Unit 3 - Visual Project - Research

1. Research
Will Stewart

2. Existing Product
Direct eye contact with the
audience pulls the reader in, as
well as establishing an emotional
connection with them. By
displaying the centre picture so
blatantly and without any special
alterations, it establishes realism
with the subject of the image.
The boldness of the font used to
highlight the sub-heading conveys
a sense of importance and makes
it stand out against the rest of the
front cover.
The simplistic yet effective
masthead establishes a sense of
professionalism about the
magazine, the lack of extravagant
effects creating a serious
atmosphere about the piece.

3. Existing Product
Simplistic yet bold heading conveys a
sense of both elegance and power, both
things that the colour black is known to
represent. Due to there also being only
one piece of text other than the
masthead, it a presents a façade of being
the only thing that matters, all other
topics becoming irrelevant.
By placing Caitlyn Jenner in
the exact centre of the cover
page, and neutralising the
background with pale gold
boards, she is made the only
focus of the centre picture.
This presents Caitlyn in a sort
of ‘main character’ style, the
lesser amount of opulence
giving greater to prevalence
to her overall character and
personal prevalence in the
centre picture.
The bold and elegant way the masthead
is presented by the editors conveys
professionalism and style at the same
time, making for an unmistakeable
brand.

4. Existing Product
The full frontal honesty of the centre
image presents a minor version of shock
factor, the audience not expecting
something so frank. This works to hook
the audience by offering a never-before-
seen glance at one of the most
recognisable stars of the time.
The play on words within the sub-
header is a clever way of attracting
the reader’s attention, and
depending on the writer, can either
be really really good, or really really
bad.
The way they use the lighting to highlight
the central picture is a very uncommon
occurrence in this kind of industry.
Usually, there is a bright environment
when showcasing celebrities, but in this
instance, the lighting is incredibly
subdued, even merging into complete
darkness in some areas. This is to draw
more emphasis to Demi and her unborn
child, presenting her as even something
akin to a holy figure, a beautiful and
caring light in the smothering darkness of
the world.

5. Research Analysis
• What common features do the researched
products have?
– All three pieces have an extremely inventive use of environment to establish a connection with the
audience. This helps to create empathy and someone that the reader can relate to when presented
with their interactions with the environment. By endearing the centre character to the audience, it
increases the sales of the magazine, therefore generating more profit, something that all three
examples have done successfully, leading to their widely-renowned infamy.
• What aspects of the research will you include
within your on work?
– The subjects in each piece and how they interact with both the audience and environment are
excellent reference points, easily showing how they have become so iconic. By taking into account
how important these factors are when it comes to selling points, each piece aptly displays how to do
things right when you’re in magazine marketing.

6. Audience

7. Audience Profile
Category Demographic Content to appeal to this audience
Age Range
20 - 40 • Mature but stylistic content, capable of
attracting the attention of most adults.
Gender
Any • Content that respects the position of both
genders and treats them as equals.
Psychographic
TV Shows, Movies,
Books, Games,
Music
• Content relevant to these interests, and
nothing otherwise demeaning or offensive.
Social Status
Working Class
Middle Class
• Content that respects people of every social
class, and doesn’t place one as morally
superior above the other.