Here is a feature page that I found on Pinterest; because I don't know what magazine it has come from, I don't know the genre of magazine. However, the images, fonts and lexis suggest that this is from a fashion magazine of some sort. I have chosen to analyse this feature page because I think that the layout is interesting and it is more creative than other feature pages from popular magazines.
The layout of the page follows conventions in that it has an image covering one half of the double page spread and text on the other. I particularly like the layout of the text on the left hand side and how they have made it seem like the text is being held up. Obviously my feature page will include more writing to do with the article, but I do like the simplicity of the heading on the left and would like to try something similar in my own work. The image on the right take up the whole right hand side page which gives the reader a good view of the content of the image.
The main colours used on this double page spread are red, white and black. These colours create a statement on the page which also makes me think that this has come from a fashion magazine. The colour red could represent either love and passion or anger. This colour scheme is fluent throughout the double page as they are the only colours within the image and then is follows through to the text.
There is only one image used on this page; although this is different to the other feature page that I analysed, it still works with the layout and makes the reader interested. This page is not as busy and doesn't have as much content as the Net-A-Porter one, but it is the simplicity that is what makes is interesting. It is difficult to see if the model in the image is a mannequin or whether a person has been made to look like that. The image is very creative in itself as the idea to have model/mannequin dressed in a ballerina style and being what looks like held by ribbon that is attached to the ceiling is original. Although my feature article will not feature a model dressed or positioned in this style because it won't fit with the regional genre, I felt it was important to analyse a feature page that was quite different compared to popular magazines as having ideas like this will make my magazine stand out against others of a similar genre.
In terms of the lexis, the heading reads 'A Dreamlike State of Mind'. This heading sums up the image in that the idea is very 'dreamlike'. The purpose of this feature page is to promote and advertise jewellery that the model is wearing. This suggests that the jewellery that the page is promoting is of a unique and 'dreamlike' style. The page doesn't have a lot of writing, but what is there shows the purpose of the page.
The typography for the heading is of a Times style font and is positioned in different angles to make it looks like the text is hanging from the top of the page. The font that is used for the main parts of text is very similar which is unusual because a complimentary font us usually used for the other text on the page.
Overall, I like this page because I think the layout is very creative and stands out against other magazines. I would like to experiment with similar ideas and layouts for my feature page so that it looks different compared to others.
This feature page from Net-A-Porter magazine is based on travel; this is something I could do for my feature page and base it around luxury destinations in Cornwall. The layout of the page is appealing and make the content easy but interesting to read. The layout draws the reader in as it make the destination look interesting, as well as giving fashion tips on what to take which makes the reader want to wear similar clothes to the ones featured in this magazine. I like the idea of using the text boxes of information as it breaks the text up so the reader isn't bombarded with text. The layout shows all of the information clearly and allows the reader to see everything without getting confused or being overwhelmed with content; it separates the page into sections, allowing the reader to see attractive images of the destination, luxury accommodation, information and images of 'what to pack', and small sections of written information.
This page doesn't really follow a colour scheme as the only colours used other than the ones in the images are black and white. However there are many images that are very colourful which connotes summer and holiday, so other colours used for the text or the background would make the page too busy as there is already a lot of content on the page. I like the use of a plain white background with a lot of images as I think it gives the page more of a clean and professional look. The main colours in the images are blue, green and cream/beige. These colours are very summery, but the cream is a calming colour which adds to the holiday feel in that it makes the reader think of being relaxed.
Three main images are used on the page that show off the destination. There are five other small images that show the reader the best clothing to pack which will be fashionable for their holiday. This is a more effective way to make a list and will keep the reader interested because they will understand and relate to the imagery; they will prefer this to having to read a lot of text.
There isn't a lot of text on the page as Net-A-Porter usually spread each of their stories over more than one double page. However, this feature page has enough text to inform the reader, but not too much that the reader gets board. The main heading for the article will instantly attract the kind of reader that is interested in the celebrity lifestyle and vacates often as it reads, "Travel: Where the Stars Stay". The page incorporates a text box of writing that sums up the location and tell the reader where they can find more information if they are interested. It also has a section under the heading, "What to Pack". This heading makes the reader interested in the fashion section of the page, especially as big fashion names are mentioned in this section, such as Gucci and Jimmy Choo.
The typography on this page is very classy an clean. Obviously this is aimed at an audience of a high class as they are advertising a luxury holiday that probably comes with a high expense, and the font suggests this. There are two fonts used for the feature article: one for headings; a Times font in capitals and a more decorative Georgia type font in lowercase which is used for main sections of writing. These fonts compliment each other in that they are different styles, but work well.
Overall, I like this feature page. I think the layout shows enough information to keep the reader interested without being too busy, and the fonts work well together. As a conclusion, I like this style of feature article and I think it would work well in my own magazine as it fits with the fashion and regional genres.
This contents page is an example that I found on Pinterest, which I don't know the name of because it doesn't include the masthead. The main title of this page is 'Contents'. This would make it obvious to the reader as to what page they are reading, but the page doesn't follow conventions because it doesn't include a masthead or a date which could possibly confuse the reader. The word 'Contents' is written in sophisticated capitals in a peach/orange colour which fits with the soft feminine appearance of the page.
It follows conventions in terms of images by featuring four that represent the genre. I can't research the magazine to find the genre because there is no masthead, but from the images, I can see that it is probably a wedding or lifestyle magazine with a target audience of females. The images use similar colour pallets and are relatable and therefore work well together on one page. In the larger image, there is a female model wearing a white lace dress, possibly a wedding dress, holding a bouquet of flowers. Her expression and the way she is hiding behind the flowers shows excitement which could attract the reader if they want to know about flowers and bouquets for a wedding or event. The model looks natural and doesn't have a lot of skin showing as she is dressed conservatively with natural lighting which goes against Mulvey's 'Male Gaze' theory. All of the images are feminine and elegant and work well together.
There are three main fonts used throughout the page. A plain and clean font is used for the main part of text (the list of contents) on the right and a more decorative fonts for the headings. All the fonts used are very feminine and therefore will attract the female readers. A bolder capitalised font is used for the word 'Contents' to make it stand out the most. The same font is used throughout the text on the right, but is put in bold for the subheadings. This helps to separate the text and make it more interesting to read. The text on this page will attract the female audience because it is mostly to do with weddings and lifestyle; for example, one reads, "Bride Guide: Our guide to finding the best Bridal Boutique", which will attract the target audience because they will want to know about where the best place to shop for their wedding will be.
In terms of the colour pallet, the main colours used are orange/peach, black and white. The pastel peach colour is the main colour that is used throughout the imagery and page as a whole. The other colours that are used in the imagery are pastel themed and connote femininity.
The layout of the page is quite simple, but uses an interesting arrangement for the images. It has a sense of sophistication and strongly represents it's female audience with it's elegant fonts and imagery. I has two columns; one for the images and the other for the text. This makes it easy for the audience to read and find what they are looking for.
To conclude, I think this is an elegant design for for the contents page with creative imagery. The layout of this page is more interesting than those of popular fashion magazines such as Vogue. I would like to use similar fonts and pastel colour scheme as well as creative photography that represents my target audience. Overall, the contents page serves it's purpose with elegance and femininity.
This is another contents page that I found on Pinterest. It isn't for any magazine in particular, but was designed my Aprile Elicich, who is a freelance graphic designer.
Because this isn't part of a real magazine, it doesn't have a masthead. The main title of this page is 'Contents'. This would make it obvious to the reader as to what page they are reading, but the page doesn't follow conventions because it doesn't include a masthead or a date which could possibly confuse the reader. The word 'Contents' is written in a simple lightweight font in a dark grey.
In terms of the imagery, it goes against common conventions of magazine contents pages because it uses seventeen images. These images are arranged in a honeycomb layout which is very interesting and has a narrative feel. The imagery doesn't make it clear as to what genre of magazine this would be for, but because of the decorative and illustrative feel to the page, I can see that the target audience is probably middle aged females. The images show hexagon shaped sections of bigger photographs and drawings.
There are two main fonts used on the page; one for the word 'contents', and the other for the small text that relates to the images. The fonts used are conventional to fashion magazines because they are feminine and elegant, but in terms of the amount of text, there is a lot less than there would be on a popular fashion magazine. Two of the images also feature text, which looks like text from a book which could or could not be relevant to the genre.
In terms of the colour pallet, the main colours used are shades of grey. This is because there is a lot of imagery that feature different colours, so the colours used for the background and text had to be quite neutral to stop the page from seeming over crowded.
This layout is very unconventional. However, I think it more interesting than common contents page layouts found in more popular magazines. Firstly, this page is in a landscape format and has either been designed to go across two pages or for a landscape magazine format. The word 'contents' is quite small when compared to other contents pages, but it still obvious to the reader because it in the first place they will look and is in a contrasting colour to the background. The arrangement of the images goes against conventions because they are hexagon shape as opposed to square and go through the centre of the page. Additionally, the layout of the text is unconventional. There are arrows from some of the images pointing to text that tells the reader the heading of that particular story and what page they will find it on. Other than the extra information that is usually given about the story, this contents page still gives all the necessary information.
As a conclusion, this page is completely unconventional. However, I think that is more interesting to look at and to read that common contents pages. I think this page design is very creative, like other work of Aprile Elcich. I would like to use a similar design in terms of the creative imagery and layout. Overall, the contents page serves it's purpose and has achieved higher creativity by breaking the common conventions.
Like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar's contents follows conventions because it incorporates the masthead onto the page; the same way that it is on the cover. It also has the word 'Contents' on the page to show the reader what page of the magazine they are looking at. It makes it more obvious than Vogue which suggests that the audience aren't as educated or high class. The masthead is written in black which is very contrasting to the background which makes it very visible.
In terms of the imagery, Bazaar uses images that support it's target audience as well as using them to portray fashion. There are two images used; one with a female model and one with a male model. This suggests that Bazaar magazine has an audience of male and female genders of a mixed race as the male model is white, but the female model looks as if she has a Mediterranean ethnicity. They may have chosen a model of this ethnicity because her skin is a tanned colour; and as this image is to promote swimwear fashion, the tanned skin would make the audience think of summer and hot weather. It also will make the audience think that if they purchase the swimwear that is being advertised in the magazine, they could look like the model. Also the sand in the background of the image will make the viewer think of the beach and will think that they can have a similar appearance to the model at the beach if they were to wear similar swimwear. The month of this issue is July, which fits with the image of the female model because of the colours and style of her clothing. She is wearing an all-in-one swim suit style piece that is quite revealing which links with Mulvey's 'Male Gaze' theory. The image of the male model, Cillian Murphy, doesn't really connote a summer feeling, but fits with his story in the magazine, 'No More Mr Nasty Guy'. The purpose of this being put on the contents page is to show the viewer that their will be some interesting news or gossip about this famous actor. This will make the reader want to purchase the magazine because they will want to know the latest news about famous people and won't want to miss out.
The fonts have been kept very simple on this page. There are only really two fonts being used; one modern font for headings and one more decorative times style font for the main text. The decorative font is used because it is very feminine so it represents the female audience.
Like Vogue, there aren't very many colours used. Other than the bright colours of the model's clothing in the image of the female, the colour pallet mainly consists of black, white and an orange/red colour. This doesn't make the page very interesting to read, although the orange does help to break up the text. Similar to Vogue, the orange colour was probably used because it is a vibrant colour and in this case represents summer.
The layout of this page helps it to fit it's purpose because it is simple and easy for the viewer to read. There are two images used on the page which help set the text into columns.
Overall, this page follows the simplest of layouts and isn't very creative. The coloured headings used in the text help to break up the text and make it more interesting to read, but other than that, the page is very plain. It does however serve it's purpose with sophistication on the simplest of levels.
Vogue's Contents page follows conventions because it incorporates the masthead onto the page. Unlike the cover, the masthead is written in lower case letters rather than capitals. Usually, the words 'contents' is written in a large font and the masthead is smaller; but this contents page only has 'contents' written small above the masthead next to the date. This doesn't make it as obvious to the reader as to what page it is; but the target audience is of an educated high class status so the producers would have thought that they are too intelligent to have to point it out. The masthead is written in black which is highly contrasting to the background colour so it stands out and is making a statement so that the reader cannot ignore it.
In terms of the images used, Vogue follows conventions in that it uses an image of a model who is portraying the fashion world. The model used represents the target audience as she is a white female, and this is the primary audience for the magazine. She is wearing gold and silver clothing which links with the Christmas theme for the December issue. She is showing a lot of skin as there is little clothing that is revealing; this supports Mulvey's 'Male Gaze' theory. The model looks very glamorous as her hair is moving backwards and the lighting makes her clothing shine; this supports the target audience because they will have to be glamorous and wear shiny clothing for the christmas season and will aspire to be like her. There is only one large image used on the contents page; a medium shot showing the model's whole body. This allows the viewer to see her clothing and pose from head to toe. The image relates to the article 'Star Girls', which fits with her silver and gold shiny clothing that represents the star theme at christmas when we have a star on top of the Christmas tree for example. The model has been airbrushed so that her skin glows as well as her clothes. This will make the audience think that they should be like her and will be closer to knowing how they can be like her if they purchase the magazine.
As this is the contents page to the same issue as the cover I analysed, I can see that they have not used any images from the feature article on the cover. This shows that Vogue want their audience to look at different articles in the magazine rather than just focusing on the feature article. On other fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, images to promote and advertise make up brands and jewellery are used. However, the contents page shows that there are articles within the magazine that promote make up. This will make the audience want to buy the magazine because they will think that the make up that they are selling will make them look like the models that feature in the magazine, especially as they will want to look their best in the Christmas season.
The fonts used for the contents page are very similar to the ones used on the cover. A plain clean font is used for the main parts of the writing, but similar to the cover, a more decorative font is used for some of the description text. This decorative font is used because it is very feminine and therefore attracting the female audience. A more bold font is used for the headings on the page, such as for 'Fashion', 'Special Features' and 'Contents December 2010'. This is so that these parts of the text stand out against the other fonts used. One other light weight font is used for the headings 'Subscribe to Vogue' and for 'Cover Stories'. These parts of the text are written larger than the rest because these are are the most important headings on the page. A lot of the text on this page will attract the female audience because to do with make up and how to look your best for the party season; for example, one reads: 'Sparkle: How to do dazzling evening make up', which will attract the audience because they will want to have a similar appearance to models that feature in Vogue magazine.
In terms of the colour pallet, the range of colours is kept to a minimum. Other than the gold and silver used in the main image, the main colours are black, white and orange. This makes the page look simple, but the use of orange breaks up the black and white text making it look more interesting. Orange is probably used on this page because it is a vibrant power colour and it connotes harvest and food which is a big topic for the Christmas season.
The layout of this page is very simple but does fit it's purpose in that it shows the reader what page the articles are on. It has a sense of sophistication with the clean fonts and columns as it follows an order. The only image used covers over half of the width of the page but ends at the top so the masthead can overlap it slightly. There is a column on the right that shows the fashion articles as well as the special features, and one on the left that overlaps the image and shows the cover stories.
As a conclusion, I think this is a sophisticated design for a contents page, although it doesn't have a very creative layout of colour scheme. The fonts used on the page make it more interesting to read, which is something the layout and colour do not do. I would like to use similar fonts on my contents page, but would like to be more creative with my layout. Overall, the contents page serves it's purpose with class and sophistication, but it very simplistic.
Similar to Vogue, Bazaar is not a regional magazine, but it is still important for me to analyse magazines of the fashion genre so that I know what is necessary to include in my own fashion magazine. Harper's Bazaar is known to be the fashion magazine for high class sophisticated women and influencing fashion is it's main purpose.
Bazaar has a total readership of 164,000 in the UK with the average age of the reader being 41 years old. Bazaar's audience is almost 90% female as (like Vogue), it caters mainly for female fashion. In terms of the demographics, 56% of readers fall into social grades AB, and 87% fall into social grades ABC1. Overall, Bazaar targets their magazines to high class working women as 21% of it's female readers have an income of £100,000+.
In terms of the masthead, 'Harper's Bazaar' (originally Harper's Bazar), got it's name 'Harper's' because it was founded by the Harper & Brothers Corporation. The second part of it's name, 'Bazaar', is more difficult to find the meaning behind. It's possible that it could have developed from the word 'bizarre', meaning eccentric or unexpected; but nevertheless, the word works for this genre of magazine and shows diversity in terms of fashion and it's audience. Unlike most fashion magazines, Harper's Bazaar has two words in it's title, although Harper's is written very small compared to the main part of the masthead 'Bazaar'; which is what the magazine is often referred to for short. Bazaar, like Vogue, is aimed at a higher class audience, and all of the masthead show this (the font, style and colours). The masthead follows conventions in that it covers 1/8 of the page so that the audience would be able to recognise it easily. The font in particular suggests the genre of magazine as it makes a statement and has a classy style. This particular issue features an illustration that goes through the masthead which makes the Old Times font look more decorative; this links with the heading at the bottom that reads 'Jubilee Chic'. I would like to incorporate something similar on my magazine cover because I think it makes the page look more interesting and helps show what the issue will be about.
The model featuring on this issue is Victoria Beckham. The lighting in the photograph suggests that the photograph was taken in a studio environment, the the floral background maybe being added as a separate image later on. The mise-en-scene portrays her as classy and powerful which fits with the heading 'Queen Victoria'. The theme in this photograph will be better for me to use inspiration from than the photograph from the Vogue magazine that I analysed because this is a spring/summer issue, so it will include colours and stories similar to what I will be including for my summer issue. The image of Victoria Beckham used is a medium close-up which goes against conventions as a close-up is usually used on magazines; but as this is a fashion magazine, seeing her clothing is quite an important aspect. Her outfit is quite low cut and revealing which links to Mulvey's 'Male Gaze' theory that states that women are used for the pleasure of male viewers in the media. The way she is holding herself and her facial expressions connote power and class, which is something that I want my model to have in my fashion magazine.
The colour scheme used on this cover connote a power and a summery mood with purple, blue and white. Purple is a colour that is associated with royalty and symbolises power which link with the main image and heading with key words such as 'Queen', 'conquering' and 'Jubilee'. Most of the text is written in white so that it stands out over the floral coloured background. The colour pallet that I use on my magazine cover will be similar to this in that they will connote summer and power, but they will also need to represent Cornwall.
Two main fonts are used on this cover; the one used for the masthead and the text at the bottom that reads 'Jubilee Chic' and the one used for the headings and text around the page. Another font is used for smaller headings around the page such as 'Prints Charming', and 'Fitness Focus', and other odd words within the stories such as 'on' and 'of'. I like how the use of this font mixes up the text and makes it more interesting to read. Another way they have made it look more interesting is the use of different sized font and occasionally setting the font to italic. The font used around the page is a light plain but modern, so it works well to have it different sizes and in italic. The text on this page advertises the summer season as it talks about popular summer topics; floral prints and dream bodies. This will make the reader want to buy the magazine because they will want to find out how to get a dream body and what to wear in the summer season. I will have to include summer stories similar to these, but mine will have to relate to Cornwall.
The layout of the page consists of a medium close-up shot image in the background with text forming around the outer sides of the page leaving a clearer view of the model behind. There are not any smaller images on cover to show any other content of the magazine, but this seems quite common in the fashion genre. The smaller headings and information are placed to the left and right sides of the model with some overlapping. The fonts are different sizes depending on what should catch the readers eye first. The font 'Jubilee Chic' is written in a large font because it relates to the main story of this issue. I would like to include a word/heading in large at the bottom of my cover to suggest the main story and theme of my issue. This cover also follow conventions by including a bar code in the bottom left hand corner; I have found this to rare on fashion magazine covers that I have found on the internet, but this might be because they are covers from the online versions of the magazine so a bar code will not be necessary.
As a conclusion, I think this magazine cover would work well for my inspiration for my own regional fashion magazine because it has a lot of features that I would like to incorporate into my own magazine cover; particularly the fonts and layouts of the text. Because I will not be able to photograph a real star model, I will have to change my main story/feature article to something related to fashion or Cornwall. The sophistication and power in the colour scheme and main image is something that I would like to portray in my own cover image, which relates to Bentley's 'rearranging of the old to make the new' theory.
Logline: Cornwall's own fashion magazine
Target Audience: Primarily Cornish, heterosexual females between the ages of 18-30 years, within social grades B-C2 that have an interest in fashion, with a secondary audience of males.
Genre: A hybrid regional and fashion magazine.
Synopsis: Created with a female target audience (18+ years) in mind, Kensa is a perfect blend of genres; fashion and regional. Although fashion is mainstream, it will have a niche market because it will only be sold in Cornwall because it will be regional to that county.
Regarding the style and imagery, my magazine will be similar to Cornwall Today because I will use related scenery and settings for my photo shoot locations. It will also have a similar style to Vogue in terms of the use of models, fashion and stories.
In terms of the cost, my magazine will be priced at £3.99. This is because I have found this to be a common price of professional magazines. Kensa will be published by an independent publishing company instead of independently by myself to minimise the start up costs until I have started a gross profit. I will approach Out of Hand LTD, because this company will reflect my magazine better than a huge conglomerate.
As there isn't currently a magazine like Kensa in Cornwall, there is a gap in the market place for this magazine. As research shows, fashion magazines are one of the most profitable genres combined with the popular local interest. In regards to the publication, Kensa will be available online and in print to attract both the younger and older readers. As the print issue will appeal particularly to holidaymakers, the print issues will have to be sold in local retailers such as; supermarkets, shopping centres and newsagents throughout the county.
