Analysis of Pop

Magazines

Analysis of Q Magazine CoversEach of these Q magazines share the similar characteristics that the

masthead is positioned in the same place so that the readers become familiar of its place and will look out for it when shopping. The masthead is bold and unique therefore standing out amongst others for both of these

reasons. As the masthead is recognised throughout the entire magazine it creates brand recognition for the company. Another common feature is the

use of just one image on each of the covers, this implies that the main article in the magazine will be about the model on the front cover and therefore

they are usually well-known pop artists that are relevant to the theme of the magazine and therefore are likely to attract the target audience. The

typography used to describe the main feature on the cover varies according to the type of article, an example of this is the Coldplay cover which has

‘Coldplay’ written in a white font that looks like it has been roughly handwritten across the page linking with the style of the bands image; where

as the cover with Adele, has a sophisticated and simple font type for her name and again represents her style. The most appealing articles are

positioned in the first third of the page as to attract the readers first and are often split up using different types of font.

Analysis of other Magazine CoversMost of the covers selected above fall into the pop music genre

however I have also included some of upper class fashion magazines which I think represent the style of magazine I like more evidently. I like the selection of colours used for these magazines with the main

colour being pink, suggesting that the majority of the audience targeted by pop magazines is females. These covers also consist

mainly of just one main image that advertises the main article and is important to the genre of the magazine. Each of the photographs of the models use direct address to communicate with the reader and works as a useful marketing tool that attracts the readers attention

and persuades them to buy the magazine. The majority of the images are in the centre with a block colour used for the background creating

a simplistic design that is clearer and more classy. Each of the mastheads are placed along the top of the magazine, some of which

have the model covering some letters and although this isn’t necessarily conventional it is excepted because they are successful, well-known magazines who’s mastheads are immediately recognised

with just a few letters in the usual typography.

Analysis of Q Magazine Contents Page

All of the contents pages for Q magazine have used the same colour scheme recognised with the brand logo such as red, white and black. The masthead ‘Q’ is positioned in the top left corner and a lot of the pages have a red strip across the top of the page, behind this. They

all consist of a large image that is mostly on the right side of the page and with the rest of the page being filled with a white

background and black text. Some have smaller images relating to articles within the magazine and have large numbers put next to

them to stand out to the reader once they have taken an interest in the image. The pages are split up into the conventional 3 columns that makes it easier for the audience to read and also reduces the

daunting look of a bulk text. Each of the articles are separated using a small space between them and some have red text as small

headings with black text for the minimal description and others use a red horizontal line which works well in making it easier to read with

text in black to follow.

Analysis of other Magazine Contents Pages

These contents pages vary in many different ways although the layouts are pretty consistent for each

magazine during a consecutive time period. The first thing that is noticeably different throughout some of the designs is that some pages have large headings

which are the masthead of the magazine whilst others largest heading on the page is the title of ‘contents’.

Some of these contents pages are more cluttered than others being filled with many smaller images, pugs,

banners etc, although it is obvious that it is the pages from more expensive magazines that are recognised for having more simple layouts using just one large

image on the right side of the page in a similarly way as the Q magazines contents page.

Analysis of Q Magazine Double Page Spreads

The majority of the double page spreads in Q are set out differently depending on the specific story that is being presented. If an image is not used for the

background of the images, a plain white background is with contrasting black font for the text. The colour red is noticeably significant throughout the pages as

it is the colour that the magazine as a brand is recognised by and is therefore used repeatedly to create more of a brand identity. The red is often

used to separate sections of text and used as a drop cap either at the start of the article or behind the

text on the entire page as a background.

Analysis of Pop Magazine Double Page Spreads

The double page spreads of these magazines each share the common convention that they are made up of mainly one large image that is either positioned across the two pages, fills up one

page or is used as the background of the entire spread. The typography styles vary throughout the pages however most of them have a significant heading that is clearly the title of the

article. Another common feature of the magazines is the colour schemes used which are mainly made up of 3 colours, mostly

consisting of black, white and a brighter colour. Most of the images on the magazines use direct address to communicate to the reader as well as doing so through the article; this helps the reader engage

as they read the article and makes the article feel more intimate.