Analysing front page of music magazines

Colour Scheme This magazine has a theme of black, red and white. Most magazines aimed at this certain demographic use the same colour theme as Q which shows that Q magazine are using a common convention. This colour theme carries on throughout the magazine, which can show a sign of a consistent type of music magazine. This shows the brand identity of the magazine.

Main Image
The male gaze theory is a theory created by Laura Mulvey. She suggested that the male gaze is when the audience is put in the perspective of a hetrosexual man. The main image is in line with the male gaze as it is sexy and seductive. However, the pose is quite child-like. This is done to attract the main demographic of young men (aged 25-35) which is a slightly older demographic. ‘Q’ magazine mainly use women as their main image as they are objectified. This main image goes against the ‘norm’ of magazines aimed at the younger market. Other magazine which are aimed at the younger market have many photos on the front page, this is because the younger generation have a short attention span compared to the older generation. This is why ‘Q’ has used one main image, to capture the older generation of young adults.

Masthead
The masthead is normally found on the top left hand corner above the main image. It is the convention for the masthead to be found on the top left hand corner. It is also the main aspect of the brand identity found on the front page, like a logo.

Banners The banner is usually found at the bottom of the magazine, however this convention can be broke which is what ‘Q’ did. They put the banner at the top of the magazine cover. The banner usually has an additional story or artists/bands that are inside the magazine.

Typography The font of the subheadings is quite simple as it is designed to pull in the main demographic as well as consumers who want to read. The different ranges of font sizes and colours (red and white) for the extra stories inside the magazine helps the readers go through the magazine to find the story. The font used on the front page is in capitals, this is to appeal to their demographic of men as it is seen to be 'powerful'. It also highlights the different ranges of stories in the magazine. ‘Buzz words’ are used to draw in the audience. Buzz words are used in media outside of its origional context, or for the purposes other than conveying information. They are usually the biggest words like ‘Rocks’ or ‘Best’ as this is promising the audience something big.

Colour Scheme
This magazine normally changes the colour scheme; however it keeps with the convention of having 3 main colours in the scheme (red, black and grey).

Main Image This main image is of Eminem, he is posed in an aggressive and guarded way. One of the cover stories states ‘Eminem Comes Clean’, this could be represented by opening the magazine will lower his guard (the image pose) and ‘come clean’. This magazine is probably for consumers who look up to or aspire to someone like or as famous as Eminem. This gives a sense of direct address becuase the image is so powerful.

Masthead
The masthead is covered by the artist, this could be due to the popularity of ‘Vibe’. They feel as if they don’t have to show the full masthead because the story is more important and their consumers know ‘Vibe’ so well that they don’t need to see the whole of the masthead.

Banners
The banners are usually found at the bottom and top of the magazine. The bottom usually has other artists that are included in the magazine and the top banner included promotions and free giveaways. ‘Vibe’ has broken this convention by only using one banner which is at the top. The top banner normally includes promotions, however Vibe have used it to include the other artists in the magazine which is breaking a convention.

Typography
The typography is normally placed and styled to fit a certain demographic. As Vibes target audience are mainly men, they have used bold and capital font in order to show power and authority which is how men would like to see themselves as. This magazine also uses buzz words in order to attract their demographic which would draw them in. The font sizes also links to the importance of the feature stories.