my exploration into similar content pages for regional magazines

1. J E S S I C A H U G H E S
G 3 2 4
Similar Products

2. Magazine One
Looking at the content pages of similar
products, I found that it was common for
a theme of simplicity to be present in the
layout. However this was subverted here
as a result of the several features that
can be found in this example. What I
liked most about this contents page was
that it help a lot of information yet still
managed to balance the visual aspect
that should be incorporated to ensure
easy understanding. The colour scheme
is minimalistic and simple which although
can evoke a sense of disinterest from the
reader, it ensures that no attention to the
subjects is deterred from. The colours
could be representative of the location or
reflective of the area. As it is a regional
magazine it displays relative
geographical features such as the name
and specific locations within the area,
this adds a sense of belonging to the
magazine and focus to the rationality,
anchoring the purpose of it. Regarding
the variation of text sizes, importance is
made through how profound it is
compared to the surrounding text.
The alteration of fonts and texts
highlights the status of what is being
said. Almost as categories, the sans serif
mast head obtains the most focus,
possibly as a result of its positioning
residing at the top of the page. The
subtext (subheadings) are bold and
underlined elevating their importance
and drawing the readers attention to
them. The text underneath shows a brief
description of what a specific story is
titled and what to expect in it.
The contrast of serif and sans serif
assures to the reader what is dominant
and anchoring this is the sizes, as
mentioned before. Personally I really like
this contents page on account of the
balance of the inclusion of both the
written aspects and visuals, however
because it is quite dull, I would prefer
more vibrant features, possibly bigger
pictures or more colours. This could be
because I am younger than the intended
target audience and as a result find
different things more aesthetically
pleasing than others.

3. Magazine Two
This contents page approach to aesthetics
is ultimately very plain and minimalistic.
This is a result of the limited inclusion of
both text and images, as well as this,
titles. The mast head explicitly displays
that it conforms to the codes and
conventions of a regional magazine. Most
significantly representing this is the
phrase ‘Local’. The typography throughout
is in a sans serif font which connotes that
the is regional magazine is light hearted
and not serious. The topics mentioned are
presented to anchor this. The layout, as
mentioned before, is straight forward
which allows for the reader to fully grasp
the topics. Numbers are bold in
comparison to the text which allows a
direct conformation to the location of
individual storylines and subjects in the
magazine (page numbers). Regarding the
titles for the article subjects, they follow a
board pattern, not disclosing any
extensive information, possibly because
they have the same features each issue.
Continuing my analysis of textual
presence, it is noticeable that the same
font is used consistently, this lack of
variation shows that it is professional and
doesn’t conform to any particular theme,
which is most likely to suit the fact that
this particular magazine might use the
same layout each time, just with different
stories. The approach of a coherent
theme is also recognised in the simple,
almost boring colour scheme of blue and
white. However the central focus of
visual elements, being the pictures,
allows for this to be acceptable as it
ensures that a focus is made on the
pictures. A variety of subjects are
photographed displaying the extent of
covered subject that will be covered in
the entirety of the magazine. I could use
the layout of this particular contents page
as inspiration as I find it easy to
understand, however I would improve it
by adding a significant amount of
additional detail as for me it is too
minimalistic.

4. Magazine Three
This specific contents page belonging to
a regional magazine titled The Local
Weekly, and out of three contents pages
that I have analytically looked at, this one
displays the most busiest theme. The
prominence of the title is reliant on the
vibrancy of colourisation as well as the
central positioning of it at the top of the
page. The green is eye-catching and is
quite possibly a reflection of the
regionality of the magazine, linking to the
inclusion of the word ‘local’. This
contents page seemingly relies heavily
on the visual aspect of presenting what is
in their regional magazine.
Advertisements specific to this area
anchor this further, the banner running
along the bottom provides car details and
where to find them if living in that area.
The main article or story has a significant
proportion of the page dedicated to the
visuals and a brief discussion of what the
reader should expect if they desire to find
out more about it. The aesthetics are not
primarily based on attracting an
audience, rather it is to present
information relevant to the region.
The usage of both colours green and
blue draw attention to the text
surrounding it as it divides them both
whilst giving them equal importance, in
doing so it also establishes that they are
not related. The fonts used are mostly
sans serif, informing the reader that what
is being said isn't of a great severity and
shouldn’t be taken as seriously as that of
the topics in a serif font. Such as these is
the primary story of ‘Dock Plan Floated’
the text is placed on the story directing
the readers attention first to the imagery
as it is most common that visuals are
more easily interpreted, then following
this is the written version of the picture
establishing what it is about. I think why I
like this contents page is because there
is minimal negative space, however the
content leans heavily to the visuals
making the lack of negative space not so
daunting. I'm my own manufacturing
however I would balance out the use of
text to imagery as I feel that would be
equally as easily received yet provide
more information.