Looking at front covers‘Q’ magazine

Masthead and text

• The Masthead is in the top left hand side of the magazine. It takes up just less then a quarter. This isn't a general magazine masthead, they usually spread across the page. The masthead is a bright red with a white ‘Q’ in the centre. The main colours on the front page is red, white and black The text of the ‘Q’ is I think its own style, but in general it is Sans Serif. I think the font style represents its font style really well as it isn't anything over the top, its fairly basic writing. Not all of the font on the front cover is the same text or the same size. It does have a small banner at the top containing information about a different music group.

Cover lines and audience

• The magazine has 4 cover stories and also contains a plus section. I think that the magazine appeals to both men and women because the black leather that she is wearing may be quite sexual to men, but to women she is looked at as an idol, women will want to look like her. She looks very strong and bold. The magazine front cover does have a pug but no puff. The pug is effective as the image of oasis is tilted and it is the only thing that is on the front cover making it stand out. I think the magazine is aimed at around 18-25 year olds as Lily Allen is quite modern and the magazine also looks very modern. I would definitely want to buy this magazine as it looks very dramatic and its eye catching. The magazines front cover definitely connotes the magazine quality as it looks sophisticated and it has a very shiny glossy cover.

Smaller Details

• The image definitely relates to the headline as it shows Lily Allen breaking a microphone stand and looking angry, this being said, the headline is ‘kicks off’ for me the headline is the first thing I see on the magazine. Lily Allen is looking straight into the camera and the image is actually a action long shot. You can see all of Lily Allen’s body and she is kicking the air as the photo is being taken. I do believe the photo has been manipulated, I think this because it is definitely a studio shot meaning the use of artificial lighting and afterwards I believe they would of enhanced the colours. Around a quarter of the image is covered with text but the image is still very sharp and clear in colour along with the plain background. The image is very large it fills the page top to bottom and side to side.

Image Qualities

• The image is positioned right in the entre of the page, she is wearing full leather making her look feisty again relating to the front cover. The costume I think could be quite appealing to the audience as it is something that could be easily created from clothes on the high street. Again the make-up and hair is effective as it is modern and powerful but could also be easily created as its quite plain and simple. It is clear that the image is taken in a studio as there is a lot of artificial lighting shown on her shoes. Along with the prop being the microphone I love this image.

How I might use these elements

• I like the color scheme of the magazine and how they have added small elements of the colour on the model. I think the house style of the magazine is the layouts, colours, fonts and photography style and I would like to have a clear house style like this when I create my magazine. I don’t think the magazine completely follows conventions as the image looking as if it comes out of the front of the magazine is different this is another technique I like.