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• The branded masthead is conventionally placed in the top left-hand corner (Z rule) and stands out with the choice of gold font, connoting luxury and exclusivity - traits that the brand associates with
• The limited colour palette of black, white, gold and orange create a sense of cohesion to the design, whilst also reinforcing the magazines message of luxury, sophistication and masculinity
• There is a long shot of footballer and celebrity Raheem Sterling, ensuring the magazine has star appeal for the audience
• The cover price further reinforces this is a print magazine aimed at an ABC1 audience with disposable income
• Sterling is looking directly at the audience, seemingly making eye contact. This is a common convention of magazines and helps add to the personal approach of this format. His cool, relaxed gaze and slight smile look down at the reader, suggesting he should be admired and looked up to
• Sterling's leather combat trousers and boots are more high fashion than practical and connote luxury and masculinity, whilst also indicating to readers that GQ is a lifestyle magazine
• GQ labels Sterling a "Guardian Angel" which has multiple connotations, including a sense of guidance and protection, suggesting he is looking after players and the values of the game by rooting out racism. The idea that he is doing morally good work is reinforced through his black angel wings and cross tattoos. This also frames him as a Proppian Hero, which is conventional for magazine cover stars
• The top cover lines focus on aesthetics and show having the "right" look is important. The reader begins to think of the magazine as a casual "how to" guide when it comes to being a fashionable man
• At the top right of the page, there is another cover line advertising a picture special from 'GQ Heroes'. 'All the sizzle' implies celeb intrigue and gossip. While the term "exclusive" suggests the reader won't be able to find it anywhere else and needs to purchase the magazine to be in on the secrets
• On the right-hand side of the page, the reader is offered some politics, "Westminster has become a living nightmare. Andy Burnham's Manchester masterplan", This hyperbolic is a reference to the elected Mayor or Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is calling for more developed power to be given to cities rather than held by the gov. in London. The inclusion of serious journalism broadens its offering for its audience