The purpose of a magazine cover is to lure potential customers into the depths of its pages with flashy images and intriguing cover lines. The bold lettering and piercing stares of the photos reach out and rip people’s attention away from the carton of milk they originally came to buy. At this point it is already too late for the customers; within the vast magazine shelf one will call out to the customer’s personal interests... they will have to leave with that magazine. But why does the magazine shelf hold such a variety that could turn anybody’s attention? It is because magazine institutions know exactly how to target their audiences through a front page. They combine images of relevance to the subject matter of the magazine and place promises of exciting stories within its pages. Then, while queuing up to purchase something, the image will stand out within the corner of their eye and trigger a response either to their favourite rock star, sport, actor/model etc. For example if I was a major fishing enthusiast I would notice a lovely picture of a whopping great fish and think to myself - ‘wow I really like catching whopping great fish’ and through that common interest I would inevitably scan through the pages and most likely purchase that magazine. I will be comparing the two music magazine covers shown above, by writing about the similarities between them and the subtle differences which could sway a customer towards one or the other.
Both magazines display a similar variety of colours. The common colour pattern I first notice is the use of light blue, red and black. However the ‘Q’ magazine is bolder with the use of red especially within its Masthead while as the ‘Rolling stone’ magazine goes for a gentler blue. The comparison of colours between the two mastheads sends out completely different messages to me about the contents of the magazine. For instance the ‘Rolling stone’ masthead uses a gentle light blue colour which to me, gives quite a calm and relaxed appearance however the ‘Q’s red appearance gives of more of an explosive and an in your face kind of reaction. I would expect to have a more sophisticated form of musical information within the rolling stones magazine whereas within the Q magazine I would expect to read more exciting and rock related articles. The choice of these 3 main colours between them may show that both are commonly linked to the same theme, however through the two different masthead colours I feel I could say that they are attempting to reach out to different kinds of target audience even though they are both reviewing music. The Q magazine may be attempting to draw in the simpler range of audience who will take music as something they enjoy listening to whereas I believe the rolling stone magazine may be targeting a more, musically educated audience who will enjoy a more sophisticated interpretation of an artist and their music.
The images on a cover hold just as much importance to the selling of that magazine as the colourings. The front cover of the Q magazine demonstrates a rather provocative image of the ever-gorgeous Lily Allen with a black panther either side of her while the front covers main graphic of the rolling stone magazine shows a very elaborate image of popular rapper, Jay Z. For starters, like the mastheads both magazines blast out an impression of what to expect within its pages, for instance the two black panthers on the Q magazine hold multiple impressions on the reader. They may be used to show the wildness of Lily Allen, the bestial side to her and also the wildness of the magazine itself. The symbolism of a panther can also be linked to glamour, sex and sin – the perfect mixture for an interesting rock magazine. Rolling stone however have chosen to have Jay-z well groomed and looking particularly smart wearing a suit, once again providing an insight into the more intelligent articles held within the pages and connecting with the sophisticated target audience. The image itself may, much like Q, symbolise glamour which I believe is one of the main factors of any music magazine. Glamour is what will make us ‘ordinary’ folk admire the people staring up at us and will inspire us to read of their success and achievements in the music industry. The Voluptuous image of a topless Lily Allen may have a negative effect on a possible audience. Although the image reveals nothing more but her back, she is holding a very seductive body composition- hip pushed out, biting of finger, knees close together, skin tight clothing and back slightly arched as if close to giving away a view of the front of her body. This to some viewers may be considered as sleazy and/or disrespectful and almost certainly appeals more so towards the male population, this could deter people away from buying that issue whereas the rolling stone’s image of Jay-z can be viewed equally by all audiences and interpreted generally as equally.
The title for the Q magazine ‘Sexy Beast LILY ALLEN’ instantaneously demonstrates the subject of the image is to express the figure and attractiveness of lily Allen. The use of sexy beast’ can also relate to the panthers being placed next to her in an effort to emphasise the ‘Beast’ within the statement. The word sexy in itself may also be interpreted as quite a raunchy way of saying someone is attractive or beautiful, and the word itself gives more of an edge to the statement when reading out loud. I believe that the word sexy may also, in my opinion be more relative to the body/figure of a person whereas beautiful would be more specifically linked to the facial features of a person, so I believe they have used ‘sexy’ perfectly in emphasising the appealing physique of Lilly Allen. Rolling stone have gone for a more intriguing title with ‘JAY-Z, addicted to the game’, this, along with the image does not give too much of the story away, it draws you in through the secrecy and natural curiosity generated within us after reading that short clipping. Many questions are raised within the reader after viewing such as ‘is he addicted to a literal game or do they mean rap?’ ‘Why is he addicted to it?’ – These niggling little questions will be what will drive us to buy the magazine there and then just so we can have our ‘implanted’ questions answered.
Personally I feel these front covers work exceptionally well for their own target audiences, Q magazine for the more open, wild and glamour based fans and rolling stone for its musically educated, sophisticated and more relaxed audience. They both stand out and capture the attention of readers suddenly with their bold colours, titles and large pictures. If it were not for my extreme infatuation over Lilly Allen I would honestly be able to say I would not be able to choose which one to buy as they both sell themselves to me exceptionally well.
