Magazine Analysis - GQ

GQ is initially a magazine aimed at a sophisticated male audience of 25-39. This is proven through the main image of James Franco - a sophisticated actor in the age range of 25-39.

The main image shows Franco wearing a full suit and having a reasonably sophisticated hairstyle. He overall fits the codes and conventions of somebody who would appear on the cover of a magazine like GQ. The image of Franco fills the page also leaving only a small quantity of background (which is coloured a pale blue, this goes with the colour of his shirt and also contrasts well with the red on the masthead and the cover-lines. Even though the magazine is aimed at males, Franco could attract a female audience as he is very well known and attractive, even more so in the main image as he has a lot of sex appeal to females.

The masthead simply reads 'GQ' - the magazine's brand. The masthead always appears at the top of the magazine and on this cover its not only covering a part of Franco's head but its in bright colours. Red and white, these colours contrast well with the blue in the background and give the cover as a whole, a more sophisticated and modern look. The quotation underneath 'GQ' reads 'Look Sharp, Live Smart' - hence fitting into the convention of sophisication again. It also links back to the target audience as 25-39 year old men tend to want to 'Look Sharp' and 'Live Smart' whereas teenage boys or men their 50+ years have other priorities.

The cover-lines are all in white, red or black and their fonts are all very smart and not fussy with - for example- calligraphy. This again emphasis's that this magazine is for the sophisticated men of America rather than women. 'Our Big Style Issue' and 'The Next James Dean' are both written in red writing, this has the intention of drawing attention to these cover lines rather than 'Where to find he best wine in the world'. Some cover lines are wrote in black and white and are reasonably smaller than the cover lines in red. Though they all still stand out against Franco.