2. A direct mode of address is used in this
example in order to directly engage the
audience. This also makes the artist
more dominant in the shot as the
viewers attention is immediately drawn
towards them.
Props are used in this textual
example however, this is
unconventional of other magazines
within the same genre.
Although, in this instance it serves
as a fitting metaphor. Due to Dr Dre
being a producer, the magazine
refers to him as ‘the master of the
board’, referring to the board he
uses to produce his music. This
board is represented with a chess
board in the photograph. This
connotes his strategic and tactical
decisions when producing a
soundtrack. This represents his
music in a way that is likely appeal
to the target audience.
A background is absent in the image to
place emphasis on the artist and draw the
audiences attention to him. This is done
as the featured artist on the cover will
serve as the selling point of the magazine.
Bold and rectangular text is used to
present the featured artist’s name,
this serves to draw attention to him
as he is a well renowned artist and
will help convince people to
purchase the magazine. A single
font is used in this example in all
subtitles. This adds cohesion to the
cover, generating structured
atmosphere, which works in
synergy with with the costume of
the artist and the props used.
3. Direct mode of address is also used
in this example. This is a convention
of this genre of music magazines as
it is effective in representing the
artist generically, by making them
the focal point of the cover.
A close up shot is used to present
the artist in order to further
reinforce his dominance in the
frame.
A two tone colour scheme is
used in this cover. This
provides a similar effect as
font matching the subtitles,
this provides a strong sense
of coordination and
cohesion, conventional of the
genre.
Again, there is no background in this
cover, this prevents distraction from the
featured artist
The artists beanie matches
the background colour of the
cover. This leads the viewer
to associate the featured
artist with the magazine,
which is ideal as he is the
selling point of the magazine.
4. Wu Tang Clan’s logo has
been used to divide the
artists name on the cover,
as the musical group is
likely better known than
the three artists by
themselves. This will serve
as a stronger selling point if
the viewer is instantly able
to make this connection.
Three artists are featured on the
cover of this magazine. This is
unconventional for the genre
however in this example the three
artists are affiliated through Wu
Tang. In order to convey their
relation similar costume and
paralanguage has been used.
The conventional two tone
colour scheme is also
employed in this example,
creating the same sense of
cohesion.
A three dimensional bold
font has been used to
distinguish it from the
other subtitles.
In this example there is no
background which is a colour that
colour coordinates with the colour
scheme of the font. However, in
this case very little negative space
is present in the photograph. This
represents the artists as being
close together, perhaps conveying
their musical links as Wu Tang to
the viewer
5. This content page makes use
of a transparent coloured box,
in order to make the text
easier to read.
The box has been made only
semi opaque in order to
prevent the artist face being
cut in half, and its aesthetically
pleasing effect.
A tightly framed close up
of the artists face has
been used for the
background of the
contents page. This is
likely due to an article on
the artist being featured
in this magazine.
The list of contents have been
arranged in a single vertical
column in order to make it
easier to navigate. This also
correlates well with the image,
splitting it into two halves.
Two tone colour scene is
used again in the contents
page in order to create
the same sense of
cohesion as found on the
cover of the magazine.
Low key lighting creates dark
atmosphere which may link
in with topic of the article.
6. The colour
scheme in this
example follows
XXL’s signature
red/white/black
colour scheme,
in order to
represent the
featured artists
to be linked to
the magazines
brand image.
Two artists are
featured on this
contents page
presented with a
mid shot. This
captures their
costume and
jewelry. This
represents the
artist as being
wealthy which is
generically
conventional
7. This contents page
features a very defined,
easy to navigate layout,
in order for maximum
accessibility for the
reader.
A large mid shot of
the artist is featured
in order to convey
his strong
paralanguage to the
reader. This in
combination with
the direct mode of
address creates a
strong and
dominant
representation of
the artist. The artist is presented
in street wear in order
to represent him as
being one with street
culture.
8. The right page is filled with the
gathering of text and two fairly small
images; the text is structured and
aligned in three equal columns with the
one image in the top right corner and
the other in the bottom left corner,
both which are images of Katt
Williams.. There is also a drop capitol
which begins the article this is coloured
in red to stimulate the audience and so
they dont lose attention from the
article, the red is used to carry the
attention from the Headline towards
the main article and letting the
audience know where to begin reading.
The headline is in a sans serif typography which connotes a modern concept which is
through-out the magazine. The colour of the headline is red which stimulates the
audience to the double-page article and image in the background, this also connotes the
theme of the magazine which is used to grab attention. The typography used in the three
columns is small with the modern font which is used through-out the magazine which
also connotes Hip Hop as being modern, the typography however influences the
audience to read on as the images placed around it show pictures of Katt Williams
looking toward the audience. The headline is large and situated on the main image which
spells ‘No laughing Matter’, this portrays the opposite to what is shown in the image
There is also a drop capitol which begins the
article this is coloured in red to stimulate the
audience and so they dont lose attention from
the article, the red is used to carry the
attention from the Headline towards the main
article and letting the audience know where to
begin reading.
9. The black/white/gold colour scheme present throughout
the text in this example continues onto the featured
artists clothing in order to generate a coherent
appearance as well as represent a link between the
artist and the written article.
The right side of the page is evenly split into quarters,
presenting the article in a visually appealing manner,
representing the article as being highly skilled and
professional, qualities which are conventional of an artist
within the genre.
The gold details featured in colour scheme carry connotations of prestige and wealth, by presenting the artist with this
colour scheme he is represented through these connotations. This adheres to the audiences conventional expectations of
an artist from within the genre. This leads the audience to find this representation of the artist appealing.
10. The monochromatic image of the artist featuring a background set in the midst of places him into context. The artist
becomes represented through the audiences perceived connotations of the area he is in. This in combination with the
monochromatic colour correction creates an atmospheric mood which would likely appeal to an older audience.
The large, block caps title in all red is the only colour on the article, taking up almost half of a page. This immediately
captures the audieces attention. The word ‘trilla’ is a colloquial slang term. The editors chose to make this word the title of
the article in order to represent the artist through connotations of street culture further reinforced by the background of
the photograph. This represent the artist in a way which conforms to the audiences conventional expectations of the genre,
thus appealing to the viewer.
