Denotative & Connotative Analysis - Q Front Cover

Denotative & Connotative Analysis - Q Front Cover

　

　　

The magazine logo is a white capital Q on a red background and is in the top left corner.

By using a large white capital ‘Q’ on a red background it makes it stand out - the red colour is all about the brand promotion of ‘Q’. The red is a strong part of this front cover and is therefore a constant reminder of the magazine you are reading. By having the image overlapping the logo it is showing that the brand itself is well known enough to be covered slightly and still recognisable to the reader.

　

The photograph that is the main image is taken at a long shot angle.

By taking the photo at this angle it gives the whole image a sense of domination - the stance of Jay-Z is very severe and powerful, representing his position in the magazine and the music industry itself. The three artists photographed are the three main cover stories as they are the main focus of this issue of the magazine. By overlapping advertisements and cover story headlines and quotes over the image it shows that the artists are well-known and recognisable by the readers.

　

The barcode, issue number, date and price are in the bottom left hand corner.

By putting the barcode, issue number, date and price in the bottom right hand corner it makes them out of the way to the reader. They are not an important part of advertising on the front cover, therefore not a lot of focus is brought towards them.

　

The cover’s main colours are red, black and white.

By having this combination of colours as a theme on the front cover it gives it a sense of cohesion. The red is apparent all over the cover - by being the same shade as the red of the logo it is another form of brand promotion. Red, white and black are considered to be quite chic colours and together portray a modern, up to-date look. This combination of colours shows the reader that Q will be up to-date with everything that is going on and that the features of the magazine will be relevant to recent well-known events.

　

Along the top there is a strip advertising the main article in the magazine.

By advertising in a black strip along the top of the magazine it draws the readers eye towards it as it immediately above the main image. The strip is black and therefore contrasts well against the plain, white background. Attached to the strip is a star shaped box with ‘Exciting People’ written in black, block capitals. By using this type of advertising and including small segments on what is featured within the magazine it makes the reader want to buy it so they can read on.

　

There are three cover stories on the left hand side of the magazine in capital letters.

The three cover story headlines are in red, down the left hand side of the magazine. These sections of text run alongside the main images of the artists featured. The red again connects the page together and achieving cohesion. The red also contrasts against the white background.

　

The background is plain white.

By having the background plain white it has a very modern, clean effect. The simplistic background means the other features on the cover needn’t strive to stand out and catch the reader’s attention to want to read within the magazine. The red and the black contrast violently and therefore the cover seems bright and energetic. The ‘chicness’ of these three colours combined creates a modern, stylistic effect.

　

The headline quotes from the main article are in black.

The headline quotes being in a black text not only mean they stand out against the background but it means the reader can differentiate between those and the headlines of the articles. The quotes are snippets from the interviews (in this case) and therefore by choosing exciting parts of the interview it makes the reader want to buy the magazine as they will want to read the rest of the interview.

　

There is a red circle saying what else is featured in the magazine at the right of the cover overlapping the main image.

By making the circle red it immediately stands out to the reader and it is advertising an important feature of the magazine therefore it needs to be made one of the first items the reader will look at on the page. It is advertising how many reviews are within the magazine - the number will draw the reader in as it sounds large. By displaying these extra features in an exciting they are just more simple means of advertising what is within the magazine and trying to grab the reader’s interest before they have even opened it up.