Analysis of regional magazines contents

1. CONTENTS PAGE

2. LAYOUT: Is very simple and sleek.
There is also very easy navigation
through the use of numbers and
images. This will appeal to the
target audience as it allows them
to find the information on a
particular article, this relates to the
‘surveillance’ theory.
TEXT: The font type is very
sophisticated, this may establish the
texts ideology and reflect the target
audience’s taste. The text also
relates to the images, as they are
too, sophisticated., for example, the
photograph of the ballerinas. This
shows that this magazine is
targeting an upmarket audience and
this will therefore appeal to them.
COLOUR SCHEME: The colour
scheme of the page is simplistic.
Overall the colours used are white,
black, gold and pink. The black text
against the white background
allows the audience to easily
navigate themselves to the various
articles. The gold colour of the
numbers could represent the lavish
and sophisticated side to this
magazine, as it may be
representing affluence.
DIRECT ADRESS: There is
constant referencing to
Bristol throughout the
page. This may create a
personal relationship
between the product and
the audience, as it directly
addressing the local area,
where many of the
readers will be residents.
CONTENT: The content of
the articles shows that the
magazine focuses on a
wide range of topics
throughout Bristol. This
allows the magazine to
open up to a larger
audience.
MAIN IMAGE: The model
in the main image is
creating direct mode of
address and therefore
creating a relationship
with the audience. This
suggests that this is going
to be the main article, and
therefore brings the
audience’s attention to
this photograph.

3. EDITORS NOTE: Time Out
develops conventions of
contents page as it features
an ‘editors note’ which is
not usually featured in
regional magazines. This
will appeal to the target
audience as it creates a
personal relationship
between the product and
the audience. For example
the use of “Hello London”
directly addresses the
reader. The casual language
used in the editors note
creates a friendly
approach.
LAYOUT: There is very easy navigation to
each of the article which will be useful to
the target audience as it’s a clear and
easy format. The large numbers show the
articles in order of most
important/interesting. This will appeal to
the target audience as it is a simple way
to find out the top 5 stories.
COLOUR SCHEME: The
colour is the same
throughout the magazine
using the colours red,
white and black. The red
and back font stands out
against the white
background, grabbing the
attention of the audience.
This makes the magazine
easily identifiable to the
audience.
WIDGET SECTION: The magazine displays its social network
accounts which will appeal to the target audience as they are
able to gain more information. However it will particularly
appeal to a younger audience as they will recognise the brand is
up to date. This links to the reception theory, as the majority of
readers are likely to have some sort of social media account.
TEXT: The font used is
simple and modern, in
relation to the type of
language that is used.
Both of these factors will
appeal to the target
audience.
IMAGES: As well as creating easy
navigation the images promote the
articles. The images ay seem more
interesting to the audience rather than
just using text to describe the article.
This will then attract the readers to
these particular articles.
IMAGES: From the use of overlapping
images and the bold colours help break
up the page. It also helps the page less
ridged and therefore ore intriguing to the
audience.
PUFF: ‘The Hot List’ this will appeal to
the target audience as it shows them
‘five amazing things to do in London
this week’ and they can therefore take
part.

4. MASTHEAD: SW has developed a
convention of a contents page as
it has placed the brand’s
masthead in the left hand corner.
This then becomes familiar to the
audience and therefore the brand
will remain in the consumers
mind.
LAYOUT: The layout of the
contents page is very
simple. There are images,
columns and lists used for
clear navigation to certain
articles. This will appeal to
the target audience as it is
aimed for an older
demographic and therefore
the simple and easy to
navigate layout will appeal
to them.
COLOUR SCHEME: The
colour scheme is also
simplistic with the use of
green, blue, black and
white. There are very subtle
colours used which will
again appeal to the target
audience.
MASTHEAD/ BRAND AWARENESS:
Brand awareness, this is the
boldest colour on the page and
therefore immediately grabbing
the attention of the reader.
IMAGES: There are several images
used, this allows the page to be
broken up and become more visually
appealing. The images will also
intrigue the reader into finding more
information about that particular
article.
TEXT: The font is a type of Calibri
font which is very simple. This
connects to the theme of the
magazine and will appeal to the
target audience. This may also
establish the texts ideology.
IMAGES: The images used and the
articles included in the magazine
show that the target audience is for
an older demographic. This has been
achieved through the use of layout,
colour scheme and content.

5. MASTHEAD: Creates familiarity for the
reader as they will continue to see it
throughout the magazine. It also
creates bran awareness for the
magazine as it will remain in the
audience’s mind.
IMAGES: The images used help break up the
page rather than there only being text used.
They also create easy navigation to some of
the articles, most likely the main articles, as
they give the reader insight into the article
and they may therefore want to find out
more.
OFFERS: The coupon
has a green box out.
This will immediately
grab the attention of
the reader. The target
audience will find this
appealing as it allows
them to save money
on the magazine.
LAYOUT/ CONTENT:
The contents page is
organised into
columns. Each column
is labelled with a
different topic, for
example “News &
Views”, “Places”, “Style
& Beauty”. This shows
that the magazine
varies in content and
will appeal to the
target audience as it
gives them a wide
range of topics to
choose from.
FONT: Both the font used in the
article and of the masthead are
sophisticated and classy. This
reflects the magazines target
audience and may establish the
texts ideology.
IMAGES: Each image
which features a model
is creating direct
address and therefore
creating a personal
relationship with the
reader, which links to
the uses and
gratifications theory.
This may intrigue the
audience to read these
articles.
COLOUR SCHEME/ LAYOUT: Both the layout and
the colour scheme are very simplistic, with mainly
black being used. However, this gives the magazine
a sleek and sophisticated look, which may reflect
the personal tastes of the target audience.
EDITORAL: Allows the
audience to read the
opinion of the editor
and therefore develop
more of a personal
relationship with the
product.

6. LAYOUT: he layout is very neat and tidy, which makes it easy to navigate to the different
articles. This will appeal to the target audience as it will be an older demographic and they
will therefore appreciate the simple layout.
TEXT: The font is
in italics and also
gives a
sophisticated look
to the magazine,
this will appeal to
the target
audience as it will
reflect their
tastes. It also
establishes the
texts ideology, as
it is represented
in a classy and
sophisticated way.
LAYOUT: The
navigation on
the contents
page is very
simplistic. Each
article has a
clear number
page to the right
hand side. There
are also several
images which
allow the reader
to visualise
these particular
articles. The
images also help
the page look
more visually
appealing, as it is
more interesting
to the audience
than just reading
text.
COLOUR SCHEME: The colour scheme is simple as it mainly consists of black and white. The black
font stands out against the white background and therefore makes the articles easily accessible to
the audience. The images add a little colour to the contents page, making the images stand out
from the rest of the page. There are still only pastel colours used in the images giving the
impression of calmness, which may reflect the house style.

7. After researching into regional magazine contents
pages I found the following codes and
conventions:
» Images – There will be several images used
which help display the content of the articles.
» Logo – There will be representation of the
magazine.
» Layout – Simplistic and easy navigation to the
articles by the use of clear page numbers.
» Colour Scheme – Usually kept throughout the
magazine.