Two similar writings on magazine covers have been published in 2018. The first publication
titled Desain Cover Majalah Cosmogirl Indonesia was written by Thalia and Franzia (2018). Their
focus were on the covers of Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine published between 2015–2017. The
aim of the writing was to find out the meaning contained in the cover of a Cosmogirl Indonesia
magazine in informing the lifestyle of adolescent girls. Analysis of the data in the study used the
Roland Barthes semiotic analysis model. The second publication titled Representasi Model Remaja
Wanita dan Interaksinya dengan Model Remaja Pria pada Cover Majalah Gadis was written by
Sunyoto et al. (2018). The research looked at aspects of the trick effect, pose, object, and linguistic
meanings behind the sentences on the cover. The data was also analyzed using the Barthes semiotic
analysis model. The two publications aimed to find out the visual meanings contained in the covers
of magazines and rubrics by using a semiotic analysis approach.
Visual representation (illustration or photography) has the power to attract attention directly and
has a large influence on the role of persuasion, compared to just relying on the strength of the
text (Soewardikoen 2015). Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication carried out with the
attitude of the body and limbs. Movements, made by body parts to express meaning, emotion, or
communicate instructions, are actions aimed at expressing feelings or emphases (Navarro 2014).
Body language makes observers able to see far beyond the words spoken and understand the
message without hidden words conveyed. In summary, body language speaks louder than words
(Borg 2009). Visual elements are focused on the models who are being displayed. There are several
elements’ categories, namely race, clothing, and gestures. In terms of race, it is divided into three
categories: namely European, Indonesian, and Malay (Suwardikun 2017). In Indonesia, there is
also Law number 44/2008 which regulates pornography and the appearance of clothing openness.
The percentage of openness is categorized as follows: if the entire body is not covered then the
clothes are included in the 100% openness category; if the body is closed only in vital parts such
as the breasts and genitals, it is included in the 75% openness; if the body is covered in the breast,
abdomen, and genitals, it is included in the 50% openness; and finally, if the body is covered
from the breasts to the knee, it is included in the 25% openness (Apsari & Widiatmoko 2010).
The openness of clothing is important to discuss, because open clothing or minimal clothing is a
Western habit, while Indonesian women’s clothing nowadays tend to be covered.
2 RESEARCH METHODS
This research used visual communication research methodology (Soewardikoen 2019), with the
conceptual approach of a visual work consisting of three aspects: the visual work itself, the aspect
of the creator’s work, and the aspect of the viewer. Each aspect used a separate data collection
instrument. Data from the aspect of visual works used observation instruments, data from aspects
of the work of the creator used interview instruments, and data from aspects of the viewer used
a questionnaire. Data analysis used matrix comparison analysis and a conclusion drawing matrix.
The object sampled in this study was the cover of fashion magazines published in Indonesia on
the magazine display racks in both supermarkets and train stations. Five samples were selected,
namely Femina, Kartini, Bazaar, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. The visual sampling for the magazines
were carried out in 2017. Observations, in this case, are studies and records of magazine cover
samples carried out with the theory of visual communication design. The photo aspect of the model
was analyzed using gesture theory, clothing openness, and racial stereotypes. The distribution
of questionnaires with random sampling criteria to 100 respondents was done through online
Google Forms to female viewers as young adult magazine readers between the ages of 20–30 years.
Interviews were conducted with magazine designers and fashion designers. The analysis was done
by comparison matrix analysis.
3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The aspect of visual work, as mentioned above, were visual samples from covers of fashion magazines circulating in Indonesia in 2017 presented on the display racks of magazine sellers, both
244
titled Desain Cover Majalah Cosmogirl Indonesia was written by Thalia and Franzia (2018). Their
focus were on the covers of Cosmogirl Indonesia Magazine published between 2015–2017. The
aim of the writing was to find out the meaning contained in the cover of a Cosmogirl Indonesia
magazine in informing the lifestyle of adolescent girls. Analysis of the data in the study used the
Roland Barthes semiotic analysis model. The second publication titled Representasi Model Remaja
Wanita dan Interaksinya dengan Model Remaja Pria pada Cover Majalah Gadis was written by
Sunyoto et al. (2018). The research looked at aspects of the trick effect, pose, object, and linguistic
meanings behind the sentences on the cover. The data was also analyzed using the Barthes semiotic
analysis model. The two publications aimed to find out the visual meanings contained in the covers
of magazines and rubrics by using a semiotic analysis approach.
Visual representation (illustration or photography) has the power to attract attention directly and
has a large influence on the role of persuasion, compared to just relying on the strength of the
text (Soewardikoen 2015). Gestures are a form of nonverbal communication carried out with the
attitude of the body and limbs. Movements, made by body parts to express meaning, emotion, or
communicate instructions, are actions aimed at expressing feelings or emphases (Navarro 2014).
Body language makes observers able to see far beyond the words spoken and understand the
message without hidden words conveyed. In summary, body language speaks louder than words
(Borg 2009). Visual elements are focused on the models who are being displayed. There are several
elements’ categories, namely race, clothing, and gestures. In terms of race, it is divided into three
categories: namely European, Indonesian, and Malay (Suwardikun 2017). In Indonesia, there is
also Law number 44/2008 which regulates pornography and the appearance of clothing openness.
The percentage of openness is categorized as follows: if the entire body is not covered then the
clothes are included in the 100% openness category; if the body is closed only in vital parts such
as the breasts and genitals, it is included in the 75% openness; if the body is covered in the breast,
abdomen, and genitals, it is included in the 50% openness; and finally, if the body is covered
from the breasts to the knee, it is included in the 25% openness (Apsari & Widiatmoko 2010).
The openness of clothing is important to discuss, because open clothing or minimal clothing is a
Western habit, while Indonesian women’s clothing nowadays tend to be covered.
2 RESEARCH METHODS
This research used visual communication research methodology (Soewardikoen 2019), with the
conceptual approach of a visual work consisting of three aspects: the visual work itself, the aspect
of the creator’s work, and the aspect of the viewer. Each aspect used a separate data collection
instrument. Data from the aspect of visual works used observation instruments, data from aspects
of the work of the creator used interview instruments, and data from aspects of the viewer used
a questionnaire. Data analysis used matrix comparison analysis and a conclusion drawing matrix.
The object sampled in this study was the cover of fashion magazines published in Indonesia on
the magazine display racks in both supermarkets and train stations. Five samples were selected,
namely Femina, Kartini, Bazaar, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. The visual sampling for the magazines
were carried out in 2017. Observations, in this case, are studies and records of magazine cover
samples carried out with the theory of visual communication design. The photo aspect of the model
was analyzed using gesture theory, clothing openness, and racial stereotypes. The distribution
of questionnaires with random sampling criteria to 100 respondents was done through online
Google Forms to female viewers as young adult magazine readers between the ages of 20–30 years.
Interviews were conducted with magazine designers and fashion designers. The analysis was done
by comparison matrix analysis.
3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The aspect of visual work, as mentioned above, were visual samples from covers of fashion magazines circulating in Indonesia in 2017 presented on the display racks of magazine sellers, both
244