Introduction

• I have chosen to annotate two front covers, two contents pages and two double page spreads. I have decided to analyse different genres of magazines which include pop, rock and r&b. These 3 genres are very different from each other and can be idenified by the colours that are used, images and text type.

Anchorage

Main Image

Cover lines

Skyline

Mast Head

Main Cover Line

PuffFooter

Skyline

Mast Head

Main Cover Line

Anchorage

Cover lines

Main Image

The colour themes for these magazines are completely opposite for example the pop magazine uses a purple and pink theme (symbolic sign), where as the other rock magazine uses a grey and white colour theme (symbolic sign) . The ‘we love pop’ magazine uses bold colours like pink and purple which attracts the young female readers which tells us that the magazine is directed at a female audience. On the other hand the rock magazine uses a dark and dull theme with splashes of orange to make that text stand out. The dark colours goes with the stereotype of rock music. The prefered reading for the pop magazine is that pink represents friendship, caring and love. However the oppostional reading for this magazine is that pink symbolises sexuality which is inappropriate for the target audience. The prefered reading for the rock magazine is that the colour grey is formal, sophisicated and neutral colour. However the oppostional reading for this is that the colour grey could be classed a moody colour which is typically associated with meanings of dull and dirty and also coloud be associated with loss.

The main image for both magazines use a mid shot however they are completely different. The pop magazine has a picture of Cheryl Cole which is a really famous pop artist which will attract the people that are interested in pop music. In the image Cheryl is smiling which can be more appealing the pop readers as they are usually a younger audience. However the rock magazine has the lead singing of muse (Matthew Bellamy) on the front. The model has quite a closed body language with a serious facial expression.this image is an indexical sign because it suggests that rock stars are well dressed nice people when the stereotype is that they are always drunk and rude. The prefered reading for the pop magazines main image is that the magazine is happy and mainly focuses on happy subects, also her body language is open which makes them want to buy it also cheryl cole acts as a role model for the young female audience to look up to. However the oppositional reading could be that she is wearing a a lot of make up and also expensive clothes that the readers may not be able to afford. The prefered reading for rock magazines main image is that he looks strong and powerful. The opppostional reading for this main image could be that he looks arrogant and doesn’t have very open body language which can repel readers.

Anchorage

Main Image

Cover lines

Skyline

Mast Head

Main Cover Line

PuffFooter

Skyline

Mast Head

Main Cover Line

Anchorage

Cover lines

Main Image

Both magazines above have used the informal text of sans serif. The pop magazine uses a variety of colour for the text so it matches the colour theme for the magazine and then they have used black and white to get the important text to stand out to the background. On this magazine they also have used script text on a few words. On the rock magazine the san serif text is a iconic sign which is seen as a rock icon. the preferred for the pop magazine is that the informal text appeals to the younger audience because its easier to read. However the oppositional reading is that the text varies so it makes it look messy and confusing. The preferred reading for the rock magazine for the informal text is that they are dangerous and seen as a ‘rebel’. However the oppositional reading is that people might think that text is scruffy and rough around the edges.

Both magazines mast head are very different in many ways but they do have something in common which is that their mast head is small than the main head line. The pop magazines mast head is at the top left hand side which is unusual for a magazine as they are normally across the top of the page. The words are in capital letters as well which makes it easier to read and makes it stand out. It is also in a box and it also has an image of a heart (symbolic sign). The rock magazines mast head is across the top of the page and it also uses an image of two stars. The preferred reading on the pop magazine is that the main headline stands out as that is the thing that will attract their audience and also the pink heart attracts female readers as it shows that it is a loving magazine. However the oppositional reading for the pop magazine is that

Headline Main image

Editors letter

Puff

Secondary images

Sections

Main image Sections

The colour schemes for both of these magazines are completely the opposite. The ‘we love pop’ magazine uses a range of different bright colours where as the ‘vibe’ magazine uses dark colours. The ‘we love pop’ magazine has the main colour of green and the background white with splashes of a baby blue and yellow. These colours are bright and bold which make the magazine more exciting for the readers. On the other hand ‘vibe’ magazine uses grey and black colour theme with the heart being the only bit of colour. The preferred reading for the ‘we love pop’ magazine is that green symbolises life and energy. However he oppositional reading could be that green symbolises money and jealousy. The preferred reading for the vibe magazine is that the colour grey is formal, sophisticated and neutral colour. Also the fact that the only colour is the heart could relate to the fact that it is a symbol of love which could raise the idea that the magazine reveals some stories bout Kanye's love life. However the oppositional reading could be that the colour grey is associated with loss.

The main image for both magazines are very different. The ‘we love pop’ magazines main image is of Olly murs a famous singer. In the image he is smiling and looks very happy which will appeal to they younger target audience. The ‘vibe’ main image is the main focus of the magazine as it take up almost the whole space. The image is of Kanye West a famous rapper. His body language and facial expressions are very negative as he has his arms in his pockets which is a closed stance and his face looks very moody almost angry. The preferred reading for the ‘we love pop’ magazine is that the magazine mainly focuses on happy topics throughout the magazine. Olly murs also acts as icandy for the young female audience to look at. However the oppositional reading could be that Olly murs is only smiling for the purpose of the magazine and he is making it seem like he has an easy life which will appeal to the younger audience because they are more vulnerable and gullible so will start to dream unrealistic things. The preferred reading for the ‘vibe’ magazine is that the main focus is on Kanye. Kanye is looking directly out the page this could be so the readers feel engaged with the magazine using direct address which may make it feel more personal. However the oppositional reading could be that Kanye is an arrogant man and looks down on the readers.

Headline Main image

Editors letter

Puff

Secondary images

Sections

Main image Sections

Both magazines have sections on their contents page which tell the reader a bit more about what’s going to be inside the magazine. The ‘we love pop’ sections they are all about celebrities within the music industry and their life and stories. Where as the ‘vibe’ sections have two subheadings feature and fashion. The feature part of the magazine talks more about music and celebrities and their newest news and the fashion talks about the latest fashion which is a bit unusual to see as it is a music magazine. Also on the magazine the text is very small and the section descriptions are very brief. The preferred reading for the ‘ we love pop’ magazine is that they want to draw the audience by telling them all the famous celebrities inside which will attract the readers . However the oppositional reading is that there is not enough detail in the descriptions and doesn’t give the reader enough information. The preferred reading for the ‘ vibe’ contents page is that the small text makes you focus on the main image. The oppositional reading of this is that the

The pop magazine has a puff on the contents page however the r&b doesn’t. The pop magazines puff is a free poster. The preferred reading for this is that it will make the readers want to buy the magazine if they know that there is a free poster inside. However the oppositional reading for this is that you can get a poster in lots of magazines they should do something different as they may get more buyers if they cant get it anywhere else. The preferred eading for the r&b magazine is that the reader of this magazine are older so don’t need bribing to buy the magazine as they are buying it for the content.

Strapline

Main Image

Main Image

Columns

Columns

Both double page spreads have a main image which takes up most of the page. The pop magazines main image takes up a whole page which is common with magazine spreads. The image is of Cher Lloyd a famous singer. She is holding a camera and putting her hand over her mouth as if she is shocked about the story. She is also wearing quite casual clothes. The image is full body picture of the singer which is different compared to the other magazine below. The other magazines image is of Nicki Minaj. She is standing upright with a neutral expression on her face. The image is a mid shot photograph. The preferred reading for the pop magazine is that Cher is just like one of us which could represent how celebrities are ordinary people. However the oppositional reading is that Cher has been told what to wear by the magazine to give off a fake image. The preferred reading for the r&b magazine is that nicki minaj is a pop icon.

Both of the magazines colour scheme is generally the same. They both use pinks and white. The pop magazine uses white as the background and with bits of text pink and some highlighted yellow. The r&b magazine uses pink as the background colour white some bits of the text white and pink. The preferred reading for both of the magazines is that pink is pink represents friendship, caring and love. However the oppositional reading for this magazine is that pink symbolises sexuality which is inappropriate for the target audience.

Headline

Headline

Block Quote

Block Quote

Strapline

Main Image

Main Image

Columns

Columns

The text used in both magazines is mainly san serif. The pop magazine uses the same font through out and which very informal which is suitable for their readers. Also the magazine has used different colours to make it clear who the interviewer is and which one Cher Lloyd is. They have also high lighted part of the text in yellow. On the other hand the other magazine uses a variety of different fonts but the main font style used is sans serif. But the first words on that page is in decorative style and then then some of the sentences with in the columns are slanted or bold. The preferred reading for the pop magazine is that the text is simple and easier to read for their younger audience. However the oppositional reading is that there is no need for the text to be highlighted as it just makes the text look messy and confusing. The preferred reading for the r&b magazine is that it makes the text more exciting and makes the important text stand out to the reader. However the oppositional reading is that it makes the text look messy.

Headline

Headline

Block Quote

Block Quote