Magazine Advertisement Analysis

Imagery The image is of Bruce Springsteen, the artist, is a medium long shot, revealing his guitar, which is stereotypical of a rock artist. The image itself has been edited so that it is in black and white, making a bold statement against the warm hues of the background, again, portraying the loudness and power of the rock genre. This use of editing also highlights the guitar as an important feature within the mise en scene as it is bright white in comparison to the rest of the advertisement which is much darker. The artist is looking into the camera, directly addressing his audience. His face is also serious creating an almost intimidating mood. The rock genre of music is represented through this harsh expression as it reveals power and dominance in the same way that this genre of music does.

Design PrincipleThe main title, featuring the artist’s name, spreads across the primary optical and strong fallow areas indicating clearly to the audience that that is who has made the album as it is in the area in which the reader will first look. The artist’s face is also located across these areas, stating his importance and revealing who is releasing the album that is being advertised. The guitar, which is a key symbol in representing the rock genre, has been placed in between the weak fallow and terminal areas. This is unusual as it should be in the primary optical or strong fallow areas so that the audience sees is straight away and realises that the album will be of the rock genre. The brightness of the white guitar, however, draws attention to itself without having to be in these areas. The album name and release date and format are located at the bottom of the weak fallow and terminal areas as this information will not grab the audience’s attention like the name and image of the artist.

Design Balance The advertisement is well balanced through the font and the image. The tall font rises at either side of the image making it seem almost symmetrical. The image is well balanced as the artist’s leg and elbow stand out on one side. The neck of the guitar mirrors this on the opposite side balancing the other side where his leg and elbow stand out. The way in which the artist is stood also creates good design balance. He is positioned slightly left of the page but he is leaning right so that his head and shoulders are in the centre. This creates balance, helped by the guitar on the right hand side as it balances the parts of his body that are on the left. The body of the guitar is also in the centre of the page, adding to its symmetry.

Typefaces The only typeface used on the advertisement is a tall, thin sans serif font. The height of the font creates a dominating atmosphere which is consistent to the power of the rock music genre of the album and the artist’s style. As well as this intimidating feel, the block-like, straight font creates a sense of stylishness, revealing, again the power of rock music, but also the wealth and fame that comes with being an artist within the music industry. Bruce Springsteen is a well known artist and the font that is surrounding him reflects the ‘name in lights’ connotations of fame and Hollywood that surrounds him. The style of the font is sans serif, suggesting a more relaxed, informal style to his music as the font is not of a formal, serif style. This contradicts the powerful nature of rock music therefore representing the artist as more alternative to the stereotypical rock stars.