The main Image is a black and white edgy photo of a famous, well known artist, who is current. The image being black and white effected, conveys that Rolling Stone magazine is aiming to have a vintage ambience and look as if it is ‘timed’, contrasting between today’s generation and the 1960’s generation which gives the magazine a unique touch to it. Also, having someone so new and current like Lana Del Rey comparing with the vintage feel, also juxtaposes the different generations. It also shows little background, captivating her alone as the central, focal point as a full body, portrait shot of her so we can clearly see what she is wearing, and how she is holding herself which will compliment how the audience may perceive her as, due to the front cover giving the audience insight of the article it is based on. Lana Del Rey, obviously being a popular artist with a large fan base, suggesting more people are going to by this copy of ‘Rolling Stone’. The image takes up the whole page so we can clearly pay attention to her and only her. Lana Del Rey is looking straight at the camera which gives a direct mode of address to the audience.

The masthead is extremely distinctive. The bold, vibrant, bright red tone of the masthead ensures that it is eye catching and can be easily seen on the magazine shelf amongst others. It has a distinctive outline which stands out further, especially with the contrasts of the white background. Furthermore, the masthead is also slightly hidden, implying people will still notice and recognise it regardless, which implies that it is a very well-known and iconic logo and masthead which will intrigue any audiences and viewers. Additionally, ‘Rolling Stones’ are an extremely big, illustrious, famous rock band, suggesting this magazine is more likely to get more recognition than other magazines, as the Rolling Stones where massive in an earlier generation after the 1960’s, this element may also imply that not only does the masthead attract a younger audience, it may also attract a secondary audience of an older generation due to the vintage feel, contrasting new, up to date music juxtaposing with legendary, fabled music which is slightly aged.

The Sell Lines are in a California, vintage themed font which also adds to the retro-esque theme of the magazine. ‘LANA DEL REY’ being in a larger, bolder font conveys further, the idea of her being the central point of the magazine, being big and bold also means that it is eye catching and will stand out more to viewers. The magazine have clearly picked out the more important words of each sell line and put them in bold and in a slightly bigger font apposed to the rest of the sentence, such as ‘AZEALIA BANKS on her way to the top’ this clearly exaggerates the main focal point of the article being advertised so people can recognise the topic before buying the article. The other sell lines have outlining to them to make them further stand out against the main image and also to clearly standing out to the audience.

The cover line of the magazine is ‘inside story on a modern day icon’ which isn’t only relating to the contrasts of generations in the image on the front cover, but also suggesting there will be exclusive gossip which the magazine readers will be interested in and so it is worth buying. ‘inside story’ suggests that it is top secret and will only be found in this issue. This links with the ‘uses and gratifications theory as the audience are being informed about her.

The layout and design of the magazine contrasts of a multiple of difference cover lines places around the image so that the main image stands out and is the main focal point. Difference fonts and colours are used for each sell line to make them each individual and not the same as each other which may imply that this will be consistent throughout the magazine as everything is different and will be a new story each time.

The Barcode is purposely made small, and right in the corner so it does not detract from the main image in the magazine.

The main image of this magazine uses highly successful, chart singer ‘Adele’, to instantly grab the reader’s attention. The full page close up draws the reader in as the singer stares at the reader from the side, revealing Adele’s confident and forthright personality. The expression of her face and position of hand also add a sense of challenge. This relates back to the singers personality, as she is often seen as not caring of people’s views on her appearance. The light in the picture is quite bright and uses a lot of white in the picture, representing Adele’s clean image to the reader, this is also seen through Adele’s immaculate appearance, (nail varnish, make up, skin and hair). Adele’s skin tone is very pale which is also similar to the background colour which may signify purity. The hair appearing like it is being blow in the wind signifies a glamorous and perhaps provocative interpretation of Adele and may further convey her talent being powerful.

The mast head of the magazine is very big and bold and isn’t entirely covered by the picture of Adele. The ‘Q’ stands out as it is against the contrasting red, so it is one of the first things you see when you look at the magazine- which is a good selling point for the magazine. The colour red signifies passion and energy, and white is associated with purity and innocence. The image of Adele is only slightly covering the text, in comparison to other magazines, this could suggest that Adele is proud to be associated with Q, and she is publicising the magazine. The masthead also being small and as little as only one letter, portrays that it may be extremely well known due to shortening Quieten Richardson. ‘Discover Great Music’ implies that the content of the magazine is unknown which will make people believe that there is new information to find out and also may be new and upcoming music so the readers can stay up to date.

The Barcode is placed extremely small in the bottom left hand call so it does not detract from the image

The sell lines of the magazine are mainly on the left hand side of the which is so it does not detract from the main image too much due to wanting to emphasize how big, and popular Adele is. ‘Blows us away’ also links to Adele’s hair as it is being blown in a wind machine, the 'play on words’ technique is used often on front covers as it makes the reader look twice so they make the connection between the image and the text. A cliché is also used, ‘if you’ve got it ,flaunt it’ which could come across as quite inspirational for some potential readers as it is a more emotive comment which again makes Adele more relatable for the audience. Furthermore there is a semantic field of exclusivity used within the statement ‘and all the best bits 'which implies an aspect of secrecy t o the article; this is a technique that will gain the reader’s attention.The fonts used down the right side of the article are quite eye catching as the size grows bigger after every line, emphasizing the more important and relevant words, which suggests a build up with a high climax, for example artists performing at a music festival. In addition to this the fonts used down the left side are all in straight block lines which gives the cover a cleaner structure therefore making it look more professional in the eyes of the reader. Also the main font ‘ADELE’ is written in block capitals and there is a space between each letter which suggests a sense of importance and power, but also dissimilar to the normal article featured on the cover of Q.

The colour scheme throughout is similar to Q’s usual house style except, because it is a special edition gold has been used which connotes a regal theme to the cover, therefore portraying it as a rare and ‘un-missible’ copy furthermore implying that Adele carries an important and powerful grace.

The price of the magazine says ‘£3.99’ due to this being a special 300th issue, they want to make it affordable and seen by as much people as possible as £3.99 may be considered as affordable to perhaps the majority of people in the A-C1 social grade. In result to having more people see it, more people will be aware of the magazine making it more popular and more world wide. The price may also emphasize getting a lot for your money.

The mast head is extremely big, in a very large font which is very eye catching to the reader, this may convey the significance and importance of the magazine due to the masthead being very large to attract the readers eye. Furthermore, the white contrasts against the dark background which gives a slightly edgy feel and monochrome feel. Alicia Keys’ image is covering the masthead which signifies how ‘Vibe’ is well known and still recognisable to the audience. Due to the masthead being behind the image it may further connotate Alicia portraying vanity because everything is about her. The title includes no outline which may convey that ‘Vibe’ has no limits or restrictions and does not have to be contained. Due to it being written in a modern text, it may imply that it is aimed at a perhaps younger, adolescent group of people. The actual name Vibe is actually also pretty young and hip sounding which may also emphasize a younger target audience as it may be a slang word teenagers use in modern day society.

The main image is of Alicia looking straight, and directly into the camera which gives a personal effect to the reader of her looking at them, perhaps persuading them to buy the magazine. The appearance of Alicia is almost rebellious and edgy which gives an interpretation of her being a ‘rule breaker’ which the audience may be intrigued about and want to read what she has got to say. She is wearing a retro, black leather jacket and dark lipstick which she is presenting herself in a perhaps gothic and mysterious light leaving the reader wanting to know more about her personality and if she has changed into someone else. The way she is not smiling conveys that she is a serious person which may further compliment her article, making the article seem and be proven true. Although she appears to look edgy and mature, her makeup still looks glamorous and flawless which conveys her being a role model to people as she is coming across as provocative to the reader, which comes back to my point of how she is side ways on to the camera conveying a juxtaposing sense of innocence.

The Barcode is placed in the bottom corner so it does not detract from the main image due to it not being that attractive and considered less important.

The sell lines contain some words that are larger than the others to really emphasize the article they are individually referring to and making the more important words really stand out to the audience. ‘Alicia Keys first real interview’ conveys a thought process of Alicia perhaps taking great consideration to proudly choose vibe as her first interview debut. Also, ‘Real’ may convey that the story is 100% true as it is in larger letters and may want to read it more if they no it is all true. Furthermore, ‘Lil’ and ‘LMFAO’ may further suggest that the magazine is aimed for a younger generation due to them being well known terms of slang that they will understand juxtaposed with older audiences. ‘2ND ANNUAL GLOBE ISSUE’ is in big, white capital letters, contrasting with the red background behind it in a star shape, to really present how proud the magazine is, due to even covering the main image which suggests it may even be more important than her.

In the colour scheme the colours are limited as there is only black, red and white. Even though there is only 3 colours they all work well together. The red catches your eye and highlights the important parts and may also portray danger and passion such as in the magazine like ‘Whitney Houston’ and ‘Lil Wayne’ this could indicate what the writers think is important in the magazine, so it helps the reader choose and pick that magazine so the red really helps the reader no what the important bits are. The white stands out on the black background to covey a monochrome feel, white isn’t used much on the front cover only the masthead and a plus sign. The reason it is used very little is because it masthead needs to stand out from the rest of the text, which it does due to the juxtaposing differences in colour.

A website is presented under the barcode for further advertising a knowledge of the magazine and to make it more recognisable to potential viewers and so people no the magazine.