly out of
the page towards the reader
creates more direct appeal and
makes the image more capturing
and heart-felt for the reader. This
is a picture boost which is
promoting a feature later in the
magazine.
The red love heart tattoos on the side of Amy’s arm match the
red colours used on the cover page, for example in the
background of the mast head and for several other pieces of
text.
There are also several small boxes with texts in on this cover page. These separate the pieces of text. For example there is
one in the top right hand corner of the page, which is white with red text. Furthermore, there is also an orange text box at
the bottom. This gives a clearer layout and structure to the page and groups information, which makes it clearer for the
reader to understand. It also adds to the design features of the page, in the respect that it adds more colour and variety,
which will make it more interesting for the reader to look at.

2. The image used on this cover page makes up
the whole background of the page. The image
is very striking and quite sultry, the facial
expression that she is pulling and the way she
has positioned her hands and the jewellery it
looks like she is holding fits that of the male
gaze. She almost appears to be quite
dangerous, like she is trying to lure someone
in, possibly the readers in this case. This is
possibly why the image is used, to try and
attract and lure in the readers. The colour
tones used in the photo are all very
complimentary of each other. For example,
golden colours and browns make up the
majority of the image. For example the colour
of her hair, the colour of her eyes, the
necklace she is holding and even her skin tone.
Her nails are also painted red, which adds to
the sultry appearance of the image. This use of
colour also matches the red used in the mast
head and the colour used on her lips and eyes,
which is red and red/ browns. The use of
colours in this image is very clever, it is very
striking and stands out, but does not use bold
colours to do this; instead the different tones
are used to make the image noticeable. This is
a picture boost which is promoting a feature
inside the magazine.
The barcode on this page is presented in the
left bottom hand corner of the page. This is
done so that it does not detract the reader’s
attention from the main image and mast-head
(and other text) on the page. It does not ruin
the design of the page, as It actually
compliments the white fonts which have been
used.
The mast head is bold and has a white outline.
Some of the letters are filled with different colours
to add some contrast and to make the title stand
out more over the background. All of the text on
this cover page is in white, therefore the use of
colours in the mast head may be used to create a
difference between the mast head and the rest of
the text, so that there is no confusion between the
purposes of the text on the cover.
Different types of font are used on
this cover page. For example the font
at the bottoms which says ‘Live at
Roseland, Elements of 4’ is very
different to the text on the middle left
hand side. This may be done to
separate the different pieces of text
on this page and also to create some
contrast on the page. This may be
done instead of using different colours
on the page and to create some
variety, which will make the piece
more attractive to readers.

3. The masthead is very bold, white and
takes up almost a quarter of the length of
the page which makes it stand out. The
name of the magazine is kept short, so the
graphology can be made eye catching and
exciting. The text which is more important
is in black, this colour immediately stands
out on the blue background. The less
important information is presented in a
navy blue colour, this blends more into the
blue background which makes it clear to
us looking at the magazine that the black
is the more interesting and important
information. v
The image used is very striking, as it is a close
up which includes only a shot of the shoulders
and head. It has been presented in a black and
white effect, this matches the colour scheme
used on the masthead and other writing on
the page which is in black and white. The
image is displayed in the middle of the page
which makes it stand out and catch the
reader’s eye. Furthermore, Rihanna is looking
straight ahead, which creates a direct appeal
towards the person looking at the cover page.
The use of makeup in the image is also
interesting. For example the use of eye
makeup which contrasts with the white text,
but compliments the black text on the page.
Also the use of jewellery and colours make the
image stand out more, for example the use of
the silver/ white earrings which matches the
white text on the page and creates a contrast
with the rest of the image. This is a picture
boost which is promoting a feature later in the
magazine. The image is the centre of visual
interest on this page alongside the masthead.
Often in vibe magazine we see a lot of negative space. For example they often use a coloured
background instead of using the image to make up the background. We can see quite a lot of
negative space in the blue background on this cover page.
The barcode on this cover page is put
in the bottom corner of this page, so
that it doesn’t detract the reader’s
attention from the rest of the page. It
does not interrupt the basic layout of
this cover page as it actually
compliments the black and white text
used.
Colour Palette:
The main colours used in this cover
page are blue, black and white. The
colours used in this magazine cover
make the image stand out, due to
the simple, lone colour
background. The blacks used match
with the colour of Rihanna’s hair
and the whites compliment the
silver earrings that she is wearing.
The choice of presenting the image
in black and white also matches the
black and whites used in the text.
The eye makeup (darker shades on
the bottom of the eyes) used in the
photo also compliments the black
used in the text, with the white
shades used on the top of the eye
complementing the masthead
above.