Vanity Fair Magazine Deconstruction

GRAPHICS

What is the colour scheme? :

• Is it based around a selected ‘palette’ of colours or a particular selection of tones within a colour palette?
• What does it suggest about the style of magazine or the theme of the issue??
• Does it relate to the content?
• Does it relate to the main image?

The colour scheme of this Vanity Fair magazine is mainly based around red, orange, white and black. This suggests that the magazine is light and cheerful and Beyoncé’s smile adds to the fun and ambitious type of magazine that it is. This possibly relates to the content of the magazine with something that Beyoncé refers to or says in the article. All the texts and fonts colours are based around Beyoncé’s tone and clothing which shows her in a cheery, toned way.

 What colours are the fonts/text? Do the colours relate to the image or content… how?

The colours of the text vary between the palette. The main colour orange attracts the reader’s attention but then smaller articles are written in black and red and sometimes white writing is written on a coloured text box which makes the writing stand out. The colours relate to the image because they match her skin tone and the black matches the colour of her dress.

 How many different types of font are used? Do they relate to the cover theme, content and\or image?

There is only one type of font used which shows that it’s a conventional and easy to read magazine but the main headline HIP HOP is in a newer, stylish type of the same font. This shows that the magazine although has some vintage elements it also relates to the newer and modern styles that are coming into the media world.

Do they have drop shadows or are they outlined? How does this affect its visibility on the cover, does it show an order of importance?

None of the text on the magazine cover have drop shadows or are outlined. The majority of all the text is bold and underlined to make it stand out against the white space.

What does the size and styles of each separate element of text suggest – importance, interest?

The sizes of the text are all relatively the same size apart from the main titles such as the main headline. This is to show the reader the difference between the name of the magazine and the titles that are in it. The HIP HOP title of the magazine stands out to show that it is the main part of the magazine and what it is mostly about.

Notice how the text and image elements are aligned… why?

The text is all surrounding the main image. With the colours of the text this makes Beyoncé, the main model, stand out and the colours of the clothes she wears and the tone of her skin match the text.

Notice what elements sit on top of others?

‘Vanity Fair’ is a very sophisticated magazine and aligned magazine. The only things that overlap are Beyoncé’s head on the mast head and the main title is across her. This makes her and the subject of the magazine stand out.

Text elements

Where is the price, date, barcode… how big is the price text? Is the size and placement important… why?

The barcode, date and price are all placed in the bottom left hand corner. The size of the text price is relatively small but big enough for the purchaser to see how much it is. The placement off the barcode looks very sophisticated as it is away from all the main articles and fits in that white space perfectly.

Notice where and what style any ‘promotions’ are… e.g. free CD, or poster inside, free pull-out; are they in a separate box or section? How does this affect the order of visual importance and general layout?

‘Vanity Fair’ doesn’t have any promotions because it is a monthly magazine and so the price of the magazine is probably £5 so they don’t need to promote anything because they have loyal customers.

Notice how the content of the text features have an order of importance… what is the order and why? How have they achieved this?

At the top of the cover, the mast head is placed which is the classic place for it to be. Then moving down the magazine, the titles that are next are stories that will be featured in the magazine. With the middle of the magazine covered with the main article that will be in the magazine and then a list as to what artists are included in the article. And lastly, pretty central to the magazine, there is a smaller title which is probably an article that is talked about in the magazine but towards the back of the magazine.

Is there web address… obviously placed or not … why? 

The web address is placed just above the barcode and pricing. This is so that when people go to purchase it they also see that the company has a website that you can access on a daily basis.

 Images

What is the image, where and how big?

The image is Beyoncé, who is a Hip-Hop singer which relates to the main article in the magazine. The photo is placed central to the cover with the text surrounding. The image is relatively big and makes her stand out against the other artists that are mentioned in on the front cover.

Has the image been affected in Photoshop, been cut out or with its original background? Does its post-production treatment relate to the subject, theme, content etc?

The image has been changed in Photoshop or either the photo was taken with a white background. The photo looks very sharp and the edges are cut pristine. The white background makes her stand out because it contrasts to her skin and dress colour. The white background also makes the text appear firmer and bolder.

How does the colours in the image affect the general cover colour scheme, or has the image been manipulated to fit the colour scheme of the cover?

The colours of Beyoncé’s dress match the black text colour and her skin colour relates to the orange and yellow colours. I think ‘Vanity Fair’ used the text colours to match her clothing that she was wearing.

How many images are there? Where in layout, why?

There is only one image in the centre of the cover and of only one person. It being central shows that she is the main person in the magazine and that she is classed as Hip –Hop as the main headline suggests.

What are the images and how are they ordered in visual importance?

There are no other images on the magazine cover because the magazine want to emphasise that Beyoncé is probably the main or best singer of that genre.

Are there any ‘thumbnails’ [little images] … where, why, are they accompanied by a caption or feature text?

There are no other thumbnails on the cover of my magazine. This is because the magazine doesn’t need to make people buy it because it is a monthly magazine and is usually charged at a high price.

Composition

How has the cover been composed – grid use?

The cover of the magazine has used the conventional grid. It has used this because it is a monthly magazine and wants to attain a classy and sophisticated style to it so that it appeals to people to buy it.

Target audience

How has the cover appealed to its target audience?

The magazine has appealed to the target audience because the main photo Beyoncé attracts young girls because she is pretty and well known throughout the music industry. She is known particularly known because of her Hip-Hop music.

What elements will appeal to buyer and make them buy it… why?

The elements that would make the reader buy it are the fact that it is the HIP Hop edition and that Beyoncé is modelling on the background. Also the fact that the magazine is Vanity Fair would make someone buy it because it is quite a well-known magazine for fashion and the latest trends.

What other magazines will this audience also buy, what are there hobbies and tastes, style of music, films, Internet sites etc? Knowing all about your potential market allows you to target your magazine and its cover directly at them, offering exactly what they want and hopefully compelling them to buy it.

Other magazine that my audience are mostly like to buy include The Source, Vibe, MTV Magazine and other fashion magazines such as Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Vogue and Elle.

What is the target audience… how do you know?

The target audience of Vanity Fair is most probably girls in the age range between 17-25. I know this because of the way they have designed the front cover and used a well – known singer that the girls of this age will listen to.

How does the tone and register work to appeal to the target audience? Formal, casual, street, urban, serious, funny, sensational, hard sell etc.?

The tone and register help appeal to the target audience by using typical language of a girl that’s interested in hip hop and fashion. The magazine advertises itself as rather relatively young magazine.

Are there any ‘incentives to buy’ that are trying to attract a particular audience… how, why?

There aren’t any incentives to buy anything because it’s a monthly magazine and the price of the magazine means that they don’t need people to buy because the magazine has enough people buying it.

Are there any ‘incentives to buy’ for new readers… how, why?

There aren’t any incentives to buy for new readers because the magazine is a well-established magazine and many people who have bought it would pass positive3 comments about it.

Institution

Who makes the magazine?

 

• What other publications?
• What other media products?
• Is there any synergy with other media? i.e. is there an associated TV or radio station?
• Do they sponsor or support and festivals, events or initiatives?
• What does their website offer?

The magazine is published by Conde Nast Publications and is edited and finalised by Graydon Carter.

The website shows that particular months issue and the contents of it. It advertises its special offer if you buy so many magazines and the latest fashion and music trends.

http://www.vanity fair.com

Vanity Fair supports the Sundance Event which is in Park City, Utah. This is a film festival which the majority of the magazine manages to keep track on.

http://www.sundance.org/festival