Magazine conventions

Central imageThe central image is a predominant feature of any magazine front cover. This is a good example of how most central images are deliberately set out to address the audience; in this case, similarly to most others, through direct eye contact. This is topped off by the point of the finger towards the reader.

MastheadThe masthead is typically set at the top of the page in most magazines, bar a few. It is displayed in large, eyecatching font; to capture the attention of the reader

Cover linesCover lines are included as a way of highlighting the various features of the magazine, while catching the reader’s eye by following the colour scheme of the rest of the cover.

Bar codeA typical feature of every magazine sold. Most commonly found in the bottom right hand corner.

Pull quoteA short extract from text which will be included in a main feature inside the magazine, used to entice the reader into reading the whole feature.

Main cover lineCompliments the main image: advertises the main feature.

StraplineOften a catchy strapline to compliment the masthead, typically situated underneath/in close proximity to the masthead. Can be more simplistic like this one, depending on the genre and target audience.

My magazine conventionsMastheadConventionally displayed in large font, in a colour which contrasts the background, whilst complimenting the colour scheme of the magazine. Both of the aforementioned techniques are used to capture the attention of the reader. I have however, challenged the conventions of Q magazine, by spreading the masthead across the whole top of the page, as opposed to being in one corner, like Q. I decided to lay my masthead out like this to differentiate between other magazines of the same genre and maximise the appeal of my magazine to the target audience.

Main coverlineUsing conventional magazine features by clearly representing the main image through its location on the page. Again, a contrasting and eye catching font/colour is used to catch the audience’s eye.

Pull quoteCompliments the main coverline and follows the colour scheme of the magazine. Selected particularly to entice onlookers to want to buy the magazine, to read the featured article.

CoverlinesFeatures of the magazine displayed clearly on the front cover.

Bar codeConforming to the conventions of real magazines by including a barcode. Typically situated in the bottom right, particularly in my style model magazine.

StraplineSituated below the title as expected. Blends nicely with the rest of the cover through the colour scheme and personally addresses the reader through the pronoun “your”.

BannerI have challenged the conventions of my style model magazine by placing the banner at the bottom of the page. This acts as a selling point by advertising an extra feature of the magazine, while appealing to the target audience by highlighting something that they are likely to be interested in pursuing.

Contents page conventionsMastheadTypical to this magazine, the masthead is displayed in the top left hand corner. The Banner, which also contains the word ‘contents’, is coloured black to ensure it stands out from the plain white background; making it clear to readers what page they’re on.

Features columnConventionally set out in a column layout, depicting each segment of the magazine. Follows the red, white and black colour scheme of the magazine and stands out clearly to the reader.

Every monthCan be seen to create and maintain the magazine’s own house style and identity, by highlighting what readers can expect from the magazine in each edition.

Central imageThe central image clearly displays the subject of the main feature of this edition of the magazine. It is displayed larger than everything else on the page, to ensure that the image captures the attention of the reader.

Main coverline and pull quoteThe main coverline is designed to highlight the theme/subject of the main feature of the magazine and is placed close to the central image to make it clear that they go hand in hand. The pull quote gives the reader an insight into the main article and entices them to read more.

My contents pageFeatures columnSimilarly to the style models I analyzed, from magazines such as Q and Acoustic, I included a lengthways features column, to show what my magazine includes. I decided to keep my contents page simple, following the findings I made through my research, which showed that my target audience would be more appreciative of a simple, less busy magazine. The column follows the yellow, black and white scheme of the entire magazine; with the main feature using a yellow font where white is used for other text, to highlight its importance and make it stand out to the reader.

MastheadConventionally to my style models, I have used a banner to place my masthead inside.

Central imageI have challenged the conventions of using text to accompany the central image, (pull quotes etc) because I felt that the image complimented the entire page better without text, while supporting the simplistic theme of my magazine.To challenge the conventions of my style models further, I decided to use another reasonably sized picture to accompany one of the features. Although other magazines do use a second picture, like the contents page analyzed in the previous slide, it is rare to find a picture to accompany another one of the magazine’s top features.

Double page spread conventionsCentral imageConventionally to this particular magazine, one half of the double page spread is occupied by the central image. Constructed so the subject of the article is addressing readers with direct eye contact, the central image accompanies a page of lengthy text. The image breaks it up, giving the feel that there is less to read.

Drop capThe use of drop caps in this article catches the readers eye and draws attention to the text. Challenging the conventions of most magazines, the large ‘L’, while relating to the ‘Lady’ in Lady Gaga, is used as an alternative to having a pull-quote to accompany the image Columns

The text in a double page spread is conventionally set in columns, and written in around 9pt text; allowing a squeeze of information into a small space.

Not typical of a double page spread in particular, the page number is displayed in the bottom right hand corner

My double page spreadHeadlineI have followed the conventions of most music magazines by placing the headline in the top left hand corner of the double page spread.

Second ImageI have challenged the conventions of other music magazines by placing a second image, which doesn’t directly relate to the main attraction of the double page spread, inside the spread itself. I chose to do this because despite not being relative to the interviewee in the article, the picture links well with the subject of conversation in the interview.

TextDifferent coloured text was used to differentiate between the questions and answers in the interview. The colours chosen follow the colour scheme of the magazine.

Unconventionally, I have included a preview of next weeks features, enticing readers to re-buy.

Pull quoteThis pull quote follows the colour scheme of the magazine, which overall supports the simplistic theme. The pullquote is displayed in larger text so the reader sees it first, and is designed to encourage them to read on, to discover the context of the quote.

The audience for Lounge Magazine• The audience for my magazine is predominantly males between the

ages 18-40. However, this particular issue could be seen to appeal to women too, due to the use of male models for the photos used. I feel that I have addressed my target audience and represented the acoustic genre through the layout of my magazine. The maintenance of white space on the front cover is an example of how I have tried to keep a sophisticated and simplistic look, appealing to the preferences of the magazine’s audience.

• My target audience would be mainly working class men, who are easily able to afford a moderately priced magazine. The magazine is also affordable to those on a lower income who fit inside my audience bracket, such as university students.

• The main area where my target audience live, would be in more rural areas. This is because the culture of the acoustic genre is more maintained in those areas. City based culture is more focused around more mainstream genres such as rap, hip hop and pop: therefore I feel my magazine would have a better chance of selling in rural areas.

How I appealed to the target audience

• The use of language throughout my magazine was specifically chosen to appeal to the target audience. I maintained the use of standard, proper English along with some slightly more complex synonyms as opposed to their less ‘adult’ alternatives. This is because I felt my audience would appreciate being addressed formally (due to the extended age bracket), far more than struggling to understand slang or modern abbreviations.

• The imagery used is not necessarily what you would always expect from an acoustic magazine. For example, the model in the main image posing with his hood up is something you might see more in a rap magazine. However, I feel that the particular artist he is posing as, represents the genre of my magazine perfectly and this pose was simple and therefore typical of the artist’s personality, as well as being similar to some of his photoshoots I have come across. The fact that there is a plain background compliments the title ‘Lounge’: the connotations of which involve laid back, simple. I feel that my target audience would be attracted to the simple layout rather than a busy cover, with far more information to process.

• Other content, such as other photos that I chose to use in my magazine, were also based around the preferences of the target audience. For example, the photo on the contents page/double page spread of ‘Luke Georgiades’ holding a guitar, represent something completely relative to the genre of the magazine.

• Firstly, we were familiarised with Wordpress.com; a free website which allows you to construct and manage your own blog.

• We were then introduced to Adobe InDesign, which was used for the actual production of our magazines. Photoshop was also used for any picture editing we needed to do.

• We also used scanners to scan pieces of our research and planning onto our blogs• Various Microsoft Office programs, such as Word and Excel, were also used to produce

pieces of our research and planning• Professional Nikon Cameras and a photo studio were used for the taking of our

magazine photos• The aforementioned software is all very accessible. For example, free trial versions of

InDesign are available for use at home, while The Microsoft software are all very easy to use and are household items. The only problem I encountered with accessibility was with the photo studio, because it needed to be pre-booked and it was not always available. This was overcome by pre-planning and good organisation to ensure we got to use the studio.

• I found Adobe InDesign particularly difficult to use to begin with. I was not familiar with how to accurately manipulate document layouts and maximise image quality. However, through practise and external use I was able to pick up the required skills at a relative pace and became completely comfortable with the tool by the end of our assignment.

Technology used to create my magazine

Progression

Skills I have learned through the production of my magazine:• Using Adobe InDesign• How to keep maximum picture quality• How to analyse style models• How to create and manage a blogSkills I have developed through the production of my magazine:• Photography: constructing and taking photos, setting up a photo studio for a photoshoot• Specific media & magazine related terminology such as “mis en scene”• I have also realised the importance of planning. Without planning ahead, we would not have been able

to conduct our photoshoots because we couldn’t have booked the studio.Manipulation of representations:• I now understand how font colours are very important to relating to your audience. For example, my

layout of simple, block colours with the inclusion of some yellow to add a ‘trademark’ feel to my magazine, represents the simplicity and easy going nature sought by my target audience. The colours used for my magazine would be completely different to that of a Rock magazine, which would be far more busy and vibrant.

• I also have a better knowledge of how photos must be constructed to appeal to your target audience. Without thinking about background, poses, props and attire, you cannot construct a photo which is specific to your genre and audience.

• Furthermore, I can now differentiate between fonts, even those with slight differences, and make decisions based on the genre and audience of a magazine, which would be most effective. These are all skills that I have learned and developed throughout the production of my magazine.