Q magazine analysis

FRONT COVER

HeaderThe header is a bright colour which contrasts against the rest of the magazine, it advertises a 17-page special inside the magazine.

MastheadThe masthead is the ‘Q’ logo and is the same on every Q magazine which makes it easily recognisable. The font is formal and slightly sophisticated – aiming it at older teenagers/ young adults, this does not look like a childish masthead. The masthead is presented in the top left corner of the magazine, it is placed here as this will be the first thing the viewer will see, it is also coloured red as red is a prominent colour therefore it will be the first colour noticed on the magazine.

Anchorage text.The anchorage text is the biggest boldest piece of information (other than the masthead) on the magazine as it links to the main image, the viewer would see the main image and instantly want to know what it was about therefore its crucial that the anchorage text is larger than the cover lines so the reader wouldn’t get confused about which one linked to the main image. ‘Arctic Monkeys’ are in bold letter to show the reader that this is the main focus of the magazine.

Cover Lines. The cover lines are situated around the band members and are in both bold and not. This is to gain attention on the more important information to the readers, these cover lines inform the reader on any other artist that will be featured within the magazine – this will influence whether the reader will purchase the magazine.

Date and PriceThe date and price are indicated near the barcode in small print, this is usually as the company doesn’t want the price to stand out as it doesn’t appeal to the audience.

TypographyThe font is mainly in sans serif, this makes the magazine look mature and easy to read, the masthead is in serif to make it look more sophisticated and the most important part of information on the magazine front cover.

Main ImageThe main image consists of four cover models, (Jamie Cook, Alex Turner, Matt Helders & Nick O’Malley) Alex is the lead singer of Arctic Monkeys therefore is situated more forward than the others and only he is using direct address to entice the reader in. also, if all four band members used direct address the viewer would feel intimidated and may get put off reading the magazine, and the other three band member reinforce Alex as their frontman, as the attention is focused upon him. Another reason to why the other band members are looking other ways are to make the reader curious about what their looking at and will be intrigued to find out. They are also wearing darker colours which contrasts against the white writing and the masthead, it also makes the reader focus on the masthead, cover lines, anchorage text and the bands faces.

ColourThe main colours used are white, red and black yet some grey and blue are used to, the greys and red indicate that Q is a mature, traditional magazine that takes itself more seriously.

LayoutThe format of the magazine is neatly laid out. The information is presented at the bottom of the magazine framing the bottom of the cover models faces, the cover models are situated almost symmetrically in the middle of the magazine making a cross shape. The layout makes the magazine easy to read and it doesn’t look to crowded or busy.

Q focuses on successful artists rather than new upcoming artists. This means the target audience are more likely the mature music appreciating people that are interested in popular music rather than new ones.

CONTENTS PAGE

‘Issue 292’ is indicated at the top right corner which helps the reader identify the magazine issue.

The name of the magazine ‘Q’ is located in the top left hand of the page, this is to remind the reader which magazine they are currently looking at and it is also placed here as it will be the first thing the reader sees. The title of the magazine is then followed by the word ‘contents’ to highlight what the page is about.

A number of double page spread articles are advertised throughout the contents page. These pictures show the double page spread itself. This is good as its not false advertisement and it showing the ‘product’ how it is. This will entice the reader to purchase the magazine to read the double page spreads advertised.

A picture of the issue and the different varieties of front covers is also situated on the page to inform readers the different covers available. Collectors would find this extremely informative as then they can collect each and every version of the magazine.

The date is situated at the bottom to let the reader know what issue goes to which date. This also helps collectors or usual customers file the magazines in order or just to simply let them know which dates they have and if they’ve missed any out. The date is in a small font out the way on the bottom of the page as it is not as important as the rest of the magazine.

ColoursThe Q magazine contents page, double page spread and front cover all have the same colour scheme all throughout the magazine.

The contents page is situated on a double page to make it bigger so its easier to read and to add more information about the magazine.

Typography The typography is situated in serif which gives the magazine a sophisticated feel and highlights that the audience is a more mature age rather than younger audiences. The largest piece of text on the contents page is the number ‘47’ which is published on the front cover as anchorage text and is the main article in the magazine.

A number of pictures can be seen located around the contents page. This is to entice the reader in to tread the magazine and find out more about the articles in the magazine. The main image in the contents page links to the front cover and the anchorage text on the front cover.

The contents is split into two different categories ‘regulars’ and ‘features’. Regulars are what is usually seen in the magazine and features is something which isn’t usually seen in the magazine. The features are positioned on the left as his will be the first thing the viewer reads, yet the regulars have to be present on the magazine for those who have never read the magazine before.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

Main imageThe main image is linked to the article. Cheryl Cole (the model) isn't using indirect address as she looks quite fierce and could seem intimidating towards the reader, she is also looking towards the article making it more intriguing to read it. She is also dressed in black with studs and looks stereotypically punk rock which links to the genre of the magazine.

QuoteThis quote is presented in large bold red letters which stand out to the reader, the reader will then read it and want to find out more about what is in the article. The quote states that Cheryl doesn’t know what she looks like anymore, this can link in different ways as she is usually presented on magazines from children's to rock and is presented in many different ways which could also lure the reader in to read the article.

The header is just Cheryl’s name to make the reader curious about the actual topic of the article and will make them want to read on. The headline also presents her name as ‘cheryl COLE’ which may be because viewers may know her last name more as it identifies her more as a celebrity.

The main image of Cheryl takes up the right half of the double page this is to signify how much of a great musician she is, there is also another smaller image embedded at the bottom of the article which relates to the article.

A large red ‘C’ is shown in the background of the article to stand for Cheryl. Q magazine often use this technique which is a unique thing about their double page spread. The large red ‘C’ is eye catching to the reader yet also follows the colour scheme of the rest of the magazine. Red has connotations of passion and love yet also connotes danger and warning which could both link to Cheryl’s article. The large ‘C’ also makes Cheryl look more powerful and makes her stand out more. She’s not just a common person she’s a celebrity.

The colour scheme is consistent throughout the whole magazine, red, white and black. This is to keep the magazine formal and sophisticated.

The other slightly less large black ‘C’ signifies where the main article starts and locates the reader to the right place as they may get confused. Therefore this letter ‘C’ acts as guidance for the reader.

Cheryl is wearing black clothing which links to the colour scheme, she wears this along side red lipstick and stands against a white contrasting background. The small photograph under the article also follows the colour guidelines as its mostly a dark grey and black. This photo is quite stylised in the way that her hair looks as though its blowing in the wind yet she's had a photo-shoot for this photo. Her hair is waved about like this to make her look more ‘rough’ and less neat which matches the gratifications of the magazine and the music genre is publishes.

Most magazine double page spreads are split into 2-4 columns, this is done to organise the writing and making it look neater and more appealing to the eye rather than it being one long paragraph.