Analysing Magazine Covers

Male Orientated Magazine

 Masthead 

The masthead of this magazine is the biggest feature on the page excluding the main image. It is the same type face on every issue of this magazine and is also in the same place. This makes the magazine recognisable to its readers. It can be used as a logo for advertising and branding. The font is very boyish and the colours are masculine. Also, they are colours of the American flag as this is an American magazine.

 Main image

 The main image is of Channing Tatum, who is involved in this issue of GQ as shown on one of the cover lines. He is making full eye-contact with us, drawing us in. The image is a suitable size as it is big enough to catch our attention on the news stand but not too big that we can't see the coverlines. The main image slightly covers the masthead but it doesn't make any impact as the audience already know the magazine as the part of the masthead we can see is recognisable.  The main image is in the centre of the page as it is the main feature of the magazine and it is what is going to get the readers attention. Channing Tatum is wearing a suit and looking 'smooth'. This is the look many men aim for.

Coverlines

The coverlines are in the same font around the main image making it look organized. They are in different colours so that the reader can see the different topics within the magazine. This magazine is aimed at men. I can identify this from the coverline 'Every Girl's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man'. This shows that inside the magazine the men can get ideas on how to dress in impress women. Plus the main image is a man and masculine colours have been used. The age of the target audience for this magazine would be from 20 - 45 as it is showing how to dress smart and be a gentlemen.

Female Orientated Magazine

Masthead

The mast head of this magazine cover is in a sophisticated font. It is at the top of the page so it is easy for the audience to see, although it is covered by the head of the model, it is still recognisable due to the continuous use of the same typeface for very issue of this magazine. The black stands out against the pink/purple background.

Main image

The main image of this magazine is of a well known celebrity Rihanna. Many females look up to Rihanna for her looks/style so putting her on the front cover acts as an incentive to the readers especially because she is known for her style and beauty(hair, makeup). She is making full eye contact to gain the readers attention. The colours on the main image compromise the colours used on the background, giving it a major feel of feminism. The image is an appropriate size for the magazine. Rihanna is wearing fashionable and stylish clothes, which is how many readers of this magazine want to dress.

Coverlines

The main cover line is 'His Secret Sex Spots'. This is a female topic as many women talk about their sex life with friends but may not want to ask about these sort of things so they feel that they can turn to the magazine to ease the curiosity and get answers. The coverlines(puffs) are mainly about female issues such as breast problems, man issues and beauty. The cover lines are in white, black, and pink. These all compromise eachother and are subtle colours. The coverlines are around the main image so it doesn't drift out attention from the model.

Compare and contrast between female and male orientated magazines

Both magazines have the model making full eye contact, both magazines draw their readers in straight away by doing this.  The body language of the models is differet on the magazines. On the male orientated magazine, Channing Tatum is standing proud and has a very masculine facial expresson. On the female orientated magazine, Rihanna is posing quite seductively but innocent.  The models on the main image are gender appropriate to the magazine, stereotypically, a man should be on a male magazine and a female should be on a female magazine. Firstly, the colours used on each magazine are different. The male orientated magazine uses masculine and boyish colours whereas the female orientated magazine uses feminine and girly colours. This represents to the reader what gender the magazine is aimed at. The font used on each cover is also different. On the male orientated magazine, the font is blunt, boyish and bold, also, the same font is used for each coverline.  On the female orientated magazine, the font is sophisticated and floaty. Several fonts are used on the coverlines. This shows a distinct seperation between the different topics inside the magazine. The topics inside the magazine relate to the readers of that specific magazine. On both magazines, the mast head is located at the top of the front cover. This is a recognisable and familiar place to put a mast head. On the male orientated magazine, the mast head is short and simple but is in different colours. This makes it more eye catching as it is short.  On the female orientated magazine, the mast head is long and one colour. It still stands out due to is length and it takes up the who length of the top of the front cover.