2. Q Magazine Analysis: Front Cover
The main colours used on the front cover are This particular issue of Q magazine is branded as
black, white and red. With the iconic and easily “20th Anniversary Special” which is another
recognisable Q masthead/logo being red and method of drawing more people into looking at
white, the colour scheme revolves around this with and potentially buying the magazine and could
black text to stand out clearly on the background. be seen as a Puff. This is highlighted through the
The Q logo is so well known and is also positioned use of a gold border around the edge of the
the same on the front cover maintaining the red magazine (excluding the masthead) which
and white colours throughout every issue. These catches the audiences eye and this intrigues
are relatively masculine colours and this reflects the them as they want to find out what makes this
target market as that tends to be males also. issue special compared to other issues as the
colour gold is seen as a connotation of
royalty, importance and wealth.
The main image on this front cover is Beyonce who
admired by both males and females which
broadens the target audience for this particular A direct address is used that ‘talks’ directly to
issue of Q magazine as both genders may be the reader as it states that this magazine is 1 of
interested in her as a person. The image could be 20 “special” covers to collect. This makes the
seen through the male gaze as the artist is wearing audience think this magazine must be of more
a low cut top with a short skirt revealing a lot of leg. importance of other issues of the same
This could portray Beyonce as a sexual object magazine as may persuade people to buy the
through the male gaze as she is an attractive magazine and attempt to ‘collect’ the other 19.
woman. This relates back to the predominantly
male target audience shown through the colour
scheme also. The fact that the artist is the only
image on the front cover emphasises their
importance throughout the magazine as out of the
20 “exclusive” interviews, Beyonces it’s the most
important.
3. Q Magazine Analysis: Contents Page
This Q contents page uses the traditional Q
magazine colour scheme of white, black and red The colour scheme is held throughout the
which is very simplistic but effective. As a contents page with the rectangles that are used to
whole, this contents page is very basic with two separate and distinguish different sets of
thirds of the page being dominated by one picture information are either red or black whilst the
which relates to the main article within the background is white. With the background being
magazine. The other third is consumed by text white and the text being black, this makes the text
explaining other articles in the magazine in a incredibly easy to read compared to other colour
simplistic fashion with the page number, title of palettes and also looks professional.
the article and small description. This works well
and although this contents page may not be as
aesthetically pleasing as others, it is very
functional and ensures easy navigation through The Review section in the bottom right hand
the magazine. corner is placed on a grey background which is
different from the rest of the contents page which
could indicate that this section is of importance to
The gold font used for the Oasis Special section the magazine. Also, the grey in this section
does not fit the colour palette used for the rest of matches the background of the image above giving
the page so this article stands out the audience. a sense of continuity on the two right hand thirds.
The colour gold connotes royalty so could be
implying that Oasis are ‘rock royalty’ and that the
article about them is very important.
4. Q Magazine Analysis: Double Page Spread
This double page spread consists of one
page being taken up fully by and image An extremely large drop capital is
and the following page being fully text. used covering the majority of the
This works well in this double page page in a translucent red colour. This
spread as this link is instantly made by gives the article an quirky edge on
the audience that the two pages are other articles and makes the whole
connected as the large translucent red article more interest to look at.
“J” is matched with Jay Z on the opposing Without it, the page would be dull
page. and boring and would resemble a
newspaper.
The reader will also notice the quote in The image itself shows Jay Z in
bold red font on the page which is sunglasses which could be because he
dominated by the image. This quote wants to hide his emotions. It is
gives an insight into what the article will implied he could be in two mind sets
consist of and entices the reader into as one side the artist is dimly lit with
reader further into the whole article. a red tint whilst the other half is well
lit which could resemble his
undecided mind set.
