Vibe Magazine Cover Analysis…

• The masthead takes up the whole top row of the rule of thirds which makes it clearly visible and noticeable to the consumer. Furthermore, the masthead is the exact same in each issue other than the change of colour to fit with the particular issue and the effect of this is so that the reader automatically knows it’s vibe magazine. In addition, the masthead sets the tone and house style for this issue. It is bright blue giving a sense of a chilled personality which reinforces the chosen artist for the front cover of the issue.

• The main image is of the urban and rap artist Kanye West who is proven to be extremely popular which is the reason Vibe used him. Additionally, the image of him is a medium close up in which he is giving the consumer direct eye contact which would be effective because it’s as if he’s welcoming them into reading further. The background is plain and white with a slight shadow of the artist emphasising his importance, Kanye is also wearing a grey jacket with a blue collar reinforcing the house style of the colour.

Further Analysis Of Cover…

• The coverlines, are all professionally aligned within in the rule of thirds automatically making the cover look like a professional layout. Furthermore, the text of the coverlines are all in the selected colours of the house style which would be: blue, pink and black. By keeping a house style it looks a lot more fresh and modern which is what Vibe magazine are aiming for. One coverline is a pull quote saying “I am rap” which emphasises the genre of the magazine as well as explaining in a simple way, what he is about and what his music is about which feeds the consumer a small piece of information to intrigue them further to buying the magazine. Another coverline gives a small incite about the music you should be listening to and if the consumer looks up to Kanye then they’re most likely to purchase this issue.

Vibe Contents Page Analysis…

• The contents page mainly consists of a main image, which is again of Kanye West and this reinforces the cover of the issue which is professional and obviously what the consumer was looking for. In addition, Kanye in this image is dressed in fashionable clothing whilst looking head strong and dominant which shows us the originality of the issue and the music in which it’s about-it also has a modern affect of it being black and white conveying contrast as well as setting the house style for the page. There are no subsidiary images because it chooses to focus on one image and make it look more simple. The background is fairly plain and simple with a darker shade of the letter ‘V’ which is obviously representing the magazine being as the name begins with that letter. The masthead takes up three lines and the top right third of the page, showing it’s importance and the magazines own style compared to others due to the way it has been laid out. The subsidiary text is black and just consists of information given out under page numbers to inform readers what the magazine contains, this comes under the heading of ‘features’ which is an easy give away.

Vibe Double Page Spread Analysis…

• Although, I researched for a double page spread on Kanye West, I failed to do so yet found another one from an issue of Vibe Magazine…

• The colour of the dress is read which shows connotations of seductiveness, lust and desire. This could draw the reader in especially if it was of the male gender being as they would be attracted so want t know more.

• This double page spread is effective due to the fact the main image which is the main focal is a long shot which focuses on her brightly coloured dress setting the tone of the article whilst there are smaller white and black ones aligned above the article in the background. In addition, the contrast of the colours and variety of images is effective towards the target audience and this is something that I shall try to include in my own magazine., because it makes the magazine very stylish and more interesting. The text on this spread is laid out into columns within the rule of thirds which makes it easier for the reader to follow. It’s clever the way the pull quote is in a bolder font and a different colour to emphasise something said by the artist whom is highlighted in blue.

Vibe Magazine Background & Research…

• Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine which first began in the early 90’s-1993 to be precise-and was founded and produced by musician Quincy Jones in partnership with ‘Time Inc’. Additionally, the magazine was originally known as Volume, before they renamed is Vibe. The genre of Vibe consists of R&B and hip-hop styled music and artists. Although, after the productions was shut down in the Summer of 2009, it was picked back up and purchase by a private equity investment fund ‘InterMedia Partners’ and now Vibe is issued monthly. The magazines target audience is predominantly aimed towards the younger youth who are interested in the urban and hip-hop culture. June 30, 2012, Vibe had a circulation of 300,943 and 202,439 of this was paid and the 98,504 was non paid. Recently within the year of 2012, Vibe holdings merged with ‘Black Book Media’ to form Vibe Media.

HOUSE STYLE…OF VIBE MAGAZINE.

The house style of the magazine varies within different issues of Vibe magazine. However, during the issue in which I chose and analysed the house style of the colour was the following colours: pink, blue,

black and white. It seems quite a range of colours but on the cover it doesn’t look to tacky or full of colour because careful consideration

has gone it to it to make it look professional and tidy. The colour white is consistent throughout all pages of the magazine and the reason behind this is because the white shows connotations of

something being fresh, new and original and his reinforces what Vibe Magazine wants the readers to think and believe about the music.