2. Kent Life Magazine
Using more than one main image shows an insight into the contents of this Kent
Life Issue, pictures next to wording draws more attention as pictures speak
louder than words. Showing a larger view of some of the articles inside this
magazine fulfils the reader’s cognitive needs.
Sticker - Advertising 8 different pubs presumably across Kent (Leigh to Wye),
the boldness of the white against the purple suggests that this is a ‘must read’.
Mast head/Font - Bold, white and stands out from the rest of the picture, yet
doesn’t distract the reader from it. For the subtext, serif font is used again. The
use of serif font makes the article more appealing to the upper class individual,
who it seems this publication is aimed at. The white of ‘Amazing Days’ contrasts
the background, however 60 is coloured yellow, which follows the warm hues of
the background sunset. Spacing is equal and the title is centralised. Region of
the magazine is the title.
Background Image - Long shot of a beach scene allows the audience to feel like
they are a part of the image & feel at one with the scenery. This is an example of
uses & gratifications theory.The background image follows the hegemonic norm
of this type of regional magazine, not challenging the typical codes &
conventions of similar lifestyle magazines.
Structured subheadings are aligned in a linear fashion and simply show some of
the contents which can be found within the article. Social integrative needs are
fulfilled as ASHFORD, FAVERSHAM & SEVENOAKS are typed in bold lettering,
allowing readers to instantly recognise local known places to them, enticing them
to read further about their local areas.
Barcode in bottom right corner.
3. Cottage Life Magazine
Sans-serif font is used and bold, red colours make the title stand out from the light
grey sky, but matches some of the colours within the background image.
Date of issue is placed underneath the masthead, creating consistency for the
reader and making sure they are up-to-date with the latest copy.
Long shot allows audience to feel part of the image and be at one with it, an
example of uses and gratifications theory.
Large text shows the important articles against the less important articles, this
draws the readers attention.
The colours of the text match the background image. Yellow stands out from the
rest of the image but are similar colours to the lighting inside the building, this
allows text to contrast, yet not look like a coloured mess.
Add on stands out as it is a different colour to the dark green leaves behind it.
Text is structured and appeals to target audience, it is easy for readers to pick out
information. The easy-to-view list of what the reader can find in the magazine
caters to a wide range of their cognitive needs.
Barcode not visible.
4. The English Garden Magazine
Long shot of a winding garden allows the reader to feel more involved with the
tranquil picture. This is an example of uses & gratifications theory. The
background image is of a garden, this follows the hegemonic norm of this type
of magazine as it is catered solely to this topic.
Serif font is used in the title and subtitles, this is a classy font and may appeal
more towards the target audience because of this (older generation). Not bold
and playful like magazines geared towards a younger generation.
Date is placed to the left underneath the mast head, this creates consistency
for the reader.
Larger text from the rest connotes importance and draws readers’ attention.
Bar code placed in bottom right corner.
Neutral colour scheme of font, red background at the bottom contrasts the
majority of the background but matches the red of the leaves in the top left of
the image.
Using more than one image fulfils reader’s cognitive needs, a variance of
articles are shown which entices the target audience to read further. Uses &
gratifications theory is incorporated as the pictures give an insight into the
contents of the magazine.
5. Isle Magazine
Masthead is in a bold serif font. ‘ISLE’ is written largely, suggesting this regional
magazine is more of a brand than an informative guide like others are. Magazine is
written in smaller font below the title.
A long shot depicting the Thanet coastline is the perfect backdrop for this regional
magazine. ‘Isle’ referencing that Thanet is an Island, separated from the rest of
Britain by the River Wantsum. Using a long shot as the background allows the
audience to take in the surroundings and feel as if they are part of the image, giving
them a more personal feeling towards the area - an example of uses and
gratifications theory.
‘Quintessential Thanet’ - what is quintessential about this area? this entices the
reader to delve further into the article to understand more - an example of Roland
Barthes enigma theory.
List of different events, competitions and more is listed here, catering to a wide
range of reader’s cognitive needs.
Colours are very neutral and font is bold but a simple serif font. ISLE is written
boldly and is easy to see, showing the importance over the rest of the text.
Thrills and spills on the sea - what are the thrills and spills? - Barthes hermeneutic
code.
Barcode is not visible.
Neutral colour scheme with yellow heading to make it stand out.
6. France Today
Bold masthead in sans-serif font. Although the heading is bold, it doesn’t distract from the
background image. This bold sans-serif font is unlike other regional magazines I have
looked at. The magazine seems to be aimed at a younger target audience.
A hand written font is placed under the bold masthead, giving an element of classiness
towards the magazine, perhaps these two fonts paired together suggests the magazine
caters to a wide target audience .
The long shot with the land and sea allows readers to feel as if they are part of the image,
which is of a beautiful city basked in sunlight. Readers may purchase the magazine before
they visit there on holiday and these pictures can have a more personal effect on them -
uses and gratifications theory.
Add on - stands out as brighter colour than most of the other colours adorning the front
cover.
Unlike other magazines I have reviewed, this magazine cover is a lot more cluttered, this
could be due to the large content inside it. Other magazines I have compared this to are
generally focused on one specific area e.g. Kent, known for its stunning countryside, or
Gardening Magazine which focuses primarily on gardening as a topic. This magazine
looks at France as a whole, which is unlike any other regional magazine I have looked at -
this magazine is challenging the hegemonic norm of regional magazines.
Small text written in a linear fashion informs the reader what they can expect to find within
this article, fulfilling cognitive needs.
THE BEST OF FRANCE is incorporated into a banner of blue, white and red - which are
the colours of the French flag.
Brief descriptions of some of the articles found inside the magazine make the reader want
to know what they are about, and entices them to read on. This is an example of an
enigma which is paired with Barthes hermeneutic code.
Barcode is in the bottom right corner.
7. Dorset Magazine
Bold masthead written in serif font with the region of Dorset as the title. Underneath the
masthead on the left is the date of the publication, allowing readers to keep up to date and
maintain consistency within their reading. On the right of the same line is the magazine’s
website which allows readers to find out more about the magazine itself.
The white text contrasts the background well and allows all text to be easily viewed without
distracting it from the background image.
Subtext is aligned in a linear fashion and details some of the articles to be found within the
magazine, this catches the reader’s attention and entices them to read further to satisfy
their cognitive needs.
Barcode is placed in bottom right corner.
Add-on is set in a bold yellow, which makes it stand out as a brighter colour than the rest of
the cover.
Long shot of a beach scene allows the reader to feel part of the image, this has a more
personal effect on the audience - example of uses and gratifications theory.
Dorset is widely renowned for its beautiful beaches, the background image of a beach
setting follows the hegemonic norm for this type of regional magazine, not challenging the
typical codes and conventions for this type of publication.
Larger text draws attention and emphasises importance of this subtext.
‘A celebration of seafood’ - this appeals to people who like seafood and may intrigue them
to read into the local food that Weymouth offers. Detailing specific place names like this
fulfils a reader’s social integrative needs. If they find this type of context interesting then it
will intrigue them to read further - enigma - Barthes.
8. MASTHEAD CODES &
CONVENTIONS
The different regional magazines that I have researched, generally have
mastheads composed of serif font (bar France Today). This is perhaps
down to the target audience for regional magazines being older and
sans-serif font catering more towards younger audiences who wouldn’t
necessarily buy a publication such as this.
All the mastheads are in colours that contrast from the background image
(white being used mainly). This is in order to make the title stand out from
the background image.
The masthead is always at the top and centralised. This, paired with it
always being the largest text on the front cover, makes it stand out
instantly to the reader (cognitive needs). The central positioning defines
to readers instantly which article it is which allows for easy recognition of
each edition. This follows the hegemonic norm (Marx) for this type of
regional magazine, which makes the reader feel comfortable due to the
formality, equal spacing and centralisation of the masthead.
Mast heads are typically in capital letters which add to the boldness and
help to create an equal symmetry that appeals to the reader’s eye. Visual
objects that are of correct proportions naturally draw attention as they are
attractive to look at.
I will consider these points when I design my masthead.
9. Sell Lines Codes and Conventions
Unlike mastheads, sell lines often comprise of many different fonts,
sometimes multiple within the same sell line. The context of the sell
line is dependent on the type of magazine and audience targeted.
This is because sell lines are aimed to attract readers to purchase the
magazine - I will think of this when I construct my sell line.
The sell line follows the Masthead and is the second largest font on
the front cover of regional magazines. This is to attract attention, but
not distract from the masthead or background image. They are often
short, and i’ve found them to be no longer than 4 words. Sell lines are
‘short and sweet’ but often include enough information to grip the
reader and influence them in wanting to read on. Sometimes this is
through questions or statements being unanswered, playing on
readers’ cognitive needs.
Sell lines are always parallel and organised, which pairs with the
equality and formality of Mastheads, catering to the wants and needs
of readers.
10. Summary.
• Serif font is predominantly used for the mast head.
• Mast head is bold and coloured to contrast the background image.
• Background image represents a recognisable feature or landmark within the area in
which the regional magazine is based. The background image is usually a long shot.
• Competition (as seen on France Today & Dorset Magazine) for readers to win prizes,
typically a holiday is usually placed within a coloured add-on, making it easily noticeable,
enticing the reader into purchase.
• Price and Barcode are usually placed on the front, if so at the bottom right corner.
• Text is often centralised for the masthead and subtexts are structured, making them
easy on the eye and stylish. Text which is coloured or bolder than the rest, suggests that
these articles are the ones which hold most importance over the rest.
• Image usually depicts a peaceful scene which is tranquil and beautiful and
predominantly of the countryside or sea (depending on type of regional magazine). This
suggests a preferred reading of relaxation and of the landscape.
• Serif font, paired with the peaceful imagery reflects on target audience. Target audience
include middle-upper class, middle-elderly age who enjoy relaxing and the finer things in
life.
• Most regional magazine names are based upon the areas they represent.
