Jade Mason

SIGNS AND SIGNIFIERS: MUSIC MAGAZINE

The genre of Q is pop/rock which mainly concentrated on the rock side. I expect to see artists that major in pop/rock music such as top 40 artists and

rock bands. An iconic sign in this magazine cover is the master head 'Q' because it is a physical representation of the letter Q and is a logo which is

a physical representation of the brand. The graphic 'Q' would have a preferred reading of how the sign is so easily recognizable that everyone

should be able to see that 'Q' and immediately think of the brand and what the brand represents (pop/rock music.) The curved typography of the Q isn't

as formal as other masterheads which shows that it is more accessible to everyone rather than more formal audiences.

The main image of Adele is iconic because it is a literal photograph of the pop star Adele. She is iconic for her fans and to an audience due to the fact

that if you saw a picture of her you would instantly recognize her .The colours used in the front cover is a symbolic sign: the use of red

represent love and passion which is shown in Adele's body language being very flirtatious and her look of lust in her eyes. Adele's music is mostly

about love and lust and this is transferred to her pose and the colours in the cover. Women are tend to be seen as sexual beings and Adele's pose is

showing that she is very flirtatious however she represents a large  majority of women who feel like they are not the stereotypical 'beautiful'.

Oppositional readers will see this image of Adele and feel that she isn't representing herself in a good way as she is posing very flirtatiously and in

a sense sexually, which is what she is supposed to be avoiding.Her body language is an indexical sign as she very sultry and seductive

which suggests her flirtatious side. The side angle could show that she is hiding something or is trying to be flirtatious and innocent. The preferred

reading to this is that she is powerful and independent which would encourage girls who wish to be like her to be the same. The oppositional

reading would be that she is contradicting what she stands for and should be promoting her career and music rather than being flirtatious and

concentrating on becoming a sexual object.

Q: COVER PAGE

The masterhead has the iconic Q which represents the brand and is in contrasting colours to the Black and White

title 'Contents' which makes the brand stand out which could suggest that the brand Q doesn't want to stick to the stereotype and wants to draw in readers who want to stand

out from the crowd.

The main image of Adele is iconic, symbolic and indexical for many reason.

It is iconic because it is an actual photograph of the artist Adele and it represents her as an artist.

The size of the photo is indexical as the image is the largest thing on the page which could link to the size of her as an

artist being very large and influential and how she is growing bigger and bigger with more and more fans. The

shadows on her face is indexical as it suggests that she may still be hiding a side of her which is intriguing as you as the reader wants to find out more about her and find out what she is hiding. Her facial expression is very relaxed which

contrasts to the cover page spoken about above. The preferred reading will like the fact that she appears very

relaxed and conserved and very poised and formal looking.

The typography of her name ADELE is very bold and formal which links to her pose and her costume and makeup being very formal and sophisticated which could suggest her as an artist at the moment or could foreshadow where she wants to go as an artist in the future. The oppositional

reading may feel that her pose seems very catty, malicious and venomous, the same as her looking her eyes.

Q: CONTENTS PAGE

The image of Lady Gaga is Iconic as is the Letter L; the image is iconic as it is a physical representation of

Lady Gaga as it is a photograph of her and the letter L is iconic as it is the initial of her first name. It is also symbolic because the L is very large and it is in bold

typography to show that she is a large and well known artist as well as very defined and professional. The use of red suggest lust and love which is shown and linked

to her pose being very flirtatious and sexual.

The photograph of Lady Gaga can also be indexical. Her pose is very sexual and symbolizes what viewers would find attractive. Her hands on her breasts could

show that she is empowered and is loving the skin that she is in (which is what her as an artist represents)  however oppositional readers can say that she is

promoting and encouraging others to view her as a sexual object rather than a classy, influential woman. They could also say that because she is such a large

artist and has many fans that she is a bad influence on them and should be aware that her actions could have an impact on her fans (some being young). The use of black and white is symbolic because it suggests class

and a vintage appeal which suggests that she is branching as an artist and will become a vintage artist

in the future.

Q: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

This cover has many iconic signs: firstly the Masterheads and Logo 'NME' is iconic as it is a physical representation of the brand and the magazine- when audiences see this logo they will immediately think of the brand and the magazine. The image of Lana Del Rey is also iconic because it is a physical photograph of her. She is iconic

for her fans also.

There are also symbolic signs; the American flag symbolizes Nationalism and will endear American readers to want to read it. It suggests that this issue will include many American artists which

could encourage international readers to want to read so that they can find out more about American artists also. Her pose is symbolic

because it suggests her being strong and powerful (which is normally what 'hands-on-hips' normally suggests. Preferred readers

will see this as influential and inspiring.

Her facial expressions however are indexical; they can be viewed in two ways. Firstly it could suggest that she is taking more of a rock approach to her music now as more heavy metal and rock artists

stick their tongue out as a symbol of rebellion. It could also suggest that she, as an artist, is trying to break out of the stereotypical cut-

out pop artist. She is also juxtaposing her own style as she is seen to be a very classically beautiful women, her hair is golden and shiny

and styled the way it would have been in the 1950's which juxtaposes with the 'modern' rock pose with the tongue. The words

'I'M A PSYCHO!' links with her pose as she appears to be a bit crazy and out there. The pun 'true face of a modern American' literally means that people are using this facial expression more and more which metaphorically suggests that audiences are changing the

music that they are listening to. Oppositial readers will say that her facial expression is too harsh and may be ruining her beauty and

poise, and encourage the wrong mindset.

NME: COVER PAGE

The iconic signs in this contents page are the Logo 'NME' is iconic as it is a physical

representation of the brand and the magazine- when audiences see this logo they will immediately think of the brand and the

magazine. The image of Kasabian is also iconic because it is a photograph of the artist which

is a physical representation.

The use of colour is a symbolic sign; red symbolizes love which is linked to the title of

the article 'Kasbian got ROMANTIC in a church.' This would attract women because

women stereo typically are attracted to anything related to love and romance however

men would also be attracted to the article if they listen to the artist. The image is also

symbolic as the backdrop of the church will suggest that the artist is very wholesome and sophisticated as a church symbolizes religion and purity which could attract readers that may not necessarily have heard the artists

music.

NME: CONTENTS PAGE

The image of Florence Welch is an iconic sign because it is a physical representation of the artist and she is an iconic sign to her fans. 

The use of red is symbolic because it symbolizes love and lust which is shown in her pose. The

words 'got the love' is symbolic as it links to the colour red being linked to love and indexical as it links to her as one of her songs included that

lyric. She appears very sultry and flirtatious and she is showing lots of skin on her legs. Her pose

an indexical sign as she is very strong and empowering which could link to the 'USA' in the background suggesting that America is strong

and powerful also. 

The curved typography of the letter 'D' is symbolic and indexical as it is typical feminine and pretty which also links to the theme of love and her as she is feminine. Preferred readers will feel that she is representing women in a

good way as she appears powerful and strong however Oppositional readers will feel that she is teaching women to show less skin and view

her as a sexual object.

NME: DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD