Deconstruction 1:
1. What do you think about this person based on the cover of the magazine?
This person is extremely strong. He is also a little self-absorbed because he is flexing.
How does he look?
He looks like he is tough and does not let anybody get in is way.
How does he make your feel?
He belittles me. I feel as though I could not approach him.
2. What is the main purpose of this magazine?
The purpose of this magazine is to make sales in advertisement. Both the ads and the articles are geared towards the "body building" genre.
3. Describe who you believe is the magazine's intended readership.
As the"Jersey Shore" fans would say, "Guidos." This magazine is intended for young men who care tremendously about their body and muscle tone.
A lifestyle that revolves around working out and building serious muscle mass.
Deconstruction 2:
1. What do you think about this person based on the cover of the magazine? How does he look? How does he make your feel?
I think this person looks rich, happy, and a bit mischievous. I feel as though I could approach him.
2. What is the main purpose of this magazine?
To sell ads(as always), but this magazine promoting: helping men "be at their best."
3. Describe who you believe is the magazine's intended readership.
White, 20s-30s, middle-class professionals who appreciate music, reading, etc..
A lifestyle filled with business, music, sex, and slight humor.
1. What are the differences between the two covers?
The audiences are different:body builder vs. business man. Therefore, muscle Arnold is on the first and governor Arnold is on the second.
What techniques are used to attract your attention?
Bright colors, different fonts, punctuation, enticing photos
Pay attention to body language, clothing, camera angle, lighting, color, eye contact ect. How do the difference influence what you think and feel about the person.
The Muscle & Fitness magazine is took the picture below eye level so the man appears to be "greater" and "bigger." This makes him less approachable. The Esquire photograph is taken head on and the man is pointing at the reader; this makes him more approachable.
2. What do you find appealing or not appealing about the cover of the magazine?
Nothing is appealing to me in either magazine. In fact, the cocky flexing in the first magazine and the half naked woman in the second are repulsing.
3. What elements in the design make it appealing or not appealing?
I like the colors of the fonts and background.
4. What elements are included on the cover to sell this magazine? Consider title, imagery, sensationalized headlines, exclusive articles, secrets, gossip, free gifts, and celebrity news.
The words "GET LEAN" and "20 INCH ARMS" in the Muscle & Fitness magazine would easily sell copies to the "body building" genre. The words(and change in fonts) in "Arnold: The Next Governor of California. Really" on Esquire cover would definitely fit in the "celebrity news" category and sell copies.
The content in The Muscle & Fitness magazine is all about "quick fixes" to get the 20 inch arms and lean body that many men want. It contains a celebrity workout (Arnold's workout).
6. What products or services are advertised in the issue?
In Esquire, the products include music ("what's good, what blows, and what to buy) and fiction (New fiction by Arthur Miller The Dubious Achievements of Science).
7. What lifestyle, values and messages are being promoted by the contents in the issue?
answered above under each magazine.
8.Describe the demographics for what you think may be the magazine’s intended target readership. Consider age, sex, interests and socioeconomic status.
answered above under each magazine
The age of the person on the cover, the articles on the cover, and the products promoted.
10. What personalities or celebrities are used to promote this magazine?
In Muscle & Fitness, "Tough." In Esquire, "Successful."
11. Are these personalities or celebrities promoting or challenging stereotypical messages? How?
The Muscle & Fitness magazine definitely promotes the man stereotype of being "tough" and "insensitive." This is portrayed by the man's physique, facial expressions, body language, and camera angle.
Both of these magazine covers appeared one month apart from each other during the year Arnold ran for Governor of California! I think it is amazing how media techniques can be used to create images of people that convey such vastly different values and lifestyles! Actually I think it is kind of creepy. Most people will claim to know media manipulates the truth but I don't think most people, and especially young people, know the extent to which the manipulation occurs.
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