21st October 2011

After looking at Rolling Stone magazine, I have decided to continue my research further by analysing an issue of Q magazine to find the differences and similarites between the two. Of course by doing this it is helping me come up with ideas for my own magazine, which I have yet to come up with a name for as of yet.

The name of the magazine is Q and it is set as a masthead title which is quite bold so it is very clear that it is the name of the magazine. The name 'Q' has the connotation of a cue, which is a part of a record player, this is an instant link to music. The masthead is in iconic rock colours of red and white. Also there is a slogan underneath it which says 'A different take on music' this sums up the magazine and tells us what its about. 

   There is a barcode in the bottom right corner which also has the issue number and price on it. There are plugs along the bottom of the cover, telling us names of the artists and articles featured inside the magazine, these are to entice the reader to make them want to read and buy it. They are in simple colours of black and white with hints of blue and red which all complement the colour scheme of the cover and the sleek look of it. The other plugs are in the top corner in a block carefully arranged around the main image as to not overlap it and steal focus. They are again in simple but contrasting colours which works really well. One of the plugs is 'I AM A TIGER!' which goes with the images of the panthers which I think is hardly done by accident.

    The plugs are of the type of bands that the target audience would like. But there still seems to be a variety of music in the magazine as the main plug is of Lily Allen but there is also a plug for 'The 25 Greatest Rock Movies'. This suggests there is a wide audience for the magazine, but it would consist of more mature young people with an interest in music and it could also appeal to an older audience too. I think this issue in particular is aimed more at males than females because of the fact Lily is topless on the cover and described as a 'Sexy Beast'. I can not imagine her female fans describing her that way, although they may still buy the magazine. The image is very sophisticated and sleek using the black of the panthers and her pants, teamed with her jet black hair to add to the sophistication of it. Her name LILY ALLEN is in a big clear font across the page to show her importance and that she is the main feature. It is also in two different colours, with the white font contrasting against her black pants and the black against the plain grey background. There is alliteration and repitition in 'her wicked, wicked ways' this is to emphasise the fact that she is wicked, as she is so wicked it has to be said twice. These key words are in red and match the colour of the title. The panthers are symbolism of Lily being a 'Sexy Beast' and that she can't be tamed, alike the beasts which is very clever.