Magazine ConstructionBrogan Barker

CONVENTIONSWhat you get on front covers

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Secondary LeadGraphic Feature or Puff

Selling Line or Banner

Tagline

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

FlashMenu Strip

Date Line

Headline

Web-links?

Ears?

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Secondary Lead

Plug

Graphic Feature or Puff

Selling Line or BannerTagline

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Menu Strip

Bar Code

Date Line

Headline

Caption

Web-links?

Ears?

FREEFREE – – Live music Live music downloadsdownloads

Masthead

Kicker

Cover Line

Secondary Lead

Plug

Graphic Feature or Puff

Selling Line or BannerTagline

Feature Article Photo

Anchorage

Flash

Menu Strip

Bar Code

Date Line

Headline

Caption

Web-links?

Ears?

Conventions Notes

• Taken from my chosen magazine cover of the ‘Q’ magazine of Cheryl Cole, the connotation of the masthead e.g. the symbolic thread of Q magazine. The masthead connotes the presence of the magazine which establishes the immediate recognition of the magazine, from the simple nature of the name of the magazine ‘Q’ represented from the letter Q. From researching Mark Ellen and David Hepworth founded the magazine to target the group of people who were buying CDs, which at the time were a newer technology. Originally the magazine was going to be called Cue but they didn't want it to be mistaken for a snooker magazine. In 2008 the magazine was sold to the Bauer Media Group. From the graphology of the masthead the use of the bold striking colour red connotes the love of music or the dangerous behaviour of the audience taking a risk to pick up the magazine. Also the letter Q could also connote the shape of a guitar which denotes the genre of the issue.

• The meaning which links the anchorage and image of the magazine, gives the addition of ‘ROCKS’ this is apparent in Cheryl's posture and expression from a more snarling yet appealing expression, also from the seduction of her tongue this indicates a sexy rock and roll effect. From her sultry pose and the colourisation of the cover this is also an link between the anchor known as rocks as the dimmed but yet dark theme could symbolise the rock and rock atmosphere. Known that rock stars can turn at any point. Her make-up and outfit also connote the rock and roll atmosphere and could initiate a change of image for the artist fro her up and coming album. From the torrential rain affect this could also connote her sorrow from what could be portrayed in her music and the genre rock and roll to show the pain.

• The lifestyles hinted in the taglines and kickers introduces the different lifestyles of the audience who thrive off of music and the latest releases. This is shown from magazine giving ‘previews’ of the best from 2010. This could also connote from the issue of the best of 2010, a Christmas time edition which could be signifying the new year and people are wanting to change their image of new albums to buy for Christmas and they are getting it from the tag line of the UK’s biggest music magazine. The language in general is very persuasive they are constantly praising the success of the magazine and what it has to offer.

• I believe the most important thing on the cover is the main image and headline, this strikes the audience of the main feature based around the magazine issue, this also allows audiences to look into who they are reading about and the latest news and gossip on their favourite star. The head line which should catch the readers eye, show initiate the contents of the exclusive interview which makes the audience pick up off the shelf and read.

• The tone and language of the whole piece is very documenting towards revealing new artists and the exclusives about the genre of the issue. The language is based around ‘living for the weekend’ this indicates the use of having a big weekend felled of great music which was recommended by the magazine and covering a range of different genres.

DESIGNHow front covers are conceived and laid out

Direct mode of address can appear ‘in yer face’, serious, warm…

Indirect mode of address can be mysterious, lively, sombre…

Creates a wacky, fun image, sharing an identity with the reader that offers the ‘independence’ of indie music.

Enigma – what are they getting up to now?

• There is the typical safe option of using the conventional magazine cover which a lot of the Q magazine covers are based around, for example the use of the black, white, red theme used in the Florence and the Machine issue the colour scheme of the usual scheme of colour is used in order to make a established theme and pronominally work well. From the colours used this also could connote the artists image, for example the red colour of Florence's hair which is one of her iconic features as an artist. Also the dominance of the colour red can connote the love of the music however the danger of the magazine and the rising and falling stars within. The use of the monochrome effect allows the main star to be the most dominating image on the cover which allows a burst of colour from her outfit or hair for example.

• The font used on the cover of this issue are similar within reference to the same font however they vary in size, this denotes the most important headlines and tag lines which are an influence to sell. Although different menu strips the font is being backed upon a red back ground again introducing colour in a more block kind of way, this could connote the building foundation of the contents of the magazine. Quotations are used in order to allow the audience to see what is in the exclusive interviews however changing the font of this to a more italic representation shows the unique nature or vocal representation of the artist.

• The main style of the issue is dominated by the main cover image which is the full theme of the template of the magazine, the background images of different country and cities is made to look the minor while the star (Florence) is the major and stepping over the cities this can connote her success of conquering all cities and winning them over to love her music and work. The technique of photography of don’t a long-shot allowing the whole body to be present gives the affect of the height and links to the idea of being a giant, which also could mean she is a Giant in the music industry and very iconic like a statue of a role model with reference to one of the images of the statue of liberty.From the clothing of Florence the image is very dull however her outfit gives the chrome affect of a robot and futuristic image and from her pose is very rigid but striking. This prompts an enigma to the audiences of her new image also and new music within the album or portrayed in a different light which makes audience ask questions of how the magazine is portraying the artist, to be versatile.

• The use of space on most covers of Q are very well spaced out and each section has its own individual headline which sets off the idea of the rule of three, it is found that the artist of the covers head from a long shot is found in the top middle square which indicates there is a central image and flow through the body. The Q which is most important is always found in the left third which give the audience continuity and draws their eye straight to their to be the establishing magazine. The magazine is very well disrupted in the magazine and uses a an even amount of space to illustrate the main image and based around it. The selling banner is always found at the top of the issue which states the new music downloads or the success of the best Uk magazine for example. Within this cover they have used a lot of dead space however this could be connoted that they didn’t want to close the artist in with text and show the background image of the international portrait which could connote the success of the magazine also around the globe not just the artist.

• In conclusion I feel this issue is shaped very well and stylish towards the artist which is well fitting to the cover star. The issue does use the typical colour scheme conventions but works with the balancing of the artist and magazine. I feel the whole concept of the artist being pictures around the world is a great idea as it gives the audience a global feel and relevant to all country and cultural backgrounds. The artist herself is loud not only from her music but as a person from her unique style and is being propaganda as an iconic statue. The cover and style is very sharp and professional, I feel it is also very patriotic towards Florence's nationality through the font style and being old time English. Portraying her as an English rose.House Style & Design

Notes