2. National Geographic’s target Audience.
The target audience for the magazine are Male’s from
46.2 years old, they are believed to own their home, have
graduated from university and become managers. This
means that they are highly intellectual and are more likely
to read this kind of magazine. They are also seen to be
married and want to learn more about the world of their
potential grandchildren. 68% of the people own their own
house meaning the disposable income will be greater and
they will have more money to spend on holidays to places
such as the ones featured on the front of the magazines.
This is found by looking at the sales of the magazine in
2011 and according to it 56.8 % of the people that read
the magazine are male. From this it is clear that it does
not have a much difference from both genders of that age
group buying the product.
The Magazine is intended for older people to read as the
audience profiles only took information from ages 18
over. With the Median age being found.
The Magazines are generally advertised for everyone and
want to attract many people. For example many editions
have been made of the Geographic magazines such as
Gold, Family, Men’s, Aged 50+ and Big G. All of these can
be seen as having a large target market but to narrow the
audience it would be men to be typically buying the
magazines.
3. The targeted Demographic is seen as
men aged 45.7 years old
This combined with the median age on
the total audience where the average
age was Men 46.2 years old it is clear
that the magazine is intended towards
the male population and that of an
older generation of around 50 years
old.
These are more likely to buy the
magazine as the content appeals more
to them than any other demographic.
From the age groups looked at there was
a greater amount of people in the 25-54
category than the 18-24. Over 3 times as
much people were recorded to have read
the magazine.
4. Images
The images are the pictures that feature inside the product. The pages inside the magazine most
often look similar because they focus on the photography side and yet still include a good analysis
of the topic.
The images as seen on the far right are always high quality and straight from this the reader can
think that the magazine is ultimately the same. The images set the standard for the rest of the
magazine as soon as the reader sets eyes on the front cover. The layout of the images on the page
is clearly showing that the target audience is that of an older generation, this is because it can be
seen as Sophisticated, plain and in some way boring to a younger reader. The pages are most
often double sides with one side having the text and the other on the photography. Each
Geographic magazine is made with different topics however still keep the same house style when
looking at the title and layout of each edition. The Psychographic of Socially conscious type A can
be considered when looking at the topics covered as the people reading will care about the
environment and with the people targeted at an older age they will care about the future for their
future family. The images on the front cover are seen to be sexually non biased as usually women
are used to attract a target audience of men in many magazines however this has a close audience
between men and women, this magazine does not tend to lean towards one gender however just
an age group and that of an older generation.
The cover of these magazines always has a
big bold image that can be recognised by
many people, this is so that it attracts people
to pick it up. The way the image takes up all
the space on front cover means that there is
no need to put as much text on which can
usually put the potential reader off and can
show a sign of intent that the magazine will
mainly focus on that topic. The bright blue
used goes hand in hand with the title and can
therefore influence the reader to buy it. The
image is always in relation to the natural
world such as here Rising sea levels
becoming a problem. All of the images used
on the front covers are including places from
exotic areas meaning that the target audience
can afford to go to them places meaning they
have a greater interest instead of younger
people.
5. Words
The words used in this magazine are seen as limited as the photographs can tell a lot
about what is going on, but it does include good intellectual pieces on everything to do
with geography and the world we live in. The words on the cover are always the same
house style ‘Times new roman'. They always share the same boldness and font. This
is so the similarity can be seen on every copy and the loyal readers they keep know
which magazine is the one to go for and they know the same consistency is kept
throughout each magazine made. The size of the text is so it can stand out when
looking at the proportion of the images used.
The text inside the magazine is kept small and to roughly the same size in each copy.
This is so it does not attract attention away from the images and does not look like an
ordinary magazine. Many magazines use the words to manipulate the reader however
in contrast with National geographic it uses the photographs to bring the reader in.
The Text will often begin with the title being a bigger size to the rest of the writing or
even the first line. This is so the reader knows what they are about to read and can
convince them to read it should it grab attention. The way the words are set is
appropriate to the target audience aimed at of Men age around 50, this formal way of
addressing the topics is popular in that generation. The Text under the title is always
very eye catching, such as ‘The Earliest child’ This instantly makes the potential
customer want to pick the magazine up. The title always goes with the image used.
Such as a monkey going with earliest child or Rising Seas having a manipulated
image of Seas coming up from the bottom of the page.
6. Colours
The colours in the pages found inside
are nothing that stands out. They use
basic generic backgrounds so that it
does not stray away from some of the
serious points they are making in the
publishing. The Photographs used
include colour as these are the main
attraction of the magazines. These need
to be Big and eventful as they have to
say a lot without text having to say what
is going on.
The colours used in the magazine are kept to a minimum as it can take the
attention away from what it is trying to get across to the reader. The Colours when
they are used are bright and bold so the reader can recognise the magazine from
all the other ones out on the shelf. The use of Blue and yellow on the cover is used
well as this can relate to the topic which in the title is Rising Seas. The sub heading
‘How they are changing our coastlines’ can be seen in relation to the yellow border
around the magazine. The colour of the title again is seen as part of the house style
of Geographic Magazine. Always in White on every copy so again the reader can
notice it and shows and intent of consistency. The front covers are always
portrayed to have had a lot of time spent on them as everything on them all
connect to what is trying to get across.
7. Fonts
The font used on the title as said before is Times New Roman. This is on each
copy made by The magazine and this is to keep its identity. It is used as this
can appeal to the older generation as a old but classic font that does not stand
nor just blend in the magazine. Simple is why it has become such a popular
font.
The font on the main text can differ from each copy however the size remains
the same, the font used can be Arial or Calibri. This is so that each piece in the
magazine is kept the same and so it is clear and easy to read. The Font when
next to the images can be a bigger one as this is important and must be seen.
There are 3 types of font on the front
cover suggesting that the 3 main pieces
of text are separate and all need to be
read. If they were to be the same then it
could be easy to not notice. Here the
White is kept throughout the cover on
the text but the words are different sizes
in importance. The Title of Rising Seas is
seen as most important and must be
read first so it is the biggest on the page
to be drawn to, the Title needs to be
Distinguished from the others meaning
the other piece of text is in a much
smaller and less easily readable font
8. Layout
The layout is neat and precise on the pages
inside the publishing. This is because it is trying
to keep its integrity and become serious about
the topics brought up. Unlike some of the
magazines around. This becomes popular to the
older generation because of its layout and design.
Many people of that age group like to look at the
photographs and read the articles that come with
them. The way the magazine is designed this can
help them do so. National Geographic is good at
layering each part on the front cover, From the
House style title to the Over sized image on each
edition. The way the Sea is half way up on the
statue is a subtle yet effective way of getting the
point across. This going with the title only makes
the reader want to buy it as they are interested.
The layout of the front cover is usually if not always the same in each of the
magazines made by Geographic. They keep to the image being kept in the
middle and covering the majority of the cover as well as having the title at the top
in a big size. The Title of the actual Topic is always the main bit of text they want
you to see as the reader so it is put over the image meaning you look at it
instantly.
Having Photographs covering one side of each page means that it breaks up
what could be a lot of reading for the person looking at it. The layout of each
page is kept the same to keep the consistency in the magazine, this is so the
targeted audience can relate to how it is set out in a much more professional
manner. Each magazine will have different images meaning that they will differ in
size however the layout of how they will be places will stay relatively the same.
9. Captions
The captions are not really seen on the
Front cover however do occur when
looking at the pages inside. They are found
rarely but when they do appear in these
magazines they are found at the top of the
page and next the images. Usually as this
magazine is more photograph orientated it
does not have so many captions, this is
because the images compliment the text
that has been written. If a caption was to
occur it would be on a photograph that
might not be able to tell you what is going
on and it could be introduced to make sure
you do not get the wrong idea of what is
being said.
The images are used to replace
the captions as they can say a
lot more than a few lines of text.
This is a better way of getting
points across as well as keeping
the readers interest. If captions
were to be used on the images,
the target audience may feel
that it is being patronising for
example. ‘This is a tiger’. They
will know what the image is and
what is going on.
10. Anchorage
The Anchorage found on the front cover is that of
where the sea at the bottom is increasing and half
of the statue is submerged underneath. This is the
main anchorage found as it supports the title of
Rising Seas.
Other Anchorage found can be the use of colour
and the way the yellow border goes with the text
that is on the right hand side of the front cover
‘How they are changing our coastlines’ This sends
a psychological message that relates to the coast
and the beach.
Also the way the Title of Rising seas is in a big
font and the size is very big in proportion to the
rest of the front cover to make it stand out. This is
done because they want it to be one of the very
first things the person sees when they look at it.
The yellow border is found on all of the National
Geographic magazines, this is considered to be a
house style and kept the same throughout. The
Border and Name on each stay the same as the
image on each cover changes on each copy
unlike many other magazines.
11. Codes and Conventions:
Colour Scheme
The main colours of the front cover are blue, yellow and
white. These are the colours that stand out when looking
at it. The Blue is found in two shades this goes with the
title to show the dominance of the rising seas. The yellow
is used well as this stands out from the blue and yet still
has meaning. It is there to represent the coast and how it
is damaged, thus meaning the little amount of it on the
front cover. The White is found on the text around the
cover, this is to show the importance and to not take the
attention away from the image. These all complement
each other and work well to bring through the brightness.
This appeals to the target audience as older men take a
lot of interest in the changing world and how it can effect
their future grandchildren.
12. Photography
Photography used on the front cover is that of a high
quality, Thus meaning that the targeted audience will want
to buy it. This is because they crave a much higher
standard of professionalism from this type of magazine.
This front cover is a platform for the rest of the magazine
and sets the bar for a high quality of images. The
brightness of the image makes the reader pick the
magazine up, having such an iconic image makes people
look twice and consider buying the magazine. The
manipulation of the image is done very well as it changes
what is a known image with what it could be in relation to
the title of rising seas.
The photography is a very important part of National
Geographic magazine as this is what makes it stand out
and appeal more to the audience targeted. The higher
quality the images the more chance of people wanting to
look at it, also the obscurity can make people want to read
more, such as an iconic image starting to go under water
can make people realise the actual damage Rising Seas
could do and may want to buy it if they are concerned.
13. Writing style and language
The writing style of the magazine is
seen as a person informing you about
natural changes in the world. The
language used is for the targeted
audience as it uses the correct
vocabulary and assumes that they
understand what happens In each page.
It doesn’t use too much text and easy
on the eye pages such as little writing
about what is happening. The pages
look relaxed and the images
complement what is being said in the
small text. The language is direct to you
reading it. For example they ask
rhetorical questions to get you more
interested in what is happening in that
page.
14. Text and picture ratio
The front cover has a much larger proportion of image then text, this is
to show the reader what to expect when looking at the magazine. The
text is very little but when it is used it is very strong and important. The
double page above has a lot more image than text as the photograph is
saying a lot about what is going on without the need for words. The way
the double page spread is used this allows the reader to see a lot more
of what is going on and ultimately want to read more. The text when
used is very little when considering the size of the image on both pages
however the way it is laid out and the size of it makes it a lot more
interesting to read and flows from the image. The size of the text goes
in importance of what they want you as the reader to look at first. Also
the use of white text again makes it look like there is less to read rather
to a common black shade.
15. Fonts
The fonts on the front cover are always in Bold and large so
they stand out from the huge image used. They are always in
the same house style used of Times New Roman as they want
to keep the consistency in the product. It is also so it continues
to appeal to both genders of the elder audience. To do so it
always remains in white so it does not start to lean towards
one side. Different fonts are used to make sure the pages
stand out and do not blend in with the surroundings. For
example 3 types of font have been used in this image alone.
The biggest font being most important and smallest font, least.
Within the magazine they keep the fonts clear and easy to
read when on pages with a lot of writing and when there is
more image they boost the size up. The use of White is on all
of the pages because it is on top of photographs however it
can be lost in the blue like it has at the top of the image below
and hard to see. With the older target audience sight may be
an issue so it would have to be considered by the magazine.
16. Modes of address
The front cover talks to us like they are sharing
the same concerns. Such as ‘How They are
changing OUR coastlines’. Meaning it is trying
to talk to ‘you’ instead of reporting. This means
that it is taking a much more friendlier
approach meaning that target audience
welcomes it meaning the reader will feel part
of that so called ‘community’ that cares for the
natural world and part of that category of
socially conscious type A. However the ‘Rising
Seas’ does sound like a report of what is
happening to the world it is only information
warning you on what is happening and in a
friendlier and less formal way to what could be
said on other media such as the news.
17. Audience Reception
There is never any guarantee that the product you make will get sales. Also there is similarly not a
guarantee that the audience who likes your product will be big enough to keep the magazine going.
So it is important that the magazine does enough research to find out if that magazine is ready to go out
on sale. So it is vital to ask that audience you target what they think of the product. This feedback could
be recorded in many ways such as Focus groups, Audience panels, Trailing and Complaints. From these it
becomes clear what needs changing and they can be done so accordingly.
Trailing is where the
product is released early to
some people from that
target audience to see what
they think about it and if
there is any needed
improvements they will be
added before the actual
release comes.
This is a gathering of people
from that targeted demographic
and someone asking them what
their ideas are towards that
product. It will start off with
opinions being shared about
concerns such as logos or
designs of websites and then
becoming a discussion where
ideas are bounced of each other
and are then recorded to help in
the making of the magazine.
This is a much larger amount of
people who are part of that targeted
audience however they sit and you
pitch the ideas of the magazine and
to them and they can ask questions
and say what they thought was a
good or bad about it and if they would
buy it, and if not why. These are in
regular contact with the magazine for
a long period of time to tell them how
they are doing.
This is where something found is wrong or
someone does not approve of the content,
Contacting the magazine will make sure it
can be eradicated before any harm is done
and a good way to contact about the
product is through the customer service on
social network sites where people are put
in place to deal with complaints and handle
their concerns.
