Language
The main image on this magazine cover is the band 'Oasis'. This image shows the genre of the magazine, it does this because the band are dressed casual. The picture is a mid shot taken straight on from the models. The models are looking straight at the camera, this draws the viewer into the image. The props and costume makes the band look casual, this shows us that the magazine is going to be covering a casual genre of music. The casual genres of music are rock and pop, which I believe are the genres the magazine covers. The masthead on this magazine cover is also very basic and simple again reflecting the genre of music and the target audience, which are casual. The coverlines on this magazine are all about rock or pop music and stand out from the background, however they are in basic colours and font, the font is formal and easily readable as is the writing colour, white on the dark background and black on the white background. The main coverlines retains the simple them as this again is in a basic font, is in grey but just in a larger font, this ensures it stands out from the other coverlines however is still very simple. The masthead and header and footer of the cover are in red with black text. This is again very simple however makes the cover look a little more exciting than if it was in black and white. The whole colour scheme is very conventional. I believe this cover is very consistent and well balanced in colour for the genre I think it is suited well to the audience.
Institution
The masthead on this cover is very recognisable to the institution which is 'Q', it is so recognisable of the institution as it is so original and simple however is different to most magazine mastheads. It is a small masthead just consisting of one letter, the masthead does not stretch across the cover from left to right like most magazine and this stays consistent through each issue of the magazine. Because the masthead is so recognisable to the well established institution it does not matter that the main image is slightly covering the masthead, because people will still recognise it because of the font and colour scheme which can be seen.
Ideology
This cover is ideological to the rock and pop genre. It is simple, casual but yet still attractive, which is how the rock and pop genre movements are seen to be, this music guides the fans of this genres life because they are casual just like the genre. The band in the main images of magazine often are powerful on how people who like the genre dress, the band are dressed casually and how most people who like the genre also dress so is ideological of the target audience.
Audience
The front cover represents the target audience for the magazine. We can tell from this magazine that the magazine audience is people who like rock and pop music we can tell this because it is quite casual music and nothing outrageous, which is just like the cover which is simple but attractive. I believe because of the simple layout, colour scheme and font, the magazine cover looks sophisticated therefore I believe the age of the target audience is 18-40 year old. I also believe that the magazine is aimed more at men due to the colour scheme being simple and dull, I think if it was aimed at females the colour scheme would be more complex and feminine. I also believe it is aimed more towards men as the letter font is quite bold and square which is related to masculinity and if it were to be aimed at women would have to more curvey and less bold. It is a monthly magazine and the cover price is £3.80, I believe this is quite expensive and therefore probably targets people more in the middle class who have some disposable income. I also think the magazine may be trying to target University students as it is sophisticated and a young adults magazine.
Reader Profile
- Likes Rock and Pop
- Age between 18-40
- Mainly male
- Casual, sophisticated individuals, maybe students
- Middle class
Representation
The band 'Oasis' on the front cover is represented to be sophisticated yet casual. Theyre dressed smart casual but also cool, with the sunglasses. The band look 'cool' and relaxed although they look important with the serious faces and the eye contact to draw you in. They are represented in such a way because they follow the genre of music the magazine is about. The representation also creates a sense as though if you by the magazine you can be like them if you buy the magazine.
