Research - Music magazine front cover (Representation)

In the 'Maria Claire' magazine cover, Selena Gomez is represented as seductive, sexual and fierce. The colour red on her dress signifies and has the connotations of passion, love, desire, strength and danger. the color is used to make the audience realize that the magazine is primarily pitched at a 18+ male and female target audience. It is almost as if Selena is attracting the readers attention and luring them into reading the magazine with her beauty and bright red dress; she is tempting the reader. Selena Gomez is mesmerizing, captivating and enchanting. Here it can be seen  that Selena Gomez is sexualized for instance, her slight lip pout tells us that she is trying to be sexy along with the fact that her dress is in a sense, body revealing. The editors choice to position Selena Gomez's image in front of the magazine title is subtle but important; it highlights that Selena Gomez is significant and prioritized over the title itself - essentially it hints at the fact that Selena herself is more well known than the name of the company due to her fame and popularity; here, composition and layout is shown to be crucial within 'Maria Claire' magazine front cover. Another essential point to add is the fact that the title, cover-lines and Selena's red dress are all the same colour: red. This makes the overall presentation impressive as it is very vivid, arresting and eye-catching.

Furthermore, within this magazine Selena Gomez is represented as powerful, fierce and confident which is shown through the positioning of her hands, For example, one of her arms are slightly touching her hips whereas the other hand is gently resting against her thigh; this gives of an impression that females can be tough and confident like males, as of which Selena physically demonstrates. The editor is challenging stereotypes; often females are stereotyped as weak and passive however, in this case they are strong and confident - the editor establishes her viewpoints on the way in which women should be represented through Selena Gomez.
The fact that Selena's makeup is natural may suggest that women can be naturally beautiful and don't need to wear a lot of makeup to be considered attractive so although, Selena gives off a sexy feel to the magazine, she can also be viewed as elegant.

In contrast to the previous magazine, Selena Gomez is represented as classy, formal and cheerful. Her dress code being a white shirt and what looks like a black dress, is very formal as if she were wearing appropriate uniform for work. In addition to this, her facial expressions portray her feeling of happiness. The verbal code states "i feel confident, i feel empowered, i feel in control" which is reflected by her facial expression. The message that the editor is trying to get across is quite direct; women are powerful and optimistic. Similarly, to the previous magazine, the editor of "flare" magazine is also challenging stereotypes; It is often the case that men are represented as dominant and powerful whereas in this case, women are too. Instead of females being sterotypically represented as weak, helpless and submissive in the front cover of "flare" magazine, they are represented as elegant, independent, confident and positive.

Planning:
As an designer, i have learnt that it is crucial to point out specific details and reflect it to its meaning within a magazine front cover. For example, the editors choice to position Selena Gomez's image in front of the title; it is subtle but important, highlighting how important layout and composition is for my own magazine. Also, it is quite interesting that both editors have challenged Stereotypes which may suggest that over the generations, women have changed in society and are not all look upon as weak and submissive, for they are now viewed to be powerful and confident. From this i have learnt that in my magazine production, it is vital for me to put across my own views and opinions.