Magazine analysis

Seventeen Magazine-Semiotic analysis

1. The masthead of this magazine is 'Seventeen'. The use of this word is to show that the magazine is aimed at a specific audience. The use of the masthead being a number makes the audience believe that the content of the magazine will include subjects that most teenagers/seventeen year olds would be interested in for example pop culture. The use of the number 'Seventeen' is used because it makes the audience believe that the magazine is not aimed at small children yet it is not aimed at adults, the magazine is aimed at people who are not quite part of the 'adult world' yet they are becoming an adult, the magazine is for people who still want to be interested and have time to look at specific subjects specifically pop culture despite the fact that they are growing up. The masthead is also a brightly coloured orange and in italics, the use of the bright colour is to stand out against what the celebrity is wearing. The bright colour is to show that the content of the magazine is 'lively'. The use of italics is to show that this magazine is different, it has an edge and does not contain the same articles/subjects as any other magazine everything in this magazine is fresh and new for the audience to read/ look at.

2. The main image is a picture of Jennifer Lawrence who is a current, popular actress who is known for staring in the major film/book franchise 'The Hunger Games'. The actress has been chosen to be on the cover of the magazine because she is known for her eccentric, fun loving personality. This can link to what the content of the magazine is. The celebrity is shown to be smiling and enjoying the fact that she is on the cover of the magazine, this can show not only people who are a fan of her but also people who don't know who she is that the magazine is enjoyable and includes articles that appeal to people who like pop culture. The fact that such a well known/current movie star is used on the cover is to symbolise that this magazine is not only current but has a certain amount of power due to the fact that they are able to get such a high profile actress to model for the cover. The body language of Jennifer not only shows her to be laughing but shows her to be leaning slightly forward showing that she is relaxed, from this the audience can connote that this magazine is something that they can also relax whilst reading it. The colour of the models costume is bright red/orange colour with white and a gold necklace with blue jewels. The use of these colours are to make the cover stand out, the use of the blue jewellery is to contrast with the other colours that are shown and to help make the actresses eyes stand out, her eyes are looking directly at the camera as if she is looking to the audience making a connection between the magazine and reader.

3. The layout of this magazine is slightly cluttered yet the use of the white background and bright colours that fit within the colour scheme make it seem like its not as much than it actually is. The magazine cover contains a few Unique selling points (USP's). For example at the top of the cover it says 'FREE SHOPPING $$$ FOR YOU! SEE PAGE 27 NOW!' This is a USP because the use of exclamation marks makes it seem import and has a sense of urgency.


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5. The target audience of this magazine are the mainstream audience, their core need in life is security and familiarity  and by using a well known celebrity on the cover of the fulfils this need. The mainstreamer also looks for good value for money and the cover shows that this magazine is full of content including '250+ easy hair ideas', all for the price of $2.99.
When trying to create an audience profile I think that the typical audience member is a female, possibly late teens/early twenties, she likes to go out and socialise with friends and family possibly even going to the cinema to see a film starting the celebrity.