Codes and conventions of regional magazines.

1. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS OF
REGIONAL
MAGAZINES-
CONTENTS PAGES

2. Time Out
The large, red, sans serif font stands
out and makes the magazine easy to
navigate, making it easier to achieve
the preferred reading (reception
theory). Also fits in with the house
colours of ‘Time Out’, reinforcing
brand identity.
The website link at the bottom of the
page increases the accessibility of the
magazine, and the alternative platform
to consume the media attracts a wider
target audience. The date shows the
information is relevant.
Coloured page numbers stand
out and are unique for the special
addition of the magazine- attracts
a younger target audience and
reinforces the preferred reading of
light-heartedness.
Contents are organised into
three wide columns broken up
by straight lines, making the
page design look professional.
The main features in bold break
up the solid block of text,
making navigation easier and
allowing the reader’s cognitive
need for relaxation to be met
(uses and grats)
Editors letter at the bottom of
the page- looks professional
and therefore trustworthy as a
product. Creates a personal
relationship by creating a direct
link between the producers and
audience.
A solid red square in the top
middle of the page makes the title
stand out and fits in with the house
colours, reinforcing the brand
identity.
Three image at the top of the
page captioned with white text.
Musicals are popular with most
people so will appeal to the
wide target audience along
with the informal language.

3. Cardiff Life
One large image at the top of the
page. The model has direct mode of
address which creates a personal
relationship with the reader (Uses and
Grats). The finger over the lips has
connotations of secrecy (Barthes)and
suggests the reader is sharing
something private with the audience,
making them want to find out more to
fulfil their need for surveillance (uses
and grats).
Large white page number on
the image contrasts with the
black background, and suggests
that this is the main article-
increases the ease of navigation
to specific pages.
The header at the top of the page in
serif font reinforces the brand
identity, and appeals to an older
target audience as the style is more
sophisticated- establishs the
magazine’s ideology.
The red and bold lettering breaks
up the solid block of text, making
it more interesting to read and
easier to navigate.
An advert at the bottom of the contents
page is unconventional. The bright blue
colouring draws in the reader’s attention.
Advert relevant to the target audience –
older adults would be interested in
hearing aids.
The issue number and date at
the top of the page are
informative– tells the reader the
information is relevant.
The muted colour scheme
suggests an older target
audience, as well as the simplistic
text based design.
Tagline – ‘highest levels of service and aftercare’
suggests the company is top quality.

4. Absolute (Brighton)
Direct mode of address creates a
personal relationship with the reader
(uses and grats – personal identity),
making them feel personally
connected and involved. Also
suggests the models are not being
objectified by the male gaze, as
they’re the subject of the image
rather than a depersonalised object
(Laura Mulvey).
Coloured page numbers
stand out and fit in with the
colour scheme, as well as
appealing to a younger
target audience. Layout
looks professional and high
quality- establishes the style
and preference of the
target audience.
Web address and social
media links encourage
people to find out more
about the magazine, and
increase accessibility
therefore ensuring a wider
readership.
Magazine name at the bottom
of both pages reinforces the
brand identity, imprinting the
name in the reader’s mind.
A poem about the region on the
same page as the contents
makes the magazine unique.
Makes the local reader feel
involved with the magazine
(personal identity – uses and
grats) as the poem reflects the
target audience’s cultural values,
fulfilling social integrative needs.
Colourful, vibrant colours in the image
stand out and draw in the reader’s
attention. The long shot shows off the
model’s outfits and immediately
suggests the contents (catches the
attention of the target audience).

5. Cornwall Today
Contents are spread across two pages,
but have a clear layout that ensures
easy navigation, which would appeal
to the older target audience.
The date tells the reader that
the magazine is recent so the
information is relevant.
‘Contents’ in serif font
across the top of the left
hand page. The bold black
font is clear and easy to
read so will draw in the
reader’s attention.
The sign to recycle fits in with
the environmental theme of
the magazine, which will also
reflect the values of the target
audience (people interested
in nature). Dealing with
themes relevant to the
audience makes them more
likely to take the preferred
reading (reception theory).
Information about the
magazine in small font in a
left hand column. Looks
professional and therefore
trustworthy as a product.
Appeals to an older target
audience as the contents
mainly revolve around
nature and wildlife, homes
and property (stereotypically
not interesting to teenagers/
young adults).
Contents are very factual
and informative – satisfies the
target audience’s cognitive
need for information and
education (uses and grats)
Local images and people
are recognisable to the
regional target audience,
making them feel directly
involved with the
magazine. The local
information will reflect the
values of the target
audience due to shared
regional identity, fulfilling
the audience’s personal
and social integrative
needs (uses and grats).

6. Absolutely White sans serif font is a contrast
to the dark background. The font
is thin and classy which suggests
the magazine has an older
target audience with a
preference for high quality
magazines.
The black and white floor fits
in with the colour scheme,
with the bright red dress and
white tights contrasting and
drawing in the reader’s
attention.
Direct mode of address and
open posture creates a
personal relationship with the
reader (uses and grats),
making them more engaged
with the magazine.
The date in serif font
tells the reader the
magazine is recent.
Slightly transparent column
separates the text from the image
whilst still fitting in with the design.
Professional layout positions the
audience in the preferred reading
of a high quality magazine
(reception theory).
A copy of the front cover of the
magazine in the bottom right corner,
next to the name of the designer.
Ensures brand consistency, increasing
the chance of recognition and future
purchases.
It could be argued the short skirt is
unnecessarily sexualising and
objectifies the women in the male
gaze (Laura Mulvey). However, the
direct mode of address makes the
women the subject rather than an
object there purely for decoration.

7. Codes and Conventions
• The contents are either on a double page spread or a single
page.
• The page numbers are in a different colour to the main text and
fit in with the colour scheme.
• There’s normally the name of the magazine somewhere on the
page.
• The contents are either arranged in columns or in a single column
going down the page.
• The background is often plain white with the image relating to the
main article, which is normally larger than the rest.
• There’s normally a date at the top of the page, sometimes the
issue number.