ANALYSIS OF CONTENT AND DESIGN OF A MUSIC MAGAZINE (Vibe Magazine)

ANALYSIS OF CONTENT AND DESIGN OF A MUSIC MAGAZINE

Analysis of the Front Cover

The photograph is a medium shot of three artists, if studied carefully it is noticeable that the photograph of these selected individuals was taken at different time, this suggests that the cover image is a composite using three different layers. The artists have been positioned so that they stand out in order of importance. Interestingly the female featured on the cover stands behind the males and is obscured by them this could reinforce the way women are represented in the hip-hop, rap genres. The artists look collective as they are all wearing black. The photograph has been done in three layers, whilst there are four layers.

The main image on the front cover is very vital as it expresses and defines the main cover line of the magazine; the main image also shows what genre and type of issues that the reader will apprehend in too. The selected artists are within the third second and first layer of the front cover, and by insuring that P Diddy is on the first layer, it draws in the target audience. The males are shown to have black glasses and jewellery therefore a representation of rappers stating that glasses and jewellery is what is in vogue, this then makes the younger generation who aspire to be like them follow these fashion trends.(Refer to my PowerPoint presentation for the image)

The target audience are made aware of the contents of the magazine by the conventions of a front cover, the coverline,standfirst,kicker,lead article and the main background image. These conventions have then been fixated in such a way that the information has been aligned on the front cover has been done in order of importance. Therefore the information on the front cover has been arranged and displayed in order of interest and calibre. This information has been placed in this format in order to captivate and entrance the target audience into viewing the front cover of the magazine, more so the target audience can be made aware of the content of the magazine which therefore will entice them to buy it.

The colours that have been used for the front cover are white red and black.

These specific colours have been used as they all complement each other allowing each colour to stand out; therefore allowing typography, images, and headlines to stand out in addition this also allows the background image which is partly the first layer is mainly black.

The masthead is White. This is significant as it contrasts against the red and black which complement each other in this case of analysis, which enables the masthead to stands out. Therefore drawing attention to the name of the magazine. A  bold Ariel font has been used. This has been used as a font as it stands out and immediately intrigues the target audience into viewing the magazine. The mast head has been placed on the first layer of the magazine ,therefore making it a background focal point for the viewers when looking glancing at the front cover. There is a website for the magazine,’www.vibe.com’. This has been fixated on the barcode to encourage readership amongst the online audience which will then be created as well. The British cost of the magazine is £3.95. The price has been placed on the barcode.

There are a number of representational issues that can be noticed on the front cover. For example the three artists on the front cover have been positioned in such a way that the two male characters have been placed in front of the female artist. This represents that in the rap industry male artists have more of a dominant role within this field. Another representational issue that can be noticed from this front cover is that jewerly and glasses is what black males rap artists wear m therefore this is what young male boys who aspire to these artist should start to dress. The language used within the front cover targets the audience by being very formal and at the same time causal. For example ‘cooking up’. this is casual language for the target audience. The magazine is produced by Vibe Lifestyle Network Intermedia Vibe Holdings LLC

Contents Page

• Give a denotative description of the layout of the contents page

A background image of Eminem with the details of the magazines content on a second layer towards the right side of the page

• Give a connotative analysis of the layout of the contents page

• How many fonts have been used and why?

Two types of fonts so that the reader will know where knew information begins

• What images have been used and why?

Eminem a rap artist, because he is part of the main cover story

• Analyse the representational issues in the images

The image shows a young sophisticated man

• How is language targeting the audience?

By using casual language

• Give examples

‘Who’s got the juice?’, ‘Andre young is still buzzing’

• Discuss the use of colour using denotation and connotation

Yellow and white font has been used in order to contrast the black background

• How does this attract the audience?

By standing out form the rest of the page

Double Page Spread

• Give a denotative description of the layout

There is a range of text and photographs, text being aligned next to every photograph

• Give a connotative analysis of the layout

• The main colour for this double page is green and white , , roughly being half a page of photograph’s ,and a page and a half font

• How many fonts have been used and why?

One main font has been used to indicate it is the same topic

• What images have been used and why?

Images which relate to the copy

• Discuss the register, how does this target the audience and why?

Some of the images have been centre positioned which makes it attractive to the reader

• Give examples of the register identified
• A picture of Beyoncé and Trey Songz aligned on  the centre of the page

• Discuss the use of colour using denotation and connotation

Green and black boxes have been used to outline different section