Importance of a magazine cover

Within a magazine industry the Editor’s most important concern is the cover of the magazine. This is because it presents the company and should create an attraction for the customer to encourage them to pick the magazine up. The Editor of the magazine Kerrang! ensures the magazine appeals to a large readership is to have different types of music as well as rock music. The main selling points on a Kerrang! cover is having a CD cover attached to it, a band on the front as a picture and free items such as posters and stickers. The cover mounted CD will affect the sales of the magazine in a positive way as it will increase sales as long as the CD is of a certain standard. The free items such as posters and stickers also contribute towards drawing in customers. Mixmag is a magazine that is usually associated with the latest club scenes. Typical features for this magazine cover include the logo, a CD cover and the latest club scenes. The disadvantages of a cover mounted CD are the cost as it is very expensive, the time as it takes up a lot of time and manpower as many people are needed for this which not only takes up time but also money. The two most important areas on a magazine are the logo of the magazine as it creates an identity for the magazine and the sweetspot. This is a section on the magazine which is located in the middle left hand side. It is the section of the cover in which most customers look straight at first. Two things most magazines do on their cover is to reassure the customer and also add something different.

Research on different media companies

Representation of Jennifer Lopez

FHM Magazine

On this magazine Jennifer Lopez is wearing just her bra and knickers. This is a factor which draws male readers in through sexual appeal as this magazine is aimed at male readers. It draws them in as it shows a lot of her body showing her sexiness making a male reader want her. It represents her as a sex symbol.

Her facial expression in this picture is very serious and her lips are in a pout. It seems as if her eyes are calling the reader as they are looking directly into the camera which again draws the reader in, calling them in.

Within this picture she is posing on her knees pushing one side of her body out with her hand on her hip. This emphasises her ‘perfect’ sexy figure and shows her hips and really exposes her back. The position of her hand on her hip invites the reader to observe that part of her body the most. This pose seems as though she’s almost calling the reader to put their hand there too which again calls the reader in. Her other arm is behind the rest of her body which emphasises the rest of her body and sort of pushes it out towards the camera and towards the reader as it shows her full figure. She is also on her knees within this picture which shows the reader that she is in a not very powerful position yet she is confident with her body.

The picture of Jennifer Lopez is a long shot picture. This type of camera shot allows a full body to be shown which is what was wanted as this exposes her body to the reader. At the bottom of the magazine the word goddess is emphasised in an orange red type of colour and overlaps part of her leg. This shows the reader that she is a goddess and the colours represent her sexiness. The fact that she is the largest part on the page shows her power and also emphasis the point of a reader purchasing the magazine.

Lastly the colours within the magazine that are used are blue, white, orange and a sandy colour. The connotation of these colours when put together is a theme of the beach. As her body is tanned and she is wearing only her bra and knickers this also fits in with the theme of a beach. As she is presented as a sex symbol and there is a beach theme it makes a reader automatically think of the idea of sex on a beach which has always been advertised through the media. This creates a fantasy for the reader and gain attracts the reader to the magazine. The type of lighting used within this picture is soft lighting which creates a light around her figure emphasising her against the rest of the cover and creates a soft shadow which again makes her stand out. This exposes her to the reader and makes it so that the first thing the audience will notice about the cover is Jennifer Lopez.

Cosmopolitan Magazine

This is magazine in which Jennifer Lopez is dressed in bright bubbly summer colours. The colours red, orange, and yellow represent summer and the idea of fun. Her dress is quite revealing which allows her sexy side to be shown. The colours of the dress represent a different idea compared to the style of the dress. This allows a fun summer side of her to be shown as well as a sexy sophisticated side. Her make up within this picture is quite subtle and complimentary to her dress. This again shows her casual and natural beauty. Her hair is also presented in an uncomplicated casual way but also very bouncy which represents again the idea of fun. This layout creates an idol for women and makes them pick up the magazine as they want to be that.

Her facial expression within this picture comes across as quite mysterious. This is because of the way her mouth is slightly open and the way her eyes are difficult to read. It creates a sense of adventure.

Jennifer Lopez is standing with her hands placed just under her hips. One hand is holding part of her dress up emphasising her upper leg which creates a sexy outlook. It also shows her control and her fiery side. The way she is standing seems like part of a salsa movement which emphasises sexiness. One of her shoulders is pushed back which exposes her figure. She also seems quite relaxed and comfortable.

The camera has taken a mid shot of Lopez. This is a shot in which part of her is focused on and creates an effect where the audience feels like they are looking at her in person. Again in this magazine Jennifer Lopez’s importance is shown and the magazine’s status is shown as she covers part of the magazine title. This shows her importance and shows that the magazine can be recognised easily even though part of is covered which shows its popularity. The background colour of the cover is deep red. This colour represents deep emotions such as love, summer, deep thoughts and mystery which encourages the reader to pick up the magazine and take a challenge almost.

InStyle Magazine

In this cover picture Jennifer Lopez is wearing a black and white outfit in which only part of it shows her figure. The colours black and white represent elegance and high quality. Her hair is also pulled back rather tightly which seems like she going to a business like meeting.

Her facial expression within this picture is a serious yet soft smile and she is looking directly into the camera. This draws the audience in and represents her maturity and business like side.

Within this picture she is standing in a simple way with one hand on her hip. This shows her maturity, formality and seriousness. It also shows her power and force.

The background of the cover is white which clashes with the white part of her dress. This seems like they are trying to get the audience to concentrate on her ideas and personality on fashion rather than her figure and seeing her for the way she looks. Her deep red lipstick also supports this idea as it brings out her natural features. Altogether I think rather than bringing out her figure the white background brings out her personality and ideas on fashion.

The picture is taken through a mid shot. This emphasises her upper body and makes the audience feel like they are directly addressing her ideas.

People Magazine

This picture of Jennifer Lopez has her dresses in a kind of wrap which is of a peachy brown colour. This shows her casual and homely side. Her children are wearing colours which contrast the colour she is wearing which makes them stand out against her and puts an emphasis on them. Her make up seems like an everyday kind of tone and is very light which again creates a casual look. Her is up in a messy bed look which creates a home effect and fits in with the image and message of being at home and having children.

Within this picture Lopez has a soft smile which represents the love and happiness children give to a mother. She is also looking directly into the camera in a way that she is relieved to have children and have a family.

In this picture Jennifer Lopez is sitting on a beige couch with her children in her arms. This represents a homely theme and her arms around her children represent her protecting her children.

Again part of her is covering the title of the magazine which shows not only her importance this time but also the importance of her children and not only her children but children in general. The background of the cover is white and emphasises her and her children. The lighting is very gentle and subtle which draws the reader to focus on her and her children.

Finally the picture has been taken in mid shot which draws the reader in as it focuses on a certain part which are her children.

Overall all four magazines show different ideals and sides of Jennifer Lopez. Cosmopolitan and FHM magazines tend to concentrate on her appearance and outlook, whereas, InStyle and People magazine seem to concentrate on perceiving her personality, ideas and brains rather than her figure and looks. Cosmopolitan magazine presents a very different ideal of Jennifer Lopez compared to FHM magazine as it creates an image of a natural summer themed lady who is enjoying life and who is an idol and role model for other women. Whereas, the FHM magazine creates an ideal of her being a sort of playgirl who is irresistible and who every man wants in terms of sex. Also contrasting is the InStyle magazine which shows Lopez in an elegant manner and a women with ideas and a brain instead of the way in which she is normally seen- a sexy woman with a great body. Lastly another different ideal is presented of her on people magazine as she is presented to be a homely family type of person.