This document analyzes the codes and conventions used across several regional lifestyle magazines in the UK, including their use of imagery, advertisements, fonts, and layouts. Key observations include that magazines generally employ simple and consistent designs with a focus on attractive imagery to engage readers while also maintaining a formal and tidy appearance. Advertisements primarily feature single products or locally relevant businesses and are kept relatively simple to avoid distracting from the products. Imagery plays a large role in drawing readers in and representing the region or demographic featured in each magazine.

1. CHARLIE BARKER
CODES &
CONVENTIONS
RESEARCH

2. DEVON LIFE
• The large white font used for the
masthead isn’t age specific and helps
the magazine maintain a formal
edge.
• The image used is of a beautiful view
representative of the subject location
for the magazine.
• The barcode is situated in the bottom
corner of the page in order to keep a
large proportion of the centre image
unblocked.
• The advertisement is simplistic and
avoids complex text. The picture is of
the product on a white backdrop
which forces the reader to focus
primarily on the product as opposed
to the background.
• The brand featured in the magazine
is a globally recognised label. This
may be representative of the
demographic
• This contents page is extremely
image based. This both visually
stimulating and informative of the
issue’s content.
• Simple and consistent colour scheme
(black font, white background)
ensures the formality of the brand is
carried through.
• Only one quarter of the page has
been set aside for advertisements
and promotional posters.

3. CORNWALL LIFE
• Bold white font establishes a formal
impression and doesn’t overwhelm the
page.
• Attractive imagery – scenery shot would
appeal to the local demographic as it
boasts a landscape near to their own
interests.
• Advertising bands are located at the
top and bottom of the page to help
entice the potential buyer
• Pink boxes draw the audiences view
toward the top most advertisements.
• The double paged advert is for a
business that is local and therefore
relevant and accessible to the ideal
reader, this is potentially an attractive
feature.
• Relatively text heavy, this could be
extremely informative, or it could
possibly deter readers as it takes away
from the visual stimulation produced
by the products images.
• Cornwall life has opted for an
extremely image centred contents
page. This is both attractive and
informative of the inside content.
Imagery is used to illustrate the
different features present in this
particular issue.
• Only a third of the page is
dedicated to the content listing. The
font used on the front cover is
continued throughout the issue.

4. YORKSHIRE LIFE
• The use of Land Rover advertisement
may be locally relevant. Yorkshire is
relatively rural and therefore would
have a larger market for off road
vehicles. Furthermore, the image
used for the advert isn’t too dissimilar
to the image of Yorkshire used on the
front cover, basic alignment. Is
visually attractive.
• Simplistic and not text heavy. Eye
catching and smart.
• Yorkshire life has used a very
beautiful image of a harbour for this
issues front cover. A consistent white
font tone is used which prevents the
tackiness often created by vast
splashes of different colour.
• Strapline/sell line situated in a
brightly coloured circle to be brand
assertive, ‘The Counties NO1 Quality
Magazine’.
• Simple columns used to keep the
pages layout formal and tidy.
• One third of the page is used for
unrelated local advertisement.
• The page features an attractive
coupon for a discounted price on
the next addition. This will help to
entice potential buyers. Several
images have been introduced to
help break apart the text heavy
page.

5. KENT LIFE
• Kent life has employed a dark red font to
inject a regal theme into the front cover of
the magazine. This would correspond with
the image selected for this particular issue.
• In addition to this, the magazines opening
page is boasting an interview with a well
known comedienne and celebrity. This will
help pull in potential buyers who may be
fans of the featured celebrity.
• Lippmann points out that stereotypes are
often used to represent a broad area. In
this case, Kent is being shown by an upper
class establishment
• Once again simplicity is employed
to boast an individual product to its
full potential. This helps the reader to
focus primarily on the item as
opposed to a distracting back drop
that isn’t in fact relevant.
• There is very little in the way of
dense paragraphs and blocks of
textual information. Instead there is
only a product names and contact
information ie. Website, location.
• A colour scheme, pink, has been
used consistently on the page
keeping the visual properties simple
and neat.
• The pictures used tempt the potential
reader by using interesting themes or
as previously mentioned, a celebrity
feature.
• Each and every feature/ page
description is relatively detailed and
explanatory.

6. SURREY LIFE
• Surrey life magazine has taken an
unusual approach for a regional
magazine. It features a celebrity (Sir
Michael Caine), as the main feature for
its cover. Words such as exclusive aid
the pull factor by ensuring the reader
that the famous individual has spoken
directly to their local magazine and
clearly has some interest in their region.
• Formal font with tidy white colour
scheme
• Surrey life magazine has opted for a
home ware based advertisement on
their opening page. The designer
value is perhaps relevant to the
notoriously wealthy area.
• The ad uses a single dominant
picture with little text ensuring that is
attractive and not dull to the viewer.
Only the brand and strapline are
featured in the bottom corner of the
page.
• Surrey life has an extremely text
heavy contents page. Although this
is informative, it isn’t particularly
attractive to someone browsing
through.
• The images used will however
attract people to certain sections of
the magazine. For example those
interested in Sir Michael Caine’s
input in this months issue can quickly
find the page number.