I find the style of the front cover very inspirational due to the colour theme which is using very subtle colours but stand out nicely against the black and white background of the main image. I really like how even though this tends to be a woman’s magazine, it uses non sexualised colours for example it pushes against the stereotypes and uses multiple colours, not all stereotypical women’s colours like; purple ,pink, red etc.
What I really like about this fashion magazine ‘vogue’ is how they have set out the masthead by using a very sophisticated and subtle colour which makes it stand out nicely on the front cover. What I find inspirational in terms of technique is the use of serif on the typography of the masthead as it signifies a very sophisticated outlook on the magazine and connotes that the magazine brand like to remain very traditional. By using this on the masthead gives the magazine power and conveys it as important and an idol for the wide demographic who consume it.
Fashion
I like how the magazine is again using serif on the main cover line ‘FASHION & MUSIC’ as it connotes tradition and importance within the magazine. The typography used is very fancy which is a connotation of the magazine being very high class and attracting a very sophisticated audience. The use of the white colour on the main cover line signifies modernism and compliments the main image background nicely.
The colour theme of the contents page has remained in the black and white theme which connotes sophistication and high fashion. They have used two main images on the contents page; one being in black and white showing a high fashion outfit being worn by a model, and another vintage coloured picture with a model wearing an orange summer dress. By doing this ‘Vogue’ is targeting different audiences in terms of showing multiple styles of fashion. The background is all white and the writing is coloured black which makes it accessible to read but also keeps within the colour theme.
What I find very inspirational about the main image is the use of a black and white filter which makes the image look very elegant and vintage and contrasts very well against the other colours used on the front cover. This medium shot really compliments the front cover as the main image is taking over the front page rather than having a background colour and an image over the top. The lighting used contrasts really nicely from the models pale skin tone to the dark clothing and accessories that she is wearing. The model is in a much posed position and looking off into the distance. She is very well made up in terms of the makeup which signifies that audiences will idolise her looks and aim to want to buy the clothes in the magazine in order to look and feel as elegant as the model does in this photo.
Entertainment: Music & Film
The masthead used ‘us weekly’ is hidden slightly behind the main image; however, because of the brand identity that it carries alongside it, the audience can easily recognise the brand shape. The bright pink colour used is very eye-catching to the audience against the blue background. Both of these colours are very complimentary to each other and due to the vibrant colours emphasises a statement and boldness which remains inside the celebrities on the cover.
The typography used is sans-serif which connotes the magazine is very relaxed and doesn’t conform to a traditional style which makes it very modernised and up to date with the latest news and gossip. The main cover line is in capitals which emphasises an issue or important story within the magazine and in this case ‘SAVING BRITNEY’. The main cover line is coloured white which signifies purity, vulnerability and hope and in terms of the story related to it, its showing the inner story of pop star Britney Spears’s mental health. Another capitalised text is one of the cover lines to the left of the front page. It’s highlighted in a bold yellow which draws the audience’s attention straight to this statement and lets them know what story will come up inside the magazine.
The main image is of the pop star Britney spears and is a medium close up of the stars face. Britney is very well made up but not in a photoshoot posed way, the photo seems to have been taken either by paparazzi or when she’s appearing at an event. Instead of it being a picture taken by professionals in a studio, it’s very natural and shows the star in a very natural looking manor. This also links to the story as because the story is based around her mental health and nothing is made out to be perfect, the audience are getting to see the star in her natural self.
On the contents page the main image is of Katy Perry singing live at a concert. The colours used on the contents page all complement each other and the bright pink sleeves are used also on the headlines of what stories are to come. The black and white latex suit that the star is wearing is also used as theme colours to make up the page so all of the colours are complimenting each other depending on what the star is wearing. The layout of the front cover is very compact and is filled with multiple images of different stories within the magazine and is filled with lots of cover lines which signifies that there is a lot of up-todate celeb gossip within the music and celeb industry. It is a connotation that the magazine wants to target an audience which are active consumers of the industry and feed off of lots of content within the magazine.
The main image is of two stars from the new Netflix series ’13 reasons why’ and is aimed at a younger demographic aiming from 16+. The series is very impactful on the viewers and is based around the subject of mental health and suicide. The main image is of the two main characters within the series ‘Hannah baker’ and ‘clay’ her closest friend before she committed suicide. This a medium shot of both actors sitting in a very posed position using direct mode of address towards the audience. This mode of address is very impactful due to the theme of the series and is enticing the audience into wanting to watch the series. Both actors are dressed in very dark clothing which foreshadows the tragedy of something bad happening e.g.- a suicide. But also, can resemble the darkness of what people would wear at funerals and in this case ‘Hannah bakers’.
The colours used on the front cover are very playful and there is a lot of multiple colours used on the words, this is a connotation that the magazine ‘entertainment weekly’ wanted to target the younger audience and by using vibrant colours would be appealing and eye-catching to the younger demographic. By using the bright colours also is a contradiction of the colours of the clothing that both stars are wearing. This also makes both areas stand out on the page and gives a variety of colour for the audience. What I find inspirational about the contents page is the use of having a main image filling the page as I find it looks very editorial and makes the contents page visually pleasing to look at. I like how the writing on the contents page is over the top of the main image as it doesn’t look too cluttered and looks very sophisticated.
Entertainment: TV & Film
Throughout this front cover and contents page, there are elements of a narrative being discovered by the body language of the actor/actress in the main image which shows a relationship between both people. This is also seen again in the contents page as the actor gives the actress what looks like a ‘piggy back’ showing friendship and a connection between them both.
The typography used is mostly in lower case when it comes to the masthead, main cover line and cover lines under that. This signifies the idea of not sticking to a structure and making the front cover very informal and relaxed for the younger audience. All of the words are all in sans-serif which uplifts the idea of very non-structured and relaxed for the audience.
The colours used on the contents page are very minimal and is relaying around the theme of black and white which is a big contradiction to the front cover. This main image is very posed and shows the connection of the characters in the series. However, the actor who plays ‘clay’ is face forward which shows determination as to what happened to Hannah baker in the series. However, the actress playing ‘Hannah baker’ has her head slightly tuned to the audience and is using direct mode of address which creates an impact for the audience, knowing her character is somewhat distant and calling out to them.
The Masthead being a vibrant yellow attracts the audience and makes intertextual referencing to the film ‘beauty and the beast’ the live action remake, which is being advertised in this issue. The vibrant yellow is symbolic as it makes referencing to the yellow dress that belle wears in the film which Disney lovers will pick up on straight away. To make the audience aware of this being the film its based on, the cover line ‘beauty and the beast’ is also in yellow to enhance the selling story of this magazine issue.
The main image on the front cover is starring Emma Watson who is playing the character Belle in the live action remake. The medium close up shot of her creates a star persona for the audience, enticing Emma Watson fans to watch the film. The actress is using direct mode of address to the audience, making them feel drawn in into watching the new film. She is also featured again on the contents page as the main image but instead as a medium shot from her thighs upwards. She is still using direct mode of address but is in a more natural position which suggests her fun, loving character.
Entertainment: Film, TV & Music
What I find inspirationa l about the colour theme is that they have kept the colour theme flowing from the front cover to the contents page, showing a relation between the two pages.
The colour theme used on this front cover are all in relation to beauty and the beast the original film, which consists of; yellow, white and blues. However the background colour on both the front cover and the contents page are a modern grey which makes the magazine look modem and stylish which also is a connotation of the new live action release of the new ‘beauty and the beast’ film as they are giving the film a modern twist for new or old audiences, therefore are trying to incorporate that into their magazine issue.
Features within the magazine are coloured black which compliments Emma Watsons dress and shows a nice, clear main colours on the contents page. all of the stories that are included within the magazine are all in relation to entertainment within the entertainment world, giving its audience the full overlook into the latest news and opinions in that industry. The typography changes within the front cover, for example the masthead is used as sans-serif which gives it a very simple yet modern outtake, however Emma Watsons name is used in serif which suggests respectability of the actress and giving her power through the front cover.