Main task magazine analysis

1. Main Task Analysis

2. Sell lines – short and sharp to allow for quick reading
and instantly bring about interest in the magazine
Masthead – situated at the top of the magazine in large,
contrasting font to draw attention to it and make it one
of the first seen aspects
Barcodes located at the bottom of the page typically in
the corner where it is less noticeable and takes up less
of the magazine cover
Consistent colour scheme on the cover – achieved
through images corresponding with font colour or
models wearing certain colours to fit in with it

3. Using locations and words such as ‘community’ for regional
magazines are very effective in enticing audiences as they feel
more of a personal connection to the magazine and will end up
being more likely to buy it
The use of a well-known writer and
illustrator will make the audience more
likely to actually take on what the article is
about as the reader’s will be more likely to
take in what someone well-known is saying
(Zimmerman and Bauer – Obstinate
audience theory)

4. The most obvious and prominent aspect of magazines used for attracting readers is the
background of the front page. In my research I have found that the image used it typically
either a shot of scenery typical in that area or of a person who tends to be the main feature of
the magazine. In the case of this Time Out magazine, Martin Freeman is the celebrity who has
an interview in the magazine and so the front cover is dominated by an image of him which
gives the reader an insight to the magazine.
‘Life’ magazines are almost always found using an image which is iconic to the region they focus
on for their front covers. In this case of Cornwall Life they have used a shot typically thought of
with Cornwall - the seaside, cliffs and nice beaches. This image then usually sets the tone for the
colour scheme of the magazine as the font colours will have to work around the image used.

5. Also the pictures are usually close/medium-close up
shots for individual models and more of a
medium/long shot for groups of people. The focus
predominantly on the face of the model for
individuals whereas a group picture captures the
whole of the people .
When a model is used on the front cover
there are typical conventions which are
followed…
Usually there is lighting which brings out the
subject of the image and darkens the
background to bring more attention to it
Also direct mode of address tends to be used to draw
readers in and create a level of personal connection
with the magazine.
Direct mode of address used to gain reader’s
attention and create a personal connection – An
image of an attractive woman establishes the ‘male
gaze’ as they will establish her as an erotic object
The band’s name
is contrasting to
the background
and enables it to
stand out to
attract readers
and entice them
to buy the
magazine

6. The layout of the magazine is also essential for bringing out the
most important features. For example, in these magazines the
image and logo are very important so are formatted in a way to
highlight and draw attention to them whereas the less
important features such as the website and date are smaller
and made less noticeable. The date and issue numbers are
there to make the reader feel as though they are getting the
most recent and up-to-date news and therefore seeing the
magazine as trustworthy (uses and grats.)

7. The use of a barcode is common in regional magazines and
depicts trust and respectability, as well as being informative
(Uses and grats.) which draws readers into buying

8. - Bold yellow
background –
everything else
contrasts to this which
enables it to stand out
- Black and white font
colour consistent on
cover and ties in with
black clothing of
model
- Predominant blue
and white scheme
carried on from
image through to
the font colour
- Blue on whit and
white on blue
creates consistency
and contrast
- Black/grey colour
scheme which also
fits in with
magazine’s logo
- Model’s clothing
fits in with colour
scheme – sell lines
also follow suit to
create consistency
I have found that magazines carry a house style throughout and it is used in
order to provide identity within the magazine and its name. The colours,
more often than not, compliment each other and any bold and outstanding
colour would be used minimally and usually for promotion. The mastheads
or sell lines to tend to be contrasting to enable emphasis and draw
attention to them however the colour combinations do still allow for
professionalism and realism within the magazine.
The number of different colours used tends to be minimal from what I have
found in my research. This is achieved through doings things such as having
all masthead font the same colour and then having straplines and subtitles
in blue, for example.

9. Another typical convention I have found with my research into regional magazines is
advertising near the front of the magazine. Usually this is featured on the next double
spread page after the front cover with a single company taking the whole spread by
itself for advertising. These adverts are typically dominated with a single large image
accompanied by smaller amounts of text in contrasting fonts to still make it noticeable.
Brand names and prices are typically included here. This allows the reader to remember
the image and small passages of text helps to anchor this into their memory. In some
cases however, the advertisements can go on for two whole double page spreads at the
beginning of the magazine which, in turn, pushes the contents page(s) further back into
the magazine. In other circumstances there are two different advertisements featured
on one page each as opposed to taking over two pages.

10. A double page spread advertisement
typically features one large or a selection of
smaller images across the spread of both
pages.
Information with regards to
contact and websites are usually
situated at the bottom of the page
in a contrasting and noticeable font
which can be easily identified.
Supporting
information is
smaller and in
a short,
concise
format for
quick reading
Brand names are large and noticeable in a
bold contrasting font to draw attention to
them

11. Alternatively to a double page spread for one
advertisement, some magazines adopt a layout which fits
multiple adverts onto the two pages
The same conventions
apply when it comes to
supporting text which is
small in font size, short
and concise

12. Throughout my research I found that there was the most variance between
magazine when it came to their layout and style of their contents page. Common
codes and conventions are still applied in all cases but the way in which they were
portrayed varied greatly. The most obvious characteristic I found was that there was
no set ‘trend’ for the layout of the contents page most noticeably whether or not it
was on a double page spread and each magazine constructed their page very
specifically to their house style and targeted audience.

13. The font used is typical of the ‘Life’
magazines as it is in sans serif and in
black to contrast with the white
background with bolder font used for
the headings to allow easier navigation.
The following supporting text is then in
a smaller font but in far less quantity to
make for quick reading.
More images are used here in Cornwall
Life’s contents page and this gives a
quicker visual insight as to what the
magazines contains.

14. This contents page in
‘Buckinghamshire Life’
magazine portrays many
common features of a
regional magazine contents
page. The font used is sans
serif and in black to
contrast with the white
background with bolder
font used for the headings
to allow easier navigation.
This helps to create a
professional look, relevant
as well to the target
demographic.
Furthermore any
supporting
information is short
and concise to
allow more ease for
the reader as they
will not necessarily
be paying a lot of
attention to it.

15. Large header for name of page – eyes are
drawn to it and easily noticed – QR code
as well as webpage link and twitter link
which is relevant to the younger target
audience making their accessibility and
connectivity with the magazine easier and
better
Larger, bold font to
highlight page
number and subject
of that page making
navigation quicker
and easier
Smaller supporting
text in both font
size and quantity –
quick and short
details about what
the story entails to
entice readers
Half of the page is taken up by an
advertisement which differs from
other advertisements found near
the beginning of the magazine in a
sense that there is a lot more text
involved with less imagery –
potentially down to the nature of
what is being advertised – the
name of the company is still large
and bold to be easily seen with
contact information available as
well

16. Contents page title is far smaller than what I have commonly found in my
research and therefore challenges common conventions – there is more
emphasis on the issue of the magazine as this font is far larger and more
noticeable
This particular layout
features images at
the top half of the
page which provide
an insight into the
subjects further in
the magazine to
entice readers – page
numbers are also on
the images to allow
easier navigation fro
readers
Again, this magazine follows
conventions typical of regional
magazines I have researched
through the use of larger, sans
serif fonts for page numbers
and headings followed by
smaller, short amounts of font
for supporting text to again
increased reading speed and
ease
Social media links available
for more accessibility and
connectivity with the
magazine

17. Common features I found in contents pages included the heavy use of imagery. This
attracts the audience as it is highlighting key features in the magazine which they hold
an interest in and are tempted to read more to find out about it (Uses and grats.) There
are also social media links which connect the magazine and reader and establish a more
personal connection (uses and grats. – personal relationship)