Black Beat ♫

Analysis of Magazine Covers

Magazine Three

Black Beat- Urban Music Based

Colours*

What mood/impression do the colours create?

The ways in which the magazine I have analysed, ‘Black Beat’ has a specific and unique mood set aside from other magazines to give off a good impression to their chosen target audience, will be explained for the last time as my final analysis of magazine covers will be explained by the use of colours and how they may contrast with each other or differ from each other to give the magazine an effect that will target their urban themed music audience.

To start with, there is a clear white background, this will make the indicating information of what the magazine is going to be about seemed much more important for the readers to read. The colours are also equivalent to the way the ‘music artist-Keyshia Cole’ is dressed as the main model for the magazines cover. The main headed title called ‘Black Beat’ is coloured in Bright pink and yellow, the wording ‘Black’ is in much smaller lettering and in a bright yellow writing which casts out the importance of it, where as the word ‘Beat’ which indicates the music side of the magazine with a bright pink colour and it is also much larger than the word ‘Black’. This also gives the magazine a different and young attractive effect. The former information placed around the magazine to indicate once again what is going to be inside is all in different colours among each other, there are many colours used and they are all used for a reason, such as- bright pink, bright yellow, light blue and purple which are mostly classed as young and aimed at teenage girls. As all the different pieces of information are in different colours, it makes it easier and fun to read.

Design*

How do the words and images fit together?

What fonts and styles of lettering have been used, and what do they suggest?

The distinctive and main design shown on the cover of ‘Black Beat’ is for many reasons and it has designed in a clever, and attractive way. For instance the bold writing with exciting, and attractive colours separates different stories and offers from each other, once again this gives another youthful and fun effect for a reader to see, one from looking at the cover or seeing it from a distance. The music artist ‘Keyshia Cole’ also has an effect of a stamped feature of her name in big letters, which is almost overlapping her, which gives it another fun effect. Underneath her name there is a small lettering in purple explaining to readers of what the magazine will be representing and interviewing her about. The design is ultimately, unique, fun, exciting, shown mostly as music-based, many urban themes, text and images are also used which are modernised and up to date, if they were made to be old fashioned then it would not be sold and read by the correct target audience they are trying to aim their magazine to.

Images*

Who or what is featured, and what does it represent to their specific audience?

There is three images shown, there is one main one of a come-back popular artist and two other small images of ‘Beyonce’ who is popular, and also ‘Corbin Bleu’ who makes urban music, which also explains him as a come-back singer, describing him as ‘Grown and Sexy’.

The main image is a mid-shot of ‘Keyshia Cole’, and is also the largest image. These show the vital parts of clothing, face, hairstyles and fashion which is to focus on what the specific target audience will be looking at to be attracted towards it and purchase it. The three images shown of music artists are a great choice as they are all extremely admired and popular in the urban industry for music, this therefore means they are represented as fashionably dressed and will attract a young teenage audience who listen to urban music. Other reasons why they may purchase this magazine is because they are fans or would like to read about a specific article within the magazine, that’s why its important for magazines to make it clear on the cover of indication of what is going to be inside, so that the audience will have to look inside just to know what its like. Images, colours and designs on the covers of magazine are all ways to interpret and illustrate to a reader in the correct way.

Pose, style of hair, make-up*

The poses and images shown by the three music artists on the front cover of ‘Black Beat’ are all differing from each other as they are different people and their are different stories about them, firstly the main image with a mid-shot of ‘Keyshia Cole’ standing averagely with one arm above her head which once again sets a fun, and careless theme as some of her arm is covering the cover line but is still visible, it also makes the magazine look almost 3D. This also sets the magazine aside from other music magazines, and classes it mainly as urban and unique. This will then appeal back to the young teenage girls who listen to urban music, and are interested in the fashion, poses, and makeup side of it as well. ‘Keyshia Cole’s’ hairstyle is short, but stylish which once again sets an urban theme as it is classed as unique, her makeup is neutral once again but matches and contrasts with the other colours and designs on the magazines cover. The clothes word by her is also very fashionable, classy and sexy, this will attract many young teenage girls to buy as they may see her as there idols and look up to them to be like them, and would want to read on.

The other two artists are much smaller close up images showing ‘Beyonce’ and ‘Corbin Bleu’. They have text next to them, which explains what the magazine will include about them. The hairstyles, and poses and makeup are not very important as they are small images just to illustrate instead of just written text, but they still look unique and are already well known so do not need to be dressed or shown in bigger views.

How are words used on the cover?

There are many different headings and indications of what’s going to be inside on this magazine. There are many different artists name in different and unique colours, which are all well known and popular within the urban music industry. There are special ads also with pugs to be able to win special dates with urban music artists.

This will attract a huge variety of young teenage girls who are interested in urban music as they like to see a competition which is free, attractive male music artists, famous and popular female artists who produce urban music, wear the latest and up to date fashion, and who inspire the teenage girls.

Size and layout- are they big enough to see from a distance?

The size and layout of the magazine is done and set out very well, its also made to be seen from a distance and this will also make it easier for the specific urban audience. The bold writing, and colorful lettering will attract an audience from a far distance in shops and other retail places.

Language*

How does it address the reader and grab his/her attention?

What language features can you identify?

The ways in which the magazine is addressed to the reader in order to grab his/her attention is by adding short and snappy headings, competition ads and cover lines including celebrities from the urban industry which means that they are quick and vastly efficient for the reader and audience to read before purchasing so they can make their decision and not be disappointed once they have bought it.

The language features used are ‘slang’, even though it is suitable to informal bits of language aren’t used its still not a formal magazine such as pop or other types of magazines as it is aimed at young teenagers who listen to music which attracts them different to pop or other magazines.

Overall impression*.

Does it have a good indication of what is inside?

The overall impression of this magazine is that it has quite a small indication of what’s inside, it only informs the reader of artist’s names not what it will it will be about.

It also finally aimed altogether at a young teenaged audience who listen to urban/hip hop music.