Seventeen Front Cover Analysis

In our media lessons this week, we have also been annotating magazine front covers and learning the terminology of the key features of the front cover of a magazine. We have been discussing the effect of certain front covers and how the editor uses the features of a front cover to appeal to the magazines target audience. I have been annotating two different front covers to enhance my understanding of a front cover of a magazine. I will be taking all this new information into account as I start to make my own front cover for my own magazine. The two magazine covers I annotated were "Seventeen" and "Teen Now". Both had different ways of appealing to their target audiences and both are part of two very well know brands. I have attached my annotations to this post. Annotating these magazine front covers will help me to make a magazine that will appeal to my target audience.

Seventeen

Masthead- The name “Seventeen” suggests a youthful, energetic, brightly coloured magazine aimed at teenagers. The colour of the masthead is red connoting the magazine is for teenage girls as red is associated with love which is more of an appealing topic for females- stereotypically. Also, it looks like the masthead- along with other parts of the front cover- has been written in a red lipstick. As this is a feminine beauty product, it connotes the magazine is mainly targeted at teenage girls. The colour red also stands out and corresponds with the white and blue and black connoting an American flag colour, suggesting the magazine is mainly aimed at American teenage girls; also shown by the barcode where the price is in dollars.

Tagline- There is no tagline to this magazine. This could suggest that the institution of the magazine is so well-known and well-branded, the masthead alone speaks for the magazine and a tagline is not needed.

Central image and cover model-The image of Ansel Elgort is the only image on the front cover with no secondary image; this suggests that he is the main focus of the magazine. Ansel Elgort is seen as a young, hot celebrity and is found attractive amongst teenage girls due to the roles he has played in many films targeted at this audience. Therefore, he was used as the cover model to attract the audience`s attention as it will draw his fans to read the magazine. Fans will be attracted as they will want to know the gossip about him. Ansel Elgort has been made to look seductive as his shirt is slightly open at the top to reveal skin and high-key lighting is used to show the true detail of his face and add a sense of purity about him. He has been made to look more attractive so it will catch the target audience`s eyes and draw them to the magazine. The image is anchored by super imposed text saying “Ansel Elgort “I like girls who have a passion. “This attracts readers as it is taken from an article containing gossip about him but they also might relate to it and think “that could be me.” It is a gripping statement. The image is a low-angle shot suggesting superiority and we should worship him.

Direct Mode of Address- The cover model is looking directly at the camera making it more eye catching to the reader as they feel they are looking at them. The front cover includes the coverline “Get it, Girl!”. This could be seen as talking straight to the reader making the magazine more personal. At the bottom of the magazine there is: “XOXO”; this is a direct mode of address as it could be seen as the ending to a letter or gift given to the reader.

Coverlines- On this front cover there are 5 coverlines showing a variety of magazine content- all directed at females. The magazine uses slang and colloquial language to try to make it seem more youthful, linking to the masthead.

Puff- “Free poster inside!” This puff is surrounded by a red loveheart making it stand out and seem more attractive as it could be saying “you will love [red loveheart] this freebie”. It attracts people to the magazine.

Pug- There are no pugs on this front cover. This could suggest that advertising isn’t necessary as the magazine is well branded enough on its own.

Barcode, Edition, Price, Date- These are all located very out of the way, in the corners to prevent the focus being taken off of Ansel Elgort.

Buzz Words- The editor has used colloquial buzz words to stand out and be youthful as the masthead suggests. Eg. “E-P-I-C”, “Bestie”, “Insta-Worthy”, “#OOTD”.