Annotation of a non-music magazine.

Masthead

The Masthead is actually in the left hand corner up until the middle point. rather than being straight in the middle, like most magazine front covers. I think this has been done, so as to break conventions and make the magazine appear different. The masthead is in big, bold lettering and is bright red. This is to draw in potential and existing readers of the magazine. The masthead is also catchy and short. As well as being two letters that stand for the actual name which is Gentlemen's Quarterly. This has been done, as the magazine assumes people who read it, are regulars and already know/enjoy it. 

Tagline

Such as "conference smackdown" illustrates that people who are interested in politics will also want this issue of GQ. It has been done like this because as this tagline is near the Masthead it will attract and intrigue potential buyers. Various other tagline have also been used. A convention has been bent slightly as the taglines actually don't mention Liam or One Direction. You only see it underneath the Central Image. 

Central Image 

The central image is of Liam Payne from boyband One Direction. He is the centre of the magazine. In this edition of GQ all 5 members had a different issue to themselves. (As pictured above). So as too attract more sales, as fans of the band would most likely buy the issue with their favourite member. 

The Cover Model

The central image is of Liam from One Direction. He has been posed in a way that makes him look like a serious artist, and a serious person. He isn't smiling and is wearing a formal looking coat. Similarly he is wearing all black adding to a grown up, serious feel. I think he has been posed like this to make him and One Direction appear more grown up than ever before. Also they aren't the usual type of people to appear on GQ- so have been styled and positioned in a way that will make readers of the magazine intrigued in how different they look. They are also being represented in a way that won't attract to their usual target audience. For example teenage girls would want to see them all smiling and happy. Whereas this is for a Gentleman's magazine, so to attract the same level of readership, will need to be similar to the usual types of cover model's. 

Anchorage 

Anchorage between the cover image and a cover line has been used. Such as the "Groupies?, you'll get me in trouble" Perhaps this quote has been used to either shock or intrigue or both. It makes him seem more rock and roll as oppose to sugar sweet boy band image. Likewise with "heavier, rockier, cooler" this also matches and goes with the main anchorage. 

Secondary Images 

Liam is the only image, and there are no other images on the front cover. This is so the main focus will be on the cover model and central image. 

Coverlines 

Such as "heavier, rockier, cooler" are used so as to promote different types of people to read about One Direction. Likewise  "autumn style special" and "winterise your wardrobe" also will appeal to readers who want fashion tips for the season that was appropriate at the time. I would say with taglines such as this GQ was for the fashion forward man. 

"Groupies?, you'll get me in trouble" also alludes to a different side of One Direction that perhaps other people will be interested in. Using this quote we assume that in order to find out the rest this will be in the magazine, and you have to buy it to read more. So this is used to intrigue and attract buyers. 

Use of Colour

The use of colour is actually pretty classic-grey, black, white and red. I think this has been done to keep  the front cover looking classy and but bold, which i think is what GQ are about. All whilst keeping it from looking boring with the hint of red, placed around the front cover. With the actual masthead being in big,bold red lettering for emphasis,  Specific things are red such as "GQ" also "Liam" is in big, bold, white lettering to add emphasis and draw attention. If an audience saw it and saw the "Liam" and then the cover image and still didn't know who it was, they might be intrigued to buy, read and find out.

Font 

Certain fonts have been used for certain tagline and cover lines. The actual Masthead itself is a big, bold font so to make it visible and attractive to buyers. Furthermore some cover lines are also in red and some in white to make the cover look interesting and for certain phrases to stand out more.