Front cover analysis

FRONT COVER ANALYSIS

       

 XXL is an American which covers the urban lifestyle of celebrities, this magazine covers all aspects of hip-hop culture. XXL focuses on music, style, sports, and politics with intelligence, sophistication, integrity. XXL was found in 1997. XXL can be found online and can be brought in store, when you subscribe on-line fans can be available to many updates from concert to updates on celebrities’ lives. The general target audience for XXL magazine is 78% male readers, with the median age of 27, and 44.7% college buyers, and 67% African Americans Priced at £3.95 XXL is the number 1 selling magazine on the news-stand which outsells magazines like Rolling Stone, Vibe, and spin.

The MastHead (XXL) is in the top left hand corner, behind the artist's head. Using this strategy implies that the company is confident that wherever the product is, it conveys the belief  they have that this product will be recognise any where its seen. The font of the masthead is in white block capital letter

 Is a good strategic advertisement skill.

The main cover image is a close up of the artist (Kendrick Lamar), this close up of the artist face shows a lot of emotions which corresponds with the sub-title "In My Own Words". The editors used capital letters for each word to emphasise that the inside story from the artist and it’s very personal they also correspond with the main cover image. The fact that there is a blow up of a close up of the artist also implies know that the magazine company knows how to draw their target demographics’ attention.

The main cover line of the magazine is the artist's name and "In My Own Story "; these words are in big block bold writing the editor may have done this because they know it will draw the audience to know about this very interesting cover story as it is very exclusive and personal. Also the font could correspond with emotions of the artists face as his face is very straight no smiles and very serious.

The editor deliberately places the barcode and price in the corner of the magazine to distract the audience from the price. 

In this magazine front cover the three colour schemes is slightly misused; as they are 4 colours used. The first colour is the red in the masthead (name of magazine), the second colour is an abstract pink and green, the third colour is the very faint yellow on the side. First of all he abstract colour (pink and green) are warm/cool colours and it could correspond with the main cover story being personal but also with the artist being someone very cool. 

This front cover is very simple, it’s not cover crowed and the colours complement each other well, this reflects in the company and how well structured and organised they are.