Magazine Case Study 2: VIBE

This is the cover from a music magazine: VIBE

MAIN COLOUR SCHEME: The main colours used are white and orange, these colours create a sophisticated look which fits with the target audience of this magazine. The white background is successful because it enables emphasis on the main model image and the masthead. The colour black is used to bold certain teasers on the front page to catch the eye of the target market. The name of the  model artist; Nicki Minaj is in orange and bolded so the reader can clearly identify the name of the artist on the front cover.


MASTHEAD: This is large and bolded in the centre, in a block font and orange. The use of the colour orange is effective for this magazine because it draws attention to audience immediately so they can identify what genre the magazine is. VIBE creates their masthead in a block colour behind the model artist on the front cover so therefore it is nationally recognised.

TEASERS: They also draw attention to the reader to find out more about other articles within the magazine. Teasers on this front page such as "SHAQ UNCENSORED" makes the reader eager to purchas the magazine to see what has been uncensored about Shaq.

MAIN MODEL IMAGE:Nicki Minaj is located in the centre and the photographer has taken a medium close up shot of her. Because she is the only image at the front of the magazine, the reader automatically can identify that the main featuring article will be about her. The artist; Nicki, is wearing a white diamente robe with a tiara which coordinates with the main colour scheme of the magzine. Her outfit including the tiara connotes that she is the Queen of RnB/Rap music. DIRECT MODE OF ADDRESS: Nicki looks directly into the camera shot which expresses a fierce and royal personality and that anchors to the word "notorious" directly under her name in bold, showing that Nicki is famous or well known typically for her music.

PULL QUOTES AND WORDS: This makes the reader interested in the magazine, and makes the reader reflect on the possible gossip/news the magazine has place in this issue. For Example; "WAYS TO DRESS LIKE A MAN, SON!" The use of this makes the target audience persuaded to read this issue of the magazine to see ways to dress like a man which could result in getting the ladies being dressed like a man. The word son in that quote represents the emotive language used to direct it to the target audience (males) that their dress sense is like a young boy so if they read this article they would be able to develop into a man.

The magazine applies to legal requirement of placing the barcode, price and issue number on the front cover.

This is the contents page for VIBE.

In this contents page the colour theme is different to the colour theme in the front page. Grey is the main colour used in the contents page. The use of this colour creates a conservative and formal look which portrays the target audience.

The arrangement of the title is completely different to the front page above. Vibe have split the contents in to 3 (CO NTEN TS); this creates a edgy look to the magazine. Additionally this anchors to the main model artist: Kanye, because he is seen to be of an edgy character. There is a "V" behind Kanye which represents the name of the magazine "VIBE" so the readers are aware what genre of magazine they are reading.
There is only one image used in this contents page, this is to maintain a simple layout so it is easier to read and understand what is on the contents page. 

This is a one page contents page with only 2 subsections. The subheadings of each section is written in a formal and more mature font and that shows the target audience of this magazine (18+). Each page is numbered and bolded so that the page number is clear and the audience are able to find each page in the magazine.

This is the double page spread of VIBE.

This dps is about Nicki Minaj, she is also the main image on this and the front page so tells the audience that the main featuring article will be about her.
The common house theme has changed here; more girly colours have been used; peach and pink. This combination of colours used represents the stage name Nicki has for herself "Barbie", despite the colours used the target audience doesn't change. The image of Nicki takes up most of the page which illustrates to people who aren't familiar with Nicki Minaj who she is.

The quote above her name "The Gospel According To...." The use of the metaphor represents that the magazine is indicating that the interview/her music are holy words which therefore connotes that they are calling her the Goddess of Rap music. The story on this dps is a question and answer interview with a short introduction in the beginning of the article. This is evident because the questions are numbered in pink and bolded which catches the attention of the reader on what sort of questions where asked to her.

The question and answer format is suitable for the type of genre the magazine is and the target audience the magazine are trying to aim for. The font of this page is kept simple and mature so that the writing is easy to read and to maintain the sophisticated style the magazine are aiming within this issue. "The Gospel According To NICKI MINAJ" is the pull quote of this article because it is the first thing the reader will see when the flick onto the page and as a result of reading the interesting pull quote the reader will be eager to read the rest of the article.