C over Analysis…By Nicole Antonio

Firstly, on the cover of this magazine there are two

main cover lines which show the main man Steve

Jobs and his story of how he changed the world

and the other main cover line is the 201 1 Playlist

Special and the top ten artists and also there is a

by-line of President Obama. The text is appropriate

for a music magazine as there is a main story on

the music playlists of 201 1 and it shows the biggest

names in the music industry.

The language is quite simple as the front cover is

mainly of Steve Jobs and it covers the entire front

cover, however, the language is basic but effective

as it is simple and intrigues the readers to read

about it and as the language is simple it makes its

stand out to other music magazines.

The modes of address is quite formal as there are

no slang words or abbreviated short words, also

there is no direct address to the audience as there

are no rhetorical questions to involve the reader so

it might not attract customers to buy the product.

However, people who regularly buy the magazine will

know what to expect and as “Rolling Stone” is a

well known magazine, it shows that people will

brand loyalty to the magazine.

The colour scheme is quite classic and

sophisticated, this is because the black

and white goes well together and the red

title breaks the main colour scheme and

makes it bright and makes it break away

from the quite boring black and white and

it is quite eye-catching. The white colour

scheme is quite noticeable and different

to other magazines and people may say

that the colour scheme is “Rolling Stone”

unique selling point.

The font in the title is serif font however

it is script like as the writing joins up

and makes it look quite sophisticated and

the white coloured fonts is normal serif

fonts which is simple but eye-catching

and makes the audience want to read

more. Also, as the colours are simple it

makes the cover look effortless and

makes it look timeless and original which

is a comparison to other music

magazines.

The layout of this magazine is also quite

simple as the cover is mainly focused on

Steve Jobs and then it has the main

cover line of his story and then there is

“The 201 1 Playlist Special” so the cover

is quite empty context wise, however, the

big picture of Steve Jobs makes the

layout effortless but captivating to look

at.

The eye-flow is like an ‘S’ shape as it

starts at the top right and makes it go

down to an ‘S’ shape while going through

the different cover lines as well. Also,

the use of the white space goes with the

colour scheme of black and white and

makes it look simple and old fashioned

but also original. Finally the white space

also goes with the theme of the

magazine which is rock and the white

contrasts to the theme of rock as they

might use heavy colours such as red or

black.

Steve Jobs who is the model on the front cover is

looking directly at the ‘audience’ and has eye

contact with the camera which can indicate that

the magazine wanted to have a connection with

the audience so that the audience are involved

and apart of the magazine itself as they are the

ones buying it and have the control if the

magazine is successful or not.

The barcode position is quite normal and that is

where most magazines place the barcode. Also, it

doesn’t grab away the attention of the reader as it

is not covering the cover lines or near the main

image of Steve Jobs. On top of the barcode is the

price line which is a suitable place to put it as

doesn’t attract the reader away from the main

cover lines or the image as well.

Finally, there is a Strapline across the top of the

magazine which shows the current implications of

the world around us to do with the ‘Wall Street

Protests’ which can entice readers to buy the

magazine as it also involves current affairs and

not just music news and updates which can

differentiate this magazine from its competitors.

Image Analysis…• The main image of the cover is of Steve Jobs and the camera shot being used

is a close up of his face and his neck too. The angle is an eye line shot as

he has direct eye contact with the reader. It seems to be set in a studio with

a white background to match the colour scheme and house style of ‘Rolling

Stone’ and this can link to the location as it was probably set in a photo

shoot studio to make the image look professionally done and taken well by

expert photographers.

• The Mise-en-Scene is quite simple as it only shows a close up of Steve Jobs

and there is a white background which could suggest that he is the only

subject and the main person in this issue of the magazine. Also, the lighting

used is a normal white light on his face to suggest the simplicity of the cover,

however it can show that Steve Jobs is a prodigy, according to this magazine

as he created Apple and died so suddenly which can show that the ‘Rolling

Stone’ appreciated his work and his life. Finally, as there is only a close-up of

his face there are no props being used in the image.