Rolling Stones Cover

Analysis

By Saba Kebede

The main cover line in this edition to Rolling Stone is “The Steve Jobs Nobody Knew” in which is the main aspect in the magazine, as well as the kicker “The 2011 Playlist Special”. The explanatory text are the names of the artists that are on the “playlist”. Main cover lines are effective because they give the audience an idea on what is going to be inside the magazine. Main cover lines are what the magazine wants the audience to see, because of the fact that it reveals the most interesting aspect in the magazine, in which the audience should be attracted to. Kickers and Explanatory texts are not the headline stories, but still helps to attract the reader, by giving them an insight of what the magazine holds inside.

Cover Lines

LanguageThe language in this front cover is simple but effective, as well as presentable. This is useful in letting the audience read the writing clearer. This can create a broader target audience, because if the language is easy to read, specific age group can relate and read “Rolling Stone”. The writing in this front cover is readable and therefore, more people would buy this magazine rather than their competitors and therefore the company will get more customers and there will be an increase in where this magazine is distributed. The words that makes the magazine approachable are “Inside Barack Obama’s War Room” and “The Steve Jobs Nobody Knew”, because these are straightforward and to-the-point.

The Mode of Address is formal as with the words, “How an Insecure Hippie Kid Reinvented Himself” and so is clearly targeted to a specific age group such as 20-40 year olds who have a clear interest in rock music. This can be useful because the age group of 20-40 years is a broad target audience, whereas this is limited because not everyone loves rock music. The language of this magazine is direct because it seems as though it is speaking to it’s readers, when it says, “The Steve Jobs Nobody Knew”, therefore it seems as though its telling its audience, so its direct and written in third person.

The Mode Of Address

There is a clear colour scheme of Red, Black and White, in which can be of use with the target audience, in which are over the age of 20. I think that the colour scheme links with the target audience because the colours present will attract the target audience rather than young readers because it doesn’t have the vibrant and edgy look that teenagers thrive for. The colour scheme has an old fashion approach in which can attract the right target audience. The fact that the colours red, white and black are very bold colours is also very easy to spot and therefore presentable. It is clear that the colour red represents rock and roll. The colours clearly match and looks refined and distinguished.

Colour Scheme

The “Rolling Stone” font is of Royal Acid, and it creates the theme of rock, in which is suitable for its target audience. The font is clear and lucid to attract people. The fact that this magazine has a rock and roll approach, gives the essence of the magazine and therefore the customers will know what they have bargained for. The Serif fonts of the main cover lines, kicker and explanatory text are simple but effective as it is clear to the reader and looks presentable. The use of simple fonts makes “Rolling Stone” seem professional and proficient, as it is not complex or unclear to read.

Font

The layout of this magazine is clear because it follows the eye flow in which is shown where:1.The Masthead2. “The Steve Jobs Nobody Knew”3. “Inside Obama’s War Room By Michael Hastings4. “The 2011 Playlist Special”5. The list of artists

The lack of white space brings about the information on this front cover. This makes the magazine have an informative and professional approach to it. Apart from the background being white, it seems as though the writing cover up that fact.

Layout

Eye Contact / GazeSteve Job’s is the model in the background, in which has direct eye contact with the camera. The fact that the model is looking at the camera is effective because it seems as though the model is looking into the eyes of the reader, in which can be used as a persuasive method. It seems more personal as well because of the eye contact. The camera angle is at eye-level, in which is simple but efficient. Eye contact and facial expressions provide important social and emotional information. Therefore in this front cover the fact that there is eye contact makes it seem more personal and arouses strong emotions.

The price line is on the top right hand corner of the magazine under the dateline.

I think that this magazine clearly demonstrates class and sophistication, as I think that the colour scheme is effective and matches with the overall rock and roll theme of the magazine. Furthermore, I would like to portray the class and sophistication of this magazine into my magazine. However, I would change the colours for my magazine to modernise it.

Inspiration and Changes