TEXTUAL ANALYSISJo Joyce

FRONT COVERColour : There are not a lot of colours used within the front cover. There is a maximum of about 5 main colours that all blend well together. The main colour that stands out is the yellow, the shade of yellow is almost like gold, which connotes wealth; therefore conforms to the stereotype of the target audience being interested in money and success, the gold on his teeth also ephasises this stereotype. The blue is very light, it can connote purity and create a tranquil mood – this is used so that the target audience feel welcomed rather than threatened in reading the magazine, it is also a masculine colour, which suggests the target audience are male.

Layout and design : The layout and design is quite spacious and the main focus is on the artist on the front cover; the focus of this can suggest that the magazine is trying to expand their target audience to fans of this artist (especially as this artists doesn’t fit to the specific genre of the magazine) – it may have also been done to create a bit of an atmosphere for the front cover as the background is very calm so it jumps out more than other magazines on the shelves. The layout is very tidy with the words and images fitting together well, so it could be aimed at an organised audience. The font is mostly in sans-serif font apart from the “HIGH LIFE” part which is in serif, this is because it is the main cover-line and it needs to stand out from the rest of the text.

Images : As mentioned in the layout and design, the image of the artists (A$AP Rocky) is not representing the magazines usual target reader, it has been done to expand their target audience to gain more readers. However, as the music magazine also includes elements of fashion within its magazine, it is representing the fashion side of A$AP Rocky (especially as the main cover story is about the artist’s “swag” which is his fashion and dress sense). Therefore, the usual target audience may aspire to dress like A$AP Rocky as they like the uniqueness of his style – The Supreme towel is a brand the target audience will recognise (which is a brand aimed at the same target audience of the magazine) and the way that A$AP Rocky is wearing a towel under his snapback makes his style original and inspires the audience.Pose, style, hair, make-up : The pose is very natural and neutral, this shows that A$AP Rocky is calm and comfortable in the atmosphere, making his mood reflect onto the reader because he doesn’t look threatening. This may also have been done because of his outfit being quite bold; consequently, he would have to be in a calm pose so there isn’t too much happening within the mise-en-scene. He is also looking directly at the camera, the eyes are known as “the window to the soul” – this shows him to be very open about himself, which could support the cover-line and tell the audience that the cover story will be very personal and in depth, which gives the audience Maslow’s (1954) Hierarchy of Needs: Need of affiliation and friendship. As they are having an in depth look and being allowed into knowing his secrets, they feel they have made almost a friendship with the artist. There is not a lot of make-up on A$AP Rocky, so he can conform to his masculinity, the only use of make-up is so that he looks aesthetically appealing for the front cover (covering his flaws).

Composition and framing : • The artist is at a medium close-up, showing his facial expression and exaggerates the

accessories he has on, especially the gold teeth, which is a recognisable symbol of A$AP Rocky.

• The background is very plain and a soft colour, which brings out the main image.• The image may have been manipulated on Photoshop so it is more aesthetically

appealing for the audience and puts forward a false message that the artist is flawless – making the audience aspire to be like him.

• Your eyes are drawn to the main image first as it is the boldest part and the main text is on the left as it is expected for the target audience to read left to right.

CONTENTSColour : The colours used on the contents page are in a very vintage tone, they are very subtle and light and it creates a calm mood.

Layout and design : The layout of the contents page fits into the rule of thirds. It makes it clear to read for the audience and makes it easy for the eyes. The photos fall within the outer lines and the text goes through the middle row, showing its importance as it is closed in by the photographs.

Images: All the images link to the contents, they all have reason for being there and it helps give an understand of what is included in the magazine. The artist from the main cover story is also included in the contents. And the models included are similar to the target audience.

Pose, style, hair, makeup :

Girl has a very open body language (opening her jacket up) –letting the audience in – Demonstrates Maslow’s Need of Affiliation and Friendship. Her hair is in bunches which is a unique current hairstyle, showing originality and influencing the audience.

A$AP Rocky has a very sad emotion on him, making the audience sympathise – as he is already included a lot in the magazine there is a extreme close-up of him because his style doesn’t need to be shown much as the audience already know.

The pose is showing off the jacket to the audience, the jacket is very unique and influences the audience because of the originality.The style is similar to the target audiences: unique, edgy – however the hair and make-up is very basic, possibly to discourage the Male Gaze theory and teaching to respect females.

Composition and framing :

• A variety of camera angles and shots have been used within the contents page on the photos. This is giving different insights to each photograph for the audience, especially when a model is involved as emotions and tenor can be detected because of the connotations of the different shots and angles.

• The background is an off-white colour, making the images and text easy to see for the audience.

• Eyes are drawn to the text first as it is the darkest and boldest parts of the page.

The way the model has been composed in this photograph is showing more of the space and surrounding around the model.

The text has been place on a white background so it stands out more when over a photo.

DOUBLE-PAGE SPREADColour : On the double-page spread, one page is just a close-up image of A$AP Rocky from the front cover. There are only a few colours used so that it is a clear photograph and it may also be to emphasise the pose of the artist. The colours have connotations of royalty and wealth:

The red from the cloth going around him is a deep royal red, which can connote love, royalty (leads to wealth), however could connote pain as it is alike to the colour of blood.

There is a vivid use of the colour gold, this connotes money and being rich. Especially that the gold is on the teeth – this is a sign of being wealthy.

The light pink emasculates the photo - as it is stereotypically a feminine colour. This shade of pink connotes purity and may have been used to make the photo less threatening for the audience.

Layout and Design : The main text in the the double-page spread doesn’t start till half way down the page, the title of the page takes up half the page and has a lot of space around it. This exaggerates the heading of the page and makes it stand out from all the other pages to the audience (as it is the main cover story this is the main part of the magazine). Furthermore, the main text is split into 3 columns, making it clear and easy to read as it is organised.

Images : There is only one main image used and it takes up a whole page. The next few pages are followed by full page images too of the same artist. This is making it easier for the target audience as the ratio of text : images evens out and makes it clearer to read for them and the images can help the comprehension of the text.

Pose, style, hair, make-up : The pose is very different to usual poses, this could be showing the artist originality and can influence the readers to be unique. His style is detected from the gold teeth and bold jewelry that stands out, stereotypically men are not expected to wear jewelry, however this photo subverts the connotation, the gold teeth gives him a ‘gangster’ sort of persona, which conforms to the R&B/Hip-Hop genre.

WHOLE MAGAZINEWritten codes – How words are used/Language : Titles – On the double-page spread, the title is “PRETTY MOTHER FUCKER” this is using taboo language which suggests that the readers tend to use this language as they wouldn’t be offended by it when reading it. It is almost an oxymoron as the words ‘Pretty’ and ‘Mother Fucker’ do not tend to go together and have two different types of meanings/moods. It is also written in large typography and stands out, so it attracts the reader to that specific page out of the other pages.

Cover lines – The main cover line says “HIGH LIFE” in big and then underneath it says “BEHIND THE SWAG OF A$AP ROCKY” in a smaller font – The words “HIGH LIFE” stand out on the front cover and would be big enough to read from a distance. It attracts the specific type of audience as the words relate to smoking marijuana and that is stereotypically something people do who have an interest in R&B/Hip-Hop. It suggests that the content inside is similar and appeals to this audience. The word ‘swag’ is a word that can mean ‘style’ – this is a lexis that is typically used by the target audience within their sociolect and they will understand it, where as an elderly person wouldn’t; therefore it almost ‘warns’ off people who do not conform to the target audience.

OVERALL IMPRESSION• STRENGTHS : - The magazine is very unique to other magazines in the way that it is very basic especially on the

front cover how there is not a lot of text, this makes it clear and stand out on the shelves (readers will favourite over other magazines due to visual features).

- The lexis used suits the target audience of R&B/Hip-Hop genre (use of explicit language without being threatening) – this can influence me in the type of words I use. Also words that would be used in the ‘street’ e.g. swag, trill etc. are used, I know I can use these words because my target audience will comprehend.

- A large amount of photos used, makes it more interesting and targets at a younger audience (young adults rather than mature adults) – The poses are unique and present a ‘gangsta’ persona.

• WEAKNESSES : - As the front cover lacks contextual parts, it may not suggest much about what is in the inside of

the magazine to the reader and it may not appeal to them as they are unaware.- The language and images may appear threatening to some of the target audience who do not

completely conform to the stereotype of the people interested in R&B/Hip-Hop.

- Could be improved by adding in more words on the front cover or adding more detailed context.- Fewer threatening images.

This magazine can influence me as it makes me aware of the type of language the target audience expect and use, such as the ‘street’ words

like ‘Swag’ and ‘Trill’.

The way I present models in the photos is extremely important, I have to make them appear unique and original so that the readers can be

influenced by them and be interested in their differences.

I am greatly influenced by the way the layout of the magazine is very spacious and clear, the fact that there is more space and less writing makes the presentation more aesthetically pleasing as it is easier for the readers

eyes because it isn’t vibrant and the comprehension of the context is made simpler as it isn’t too busy.