Feature page analysis 2

For my chosen feature article, I have taken a page out of a music magazine, "Vibe". Vibe magazine specialises in the publication of promoting the latest entertainers in the R&B and hip hop genre related lifestyle. After already analysing a front cover from Vibe's company, I feel I have a better understanding on their targets and feel that analysing one of their feature pages will give me further knowledge into the designing stage of my own magazine. 

Although many feature articles focus their main matter on detailed, conspicuous images, this magazine has specifically created a professional feeling by depicting, thorough writing as the main focus.Within the article, there are three columns of writing, placed orderly across the first page, followed by another column of writing on the second page being divided by the main image of "Solange Knowles". Between the end two sections of writing, a quote has been written stating “It’s no fun to feel like I have to audition for everyone or be put out on display for folks to say I strategically put on feather eyelashes just to be different. I just want people to fall back and enjoy the music.” By virtue of this quote, the audience are able to understand how media is affecting Solange’s life and we then begin to feel empathy for her. Whilst relating to her quote, the audience then gains a connection with the story and then the viewer will feel that she is speaking directly to them. The quote has been edited into a bold format to stand out from the rest of the writing to outline change. Due to this, the viewer will generally read this section first, which may suggest why the publisher has included such an enticing piece of writing to then get the audience to read the whole article.

Although the written text is from a personal view, the quote is written by the subject, Solange Knowles, which persuades the audience that the article is reliable enough for somebody so famous and such an icon to many women to be associated with the magazine.

 There are four main colours used in the feature article. These are black, white, blue and red. Black, white and blue are colours that are usually associated with cold, bland and original subjects. To create a more eye catching image, the producer of the magazine has used an illuminated red on Solange Knowles’ dress onto the bland background to be attractive towards both females and males, as found that red is the colour that is visually first seen. Automatically, this colour will usually be a companion with romance, passion and socialism.  The colours used on the feature page are very much similar to the appearance of the contents page. I feel that this has been added to create a sense of unity within the whole magazine and show sophistication, reliability and identity.

What I find most powerful, is the black and white images showing Solange Knowles as an outgoing, mischievous woman, whereas the larger, coloured image is portraying her as an innocent, quiet woman. This technique introduces the magazine to be presented as fun and leaves option to opinions for the viewer to decide their views on Solange Knowles herself. These seven images, aligned at the top of the article are long shots of  Solange Knowles posing in many different positions, showing her full outfit. I feel that doing this is presenting Solange as a beautiful, envied woman who is being exposed to such an extent that women begin to examine how perfect she is and read about her as a person.The eighth photograph of her is in contrast, much larger, further down the page and in colour. All of the images shown are for the viewer’s identification of the artist and for easy access of clearly stating what kind of mood the article is speculating without having to analyse the text. Another way that the audience will be able to state what they’re about to read beforehand is the use of “Solange Knowles” being highlighted by a sudden change of font colour from black to blue. 

Unusually, in this feature article, there has been no drop cap added. This feature is usually added to guide users through the text and mark important articles for the audience to easily read. By virtue of not including a drop cap, I would suggest that "Quincy Jones", the producer of the magazine has done this because the article has been split into equal sections and is a piece of text that would likely be an easy magazine to read.

The font used in the magazine is kept to the same, Sans Serif, all the way through the feature page. This particular style has been chosen due to the established usage by many viewers said to have found this font most manifest. Whilst the writing and images are clearly organised in sections, at the top of the page there are five black lines that have been used to separate the text from the black and white images. Quincy Jones has thoroughly thought this method through and been confident to create cohesion within the magazine.

The target audience for the magazine will generally be from ages 18-35 year old males and females.
Whilst the sophistication proves that the age range will most likely be mature adults, a quote from the text reads “..apparently with a middle finger..” which will predominantly be of interest to middle aged individuals or students rather than younger or elder generations.