The document analyzes the cover design of a Q magazine issue featuring U2. The masthead uses an eye-catching red and white color scheme and distinctive Q logo. The large "U2 EXPLAIN THEMSELEVES" cover line in white contrasts with the black and white photo to draw attention. The photo depicts the band members in dark suits, taken from a low angle to portray them as powerful icons. Additional text and design elements like cover lines, barcodes and a skyline are used to advertise articles, strengthen the brand identity, and promote future issues and sales.

1. Mast head:
Q is a less used letter which makes it memorable as a
brand. The red and white makes it eye catching on the
page. The main image is slightly covering the mast head
which indicates the magazine is a well established and
easily recognisable brand which doesn’t need to be fully
on show for people to know what it is. Its placed in the
top left third because that’s the most visible third when
stacked on selves.
Main cover line: ‘U2 EXPLAIN
THEMSELEVES’ is far larger than the rest of
the text on the page. This makes it clear
(along with the main image) that the
magazine is featuring the band U2 as the
most popular article. The white colour
contrasts the back section of the image
which helps grab the readers or fans eyes in
the shop.
Main image:
the black and white image is uncommon for
magazine covers because it can appear dull
however this issue is in this effect because they
are making a comeback. This colouring can
reflect the past and the inside articles can
explain what’s to come in the future. The image
is made appealing by the positioning of the cover
lines and mast head which brings the image to
life. The band are dressed in dark formal suits
which suggests they are mature and
sophisticated. The shades also make them
appear ‘coo’. The image is taken at a slightly low
angle which makes them appear powerful, iconic
and superior. Its uncommon for images to be
long shot but its used successfully to create a
certain image of the band
The bar code, date
and issue number
follow the
conventions of
magazines because
it’s a legal
requirement. The bar
code is usually
placed in the bottom
left or right corner
however to make the
main cover line more
eye catching, the
barcode is place enar
the top so it blends
with the white part
of the image.
Cover lines:
The cover lines of Q magazine
advertise the different
articles inside in the hope of
attracting certain fans to buy
and read more inside e.g. the
‘Kate Bush 22page
celebration.’
All of the artists names have
been capitalised to
emphasise their importance
in the magazine. The white
text is highlighted against the
dark background to show the
significance of each feature
to the audience.
The magazine is gender neutral
due to the unisex colour scheme.
Although the band are presented
as icons which can make men
aspire to be them, they are also
seen as powerful men which
women can ‘fancy’. Q is often
gender neutral by maintaining the
red black and white colour
scheme throughout. This also
strengthens the brand identity
which follows the conventions of
music magazines having a certain
layout/theme all the time. If the
magazine changed with each
issue, the public wouldn’t be able
to recognise the brand.
Skyline:
Clearly
informs the
reader of
appealing
offers to try
and get them
to buy future
magazines for
the next
month. Its to
promote sales.
Along with the
skyline the
advert in the
bottom left
third. By
showing the
next 3 issues
of the ‘come
backs of the
year’ it
influences the
audience to
keep an eye
out in shops in
order to read
about
upcoming
favourite
artists.