2. Dominant Image
Q magazine have used a dominant image of the artist Ed Sheeran that is
central to the frame to make the artist stand out and intrigue a viewer, as
its easy for the eye to process. They have used a simple image of Ed and
his acoustic guitar, wearing casually clothing, symbolizing that the singer
is laid back and relaxed and his music may be too. The singer is looking to
the top right suggesting with him not looking at the camera he is looking
for something, such as looking into his future. The lighting used on this
image also suggests he may have a dark past as the singer has light on his
face, however the background is a lot darker.
Masthead
The masthead of the
magazine is in a bold
red colour and whilst
standing out it is
placed behind the
picture of the singer
showing he is the
most important part
of the magazine,
however the reader
is still aware what
magazine they have
without having to
search for it.
Main sell-line
The main sell-line is
just the artists
name, to make the
reader aware of
who the artist is. It
is written in red
sticking to the
magazines colour
scheme, and is in a
different font style
to the rest of the
magazine, making it
stand out from the
cover-lines. It could
be said that it looks
like it has been
written in lipstick,
aiming the article
and artist and a
female audience.
Sub-head
The sub-head expands on the main cell
line, it tells the reader what the main
article is about and gives them more
information on it. For the sub-head the
magazine has put it in a white colour
and changed the font back to match the
magazine so it does not take the
attraction away from the dominant
image and main sell-line.
Barcode
The barcode is used to be scanned by
cashiers when the reader buys the
magazine, this barcode is kept small to
the bottom of the page so it does not
interfere with any of the image or the
text, however is still big enough for the
target audience to know the price of the
magazine.
Coverlines
The cover lines show the reader what else is
involved in the magazine without having to turn
to the contents page. The magazine have stuck
to the same font for the text and same colour
scheme, making sure the text does not overlap
the dominant image. They are also separated by
a red line to make sure the articles don’t overlap
either. They are also in bold to attract the
reader and make it stand out what the main
features are in the separate articles.
Plug
The plug of this magazine is different to
the rest of the text as it is in a red
bubble, this colour indicates it is
important and attracts the readers eye
before any of the other text. It is also
the only part of the front page that uses
black text, apart from on the mast head,
this shows there is more information to
find out.
Colour scheme
The main colour scheme of
this magazine is red and
white. These colours are very
bold colours that stand out
on dark backgrounds to catch
the eye of someone who
may just be browsing. The
colours are also more
feminine hinting the
magazine may be aimed at a
female audience, the colour
red also symbolises
something is important or
dangerous, in this case the
magazine uses it to their
advantage so the reader will
be immediately interested.
Target Audience
The magazine indicates maturity with their colour scheme and size
and type of font they have used for their text. The front page is
also very well organized and planned out. This gives the idea that
it is aimed for late teens to early/mid twenties. (16-24)
3. The colour scheme of this page mainly consists of red,
white and black. These colours have a classical theme
as they are often associated with older images. The
connotations which are presented with these colours
are purity, darkness, love and hate; by combining these
colours, and therefore themes, the magazine appears to
imply that they are a classic magazine that features
stories ranging from love to despair and destruction to
redemption in the world of music.
The contents page has features filling the entire left
hand side of the page, in a column format. This clean
and clearly displayed format implies that the magazine
is being targeted towards an older audience rather
than young teens. The features also include an “Oasis
Special” which is presented in a totally different font
and colouring. By using the gold colouring and thinner
text of the page numbers and font, it implies that
these stories are special, much like the title states.
The dominant denotation is of a band named the
“The Courteeners.” It is clear that they are featured
in a story as there is an anchor which includes the
page number . On the image the band is featured
on a hill which could imply that the band is rising
above others or that they think they are higher than
everyone else. Combining this with the camera
angle that makes the audience appear to be looking
up at the band, it further suggests this sense of a
superior nature.
The contents page also features the masthead which
creates synergy throughout the magazine. The running
head, heading and some essential information, such as
the date and issue number, are presented in a black
block of colour across the page top of the page. The
pugs are adorned with the information already
featured on the front cover. Also shown in this bar are
links to social media and the magazines website.
This magazine also features an “Every Month”
segment which is clearly separated by the title
backed in solid red. These additions feature plugs
that may entice or be a bonus for buying the
magazine in the audiences opinions.
Q Magazine also shows a slug in the form of their
review. The feature has a sub head, “the worlds
biggest and best music guide” which, despite being
bias, shows to the audience that this is a magazine
that takes pride in their features and is established
enough to be considered the best for reviews. The
sub image of a male, Nick Cave, shows him in a suit
which makes the audience think he knows what he
is talking about as a suit has connotations of being
professional and educated.
4. Dominant image
On this 2 page article a
dominant image has been
used which take up the
whole of one page. The
way the artist is dressed;
tattoos, messy hair,
unshaven, suggests that he
may be from a rock genre
of music. By his facial
expression he is portrayed
as ‘moody’, meaning he
may be about to express
something he is not
pleased about. The singer
is also wearing a cross
around his neck which may
suggest some sort of
religion or belief he may
have. His body language is
slouched and clothing is
casual suggesting he is
relaxed with the situation.
Article title and strapline.
The article title is based on
the colour scheme of white
and pink, highlighted in
black so the writing stands
out against the background,
also the colours used are
feminine meaning the
article could interest more
females. The word
‘absolutely’ is in bigger than
the rest of the title, this is
to intrigue the reader to
read the whole article and
find out what the artist
means by this. The
strapline, is in a smaller text
to the title so it doesn't
take the effect away from
it, however is bigger than
the actual typed article, this
is so the reader finds out
more information about the
article but the magazine
doesn't reveal too much, so
the audience has to carry
on reading. The magazine
still sticks to the feminine
colour scheme for the
strapline.
Byline
The by line is kept very
smaller and to the
bottom and side of the
page so it does not
interfere with the article
but makes sure the
photographer still gets
credit for the photo.
This article is framed in a boarder
that resembles spotlights which
have connotations of stardom
and fame. This implies that the
artist is used to being in the spot
light when you combine this with
the fact that the dominant image
of the artist over laps the
spotlight boarder.
The style of this article is question and answer which creates a much more laid
back and casual feel. One can infer that the target audience for this article will be
old teens as the article isn't as detailed and worded difficultly compared to the
typical written article.
