Research- Q magazine

The Front Cover

L- The front cover mainly use the colours red, gray, white and black. Grey is used to make the brightness of the red and the colour of the fire stand out. however, it could also symbolise wisdom and respect as it is a well known magazine that is rated well. Red could of been used because it connotates to mean passion, energy and power, which are all aspects that the magazine wants to convey through to the reader. They want to show that they have a passion for music, and that the magazine is full of energy and is powerful. By having the two people in the main image wear black it shows that they are from the rock/ alternative genre of music, as that is the colour that ism associated with it. The masthead is quite large and is place at the top left of the magazine. Black can also show rebellion which links to the image as they are holding a guitar that is on fire.The main picture is a long shot which is based down the centre of the page, as there is another two images either side. The picture is of Kasabian, and one of them is holding a guitar which is on fire, linking it to the main cover line 'Kasabian, They're on fire', but it also links to their song lyrics. The other two pictures are in boxes, with a caption underneath them. It uses a banner headline to boast the fact it is a major magazine. The other cover line is in a red diagonal banner near the bottom to make it stand out, and the other cover lines all link to the main one, and is just a list of bands featured in the magazine. It also has a bar code up the left side of it with the price on, which is £3.99. The writing is all mainly in capitals.
I- Q magazine is produced by the Bauer media group and is published monthly for £3.99.
I- The front cover of the magazine gives you the idea that the type of music it represents is alternative. The band featured on the front is powerful as he is holding a guitar which is on fire. This also links to their song as they had a chart hit with 'I'm on fire', so by showing them with a guitar in fire it lets people know who they are. They are also wearing black. This could show that they are strong and powerful, which is also shown by how they are stood and the fact that they are both looking straight into the camera, so making a connection with the audience. It also does not just focus on music but also sport, comedy, films and politics.
A- I think that the main age range for this magazine will be 16-24 as that is the age range of that genre of music. This is shown through the design of the magazine, as it is done in a modern, stylish way which will attract to younger people. Also, the image of using fire will attract to young people as it symbolises rebellion and excitement. It also looks as though it is more aimed at men then women, because of the colours used and the genre of music it represents.
R- The representation of Kasabian is that they are a stereotypical alternative band because of the clothes they are wearing, and the slightly scruffy look they have. They are also representing alternative music in a good way as tehy are making it look powerful, showing that the genre is becoming more popular. Also, it is representing youth in a way as even though the two men do not look young, they are dressed in what teenagers wear, and they also have long which is fashionable for boys at the moment. As well as that, they are symbolising rebellion and energy which attracts to teenagers. 

Double Page Spread

L- The double page spread is quite unconventional in the way that its main focus is the headline which takes up most of the page and is used as the background. It continues the same use of colours from the front page onto the double page spread and the word 'hot' is done in red which is a connotation because most people associate the colour read with heat and energy. The image of Kasabian is a wide shot and links with the idea of energy and excitement as they are holding instruments that are on fire and one looks as though they have just jumped. This also is linking to the headline of it being 'hot' and the main cover line of them being 'on fire', which is showing continuity throughout the magazine. There is only a short article on the band as they are only part of the full article.
I- The double page spread is produced by the Bauer media groupn which is the same as the front cover.
I- The idea of the double page spread is to make the reader interested, by making the headline take up most of the page and the use of the bright red. By using the red it is symbolising excitement and passion for the music, as well as the obvious idea of it linking to the headline by using the colour of heat.  Also, by using flames it immediately grabs the attention of the reader because it is something that is unusual and shows fun. Another thing that draws the reader in is having the band front man looking straight into the camera making you feel he is looking directly at you, and linking you together.
A- The over all article is to countdown the hottest people in music at the moment, which means it attracts most music lovers. It will definately attract to teenagers as they are the poeple that mainly listen to music and are interested in it, so will want to know who is popular at the moment. It will also attract the same age group as the front cover would as it in the same genre of music and the same colours used.
R- It represents the alternative music genre in a stereotypical way from the colours it uses because by using black and gray which are both dark colours, it shows that is not going to be about pop music which would use bright colours. Also, the bands moody image links to the dark colours used and also to the music genre. Their styling however, shows they are modern and up to date with teenagers and young adults.

The Contents Page

L- It continues using the same four colours; red, black, grey and white. It has a banner headline across the top of the page with the Q logo, Contents, and date written in it. There is a main image which is a long shot photo of a band which is the main focus of the page, with a caption. Another photo is used in the 'Q Review' box at the bottom right of the page. The features in the magazine are listed down the left side and underneath is a list of what is in the magazine every month. The magazine is split into sections and is very well spaced out which makes it look organised. The heading and sub-headings are all written in capitals as well as the articles names.
I- The institution of the contents page is Bauer Media group.
I- The contents page is made to organise the magazines features and contents so that it is made easy for the reader to go straight to the page they want. This contents page does this well as it is very well presented and organised. It is also the first page that is seen after the front cover so it has to keep the interest, it does this by using a big image where all of the band members are looking straight towards the camera and also by using the bright red.
A- The audience this contents page would appeal to would be a young, male audience, as the colours used are quite dull apart from the red. Also, the image used is of a young band, so they will be able to identify or look up to them.
R- Q's content page represents Indie music from the image and the over all look of the page. It also represents a young style and in a positive way as it does not have a picture of teenagers in hoodies drinking, but just as young people being creative through music.