Magazine Front covers Analysis

Two Contrasting Magazines Covers:


Elle magazine cover:

 

The Elle magazine carry a variety of codes, such as Technical, Symbolic and written, which help to produce a well rounded magazine. The technical code in this case is the camera angles used. The central celebrity is Kristen Stewart and shoes a long shot, which could be because they want to show what she is wearing as it may be the latest fashion. Moreover there is only one image, which is her, which suggests that the magazine is just focusing mainly on her. Also the idea of the long shot could also be to show the hair, which maybe be referred back to in the magazine. The long shot also helps the reader determine her body shape as well (slim/curvy).

The symbolic code of the magazine cover is that her expression firstly is quite neutral with a quaint smile, suggesting she may know a secret, and that if you purchase the magazine she may reveal it. Also her eyebrow is slightly raised suggesting that she may be questioning something in her life etc. Her body language suggests her to be an independent woman, and to have a dominant persona, as her hands behind her back, which may connote she doesn’t need a helping hand from anyone.

Her body language seems kind of closed up, as only the other half is displayed ,connoting that her other half of her personality may be hidden ,but about to be revealed. Her clothes are very formal, suggesting that her life may be very busy and business based, as her clothes ideal for work. The colour of her clothes are very neutral, white and dull brown suggesting to been seen in a positive light and that she is pure/innocent, but can get "dirty" (as in she can get involved in something which may be frowned upon) if she wants to with the notion of wearing brown. Her makeup is also very light meaning she may be natural, however the bracelet and jewellery that she is wearing all have a background colour of goldish ,suggesting she is to been seen as important (royalty).The gaze of Kristen Stewart is right on the readers gaze, which is eye-catching to readers.

The written codes of this magazine cover involve the text shown. The main masthead "Elle" is in the colour pink, suggesting that the edition is likely to be girly and feminine .Also it adds a contrast to the colour Kristen Stewart is wearing, grabbing the reader’s attention. Moreover it seems that the words which are likely to appeal to women such as "body issues" and "hey sexy" are in pink, which appeals to the target audience. The rest of the words are shown in black, maybe in relation to the cover girl, Kristen Stewart. The colour used could be to offset her persona. The black could represent her rock chick/Goth side and the pink her girly side. In addition the text holds a variety of bold/thin formatting indicating the most important headings in correlation to the other ones.

Rolling Stones Magazine Cover

Similar toThe Elle magazine in carrying a variety of codes, such as Technical, Symbolic and written, Rolling stones contrasts Elle magazine in the the target audeince and other aspects.The target audience of this magazine is mostly a wide variety of men.The technical code in this case is the camera angles used ,which is a long shot,which is enticing for men as they get a whole view of Katy Perry's body.Moreover there is only one image which suggest she is in control and that the focus is on her .The long shot also is benefical for showing her body frame and her hair etc,which may appeal to men in some way.

The symbolic code of the magazine cover is that her expression firstly is troubled and slightly sexy,this appeals to men and connotes that she may been seen as a Damsel in Distress,which makes men seem to be the Knight in Shining Armour.

The pink bra and underwear she is wearing could connote her girly side and how feminine she is.Moreover the pink could connote her as being a baby,and she needs love and care,which may appeal to a man.Her hair is shown to be slightly bed head/curly which coulds signfy that she is lazy and is a party girl.Her skin is shown to be matte,with a slight shimmer suggesting she takes care of herself. Her pose is one of her legs is closed but one of them is slightly open.This could infer that she may be open to relation .

The written codes of this magazine cover involve the text shown to in a simplistic font that it can be easily read by anyone of the target audience.The main headline is in bold black font "Sex,God and Katy Perry",which symbolises her to be in the same category  of |God . The black colour connotes her to be sinister or a notion of her being  a " fallen angel".The white words contrast with the black,and could also connote the names written to be either legends,with the connotaions of them being pure.