Textual Analysis 3: ‘Q’ magazine

By Jack Bonser

Front Cover:

• Similar to other magazines, the band picture is placed in front of the magazine name, the magazine assumes by that looking at the artists featured, you would know the magazine name.

• The one word magazine masthead ‘Q’ connotes the exclusivity of the magazine, and gives a sort of being a member or part of a club feeling to it.

• The main band pictured on the front cover is clearly stated, by having it in a bog box with big contrasting colours, making it stand out more.

• Artists featured are clearly stated on the lower left hand side of the page, in bold and bright colours, pink and black alternating, again contrasting to make it stand out to the reader more.

• Price is shown in small text, connoting that the price is cheap in proportion to what you get for it. The price is also in the bottom right hand corner as usual in magazines.

• The earrings and hair style worn by some of the band members connote the rock band genre.

• The high key lighting gives the band, a sense of a lighter music genre from rock.

• There is a bold splash above the name U2, ‘Could we possibly begin again’, this leaves the potential customer wondering what this could mean, and they may ten want to read further.

• ‘Q’ logo follows with house style on being in the top left hand corner of the page.

• The bright red box that the letter ‘Q’ is in, again makes the magazine stand out and makes the reader know what magazine it is.

• There is a border around the edge of the magazine saying, ‘THE Q AWARDS 2011’. This grabs the attention of the reader by having black writing on a gold ribbon, in front of a white and red background.

• The background of the box where the words ’U2’ are placed, is a mix of colours red and pink.

• There is another splash, under the box of where the word ‘U2’ are is the splash, ‘THERE FUTURE STARTS HERE…’, this gives the public a sense that the band have been going through a rough patch or troublesome time, and this is there sort of comeback to it all, which would make them want to read on. The font is futuristic and can be referred to the bands ‘comeback’. The magazine uses the same colour as the background of the box above it saying ‘U2’, so the customer instantly knows what that statement is referring to.

• The use of high key lighting background makes directs the readers attention towards the band.

• There is direct address between two of the band members, this gives an interactive feel towards the reader.

Contents:

• Contents page clearly stated at the top of the page in bold, black writing. By having it on a white background it makes it more noticeable to the reader.

• Typical ‘Q’ placed in the top left side of the page, next to the word ‘Contents’, which again makes the reader focus attention to the top of the page where it clearly states that it is the contents page.

• Issue of that magazine clearly stated near the top of the page in the middle.

• The main features of this issue of the magazine are again clearly stated, on the right hand side page.

• The actual part where it says the main age numbers and cover lines of that page are on the other side of the page, on the very right hand side of the page.

• The contents page is very picture which gives the customer a brief look into the contents of this issue of the magazine, and with the picture are page numbers, so you can quickly find an article or whatever on that particular artist.

• Red page numbering follows with house style of being red and a plain white background.

Double Page spread:

• Again very pictorial• Masthead of the page is, ‘What

on your free CD?’. This grabs the readers attention as the reader would want to know what is on his free CD.

• The words ‘ FREE CD’ in the masthead are again in a mixed colours of pink and yellow, where as the first half of the title is in black, this emphasises the point of the free CD.

• At the bottom left hand side of the page, there is a quote from Jack White from the band, The White Stripes’ saying that he likes the bands featured on the CD.

• A brief description of the artist or band and a quote from that artist/ band.

• The pink and yellow text colour is keeping the brand image.

• Spread out over two pages.• Pictures of the artists or bands

above the brief description of their music.

What I will be taking through to my final piece from the textual analysis.

• The splash will be placed to the right of my artist • My artist will look straight into the camera for direct address to

create an interactive feel between the reader and the artist.• There will be contrasting colours between the background and what

my artist is wearing.• My artist will wear iconic symbols such as watches, chains hats etc.

to connote the genre.• I will feature something on the front cover like a ‘free holiday’ or

‘free poster’ to make it more appealing to my target audience.• There will be a list of other artists featured which fit in with my

chosen genre o the bottom left of the page, in a list, and probably in bright alternating colours.

• A barcode will be placed as appropriate, in the bottom right hand side corner of the page, same with price ad date.

• House style will be followed throughout the magazine, shown in fonts, mastheads etc.

• Key words, quotes, splashes, cover lines, teasers, will be placed distinctly throughout the magazine so the reader can easily see them.