The initial response when viewing this cover is that it will be directed at a male audience . This is made clear through the central image taking up the majority of the cover - A young woman in very little clothing standing provocatively . This image is used to attract men as it catches their attention and men are typically attracted to women such as these . Personally i feel this is the biggest clue to the expected audience .
Also the woman in the central image has a direct mode of address which is also a very significant hidden visual code . Men will aspire to be a part of the woman's life , and by using a direct mode of address the male readers will feel as if the had personally came into contact with this woman luring them into buying the magazine .
However there are other signs to show us this such as the pug in the upper right corner stating that the GQ is the bestselling up market men's magazine . However although the textual information such as the articles shown is not directed at the typical man's-man it illustrates just how much men have changed over the years and are now becoming a lot more focused on their appearance . The types of article's shown would emply the possible psychographics of a male aspirer , aiming to give off the best impression possible to create a 'Wealthy' and 'important' reputation .
The central article represented on this cover is "America's most outspoken starlet Megan Fox will not be censored " is typical of a men's magazine . The male readers will hold fantasies of being in relations with women such as Megan Fox so being allowed into explicit and non"censored" details of her life will enforce the men to be a part of her life , partially making their fantasies a reality .
This magazine cover is clearly contrasted to the first magazine cover aiming to appeal to an alternative audience of women . There are various hidden codes within this cover helping to attract the targeted audience such as colour schemes and textual information .
The articles shown on the cover are the expected for a women's magazine for example " get a flat tummy in 7 days" and "318 bags , shoes & love-your-body fashion buys" the word "fashion" immediately attracts the typical psychographic groups the aspirers- who will want to keep up with the latest trends to create a good reputation and fun-lovers - who are known to do vast amounts of shopping and want to stand out .
In contrast to the male focused cover Cosmopoliton also uses a female as their central image , however she is more covered up and almost takes on "the girl next door" appearance . The central image is cleverly used to attract the female audience as older women will aspire to be the woman on the front cover and younger females will be attracted by this image as the model is smiling and has a direct mode of address which will invite the audience to purchase the magazine . The direct mode of address attracts the target audience as they feel as if the model is communicating with them , almost making the magazine feel personal to themselves .
The colour scheme is also a hidden visual code . The use of scarlet connotes
empowerment and strength which will convey to the women that this magazine is strong in its opinions and after reading the magazine the women will feel a sense of achievement and importance , this is very important as the women will feel they are receiving something from the magazine they are more likely to purchase it .
