Surrey Life Analysis

1. Regional
Magazines
Codes and Conventions – Surrey Life
January 2014 Edition

2. This edition of Surrey Life,
from January 2014 published
by Archant makes use of
many codes and conventions
I have identified in the other
magazines published by
Archant. The logo, prominent
in the top center of the front
cover, is white in a traditional
font. The use of the word
“Surrey” makes it clear to the
reader the topic of the
magazine/the region it is
aimed at. A distinct
background from the region
catches the readers eye.

3. Various sell lines around the
page alternate between serif
and traditional fonts creating a
house style to the magazine.
The use of white and yellow
writing makes the text stand out
from the background whilst
being easy to read, and ties the
magazine together forming an
image and ethos of this edition.
The main cover line “Get set for
2014” written in a yellow colour.
The main cover line would
suggest to the reader the main
topic for the magazine, and due
to the issue date this would be
one for people who are looking
towards 2014.

4. At the bottom of the page, a
white background allows the
further sell lines to stand out on
the page, with additional
images. This gives more
information about the magazine
and the topics within. The
bottom of the page contains
features that are not directly
related to the main cover line or
the image used as the
background. They have used
different colour text for the sell
lines at the bottom of the page.
These are making use of
traditional font, in red. This
creates a separate colour
scheme related to the woman's
hat in the small image. This still
however, ties in with the rest of
the page.

5. Summary of Codes and
Conventions:
• Large centered title
• Clear brand image
• Ties in with publisher
brand image
• Contrasting text colours
reflect background to
create colour scheme
• Bottom panel shows
separate topics with a
different style to rest of
front cover

6. This edition of Surrey Life
makes use of a double page
contents. This displays the
information in topic areas,
making it possible for the
reader to pick and choose
what they read. They have
used images at the top of the
page which allows them to
see what might be included in
the magazine, along with the
page number. They have
used a mixture of traditional
and serif fonts to continue the
house style whilst creating a
traditional yet contemporary
feel to the magazine.

7. At the side of the page, they
have included some coupons
encouraging further the
reader to purchase the
magazine, and by making
them related to the region
gives the reader more of a
regional feel. They have used
a mixture of colours on the
page to make it interesting,
and by including so many
topics this makes the
magazine seem worthwhile
purchasing for the reader.

8. They have used a single page
advertisement, this time for a
School. By advertising a school
in this magazine, they are
reiterating the regional feel for
the reader. The use of image
makes it stand out to the reader,
and by including an instrument
connotes to the reader that they
are being taught to a high
standard and by sending your
child there, they will receive this
standard of education. The
yellow colours for the bottom
half of the page, ties in the
advert to complete it with the
contrasting black sell line.