Magazine Analysis Practice; 40 Mark Question

"Analyse the front covers for both GQ and Saga magazines commenting on: Visual Codes, Layout and Design, Language and Mode of Address."

Saga is a monthly edition magazine which targets both men and women but of an older age. To begin, it provides a minimal layout, this is most likely because unlike most gossip/celeb or fashion magazines, it doesn't need to be eye catching in order to stand out from its competitors. The market for older people's magazines is not at all large so it can focus more on the simplistic sophistication. The main image is of legendary Michael Caine who is known for being an elderly gentleman who is still very successful in his acting career. He is instantly recognisable and therefore relatable for the magazines target audience. The Anchorage for the image is the largest cover line 'there was crime when i was growing up. But i cant remember people being terrified to go out' this explains the image to me. The shot is a full body shot but is extremely zoomed out showing Caine's surroundings. I notice he is standing on what looks like a side walk, Caine is standing in a brave looking pose which signifies to me that he is brave for going out as he had mentioned. There are very few cover lines and lots of the space is left blank in order for us to see the background clearly and understand the main story clearly. It is also reinforced with the words 'mean streets' 'he doesn't like what he see's'.

Saga goes for the unique selling point of being 'the UK's best selling monthly magazine' this is printed even above the masthead in bold font and colour. It makes lot's of references on the cover to being older, mentions many legendary older people and also discusses 'ageism' it is a very subtle mode of address because if it was too overly pushy of the topic of age or didn't take the sophisticated road of discussing it, most likely no one would want to buy it. The mode of address is also rather casual, it doesn't need to 'shout' at audiences with overuse of exclamation marks and bright coloured fonts, it also doesn't need to mislead audiences to make stories seem more exciting than they are. The cover lines are exactly what they say on the tin when you read on about them and therefore meets audiences expectations.

GQ is a lifestyle magazine aimed at the 'metro-sexual male' originally named Gentleman's Quarterly it's large masthead of the GQ initials is instantly recognisable. As always it takes up around 20% of the cover with a simplistic 'look sharp, live smart' strapline underneath. I think this strapline is used to promote the importance of men looking after themselves and taking pride in being interested in fashion etc. Unlike the Saga magazine main image, this is a medium close up shot and the background is a plain blue colour along with being mostly covered up by text - reinforcing that the importance in this image is not the background but the man himself, Clint Eastwood. Another legendary male who is instantly recognisable. Most of the font is white but the parts that seem to be most important are in red, this makes it stand out and catch audience's attention.

Also unlike Saga, GQ is more in the mass audience market so has to compete with other Lifestyle magazines, this means it takes on more of the overly excited overuse of exclamation marks mode of address. The unique selling point of this particular magazine is the 'badass of the year' issue. This is then repeated again in a smaller coverline 'annual men of the year issue' the reinforcement of the word year or annual makes audience's get that sense of not wanting to miss out, this issue is only coming once a year after all. The Anchorage for the main image is simply 'badass of the year; Clint Eastwood' as he is known very well around the world the magazine doesn't need to explain why or how he got the badass of the year award, most audience members will just know he is a badass.