Research
- How existing media products use media language to communicate meanings through their forms, codes and convention.
- How the media represent events, issues, individuals, or social groups
- How media forms target, reach and address audiences and how audiences interpret and respond to them.
1) How has the magazine presented its masthead and why?
Cosmopolitan has presented its masthead as bold but simple, using colours such as pastel pink which blend with the background. The masthead doesn't prevent the reader from taking their eyes away from the main picture of the of Michelle Keegan. The pastel pink also represents femininity which relates to Cosmopolitan's target audience of teenager and young adults. Also, the model's head is covering the middle of the masthead in order to show that the picture is more important then the masthead. This also indicates how successful the magazine is as the reader already knows what the masthead says even though the model is covering up some of the letters in the centre.
2)What image has the magazine used on its front cover? How is it effective?
This issue of Cosmopolitan has on its front cover an image of Michelle Keegan wearing a pale blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up and tutu styled skirt which matches the colour of the masthead and various cover lines dotted around the edges. She is smiling which instantly draws the reader as they think that by reading the Cosmopolitan then it will make them happy as well.The image is effective because the image is eye-catching and makes you want to buy the magazine as it stands out compared to others because of the magazine's choices of pale pink and pale blue clothes for the model which contrast with the black and white cover lines but still matches the other pale pink ones.
3)How has the magazine enticed its audience into reading further?
The magazine has included various cover lines that are shown in different colours and fonts depending on their importance and what would entice the reader in more.For example, "CABIN FEVER" is wrote in a white bold font that catches the readers eye because it is the only thing on the magazine's front cover that is white. Also, this section inside the newspaper would interest the reader because it relates to their lives because the section is about giving advice to people before they go on a plane and many people use this type of transport to go to a different country on holiday meaning that this section would be relate-able to a wide audience. In addition, another example of an intriguing cover line is "MICHELLE KEEGAN". This is because this issue of Cosmopolitan's front cover has as it's main image as Michelle Keegan and since the audience is already attracted by the image, because that is one of the first things a reader would look at, suggests that they may want to read more about the actress as their eyes move around the front cover. By reading the cover line, the target audience of teenagers and young women would also find this relatable because Michelle Keegan who is now none globally, came from a quiet background, just like many of Cosmopolitan's readers. Furthermore, readers may also be interested in getting to know he actress a bit better as the cover line is portrayed as being an interview with the actress on her rise to fame.
Comparison of Target Audiences
Cosmopolitan and Kerrang! magazines both have completely different target audiences which are indicated through their front cover's use of colour, font and images. For example, this edition of Cosmopolitan uses the colours of whites, pinks, purples and blacks in order to represent femininity which refers back to the magazine's target audience being young women. The masthead is baby pink which symbolises romance, tenderness and playfulness which may link to what is actually in the contents of the issue which attracts the target audience of young women because stereo-typically, they like reading about how to find the man of their dreams, latest trends and interviews with female stars who they look up to and aspire to be one day. All these aspects are usually suggested in the cover lines on the front cover of the magazine which entices young women into reading the whole thing. For example, the main image, in this case, Caroline Flack, catches the readers eyes as she is extremely attractive and many young women are inspired by her and what she does. This makes them want to read on and find a bit more about her through reading the magazine in maybe a 'exclusive interview' as Cosmopolitan makes the reader think that they won't be able to find this kind of 'juicy gossip' anywhere else.
On the other hand, Kerrang! has a completely different target audience of young men and heavy metal lovers as it mostly based on heavy metal music. Once again, this magazines use of colour, font and images suggests this. For example, in this issue, Kerrang! has used reds, whites and greys in order to represent anger and passion which would usually be associated with heavy metal music. This would help the reader tell straight away what the magazine is about and the colour red (which Marilyn Manson is wearing) attracts the most attention to the front cover as the colour is eye-catching and inflicts strong feelings of love and anger to the magazine. This also links back to heavy metal music and the target audience because they would want to pick up this issue of the Kerrang! because of all its links to music through colour. In addition, the masthead is white with a border of red which jumps out at the reader which matches Marilyn Manson's outfit and makeup. The fact that the magazines name Kerrang! uses an exclamation mark suggests that the magazine is shouting the name at you which also refers back to heavy metal music because of the way some artists 'scream' their lyrics in certain songs. Finally, Marilyn Manson is the key edition to the front cover who is seen as one of the most notorious and controversial entertainers of the 1990's. This would attract a wider audience of young adults as well as heavy metal lovers because many readers may be attracted to the magazine because they remember Marilyn Manson when they were growing up and may want to read about what he is doing now inside the edition. The fact that he has colourful nail varnish and read and white ghost-like makeup on his face is controversial and sticks to his general look which readers would recognise him from.
In conclusion, both magazines use their front covers in order to attract their different target audiences.Cosmopolitan uses light, fun and feminine colours in order to attract young women and teenagers who want to know celebrity gossip, advice and ore inside the edition whereas Kerrang! uses dark, angry, meaningful colours in order to attract of young men and heavy metal lovers as the front cover relates to this type of music. Both magazine's front covers are eye-catching and make the two different target audiences want to pick them up.
3)How has the magazine enticed its audience into reading further?
The magazine has included various cover lines that are shown in different colours and fonts depending on their importance and what would entice the reader in more.For example, "CABIN FEVER" is wrote in a white bold font that catches the readers eye because it is the only thing on the magazine's front cover that is white. Also, this section inside the newspaper would interest the reader because it relates to their lives because the section is about giving advice to people before they go on a plane and many people use this type of transport to go to a different country on holiday meaning that this section would be relate-able to a wide audience. In addition, another example of an intriguing cover line is "MICHELLE KEEGAN". This is because this issue of Cosmopolitan's front cover has as it's main image as Michelle Keegan and since the audience is already attracted by the image, because that is one of the first things a reader would look at, suggests that they may want to read more about the actress as their eyes move around the front cover. By reading the cover line, the target audience of teenagers and young women would also find this relatable because Michelle Keegan who is now none globally, came from a quiet background, just like many of Cosmopolitan's readers. Furthermore, readers may also be interested in getting to know he actress a bit better as the cover line is portrayed as being an interview with the actress on her rise to fame.
Comparison of Target Audiences
Cosmopolitan and Kerrang! magazines both have completely different target audiences which are indicated through their front cover's use of colour, font and images. For example, this edition of Cosmopolitan uses the colours of whites, pinks, purples and blacks in order to represent femininity which refers back to the magazine's target audience being young women. The masthead is baby pink which symbolises romance, tenderness and playfulness which may link to what is actually in the contents of the issue which attracts the target audience of young women because stereo-typically, they like reading about how to find the man of their dreams, latest trends and interviews with female stars who they look up to and aspire to be one day. All these aspects are usually suggested in the cover lines on the front cover of the magazine which entices young women into reading the whole thing. For example, the main image, in this case, Caroline Flack, catches the readers eyes as she is extremely attractive and many young women are inspired by her and what she does. This makes them want to read on and find a bit more about her through reading the magazine in maybe a 'exclusive interview' as Cosmopolitan makes the reader think that they won't be able to find this kind of 'juicy gossip' anywhere else.
On the other hand, Kerrang! has a completely different target audience of young men and heavy metal lovers as it mostly based on heavy metal music. Once again, this magazines use of colour, font and images suggests this. For example, in this issue, Kerrang! has used reds, whites and greys in order to represent anger and passion which would usually be associated with heavy metal music. This would help the reader tell straight away what the magazine is about and the colour red (which Marilyn Manson is wearing) attracts the most attention to the front cover as the colour is eye-catching and inflicts strong feelings of love and anger to the magazine. This also links back to heavy metal music and the target audience because they would want to pick up this issue of the Kerrang! because of all its links to music through colour. In addition, the masthead is white with a border of red which jumps out at the reader which matches Marilyn Manson's outfit and makeup. The fact that the magazines name Kerrang! uses an exclamation mark suggests that the magazine is shouting the name at you which also refers back to heavy metal music because of the way some artists 'scream' their lyrics in certain songs. Finally, Marilyn Manson is the key edition to the front cover who is seen as one of the most notorious and controversial entertainers of the 1990's. This would attract a wider audience of young adults as well as heavy metal lovers because many readers may be attracted to the magazine because they remember Marilyn Manson when they were growing up and may want to read about what he is doing now inside the edition. The fact that he has colourful nail varnish and read and white ghost-like makeup on his face is controversial and sticks to his general look which readers would recognise him from.
In conclusion, both magazines use their front covers in order to attract their different target audiences.Cosmopolitan uses light, fun and feminine colours in order to attract young women and teenagers who want to know celebrity gossip, advice and ore inside the edition whereas Kerrang! uses dark, angry, meaningful colours in order to attract of young men and heavy metal lovers as the front cover relates to this type of music. Both magazine's front covers are eye-catching and make the two different target audiences want to pick them up.
