Anisha Karim
Media Coursework Magazine Analysis – Front Cover
VIBE – December/ January 2011 Issue
Anisha Karim Title of the Magazine – Masthead
Media Coursework Magazine Analysis – Front Cover
The masthead of the magazine is big, bold and white; therefore this immediately catches the readers’ eye. The colour of the title ‘VIBE’ is in white; which connotates simplicity, as the colour white represents purity. The masthead is in sans serif typeface, so it reflects that the magazine is informal. However, as the masthead is on a contrasting blue background, it stands out more and therefore is more drawn to the reader. In addition, as the masthead is in sans‐ serif, it fits in with the simple colour scheme. ‘VIBE’ is in a very large font, and takes up a quarter of the page alone. This then allows the main image of the magazine to cover the masthead. This is very effective as it draws the reader in, as whilst the reader is looking at the masthead of the magazine, he/she will automatically come across the picture, which then takes the readers eye across the whole page. This also shows that the image is the main focal point of the magazine. The word ‘Vibe’ means the atmosphere of a place. Therefore the atmosphere is shown through the colours, texts and images on the page. The Publisher of the Magazine ‘VIBE’ magazine was launched in 1993; by Quincy Jones along with the partnership of Time Inc. Time Inc is a very successful institution as it owns IPC Media, which is an international publishing company. IPC is a media institution and is very successful; therefore ‘Vibe’ magazine has a very high chance of being successful. However the production of ‘VIBE’ magazine shut in 2009, and was then brought by ‘InterMedia partners, which is a privately equity invested. Vibe is an entertainment music magazine, produced in America, which expands the target audience. In addition, there is a mass population in America, mixed with England, therefore this is not a niche market, and in fact a mass market. In addition, the magazine has an online distribution, which is advertised on the front cover, near the barcode. By having an online distribution expands the market, by introducing a new audience to the magazine. The online market is popular with the teenage and young adult market, and therefore the market is increased. In addition, as well as having an online distribution, vibe also appears within the radio station ‘WAPA‐TV’, which is owned by Time Inc. Vibe circulation figures for 2007 was approximately 800,000, which proves how successful it is, compared to its competitors. The Target Audience of the Magazine ‘VIBE’ is an entertainment music magazine, which is based on the genres hip‐hop and R&B. ‘VIBE’ is targeted at teenagers, young adults and fans of urban/hip hop culture. The target audience of ‘VIBE’ magazine would range from 16‐22 year olds. However, as ‘VIBE’ magazine includes articles from different genres and other areas, it indicates that the audience can be widened and therefore opens up to other people. This is one of the reasons for the success of ‘VIBE’ magazine. Vibe magazine is sold for £3.95 each in the U.K. Therefore this can reflect the target audience, as the individuals that are able to buy this magazine are students or young adults. The Cover of the Magazine The house style for ’VIBE’ magazine consists of mainly primary colours, but also some vibrant colours, e.g. red. Some of the text is in the colour red, this is bright and therefore eye catching. The colour red connotes dominance and energy. Therefore this indicates that there will be important and interesting stories within the magazine. The text is displayed on a strong blue background, which can represent a clear sky, which then indicates a peaceful atmosphere. The colour blue can be associated with males; therefore this again widens the audience. Overall, the use of colour is quite limited and therefore fits in with the simple colour scheme. A medium shot is used to capture Keri Hilson’s clothing, which emphasises the cover line ‘ Keri Hilson has been a (very) bad girl. Therefore as Keri is wearing a police hat, it contrasts with the relating cover line. In addition, as Keri Hilson is
Anisha Karim Media Coursework Magazine Analysis – Front Cover wearing revealing, sexy clothing, it again contrasts with the prop. However, it complements the relating cover line of being a ‘bad girl’. In addition, when looking at the mise‐en‐scene, we can see that this follows the typical conventions of an ‘RnB/ Hip Hop’ magazine. This is because typically in a magazine of this genre shows the main artist as sexy, wearing revealing clothing. Keri Hilson’s clothing shows contemporary fashion, as well as following stereotypical conventions. In addition, within the medium shot, the facial expressions are emphasised. Keri Hilson is posing and therefore shows an unnatural atmosphere. In addition, when looking at Keri Hilson’s body, she has her arm raised above her head, which shows a sexual atmosphere, which compliments her facial expression being unnatural. The Text On The Front Cover – Cover Lines / Headline The typeface for the remaining articles is also sans‐serif, therefore fit in well within the simple house style. The names of the artists are highlighted in white, contrasting with the clothing of ‘Keri Hilson’ on the front cover. This signifies the importance and power of the artists. In addition one of the articles that is mentioned on the front cover is ‘Teenagers Marked for Death’, this can be said to be aimed mainly at teenagers as it can be quite personal to them. Similarly, the word ‘girl’ has been used which defines the target market, being youth. In addition, by mentioning girl shows representations of gender, being female. The font is kept consistent throughout; therefore this creates a brand identity for the magazine. The size of the fonts of the articles vary, however the sizes are still quite similar, this shows continuity and consistency. In addition, the text is in a mixture of both uppercase and lowercase letters. This shows the importance of each cover line/headline. The text that is in uppercase shows dominance and therefore creates an edgy personality to the magazine. By having an edgy personality introduces an atmosphere. Also, the cover lines are short and therefore have a fast pace to them, which associates with the target audience being youths. The text in the banner shows alliteration, ‘cool’, ‘crazy’ and ‘crass’. The words ‘cool’, ‘crazy’ and ‘crass’ also contribute to the atmosphere of the magazine. In addition, these words complement the colour scheme of the magazine. The colours blue and white can be associated with ‘cool’ colours. In addition, by complimenting the colours white, red and blue, create a crazy atmosphere. The Mode of Address of the Reader There is a direct mode of address that appears within the cover of the magazine. Keri Hilson is looking straight at the camera, which seems like she is looking straight at the individual. Therefore the reader is able to create a unique bond with the magazine. The words ‘we’ve’ have been used within the cover line, which makes the reader feel part of the magazine and therefore he/she can relate to it. In addition the reader feels as ‘one’ with the magazine, which shows a personal bond. Representations of the Magazines/ Images Used Keri Hilson is from an ethnic background which can be argued to narrow down the target audience. However, this is a typical convention for an RnB magazine, as people from ethnic background typically appear as the main image. This is because the genre RnB is associated with people from ethnic backgrounds, usually afro Caribbean’s. However, it can be argued that some ethnicities have been ignored, such as whites, this is because all of the artists that have been included on the magazine are not from a white background. By having a female as the main image of the magazine, immediately narrows down the target audience. However, as Keri Hilson appears as a sex object, it can be said that this appeals to males. However, by including names of other male artists shows that both genders are included and no one is ignored.
Anisha Karim Media Coursework Magazine Analysis – Front Cover Keri Hilson is a young adult, and therefore it shows representations of youths/ young adults. However, it can be argued that the magazine ignores the older age.