Q Magazine is a monthly music publication from the UK that has been published since 1986. It produces its own compilation albums and has a television channel. The masthead uses a red color scheme and is placed prominently to be instantly recognizable to audiences. The front cover features three artists - Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Robert Plant - standing out against a white background in black clothing to look unified. Their quotes are used as anchoring text to intrigue audiences and suggest exclusive interviews contained within.

1. About Q Mag
• Published monthly in the UK
• First published in 1986
• It produces its own albums e.g.
“Q The Album”
• It also has its own TV channel

2. Masthead Analysis
The letter “Q” could suggest a pun of
“cue the music” suggesting the genre of
music, appealing to fans of the music
genre. The red colour scheme could
connote the lustful images that are
presented inside as artists are often
sexualised to be in the male/female
gaze. The masthead is also behind the
main image connoting that it favours its
artists over itself. The masthead is also
placed on the top left of the magazine
so that it’s easy for audiences to view
on the shelf. The masthead also carries
the same house style so that it’s
instantly recognisable to the audience.

3. Skyline/Strapline Analysis
“Exciting people” is the central phrasing
within the strapline and is also
highlighted with an orange star to seize
the audience’s attention. The
superlative also illustrates how
influential these musicians are, which
should appeal to fans of the music
genre. The “Exciting people” is also
placed centrally at the top perhaps to
connote how these “people” are at the
top and central to the music industry.

4. Main Image Analysis
Interestingly there are three artists
spread on the front cover, possibly to
attract a broader audience as someone
may like “Lady Gaga” over “Jay-Z” or
vice versa. The artists also stand out
from the white background,
highlighting their importance to the
music industry. They are also all
wearing black which makes them look
like a united force as they are common
faces of the music industry. Their black
colours also further highlight them over
the white background. There is also no
gender dominance, showing a well-
rounded view of the music industry,
and also appealing to both genders.
The artists are also giving direct address
to the audience to make them feel
more involved.

5. Anchorage Text Analysis
Unusually the anchorage text is more
dominant and acts more like sell lines
as there are several artists acting as the
main image. The bold typography equal
for all the artists to show how the
magazine does not favour any one
more than the other, and reinforces
their equality. The quotes underneath
also highlight how each of these artists
are interviewed with in the magazine,
and as they don’t make perfect sense it
creates an enigma to the audience
persuading them to buy it. The bold
typography also connotes they’re
power and influence within the
industry. The word “exclusive” also
suggests that this is the only magazine
that will contain these interviews.

6. Sell Lines Analysis
The sell lines are pushed more to the
side and are in circles, maybe to
suggest the well-rounded nature of the
magazine. “42” is in larger typography
which stands out on the page as it
suggests that you’re getting a good deal
with such a large number of “reviews”.
The second sell line picks out a key
review “Robert Plant Live Special” to
appeal to fans of “Robert Plant”. The
second sell line overlaps the first to
illustrate how they’re both part of the
same theme. The red, black and white
also reflect the key colours of the music
industry.