Magazine Analysis

By Jordan Harrison

Masthead: The masthead is in a white bold sans serif uppercase typeface, which stands out against the contrasting blue background. It is short and to the point and gives the consumer a clear idea what the magazine is about already.

Buzzwords: Buzzwords such as ‘Sneaky’ and ‘Basterds’ are used to sell the cover stories and attract the reader to the stories in the magazine and want to read on. They are written in bolder text than the description of the cover story as they need to catch the eye of a consumer walking past the magazine.

Main Cover Line: The main cover line on this is simple and to the point. ‘Sherlock Holmes’ is a box office film and so the name alone sells itself. The two words are wrote in two different colours, one in white, one in blue, to both stand out although this is done tastefully and still matches the colour scheme of the cover. It is written in serif font which contrasts to the masthead and also makes it stand out. Underneath the cover line is a small description of what the article is about (explanatory line) which is used to give the reader an idea of what the article is about ‘on set!’.

Barcode, date and website: These conventions have to be included on the magazine but are usually written in small text. In the case of the barcode it has been hidden in the bottom corner of the magazine so it does not ruin the cover.

Main Image: Mid shot, is in the centre of the photo and is taken with direct address, a common convention of a front cover. The image is in front of the masthead to give it prominence over anything else of the cover. This also gives a 3D effect on the cover and connotes that the magazine is so well known, the masthead does not need to stand out for the consumer to identify the magazine. Also the straight face of Robert Downey Jr. gives a mysterious look about him which matches the detective theme of ‘Sherlock Holmes’.

Colour Scheme/House Style: The colour scheme used is different shades of blue and white. Using different shades of the same colour to make certain parts stand out gives the magazine a very professional look. Also the background image looks very mysterious which fits in with the theme of the main article on the detective Sherlock Holmes. The layout is conventional, yet professional with the cover lines and text, on either side of the main image, following the rule of thirds.

Skyline: In the case of this cover, the skyline is promoting new movies being made now and showing there is posters inside. This alongside the images at the top make this eye-catching to the consumer buying the magazine.

Masthead: The masthead is written in a bold white sans serif font, this is a simple short masthead but it very effective and would stand out to the consumer. The white matches with the white in the background of the American flag but also contrasts against the red and blue in the flag making it eye-catching and powerful. Also the masthead is behind the main image which connotes that the magazine is so well known, it does not have to be totally in view for the consume to identify the magazine.

Pug: The pug is used to highlight a big selling point of the magazine, here it is an insight into ‘marvel’s first avenger: Captain America’. The pug is made to stand out as it is the top layer of the magazine and overlaps everything. Also here, it is a contrasting colour to the background to stand out. It is made to look like a sticker.Main Cover Line: Is written in sans serif font and is in bold white writing to stand out. It is layers over the top of the main image and is in the centre of the page to really catch the eye of the consumer. It is a simple cover line ‘Captain America’ as the superhero’s identity sells itself. Underneath is an explanatory line, giving the consumer an idea on what the article is about.

Puff: The puff is usually used to promote a special feature of the issue, (a unique selling point), for example here it is used to promote a sci-fi special. It is written in bold sans serif font to stand out and also has a small picture to attract the consumer.

Barcode: The barcode here has been hidden well vertically at the bottom of the page to take nothing away from the cover.

Main Image: Medium long shot, model has a stern look and is wearing armour, which connotes the power of ‘Captain America’ which also links to Laura Mulvey’s male gaze. It also gives it prominence over anything else. It is taken with direct address and the straight face, serious look in this image matches the superhero identity. A glow is used to give Captain America a 3d effect.

Cover Lines: Other cover lines are placed at the side of the cover as this is the first thing a consumer will see on a set of magazines laid out on a counter. The white text against the white background is quite hard to see at first glance.

House Style/Colour Scheme: The colours used are the red, white and blue of the American flag, this is clever as it matches with the theme of this issue, ‘Captain America’ and the flag in the background continues this theme. The colour yellow is used making certain sections like the pug stand out. The layout is conventional with the main image in the centre with cover lines surrounding it following the rule of thirds. The text is rather small on this cover, giving prominence to the main image, connoting the power of a superhero.

Date & Issue Number: This has been hidden well so it is visible to the consumer but takes nothing away from the overall look of the cover.

Sell Line: This sell line is very effective as it automatically makes the magazine more attractive than others to the consumer.

Masthead: The masthead is written in a serif font and is in large lettering, catching the consumers eye. It is yellow which contrasts nicely with the red background to draw attention to it. Some of the masthead has been covered by the model which connotes that the identity of the magazine is obvious, even without the full masthead, although some of the masthead is also overlapping the model, making it more prominent to the consumer.

Price: The price is written in small lettering and is hidden away as it is an expensive magazine and so this is not a selling point.

Main Image: Mid shot, taken with direct address. The pouting pose of the model and the outfit she is wearing connotes a sexy classy vibe which matches with the theme of the magazine. This is links into Laura Mulvey’s male gaze where woman are seen as objects and everyone view women from the view of a heterosexual male. This is seen here as the model Rosie Huntington Whiteley has been made to look sexy but also classy, which is the vibe the magazine is looking to give off. Also there is continuity with the red outfit which matches the red background.

Main Cover Line: Written in serif font to kept continuity and the classy effect. It is in big lettering and takes over most of the bottom third of the page, grabbing the consumers attention. In this case, the main cover line does not match that of the main image which is uncommon in most magazines.

Cover Lines: Other cover lines are placed in the 1st and 3rd section in the rule of thirds, this is because it is the first thing a consumer sees on magazines laid out on a counter. They are written in a bold sans serif font and the white and yellow lettering stands out against the red background.

Barcode: The barcode is well hidden, in the bottom right hand corner and does not take anything away from the rest of the cover.

House Style/Colour Scheme: The colour scheme of yellow, white and red are contrasting colours which make the magazine eye-catching to the consumer. There is continuity throughout, (e.g. the red dress and red background) and the deep red and serif font gives the magazine a classy look also. The layout of the cover is conventional, following the rule of thirds, with cover lines either side of the main attraction to the cover, the model.

Masthead: The masthead is written in a sans serif typeface, it is written in bold lettering, bigger than any other text on the page to draw the consumers attention to it. It is layered behind the main image which connotes that the magazine is very well known and the consumer can identify it without it being obvious.

Cover Lines: The cover lines are placed down the first third of the page, this is because this would be the first thing a consumer would see walking by magazines on a shelf.

Barcode: The barcode is placed in the bottom right hand 3rd of the cover, this is hidden well and takes nothing away from the overall style/look of the cover.

Main Cover Line: The main cover line is in a big bold, serif typeface, grabbing the attention of the consumer straight away. It is written in a different colour to the rest of the text on the magazine, making it it eye-catching, however it is placed in the 3rd third of the magazine, not overpowering the main image which is the focus of this cover. Underneath the cover line is an explanatory line, giving the consumer an insight into the article.

Puff: The puff is a slogan that highlights a selling point to the magazine, here this is the fact it is india’s number 1 entertainment magazine.

Main Image: Long shot, showing model very smartly dressed, the image looks powerful and dominant which links to Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory in which men are seen as the dominant gender. It is not taken with direct address. The clothing the model is wearing connotes a modern sophisticated look which is echoed throughout the magazine. The model is the main focus of this cover, this can be seen as he is the only convention in the middle column of the cover. This is to stand out and draw the consumers attention to the photo of the well known model. The model is also layered over the cover drawing the attention of the consumer.

Date and Website: These are written in small text so they are visible to the viewer but not ruining the overall look of the cover.

House Style/Colour Scheme: The colour scheme of this cover (red, white and black) works well. The white and black gives a professional look to the magazine, where the use of the red in the masthead for example, makes this stand out to a consumer. There is also continuity with the colour of the model’s clothing and the colour of the text. The layout of the cover looks professional with the cover lines either side of the main focus of the cover, the main image in the centre.

Comparison• The magazines ‘Total Film’ and ‘Empire’ are very similar in both genre (film) and layout.

They have large text grabbing the attention of the consumer. In both magazines, the main cover line is centered in the middle of the magazine, making it one of the main attractions, along with the main image, on the cover.

• This is not the case when you compare these film magazines with a fashion magazine like ‘Vogue’. The text is much smaller and located around the edges of the magazines as the main focus of a fashion magazine is the model.

• Strangely is this also the case for the international film magazine, ‘Filmfare’. The text is much smaller and located around the edges and the main attraction of the cover is the main image and the model.

• In ‘Vogue’ we see that Laura Mulvey’s male gaze applies. This theory states that woman are seen in media texts from the view of both a male and female viewing a media text. Woman are viewed as objects and this is evident to see in the photo of Rosie Huntington Whiteley, who is dressed to look sexy and appeal to all audiences through the male gaze.

• In the other 3 magazines, the ‘Male Gaze’ also applies. There is a similarity in that the main image is all of men, who are seen as powerful and strong . Laura Mulvey’s ‘male gaze’ applies here as it states that men are seen as the dominant gender. This is the case on many film magazine covers and we rarely see a woman on her own. Usually a woman is seen posing next to a dominant male.