Analysis of Q Magazine - Cheryl Cole

The title of the magazine is “Q”. This is a music magazine and doesn’t feature just one genre of music but everything. This is aimed at for music lovers who would like to know the first releases before everyone else. From looking at the cover, the target audience is a young audience such as teenagers and young adults in their mid 20’s. This is because the layout of the magazine and the colours used show the contrast of the centre image.
The title itself is short and appealing to the audience. The letter “Q” is in white with a red background and this initialises the signature of the magazine.
As you look on the front cover, the top bar of the magazine tells the audience that this has been voted for being the biggest music magazine. This benefits the magazine as this could help promote the magazine and attract more magazine readers/customers.
The image of the front cover that they have used is Cheryl Cole. The type of shot that they have used is a close up shot. This allows the audience to see her facial expression and her inner beauty. This would appeal to the audience as she had released her album and have also appeared on X Factor. Her facial expression shows that she has an evil side to herself; a demon. This is because of the use of the strong pure red and black. This can also show that the edition of the magazine is a rock theme. The use of makeup gives an idea to the audience that the theme of the magazine is rock. The eye shadow that they have used is a smoky black showing that she has a dark side other than having her innocent side. The strong red lipstick interprets that she also has a devilish sexy side towards her personality. In the background of the actual image shows the rain droplets, showing that the shoot was set in the rain. The use of the wet hair makes the audience to be attracted to Cheryl Cole. This makes the magazine have a different outcome by making it look sexier. The makeup that they have used is pale making her key facial features outstand such as her eyes and lips. With her tongue licking her ring will immediately attract the audience as some of the target audience may think this may have a sex appeal.
The anchorage text informs the audience that the magazine is based on Cheryl Cole. The use of the 3 different types of fonts and also the size show the tension of introducing her towards the magazine. It also shows that as she has a big fame in the music industry this shows that she is different from other celebrities. The first sentence has the use of ellipsis showing the tension of introducing the image (celebrity) to the audience. The font used is similar to the font used in her album front cover. This shows that the magazine is promoting her current album release. The three colours that are used signatures the magazine as this occurs to most of Q magazine covers.
The puff words on the magazine, “The 10 Best New Acts” (on the top right corner) shows to the audience that the money that they are paying for this magazine will thrill the audience with a variety of images and articles of main celebs. This allows the audience to have an opportunity of latest gossip and possibly latest fashion styles. Also, on the middle left, there is also a use of puff words. This also illustrates an idea of what information the magazine is containing as the list says “Muse”, “Snow Patrol”, “Midlake” and etc.