Week Four: Activity #3

1. What are the differences between the two covers? What techniques are used to attract your attention? Pay attention to body language, clothing, camera angle, lighting, color, eye contact ect. How do the difference influence what you think and feel about the person.

The two covers are quite different in content. The image of Arnold on the fitness cover is macho and tough, the image on Esquire is charasmatic and capable. Bright colors and bold print were used to attract attention, as well as the images of Arnold. Attention-grabbing story subjects were presented as well. In the fitness magazine, Arnold is showing his bicep and wearing a t-shirt, gloves, and sunglasses (no eye contact). He has a no-nonsense look on his face. The background colors are fiery, like he just walked out of an explosion. On Esquire, Arnold is smiling and pointing his finger. He looks confident and is wearing a suit, tie, and ring. His eyes are looking toward the camera. The background color is sky blue. The differences definately influence how I think about the person. The first one is of a macho tough guy who doesn't put up with nonsense. If I didn't recognize the celebrity, probably would have thought that two different people were on the covers. I think that the second image is more of a person who is confident and appealing to the public.

 

2. What do you find appealing or not appealing about the cover of the magazine? I find the bright colors appealing on the first cover. I don't really find Arnold's pose or image appealing in the first magazine (but I personally don't value the machismo appearance of large muscles). The stories on the cover do not appeal to me as well. I find the second cover to be much more appealing. The background color is more serene and the image of Arnold in a suit, smiling is much more appealing to me. I find the content of the stories to be more appealing in Esquire, as there is more focus on current events and the arts.

 

3. What elements in the design make it appealing or not appealing?  I think that the colors and the bold print make the magazines appealing. Images of celebrities are appealing.  The placement of the story content around the actor is appealing.

There is a little bit too much going on in the first cover with all of colors and storylines.

 

4. What elements are included on the cover to sell this magazine? Consider title, imagery, sensationalized headlines, exclusive articles, secrets, gossip, free gifts, and celebrity news.

Celebrity image is included on the cover to sell the magazine. Muscle and Fitness appeals to young men who want to look fit and healthy. Esquire appears to be more elite and appeals to those who are educated and interested in popular culture. The headlines appeal to the audience. In the first magazine, the message is that this magazine can help you get lean and obtain 20 inch arms easily. The second magazine includes headlines that appeal to its audience such as articles about Arnold, music, literature, and images of attractive females.

 

5. Describe the type of content in one issue. The content in Esquire is much more comprehensive than that of Muscle and Fitness. It includes articles about popular culture, the arts, current events, and eye-candy for men (the salute to our British allies).

 

6. What products or services are advertised in the issue? Music, literature, Arnold S., images of females 

 

7. What lifestyle, values and messages are being promoted by the contents in the issue? The lifestyle of white, middle-upper class males are being promoted in this issure. Values such as being wealthy and knowledgebale are exemplified. Messages such as vote for Arnold, this is the music you should be listening to, this is what you should be reading, and this is the ideal woman are explicit on the cover of this magazine.

 

8.Describe the demographics for what you think may be the magazine’s intended target readership. Consider age, sex, interests and socioeconomic status. This magazine in targeted toward males, 30-50 years of age, middle-upper class, who are interested in current events, popular culture, and the arts (literature, music, science).

9. What features of the magazine indicate to you that this is the intended readership? The image of Arnold, the image of the female, and the subject of the articles contained within the magazine. 

10. What personalities or celebrities are used to promote this magazine? Arnold S., Phil Spector, Arthur Miller, female model

 

11. Are these personalities or celebrities promoting or challenging stereotypical messages? How? Arnold seems to be promoting the stereotypical message of being righ and famous through his facial/body expressions and how he is attired. The female with the accompanying text promote sterotypes about men objectifying women. Some of the article titles tend be challenging the sterotypical message that most men do not care about literature or the sciences.