Research of Website and Magazine

By Andrew Thomas - Pemagbi

The masthead (VIBE) clearly stands out on the top left of website, it is bold, in a large text and in a different colour to the rest of the text on the website which would make it more eye catching. Target audience would straight away be able to see the name of the page that they are looking at. Also there are subheadings giving different niche audiences a chance to click on the particular topic that they want to look at. Furthermore they give an opportunity for the audience to interact with Vibe more and find the website a lot easier by downloading the map on their phone. Also they provide a search tool bar; making it easier for the reader to find what they are interested thus making the website more convenient for the reader.

Gives the audience different

ways to follow VIBE and keep

updated with the latest gossip

and news on VIBE. At the top

right of the page it is provided

through popular social networks

like Facebook and Twitter. In

addition the provide the latest

news which is of importance as

it is in bold. Would be of interest

and the target audience would

get to quickly know the latest

news of their interests.

Presumably main cover stories

put at the middle of the page

(easy access), also its

importance is highlighted as the

pictures are large and shows

R&B celebrities which would

clearly attract the target

audience and clearly relate to

the genre of the magazine. Also

VIBE magazine promotes

charitable events, may be of

high importance as its next to

the latest stories.

Who owns VIBE Magazine

Researching My Target Audience

Target Audience• VIBE magazine was founded by an author called Quincy

Jones and launched in 1993. Sold at $4.99, VIBE being an urban R&B magazine which it perhaps to targeted to the middle class. Target audience I would perhaps say is from 18 – 35. VIBE mainly distribute their magazine online which means an easy and 24/7 access to buy however do sell some of its magazine at stores mainly based in the USA. The magazine often attracts its audience through having popular R&B starts like Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Brandy, Drake etc. as its main central image as the cover. It normally provides music reviews, celebrities gossip, upcoming artists and pages on high end designer clothing. So as you can see VIBE magazine mainly appeals to the urban type of audience.

Analysis of Vibe Cover

Masthead and Web Address

I could automatically tell that VIBE is a well known magazine as the central image cover some of it maybe suggesting that the audience already knows the name of the magazine. This highlights the success of the magazine because the model is purposely digitally placed on top of the masthead which suggests that the target audience wouldn’t need to know what they are purchasing. Also I can see the web address next to the masthead perhaps making it easy to find however it shadows under the masthead as it is in a smaller text which highlights the importance of the masthead. The web address may also be used for the audience to perhaps search more into VIBE magazine and probably gives them a chance to view VIBE online if they may not be able to purchase it at a store.

Central ImageThe model used for the central image is a famous R&B artist which relates to one of the genres that the magazine mainly features. Brandy being a famous R&B singer would automatically attract a niche audience as it would attract people who like listening to her music. The importance of the central image is highlighted as she covers the bottom of the I and E in the masthead. Relating to the target audience, Brandy is dressed in a seductive and provocative way as she is only wearing a bikini. This also links to the cover stories for example “sexy issue” which closely links to the central image. Furthermore she has a flirtatious smirk which again links to the lustful theme presented in the central image. Would perhaps attract young males and women.

Main Cover Story• Main cover line closely links to the central

image as it has Brandy’s name in bold and is one of the biggest texts on the cover which highlights the importance of the story. Additionally this also links to the central image as Brandy is wearing a bikini which represents the seductive and secretive direct gaze which would amuse the audience. This is emulated through the main cover story as it is practically saying ‘what is behind this mysterious persona?’.

Plugs

Plugs are appealing to the eye as it is in the point purposely next to the barcode. Additionally plugs involve other artists of the genre which would most definitely be of interest to the different niche audiences within that genre. As plugs normally involve the names of other artists I believe the effect of it is to appeal to other types of audiences within the genre. This is shown to stand out on my left and a specific sequence of colours are used: yellow title; in sequence white then pink text.

Colour Scheme

Strong use of colours here as it is mainly brown for the background and pink, white and yellow for text. So as you can see it is not too busy and a simple mixture of colours used. Furthermore pink was used well on the cover as Brandy is presumably showing her behind through the central image and the word “behind” is presented in the main story as it says “what’s behind brandy”. Additionally this is linked to the sexy issue which is also in pink so which I would suggest are play on words which probably evokes that Brandy’s behind is a sexy issue.