Q is a popular monthly music magazine published in the UK since 1986. It was founded to provide coverage of older music buyers who were purchasing CDs, a then-new technology, and to have higher production quality than other music magazines. The target audience is mostly male rock and metal fans ages 16-30, but also appeals to older males. The purpose is to inform and entertain readers about music. The magazine uses consistent branding and minimalistic designs across pages to focus attention on articles and images of musicians like Dave Grohl.

1. Magazine Case Study
Q Issue 298

2. Q Background Information
• Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.
• Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music
press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music
buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology.
• Q was first published by the EMAP media group in October 1986, setting
itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production
and higher standards of photography and printing.
• In the early years, the magazine was sub-titled "The modern guide to
music and more". Originally it was to be called Cue (as in the sense of
cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it
wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine.
• Another reason, cited in Q's 200th edition, is that a single-letter. title
would be more prominent on newsstands

3. Genre, Audience, Purpose
In terms of
audience, this
text screams out to
rock fans and heavy
metal fans
everywhere. For this
specific issue, the
target audience is
mostly males, ages
16-30, whom are
probably the bulk of
the Foo Fighters
fans.
The secondary audience would be older males, 30+
and onwards. This appeal can be taken from both the
age of the artist, who is the lead singer. And from the
surrounding cover lines which feature reference to
Artic Monkeys and " sex drugs and golf" this therefore
can rule out women. the majority of whom would not
be concerned into buying this magazine based on it's
aggressive nature.
In terms of statistics , we would
assume the target market of males
are lower/middle class, probably
with families and 9-5 jobs, who are
probably seeking distraction
through their favourite band.
The purpose is to inform
and entertain the audience/
viewer and reader. The image
on the front cover can be
perceived as ‘wild’ and ‘wacky’,
therefore illustrating as more
entertaining and enjoyable.
The genre is obviously a
music magazine. However
sub genres can be
extracted from the perception of
the main image and the text
written. “This will kill me,” may
be perceived as having an
‘emo/gothic’ style genre. Where
as “sex, drugs” can be
emphasised as being
stereotypical ‘gangster, thug, rap’
etc.

4. Cover Analysis
The bar code, issue
number and date are
all used to show more
information for the
audience and
potential customer.
The lists of band
names near may also
attract the audience as
they are specific to the
main genre. Thus being
enticing to the
audience as they may
relate in the context of
a favourite band etc.
The top right hand
corner showing a
preview of an
“exclusive unheard
Foos album.” This
attracts the audience
because of the vibrant
colours and layered
puff effect.
The name of the
magazine is In the
prime fixed
location of the
top left hand
corner.
The large scroll at the
bottom of the page
states “ Dave Grohl
saves rock. Again.” This
shows additional
information which the
reader may want to
know.
The callout on the
side is simplistic yet
with the variety of
colours becomes
more inviting to the
eye. The font and
size also accentuates
the typography on
the front cover.

5. Contents Page
The colour scheme of red, white
and black is consistent with this
page. The main article doesn’t
have a title, only the page
number is featured larger than
the others alongside another
image of Dave Grohl. The
audience will automatically be
drawn to this since it stands out
quite vividly. The background
remains white to keep with the
minimalistic image where as if it
was colours it could make the
page appear messy and chaotic.
The masthead is again
featured in the top left
hand corner. It may also
be repeated in the
bottom right hand
corner to keep the
masthead brand.
All the images featured
relate back to the musical
genre of rock.
The artists and articles are
shown within the contents text
to help the reader pinpoint
specific articles/reviews or
information faster rather then
flicking through.
Q have used a separate cover
for non- subscribers so the
subscribers can be seen as
having priority and exclusive
covers. This is a way of
encouraging more people to
subscribe.

6. Review Page
The layout of this
double page spread is
similar to a typical
magazine article. With
images littering empty
space and quotations
highlighted in
transparent scrolls.
There are a variety
of images on this
double page
spread which are
enticing and an
interesting use of
edits and filters.
This grasps the
readers the
attention as they
have more then
one standard
image to look at.
The article is a minimalistic
design which can be perceived
as ‘boring’. However Q may
want the layout not to distract
the reader from the
importance of the article.
The typography
in the spread is
also simplistic
and
minimalistic
creating a fresh
and calming
atmosphere/
image.