A2 Media Studies

1. The History of Magazines and
Posters

2. MAGAZINES

3. Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen -
1663
• A German publication, with the title reading
‘Edifying Monthly Discussions’ in English. The
magazine had an intellectual target audience
and was published between the years of 1663
and 1668. The publication was written mainly
by one author.

4. Le Mercure Galant - 1672
• This French magazine consisted of various
articles focusing on different topics by a
variety of authors. French author Jean
Donneau de Vize created the magazine, which
focused on court events, theater and
literature. The layout of this magazine was
copied throughout Europe.

5. The Ladies Mercury - 1693
• Created by The Athenian Society, this was the
first periodical designed solely for a female
audience.

6. The Gentleman’s Magazine - 1731
• Publications were named periodicals up until
1731, when ‘The Gentleman's Magazine’ was
released.
• The word ‘magazine’ is Arabic for warehouse.
• ‘The Gentleman’s Magazine’ ran between the
years of 1731 and 1922 and focused on
current affairs that the public was interested
in at the time of print.

7. First Advertising Agency - 1890
• With the popularity of magazines increasing,
publications became readily available to the
middle class.
• The first advertising agency was established in
1890, allowing for companies to reach out to
readers. The agencies were able to include
images in their adverts due to the availability
of printing images using half tone in 1871.

8. Photographs - 1933
• Photo based news magazines start to appear
in the United Kingdom. These magazines
include ‘Pictorial Weekly’ and ‘Picture Post’.

9. Empire Film Magazine - 1989
• A magazine devoted to film, published
monthly since 1989. The publication was
published by Emap Consumer Media until
2008 when Bauer bought Emap. The magazine
is the biggest selling film magazine in the UK.

10. POSTERS

11. 1870
• A poster is a piece of paper containing
information that is designed to be showcased on
a wall or other vertical space. Posters have been
available for the world to see for over 200 years,
with their main intention to inform the public.
• However, due to the ability to mass produce
paired with with the development of colour
lithography, the printing industry was able to
create the first ‘modern’ poster in 1870.

12. 1890
• With lithography progressing, the use of posters
spread throughout Europe. Poster art developed
and was adopted by a number of French artists,
whilst the need for posters commercially grew.
• Posters advertised a variety of products and
events, with America deterring from the artistic
French design. America usually used posters rich
with text, solely intended to inform.

13. World War 1 – 1914-1918
World War 2 – 1939-1945
• Posters were used heavily in the First and
Second World Wars in order to recruit needed
soldiers whilst also keeping morale high.
• A noticeably famous poster in British history is
the iconic 1914 ‘Lord Kitchener Wants You’
design. This was a poster designed to
personally address prospective soldiers.

14. 1990’s
• Prior to the 1990’s, posters were decorated
with vibrant, detailed illustrations. Later into
the history of posters, films used photographs
either taken in a studio or from a recognisable
moment in the film. The use of photographs
along with new editing software created a
professional look on posters as we see them
today.