DETAILED

ANALYSIS OF
VIBE

MASTHEAD The masthead of this

COLOUR SCHEME The colour scheme of a magazine is used dependent on the
magazine is placed conventionally
audience targeted and their overall branding. In VIBE red, grey and black are
in the first vertical third of the page. used consistently all across the cover. Not only do these colours compliment each
VIBE is written in a bold, serif font
other amongst the white background but together they can have quite strong
of all capital letters, all this
connotations. Red connotes power, determination and strength, grey connotes
contributes to the readers initial
depth, stability and dignity and black connotes authority and control. All these
impression of the magazine. The
colours possess connotations that fans of the targeted genre Hip Hop seek. They
use of the colour red grabs the
want to be in control of their own lives and be reputable and dignified for their
MISE-EN-SCENE The mise-en-scene of a
readers attention, red connotes
craft whilst maintaining a realistic outlook.
cover contributes to the selling of it. The font,
determination , power and
colours imagery and sizes used adds to the
strength. These connotations add to
audience it attracts. Everything on the cover is
the possible psychographics of the
quite simplistic and structured regarding the
target audience to stand out and
colours used and the layout. It follows the
be in in charge and in stead of their
approach that less is more and nothing much
own lives. The word VIBE also can
needs to be said in order for people to reach
give an indication of the magazines
for
it IMAGE/MODEL
it speaks for itself.
MAIN
The main image of any
genre of hip hop as it commonly
MAIN COVER LINE The main
magazine
cover
is
the
focal
point, what audiences
seen as the genre the is most
cover line is anchored to the main
first see and pay attention to. The image denotes
investing.
image and reads THE NEW GOD
Rap star Kendrick Lamar in the central hotspot
MC, KENDRICK LAMAR. Its placed
areas of the page, this instantly attracts fans of his
in the first horizontal third of the
music and fans of Hip Hop and Rap. The use of a
medium close up draws attention, it also connotes
page and the latter part of it., the
the status of the artist as important and admired.
name of the artist, is in a larger,
The stance the artist shows Kendrick with his hands
bold , black font amongst a white
together and using direct address looking straight
background. Both of these things
at the camera, this as well as the cover line
help instantly attract the audience
anchored GOD MC also indicates a form of status
to the magazine when placed on a
here. It represents Kendrick Lamar as a holy figure
shop
shelf.
TARGET
AUDIENCE VIBEs mass target audience consists of
in amongst his craft, that hes highly respected
fans of the Hip Hop genres that are 55% males and 45% females
and admired by fans of the genre and fellow artists.
majority between the ages of 18 34. With 62% in employment,
COVER LINES the cover lines on this cover are placed in
the audience is financially stable and very much in control of
the first and third vertical third of the page and in a bold
their own lifestyles and I think would be amongst the social
contrasting cover to the background, this allows individual
classes C1-D. Stereotypically those who are fans of the Hip Hop
focus on aspect of the cover. The cover lines allow the
genre are mostly Black/African American, VIBE seems to conform audience to get an insight of the cover and entice them to
to that stereotype with a 75% Black/African American audience.
want to read on. One cover line in particular does conform
The magazine acts as a vehicle to new an upcoming talent whilst to the general stereotypes of the Hip Hop music genre
still honouring the Hip Hop legends that already exist. The
SEX, DRUGS AND R&B. These few words are commonly
audience is innovative, growing and trendsetting, and also enjoy
used to represent this genre of music and those in this
hearing the voice of urban music and culture as projected by
industry. The terms used are slightly controversial which

MASTHEAD/TITLE The masthead for the

contents page just uses the beginning initial MISE EN SCENE the overall mise en scene of the
contents page is quite unconventional; the article titles on
V in the same serif font and colour as is
the rightmost of the page, the main article title on the
used on the cover. This shows uniform and
gives the magazine brand identity as well as leftmost, however this isnt necessarily a bad thing in a
showing how established VIBE is as a brand. way it adds to the connotation of an alternate perspective
Being placed in the third vertical third is
on music, one of innovation and new culture. Everything on
quite unconventional but it shows how
reputable
the magazine
is by
defying
the of the page, similar to the cover, is quite simplistic and spaced
MAIN IMAGE
The main
image
is also
out this also represents the magazines mission statement
norms
of publication.
cover model
Kendrick Lamar. This is done
LAYOUT
The through
layout of music.
this contents
to readers
to show importance of this article and how to provide a clear head space
page is quite unconventional
it is kind of a must see article and also
however I do believe this was
acts as a selling point. The medium long
intentional as it shows the reputation
shot alongside his indirect address shows
the magazine upholds, they are so
status and intrigue as well as the use of
established they are able to subvert
black and white effects. as its places in the
the norms of the standard contents
central hotspot areas itll cause the
page and show the different take on
audience
be drawn
it and title
spend a bit
ARTICLEto
TITLE
Thetoarticle
things they have,
almostacting
CONTENTS
The as a
of
extra time
on COOL
it. and the
LEADERS
OFfocusing
THE NEW

page number is in the opposing third to

the other article titles and is also in a
larger font. As this is anchored to the
main image and article it allows
audiences to be drawn to that article
first as the larger scale and separation
HOUSE
STYLE
The house
is
shows
the
importance
of the style
article.
consistent throughout both the cover
and contents page using red, black
and white. Again, this shows uniform
and brand identity making the
audience want to be apart of such an
established thing. Ive also noticed
looking at other issues of VIBE that
the house styles differ to each issue.
In a way this give each issue

representation
of the brand itself.
contents/article
section
is places in the third
vertical third, again this
isnt particularly
conventional for a
magazine but is a very
effective way of showing
TARGET AUDIENCE The target
the status of the brand.
audience are individuals interesting As the audience tends
in new talent whilst honouring the
to view a page left to
old. They are innovative thinkers
right thisll be the last
and enjoy clarity and clear head
thing seen before the
space. Theyre realists, they believe page is turned, meaning
in seeing things for what they are
if anything is seen that
is interesting to the
and dealing with the matters at
hand. It think the contents does well audience it'll take little

LAYOUT On the left page

of the spread there is no
visible conventional grid
but it is conveniently laid
out for the audiences
viewing, i.e. the
subheading/title at the
uppermost of the page
with the article placed
below.
On the left page there is
more of a visible grid, the
only thing on this page is
the model anchored to the
article in the central
hotspot areas.
This allows focus on each
individual aspect of the
spread. This all has been
done, I think, for the
appeal audience
COLUMNS
The
article is
members
will
visually
to a much
smaller
scale
enjoy
this page
furthering
than the
title. to
It is
fairly
them
to want
read
on.
unconventional as there is
no clear use of columns
the main article is in
paragraph form. Although
it may not be the most
aesthetically pleasing
approach it certainly
makes for easier reading,
everything is compact in
one area and can be read

ADDRESS/LANGUAGE The COLOUR- The use of

language used throughout the colour here is consistent MAIN IMAGE the
throughout the
main image of Kendrick
publication is quite informal
magazine. The same
denotes a side profile of
KENDRICK LAMAR IS
FLOATING this gives a certain scheme is used to show the artist. The use of a
close up shot here
level of intimacy between the uniform and give the
magazine
brand
identity.
stands out to the
magazine and reader causing
The
colours
used
are
audience as well and
them to want to read on as in
quit
muted
which
giving them a
no way are they being talked
connotes
the
feel
of
connection with the
down to in the way the could
simplicity and
artist himself. Its central
possibly be in real life, acting
reputation.
and separate location
as escapism.
connotes individuality
and status, which could
very well appeal to the
target audience and
their want to be
recognised and admired
for their art. However, in
Hip Hop those in the
profession are
commonly as
represented as arrogant
to those unfamiliar with
the genre the lack of
FONT The font used
OVERALL IMPRESSION The
direct address and eye
throughout the publication is
overall impression given by the
contact here could
serif and structurally spaced.
design of the spread is quite
conform to that
This shows uniform amongst the
simplistic and clean, this connotes
stereotype and could
magazines branding as well as
a clear head space and realistic
affect the selling and
focus on the important sections.
outlook the audience so wish to
branding.
The larger more bold serif font
inhabit. The lack on the page
used in the title stands out for
shows the establishment of the
the reader to see and become
brand and portrays them to not
enthralled by. I think the use of

WHAT
CONNECTIONS CAN
BE IDENTIFIED
BETWEEN
THEscheme used throughout the
COLOUR SCHEME/HOUSE STYLE
The colour
entire publication is red, black andTHREE?
white. This reoccurring use of colours
gives the magazine brand identity and allows it to be easily recognised as
one publication.

FONT The font used throughout the three pages is of the same sort. The
bold serif font used ties all three pages together giving them uniform and
enhances branding. It makes the text stand out to the audience but also
makes its recognisable when on the shop shelf.
LAYOUT The layout across all three pages follows a theme of simplicity and