The mast head on this page compromises of just one letter. This is shown in the top left hand side of the page. It is very clear that this is the masthead of the cover page as the letter is sectioned off with its own red background. This makes is stand out in front of the image behind. The white and red colours are very striking. Also the use of the larger font size for the letter ‘Q’ makes it stand out amongst the rest of the text.

The barcode on this cover page is displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the page; here it does not distract the readers from the main image and text on the page. Other techniques are also used on this cover page to ensure that the barcode does not spoil the general and overall design of the page. For example, there is a white, circular text box in the bottom left hand corner, which contains some small black writing. This helps the barcode to blend in as a part of the page, which is also helped by the several pieces of white text on the page.

The colour scheme for this cover page uses a selection of colours, but nothing which is too brash or extravagant. For example the page uses a variety of black and whites, which create contrast on the page. For example, blacks are used in the image, such as hair, and eye makeup. As well as in some of the clothing that Amy is wearing and in the font. White is used in some of the text, such as in the mast head. Amy’s skin tone is also quite pale, which compliments the whites used. There are also the use of some more bold colours, such as red and orange, which can be seen as text, as text boxes, and in the background image (such as in the red love heart tattoos). The combined use of all of these colours makes sure that the text can be seen and that the image and cover in general are eye catching and noticeable.

The image in this page makes up the background of the cover page, however the majority of the image (Amy Winehouse) can be seen on the right hand side of the page. This keeps the masthead and some of the other important text separate and stops it from blending into the image. The pale skin tone of Amy Winehouse in this picture makes the picture striking. It compliments with the white font used (lighter tones), and makes the red stand out more. She is also looking directly at the reader in the photograph. This makes the aim of the magazine more effective, as we see in the text above that the magazine will be covering a tribute towards Amy after her death. Therefore the way she is looking directly out of the page towards the reader creates more direct appeal and makes the image more capturing and heart-felt for the reader. This is a picture boost which is promoting a feature later in the magazine.

The red love heart tattoos on the side of Amy’s arm match the red colours used on the cover page, for example in the background of the mast head and for several other pieces of text.

There are also several small boxes with texts in on this cover page. These separate the pieces of text. For example there is one in the top right hand corner of the page, which is white with red text. Furthermore, there is also an orange text box at the bottom. This gives a clearer layout and structure to the page and groups information, which makes it clearer for the reader to understand. It also adds to the design features of the page, in the respect that it adds more colour and variety, which will make it more interesting for the reader to look at.

The image used on this cover page makes up the whole background of the page. The image is very striking and quite sultry, the facial expression that she is pulling and the way she has positioned her hands and the jewellery it looks like she is holding fits that of the male gaze. She almost appears to be quite dangerous, like she is trying to lure someone in, possibly the readers in this case. This is possibly why the image is used, to try and attract and lure in the readers. The colour tones used in the photo are all very complimentary of each other. For example, golden colours and browns make up the majority of the image. For example the colour of her hair, the colour of her eyes, the necklace she is holding and even her skin tone. Her nails are also painted red, which adds to the sultry appearance of the image. This use of colour also matches the red used in the mast head and the colour used on her lips and eyes, which is red and red/ browns. The use of colours in this image is very clever, it is very striking and stands out, but does not use bold colours to do this; instead the different tones are used to make the image noticeable. This is a picture boost which is promoting a feature inside the magazine.

The barcode on this page is presented in the left bottom hand corner of the page. This is done so that it does not detract the reader’s attention from the main image and mast-head (and other text) on the page. It does not ruin the design of the page, as It actually compliments the white fonts which have been used.

The mast head is bold and has a white outline. Some of the letters are filled with different colours to add some contrast and to make the title stand out more over the background. All of the text on this cover page is in white, therefore the use of colours in the mast head may be used to create a difference between the mast head and the rest of the text, so that there is no confusion between the purposes of the text on the cover.

Different types of font are used on this cover page. For example the font at the bottoms which says ‘Live at Roseland, Elements of 4’ is very different to the text on the middle left hand side. This may be done to separate the different pieces of text on this page and also to create some contrast on the page. This may be done instead of using different colours on the page and to create some variety, which will make the piece more attractive to readers.

The masthead is very bold, white and takes up almost a quarter of the length of the page which makes it stand out. The name of the magazine is kept short, so the graphology can be made eye catching and exciting. The text which is more important is in black, this colour immediately stands out on the blue background. The less important information is presented in a navy blue colour, this blends more into the blue background which makes it clear to us looking at the magazine that the black is the more interesting and important information. v

The image used is very striking, as it is a close up which includes only a shot of the shoulders and head. It has been presented in a black and white effect, this matches the colour scheme used on the masthead and other writing on the page which is in black and white. The image is displayed in the middle of the page which makes it stand out and catch the reader’s eye. Furthermore, Rihanna is looking straight ahead, which creates a direct appeal towards the person looking at the cover page. The use of makeup in the image is also interesting. For example the use of eye makeup which contrasts with the white text, but compliments the black text on the page. Also the use of jewellery and colours make the image stand out more, for example the use of the silver/ white earrings which matches the white text on the page and creates a contrast with the rest of the image. This is a picture boost which is promoting a feature later in the magazine. The image is the centre of visual interest on this page alongside the masthead. Often in vibe magazine we see a lot of negative space. For example they often use a coloured

background instead of using the image to make up the background. We can see quite a lot of negative space in the blue background on this cover page.

The barcode on this cover page is put in the bottom corner of this page, so that it doesn’t detract the reader’s attention from the rest of the page. It does not interrupt the basic layout of this cover page as it actually compliments the black and white text used.

Colour Palette:

The main colours used in this cover page are blue, black and white. The colours used in this magazine cover make the image stand out, due to the simple, lone colour background. The blacks used match with the colour of Rihanna’s hair and the whites compliment the silver earrings that she is wearing. The choice of presenting the image in black and white also matches the black and whites used in the text. The eye makeup (darker shades on the bottom of the eyes) used in the photo also compliments the black used in the text, with the white shades used on the top of the eye complementing the masthead above.