Textual Analysis - Title pages

Q Magazine: The front cover is simple with one main image of Lily Allen on a gray fading into black background surrounded by Panthers, using just one images simplifies the front cover and makes it look less busy, it gives us one main image to focus on and attracts our attention making us want to read the article but at the same time, because the image is simple, doesn't attract all of our attention away from the other coverlines. The front cover of this particular issue appeals to both genders, it appeals to men because there is a famous, topless girl on the front cover and to girls because Lily Allen is a role model for lots of teenage girls therefore enticing them to read the article as well. The text and images overlap to make the magazine cover feel full but not cluttered. The text "Lily Allen" is overlapping Lily Allen herself because she is an icon and everybody should know who she is.
The main coverline "Sexy Beast Lily Allen and her wicked, wicked ways..." supports the image on the front cover with Lily Allen being considered as 'sexy' and the panthers as 'beasts' also the panthers are considered 'wicked' animals as in bad, and Lily is considered 'wicked' as in cool. Also comparing Lily to the panthers suggests that she is a predator, referring to her dominant nature as the reason as to why she is so successful.
The masthead of the magazine could relate to music being cued up ready to play. Also the white on read colour scheme is quite common as Kerrang! uses these colours for some of its mastheads.
Some words on the coverline are emphasised using bigger text or different colours such as red, for example "EXCLUSIVE" is in capital letters a different font and in red to catch our eye and make us was to read the article and offering an article which only Q could provide you with. The names of the bands are also made bigger so the audience focuses on the band. The coverline "25 greatest rock movies" is circled separating it from the rest of the text and draw our attention to the article because you wouldn't think an article about movies would be featured in a music magazine, it is immediately of interest to people.
The magazine is £3.90 which is really good value for money as Q is considered a collectors item due to the high quality articles and the glossy, crisp pages making it look expensive.

Vibe Magazine: The front cover of Vibe magazine has only got one main image on it the image is not too busy but is impressive because it has a picture of Usher walking along a plane runway with a plane behind him. Usher is a very famous artist therefore having him in the center of the page and overlapping the masthead of the magazine draws our eye to him immediately. Also the headline and quote "There is no competition." which shows how influential he is upon the music industry, this makes people want to read the article. Although the masthead is partially covered by Usher, the fact that such a famous artist is overlapping it draws our attention the the name of the magazine. This magazine could be aimed at either genders as Usher is such a big role model for most teenage boys, but some girls may be interested in his music as well.
The colour scheme is only three main colours black white and yellow, with the main words that are important to the coverlines and are bound to be of interest to the target audience highlighted in yellow, the articles are difficult to miss. Also restricting the colour scheme to just three colours it makes the yellow highlighted words stand out even more than if the whole magazine was swamped in colour. Some words such as "Young and Reckless" or "Tweets" are bolder which also emphasises them and catches our eye. Also the coverline "50 Crazy Celeb Tweets" makes the magazine seem modern and is probably aimed towards a teenage audience of about 17-20.
The magazine is not glossy, but this will make it less expensive and if it is aimed at a student, teenage audience the magazine doesn't need to be too expensive or they will not be able to afford it.

Kerrang! Magazine: The front cover of Kerrang! is very busy, not only does it have a main image of the band Biffy Clyro it also has a smaller image of Hayley Williams from Paramore, Lost Prophets and Funeral for a Friend. The colour scheme is red, white and black and the clothes that Biffy Clyro are wearing matches the colour scheme as they are only wearing black and white. The lead singer of Biffy Clyro is overlapping the masthead also he is the only one wearing white which makes him seem the most important. The main coverline that overlaps Biffy also refers to their album as the coverline says "Biffy Clyro Unfold the Puzzle of life..." and their album name is Puzzle, which makes Biffy Clyro fans want to read the article hoping for gossip on their new album.
This magazine could be for a male or female audience that likes rock or alternative music. The masthead is black on white which makes it stand out, the coverlines are white on read and white on black to catch our eye. Also words such as "FREE" and "PLUS" offers the audience feel as if they are getting great value for money.