media codes and conventions of regional magazines

1. Regional magazine
Codes and conventions

2. Properties of magazines
Colour- this is one of the
main properties to identify as
it is one of the most
noticeable. Different colours
have different connotations
as blue and white are seen a
peaceful and innocent,
where as reds and blacks are
more harsh colours. The
colour of the magazines are
usually used to create the
mood of a magazine.
Layout- The layout of the
magazine usually creates the
style of magazine. More
sophisticated magazines will
have stories evenly spaced
out with a sophisticated font.
However magazines aimed at
a younger audience usually
look a bit more chaotic,
cramming as much
information onto the page as
possible. The shapes of the
writing will help the reader
to determine what is more
important to read.
Style- both the
layout and the
colour will
influence the style
of the magazine.

3. Magazine style
The style of a magazine is essential for making the magazine look appealing to potential
buyers and regular readers, the style of the magazine will either make the magazine look
excited and interesting or it will make it look boring. The style of the magazine usually
depends on the target audience. For example a magazine aimed at girls will have
brighter colours and more feminine fonts.
Pros
People will usually buy
a magazine if they like
the way it looks rather
than the quality of
what's inside
Cons
People might not like
the design of the
magazine and therefor
not buy it

4. Cornwall life magazine
Background - Cornwall life magazine is a magazine that explore the different aspects of
Cornwall, the beautiful beaches and the picturesque countryside. The editor of the
magazine is Carol Burns, she works with her son who is a photographer. She has been
the editor of Cornwall life magazine since June 2013
Top border - the top border is usually the logo of the
magazine, the issue number and the date
Main photo- the main image is usually an image of the place
that the magazine is writing about, the photograph is usually
colourful or stands out making it appealing to the reader.
Lower border- the lower border shows the main article, the
title is in bold and the description in thinner writing

5. Kent life magazine
Title( masthead) – has a unique font that gives the
magazine its identity. It fills the width of the cover or
sometimes in the top left corner
Main image- usually an image
of the place the main article Is
about.
Strip- across the bottom of the magazine with a list of the
magazines of thing advertising a list of articles that feature in
the magazine.
Article titles- The titles of the
magazines are bold and stand out from
other text.

6. Conventions of regional magazines
cover line– the cover line is at the top of the magazine,
on the left hand side is a sticker advertising a completion
inside the magazine, a tactic to make people want to buy the
magazine. The job of the cover line is to give the reader an
idea of what to expect inside the magazine.
Masthead – the masthead of this magazine, is bold
and white, standing out against the blue background. The
masthead includes the date and the web address of the
magazine in a smaller print.
Head line – the headline of this magazine is bold,
however not as bold a Title, it is written in a different font
than the masthead . It is short yet informative. It is written in
white following the white and blue colour scheme of the
magazine.
Main Image – The main image of the magazine is a
drawn picture of Dorset seaside, this goes slightly against
convention as its not a real life picture however it is still an
image of the location
Colour Scheme – the colour scheme
of the magazine is white and blue. These
colours reflect the seaside element of the
location
Barcode – on the
right hand side of
magazine
Cover stories – the
cover strories are written
on the side of the
magazine, in white
following the colour
scheme

7. Hampshire Life magazine
cover line– Includes three images and the names of
three places shown in an article inside the magazine v
Masthead- The masthead is written in a bold white
font which seems to be a convention of regional magazines.
It include the date in a smaller font underneath the title on
the right hand side.
Main image– the main image of the magazine is of
sailing boats in a harbour in Hampshire.
Barcode–
on the bottom
right hand side
of magazine.
Headline – the main headline of the magazine is
‘sailing to victory’

8. London magazine
Sub title/cover story – written in bold capital
letters with ‘its all about the attitude’ written underneath in
a smaller white font.
Masthead- The masthead is written in a bold white
print similar to the other magazines i have analysed.
Main Image- The main image goes against the
conventions analysed in the other magazine as the image is
not of the Place it is an image of a person that would live in
the place, this is suggested as she is wearing sophisticated
expensive looking clothes that we would stereotypically see
in Chelsea.
Cover stories- written in a small bold black print.
Giving the titles pf articles featured inside the magazine.

9. Surrey Life magazine
Masthead- The masthead is written in a bold white
print similar to the other magazines i have analysed.
Cover lines- written in a small white print, advertising
what is featured inside the magazine with the names off
different places to visit in Surrey.
Cover line- written in a white font following the red
white colour scheme of the magazine. ‘Photograph Special’
is written in white in a red box, making it clear to the reader
that there is something special about this magazine, making
the reader more likely to purchase it.
Barcode– on the bottom right hand side of magazine.
Main image- the main image is an image of two deer
in a foggy field, this gives the impression that this is a
winter edition of the magazine

10. Yorkshire Life magazine
Masthead- The masthead is again written in a bold
white print similar to the other magazines. Again the date is
written in a smaller print underneath the masthead which is
a convention of magazines
cover line/strapline – The strap line of this
magazine is written In capital letters saying ‘The biggest and
best selling country magazine in Yorkshire this is almost
bosting making the reader want to buy the magazine.
Barcode– on the bottom right hand side of magazine.
Cell line- the cell line is bright pink standing out against
the green background. It has an image of a women relating
to a story inside the magazine. It is advertising an article
inside the magazine
Main image- It is a picturesque image of the
beautiful Yorkshire countryside, the blossoming flowers
suggest it’s a spring/ summer edition.
Cover Stories– written in a smaller but still bold white
print

11. Devon Life magazine
cover line/strapline – the cover lien is made up of
bullet pointed words. ‘Festival fun’ is written in bold letters
suggesting its one of the main features of this magazine
Barcode– on the bottom right hand side of magazine.
Masthead- The masthead is written in a bold white
font. With the date underneath on the right hand side.
Main image- It is an image of rocky hill with clear
blue sky again following the convention of having an
image of the Place as the main image
Cover stories –written in a white lower case font.
Giving short titles to the ar4ticles that are featured
inside

12. Kent life double page spread
Header – the header of this magazine is written in a large
orange font standing out against the background making it
clear that it’s the header.
Pictures – there are five pictures in this article all relating
to the topic of the magazine.
Kicker – this piece of writing summarises the
article in a small paragraph. Written in a smaller print
underneath the title

13. Cornwall life Double page
Main article– this is the main story, here it is
written in two columns.
Main image – this is a picture of a part of the
Cornish coast
Header and sub-header – the title is
written on the left hand side and is the only writing on
this side of the page.
Kicker- the writing in italics giving an over view
about what the article is about.

14. Yorkshire magazine Article
Main image – this is a picture of the Yorkshire
countryside
Image of author -
Header – this is the main story, here it is written
in two columns.
Kicker– two lines underneath the main title giving
an overview on what the article is about.
Main article– this is the main story, here it is
written in two columns.

15. Time out Article
Main image – the main image is a picture of
some street art in London.
Header – this is written in a simple small black
font. This may have been done so it doesn’t take
anything away from the main picture as art is the
main focus of this magazine
Quotes – Quotes from the article are written in a
bold black font making them stand out against the
rest of the writing.

16. Cardiff magazine double page spread
Main image – the main image is a picture of
the inside of a castle in Cardiff
Header – the header is written in
a black bold print.
Main article – written in three paragraphs
More images- most articles include around
three images

17. Surrey life magazine
Header – ‘the artist’ is written in black capital
letters showing its significance to the article, where
are ‘meet’ is written in lower case letters and a softer
colour.
Main image – in this article there isn’t really a
main image, there are three images as explained in
the pervious slide having three images included in the
article seems to be a convention of the magazine.
Main article – the main article is written in two
columns across both pages.

18. Hampshire double page spread
Main image/images - the main Image is
located at the top of the article and is of a family
enjoying the country life of Hampshire .
Header– is written in an italic font
making it look quite feminine
Main article –written in five columns across
both pages.

19. Codes and conventions
 Kilbourne's theory of the perfect women with
perfect make up and hair was shown in London
Magazine with Cara Delavigne as the model.
 The title on the front cover seems to be written
in a bold white print most of the time.
 Barcode is written on the bottom right hand
side not to draw any attention to it.
 Competition ‘win’ advertised on the bottom
left hand corner in a round sticker.
 Date written underneath the title of the
magazine
 Simple colour schemes such as whites, blues
and green seems common in regional
magazines.
When I design my own regional magazine I plan to
take all of theses codes and conventions into
account and see how I can apply them.