The background is a plain white, as it keeps with the house theme and puts focus on the main image and cover lines. Since the main sell lines are red, black and much bolder, this really adds contrast and makes it stand out, just like how many rap artists want to be seen nowadays- outside the box and unlike others. Using a white background connotes that the main image should speak for itself, like many artists do in their lyrics, and stand up for what they believe in.

The main image is very seductive, however the 'R n B' artist's expression is playful and intriguing, this makes the magazine appeal to both male and females. Additionally, the front cover of 'Ciara' represents women as being an 'object of the male gaze'- Laura Mulvey Theory, and benefit 'Esteem Needs' on the Maslow's Hierarchy Triangle, many women may look up to this main image and wish it was them/ inspired by them, therefore buy the magazine. I will add this to my magazine when deciding on the main image, as I want it to interest both genders. The use of 'Ciara' being a singer in her twenties puts her in a prime position to be considered as an icon/ inspiration, and someone that the target audience will look up too. This is a bonus when selling the magazine, because many people will want to buy it just because its her. She is a famous hip hop artist, and again is very fitting for the genre of the magazine, and the young urban audience as to which 'Vibe' aims their magazine to. Having someone as relevant allows the existing audience as well as potential readers to be aware of what 'Vibe' has to offer. Anyhow, the model only has a pair of nude heels on, and appears to hold herself with little light shining down on her, consequently, the audience are immediately drawn into see what exactly she is hiding. However, this contrasts with the main sell line 'Stand up! Ciara' and pull quote, 'I'm not gonna hold back too much'. This advocates that in the article she reveals more than what she denotes on the front cover. Ironically, she is nude, hence the audience would automatically think "How can she reveal anymore than she already has?", again the pull quote suggests she has more to reveal contrasting with the pose on the front cover. When creating my own magazine, I need to make sure there is some sort of 'mysterious' aura to my cover model, so more can be revealed inside.

The header presents additional information about the magazine. The use of this is to attract the audience into other news 'Vibe' has to offer. The designer has used alternate colours for each bit of information, to fit with the house theme. I really like the way the header is presented and wish to embody this into my own front cover.

The cover lines are added feautures to the magazine, besides the main image and header. Although these are not the focus point of this front cover, they do offer important information to readers, and it is valid that they stand out boldly. The variation of size also determines how important the story is and how much attention it attracts. For example, 'Ciara' is in large, red text and this main coverline stands out from the others on the magazine. This connotes that again there is a large main article inside about this celebrity endorsement. I will consider this when making my magazine, as it will be effective in attracting young rap fans to read news they would be interested in.

This particular issue doesn't seem to have the strapline on, however on others I have researched it is 'Discover Great Music'. The position of this has been carefully designed as it underneath the masthead. Some magazines don't include a strapline, or don't place it anywhere in the 'Rule of Thirds', therefore it is sometimes missed on a magazine stand and doesn't attract the readers that may of actually bought the magazine. Consequently, I need to decide if and where I would place my own strapline, and how interesting/ simple it needs to be.

The main colours used on this front cover is black, white and red. I like how they have stuck with this house theme and incorporated it within the main image model 'Cheryl Cole'. Black and white fit in well with the genre of music I am researching because they are minimalistic and offer a professional feel within the rap music theme. Many artists wear all black/ all white outfits therefore this colour scheme fits in well. The red can also connote passion and danger, for what they do. I will consider this house theme when creating my own magazine.

The cover lines interest the viewers, such as 'The 10 Best New Acts'. This denotes the age group they (and I) will be aiming towards because many young people want to be in with the new trends and artists. I want to include that sort of cover line on my own magazine. I will also include the same sort of positioning.

The main sell line is spaced across the main image which clearly symbolises this will also be the most important article inside the magazine. When designing the layout on my own magazine, I will remember to use bold and big fonts to attract the audience, and position it in a way that connects with the main image.

The main image is very seductive with the position of her hand and tongue. 'Q' have used celebrity endorsement to attract the target audience. The magazine have used Laura Mulvey's Theory- 'Object of the male gaze'. I will consider this when deciding on my own main image. Like I stated before, they magazine house theme is matched with her makeup, which I will also try and recreate when designing my front cover. Cheryl is looking into the camera too, connoting for you to buy the magazine and read the article about her inside. Like the Hitler War posters during the 1920's where the the model would point to you, to me, it is as if Cheryl is pointing to me with her eyes. I think this would really help sell the magazine, and want to incorporate this into my own cover.

'Q' have also used a flash, which helps attract the audience into that specific thing. I can see this flash has something to do with 'John Legend' and this may attract a bigger audience if people above the age range that are interested in this magazine see it. I am debating on using a flash for my own front cover, as I think it will show that I can use a range of conventions to attract rap fans, however I don't want it to look too cluttered and unprofessional.

The background seems to be like a notepad or ripped paper which I think is really effective in making the front cover stand out from others. When deciding on my own background, I want to see if a different one makes my cover interesting and eye catching. However, if it looks too cluttered, I'll stick with a plain, simple background.

On this magazine, the main image is of a famous rapper, yet he is not looking towards the camera, unlike others I have analysed. This may connote the fact he doesn't follow the usual trend, and is different from all the other 'mainstream' artists in the industry. This image is also in black and white, which is unusual for a music magazine, and again symbolises that the rapper wants to be different and the magazine are showing a different side to him. 'Drake' has on clothing that I gather is rather expensive, I need to remember to dress my own model with high socio-economic class, to fit in with the rapper vibe.

The colours used are white, grey, black, gold and red. This is the house theme since these colours are used throughout rap genre, as seen on other magazines, music videos, and CD covers. The gold symbolises wealth and power, which many rappers want and brag about in articles.

The cover lines are very important to the magazine, because they (as well as the main image) attract the target audience. Language such as 'Rappers' and 'Tech n9ne' really involve the age range as they are interested in these things. The use of different size fonts and colours help lighten up specific things, and also makes the cover look more alluring, rather than use all of the same font, which would look boring. I need to remember this when making my own cover.

The barcode, date and web address are located on the bottom left, away from any sell lines. This information needs to be on to let readers know what issue they are on, and how much the magazine costs. The website address also allows people that maybe can't buy the magazine, still able to access new music and news. Furthermore, this generation uses technology more and more everyday, and may be more convenient to look on the website, rather than go out and buy the magazine. I will include these conventions on my own magazine, so it is at a professional standard.