Analyzing Magazines

Front covers: Vibe magazine has shown a theme of using three distinctive colours in order to show their own image. The header 'vibe' has been done in a very bold and clear font, possibly reflecting the persona they want to put across. A serious yet simple music magazine. 'Vibe' is written in the colour red which has many connotations such as danger, blood, love and passion. I believe with the use of red for this font they have gone for the dangerous appeal as it stands out well and reflects well with the rappers emotionless look. A head shot of the rapper T.I has been used as their cover image, wearing a pair of glasses which have no strength of lens in them. This could either be a fashion statement or again a representation of being serious, yet simple. He is also wearing a hat and suit which gives off a very swarve look that he has gone for, this again reflects the image of the magazine and himself. The emotion shown in the image is a very serious and sophisticated look. You look directly into the eyes as they are framed by the glasses, this could be a representation of looking further. When your drawn to somebodies eyes you have that feeling of looking deeper... just like you would look into magazine.The magazine has a simple white background allowing our focus to be completely on the photograph and story's. This gives off a clean image as does the rappers cleanly shaven face.
Rolling stones however has gone for a more busier and compact front cover. As Rolling stones is better known they don't need to have such a huge masthead, as people already know magazine what it is just by glancing at it. They have used the band 'Jonas Brothers' on their front cover all with a clean cut like, just like 'Vibe'. They have also gone for the idea of using three main colours on their cover, in which they have chosen red, yellow and white. The left third is a lot more prominent than 'Vibes' and almost covers from leg to neck of one of the band members.


Contents: Once again Vibe has gone for the simplistic and structured approach. This time only using black and grey but having a colour photograph instead of a Black and White one. The magazine has been sectioned into three sections, yet doesn't cover whats on the front page or what the magazine usually features. The page numbers are at the top of the page which i find rather unique which is obviously what this magazine wants to come across as.


However Rolling stones includes as much information as possible on their contents page, but still keep the big photograph to the right top corner. All sections are bordered off to make it easier to read and it includes another image un-like 'Vibe'. The issue number (29) is also at the top which does similarise with Vibes ideas of having numbers at the top, not the bottom.
Double page spread:

The main image is of Lily Allen, who is placed at the right hand side of the double page spread. The shot used of her is a medium shot, which shows her posing in a way that could possibly suggest the attitude of the article.The article is more the less in black and white, with the biggest feature being a quote from Lilly. This however in in a newspaper ransom font which gives it a quirkier edge. Her clothing is red making her stand out. All the features used are to make the magazine a lot more successful by catching the audiences attention. The quote and picture bring the two pages together, by carring the quote on to the other page joins them together to make a well presented double page spread.



Like 'Rolling stones' 'Vibe' has used the technique of using a whole page for a picture and the interview being on another page. The colour scale is very monotoned with a lot of grey and blacks used. As the band in the the image appears to be a rock band i believe they have done this to influence that. Rolling stones however has a much clearer layout and doesn't have a lot of things jumping out at you at once were as 'Vibe' has put the title across both pages, which directs you to both pages at once. This creates a very busy double page spread unlike 'Rolling stones'.