ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL MAGAZINE BILLBOARDSBy Georgia Hardy

The black coloured masthead is big and bold, in the lower middle third of the billboard, displaying the brands name. The size of the font makes it visible to every reader. Implying if readers see the brands name on the billboard they will instantly be drawn in and pay attention as it is a well known and successful all round brand. The colour black has been used to present power, high class and elegance. Suggesting these are all factors in which the company will display through their make up and service.

Above the company's masthead there is a smaller and fainter text displaying the name of the individual product in which is being advertised on this billboard. This is displayed in the middle third displaying it is of major importance and the brand definitely wants every viewers to see this feature. Also suggesting that the brand want to focus less on the well know brand and more on their products and what else they can do to please their target audience.

The background is a skin colour representing the foundation, it also makes a contrast between itself and the bold dark masthead. Instead of the conventional white background, the brand have used a beige colour to represent the look of the make up being advertised. This suggest that they magazine will be full of continuity throughout and every feature will link.

There isn't just one main image, in fact they have used two very similar sixed images to frame the masthead and subheading, suggesting that these two features over rule the images are seen as being more important to the company due to the positioning. One of the images is a side profile of a natural looking young girl looking serious yet pleased this implies that she is happy with the product advertised suggesting this is how all buyers will look and feel. The other image is of the product, the product being foundation displaying 3 different shades of the product, suggesting they will provide for all their audience no matter their skin colour.

The main image used is of a pale young female model wearing only red. Red sunglasses and a red shirt. The colour red has been used to present energy, passion, desire, and love. All factors in which teens, the target audience display and react too. The image of the young female has used the mirrored effect to display a reflect of the model as well the original image. This is alternative like the fashion brand and wants to show that through this billboard advert.

The black coloured masthead is displayed big and bold across the middle thirds as it is the most significant text to be seen as it presents the fashion company name. The big size of text suggests that if readers see the brand name they will automatically be drawn to this billboard and will more than likely think about the visiting the company or their website. The colour black has been used to present power, high class and elegance. Suggesting these are all factors in which the company will display through their fashion and service.

The white background creates a massive contrast between itself and the bold dark masthead and the bright red image of the model making both stand out these contrasting colours are used to make the text and the image seen from far away.

“FOREVER21.COM”, is situated under the masthead in a much smaller font. This feature has been on the billboard to provide links to e- media. Suggesting that this is significant to the audience as it has been displayed in the middle lower third. This is for their target audience which is aimed at teenagers and young adults, who use e-media in their everyday lives. Having this website here presents to the readers that they are offer alterative perhaps preferred ways in which customers can get involved.

Again they haven’t flooded the billboard with information but I feel this is because of the magnitude of the newspaper, and the sophisticated, older, upper class audience the aim it at.

The Times have taken a different approach to their billboard being very very simple. They stick to the ‘Times New Roman’ font, which is a known feature to the brand of newspaper.

They have included some social media with ‘TimesOnline’ however haven’t included the entire website link, but the phrase that’s needed on internet search engines to find it, because this means the design is improved for this specific billboard the central positioning and balance between the 3 lines.

The times haven’t included any imagery and kept it simple. The only symbol is the newspapers logo which is included in the masthead.

The colours used are black and white. these are used as they contrast each other completely, this is helpful as it will allow audiences to see the billboard from afar. However the colour are unconventional as usually the background is white and the text is black, but here this is reversed.

Conclusion:After researching into regional magazine Billboards I found that the codes and conventions include: Contrasting colours – this is usually the background and the text, this is to make them stand out so people can see them from afar.

Images relating to their target audience – young alternative generation = alternative young model, sophisticate older upper class audience = sophisticated more plain model/image.

Simple not text heavy – not too informative, eye catching and the basics are written(brand name).