This magazine cover features Khloe Kardashian and focuses on health, fitness, and appearance. Light colors and informal language are used to make the content seem approachable and easy. Khloe Kardashian is featured because she is recognizable to readers and promotes appearance-focused goals that many readers value. The cover emphasizes motivation and empowerment to encourage readers to take action for their health and fitness.

1. Magazine Analysis
Critical approaches 2
Jamie Mellors

2. Women’s Health

3. The masthead is coloured in
approachable light blue tone. The
masthead changes colour from
issue to issue. This colour has been
chosen as it matches the models
shirt. Against a light white colour
background the blue stands out.
The chosen colour scheme (light
blue and white shades) are
associated with weight loss. For
example weight watchers use this
method.
The barcode is necessary for the product to be sold, a white
background as been chosen to ensure it works. The dateline of
the issue is printed along with the price just above. This seems
to be discretely placed as it is less important and the price is
moderately high.
There is a pattern of quick and easy throughout.
Fitness can be something that people find
daunting. Use of this language makes the
magazine seem more approachable and less of a
challenge to take on. These words are even
highlighted with a yellow colour that would be
used on paper, “Burn Fat Fast”. The smarter
style combines with a hand drawn notebook like
style which will fit with their audience. The
audience is a large majority of women aged 25-
44 according to an NRS survey. There is
emphasis in ease. “1 smart workout”, “easy
upgrades”.
“Khloe Kardashian” is a recognisable figure to the target market of women’s health. She
belongs to a family that is recognisable and idolised by some women today. A large
amount of influence that the family hold is down to their look and how they present
themselves. They are able to set trends making a member of this family a good choice
for a cover model and an inside article as people wish to follow in her footsteps. A
readership survey quote said “65% agree maintaining a youthful look is extremely
important to them”. Someone who is so appearance oriented such as Khloe Kardashian
allows the magazine to seem inline with reader’s goals.
“Big Gluten Bore” is intelligent use of language to
establish a relationship between writer and reader.
This type of language is the same as that, that might
be used when talking to a friend or how the target
audience might do so, with an average age of 32 and
presumably women. This allows the magazine to
come across as on the same level as the reader just
delivering friendly advice friend to friend. This use of
casual and informal language ties in with other point I
have made relating to the ease and comfort of the
magazines workout. Women may feel uncomfortable
discussing weight with friends, this language creates
an easy going standard for the magazine which allows
the magazine to become that friend which can give
advice. There is a common theme of closing the gap
between consumer and writer, very frequently the
magazine will make the reader feel on par with the
writer. The use of this language does not only serve
this purpose it allows the reader to feel more at home
with the fitness recommendations. It allows the idea
to feel within her comfort zone.
The chosen use of the word “now” at the end of
this block of text is significant. This plays into the
common theme that I keep mentioning of ease. It
also appeals the ‘just do it’ nature that I think the
magazine tries to capture. The magazine makes
attempts to make the reader feel like they are
liberating themselves. The reader would like to
feel powerful and strong, pleased with their new
found confidence. The word “now” asks the
viewer to consider “why not?”. This cover page is
filled with motivational language such as this
some less subtle. For example to the right of the
model’s head the text writes “revenge-body”
which can incite a “girl power” feeling amongst
readers.

4. “The Food Issue” large colourful text
has been chosen to highlight one of
the main articles of the magazine.
The pink colour has been used only
the colour the name of Khloe
Kardashian at the other side of the
page, the other main article.
Although the word “food” is the
main body. There are other
examples of two areas of the page
matching in colour. Khloe’s shirt and
the masthead, the two large black
fonts at either side of the page, and
the small light blue writing.
This is one of the main articles. It is
bold type face, only 3-5 words long,
designed to show the reader it is
one of the main articles in this
issue. Positioning this close to the
top is noteworthy as this will be
one of the first things that is seen
when the issue is picked up. This is
a reoccurring pattern in women’s
health magazines, here is another
issue that has done the same. Also
take note of the similar colour
schemes and tones.
“WH awards” has been highlighted
to give display to the reader that
the content is exclusive to this
magazine, it also simultaneously
boosts the brands identity. On the
exclusivity theme use of the words
“for women” creates a feeling of
togetherness. This months topic is
food, creating a list makes for easy
reading, which entices the reader.
Model chosen appears in physically
fit to readers as something to aspire
to.
“revels” convinces the reader that the
information is exclusive and hidden
Informal notebook font
style.
This is the strapline. “It’s good
to be you” empowerment
designed to appeal to women
who are reading that might not
be overly pleased with their
appearance.

5. A double page spread-
This page demonstrates that the magazine must also include interesting visuals. It cannot be fact after fact and fitness
routine and dietary requirements. This page give the viewer something to pause and admire. The setting in while this
very controlled image has been shot has been done in a beautiful landscape outside the restrictions of day to day life.
This in the background of the model who the viewer is supposed to aspire to be like allows the magazine to project their
theme of liberation on the viewer. The image has been framed cutting an inch off from the boundaries of the page, I
believe for artistic value and to introduce the main article, it allow the page to stand out.
Crediting the photographer and writer,
for those that are interested and to
enhance the career of those responsible.
A nod to the
television
programme
“keeping up with
the Kardashian”
which they hope
the reader will
understand to
draw a link
between
audiences gives
for good reading.
It gives a sense of
being “with it”
and up-to-date.
Also a nice
gradient overlay
has been used on
the text to mirror
the sun passing
over the fields.
More use of
exclusivity with
the word
“reveal”
coming up
again.
Small tab at
the upper
right corner so
that the page
can be picked
out when
flicking
through the
magazine.

6. A cut away of from the main article adds variety to the
visual design and reading experience. This cut away is not
really relevant to the rest of the magazine but features a
few things the model featured has said about friends and
family. These people are also very well-known which
makes for attractive reading for people that are
interested.
This magazine (and most other magazines)
work in a format which depicts a subject on
the front cover that will feature a few double
page spreads with info about them. This will
be the main article in the magazine.
To
demonstrate
this cut away
as a secondary
article a
greyscale
colour scheme
has been used
so as not to
distract from
the image in
the centre of
the spread.
Members of
the model’s
friends and
family appear
in circular
portraits
format to
accompany the
Page layout
design splits
into cuboid
sections.
Rectangles
filling black
space leads
onto the
next block
of text. This
is the
middle of an
article not
the
beginning or
end.

7. This page follows on from an article that has been predominately about a person rather than anything health
related (the article was based around health). This tells me that the magazine is not only for health and
fitness benefits but also accommodates enjoyable reading. While the topics discussed are not important or
serious they are topical. Some of the articles such as these on the previous pages are a more up-street and
higher class version of magazines such as “Hello”, while retaining a health theme throughout. “36% of the
magazines audience do not work” therefore I can assume they have the time to keep up with modern
celebrity related gossip making this aspect of the magazine a good input. This page however is a very
relevant exercise based page designed to actually teach the reader something new. It has been intelligently
handled as use of their model, or famous face, has been applied. “89% of the Women’s Health audience do
some kind of exercise every week” meaning that placing some actually fitness tips will not go to waste.
Source of information-a “Women’s Health” media pack:
https://yorkcollege.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-334726-dt-content-rid-595463_1/courses/EDCMA03-
14/Womens%20health%20media%20pack%20UK.pdf
A black rectangle has been placed to
split the page in two. It also does the
job of directing the reader down in
columns as they read each of the five
workouts.
An advert has been chosen to appear on
this page. This is a very suitable advert to
appear in this magazine. It fits the
audience perfectly as it is a product that
is designed to look after the consumer’s
appearance. “60% of the Women’s
Health audience invest in high quality
beauty brands” this brand is not so high
quality but other adverts that appear are
very much so, these include designer
clothing brands and expensive perfume.
Here are some other fact taken from the
magazine’s media pack that proves this
advert is appropriate:

8. National Geographic

9. Similarly to how in one of the pages in
the Women’s Health magazine this front
cover used a border. I think this helps to
draw focus to the image that cover the
entire page. This bright yellow border is
used for every issue of National
Geographic, with an image that fills the
whole page. This yellow border is
recognisable as National Geographic,
this allows the magazine to be easily
spotted. It is also worth mentioning that
as a stack of magazines this bright
yellow colour will stand out and catch
the eye, it is especially useful that the
top of the cover is printed in this colour
as on a shelf sometimes only the top can
be seen. This same yellow colour was
used to colour Simpsons characters for
the following reason, “The idea was that
whenever someone was flipping
through the channels, they would
automatically know The Simpsons was
on when they saw the yellow bodies
flash by”, this same concept has been
applied for this signature border. Here
are some other National Geographic
magazines that use the same border:
http://movies.stackexchange.com/quest
ions/14664/why-are-the-simpsons-
yellow
A semi-opaque masthead
has been used to avoid
obstructing the image.
The strapline here introduces
us as to what the issue will be
about.
The barcode appears larger than it actually is, the magazine in A5 sized. The
price is also listed here at £5.99, which is very expensive. The average
household income of readers is $70,324 or £49,297 making the audience quite
wealthy. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/mediakit/pdf/ng-
magazine/NGM_Media_Kit_2016.pdf
The image that has been chosen for
the front cover in a dramatic, breath-
taking one. The page has been cleared
of text to allow the image to seen fully.
The text that does appear has been
placed above the masthead. This image
also looks heavily Photoshoped. The
audience of this magazine is interested
in photography and nature therefore
this is appropriate, camera adverts are
packing into the magazine as it appeals
to the audience. Adverts from Nikon
and Cannon make appearances. 68% of
reader claimed to be interested or take
part in photography. The image must
be something that the reader wants to
achieve and aspire to.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/
mediakit/pdf/ng-
magazine/NGM_Media_Kit_
This is the main article. This can be
identified as it is printed in the
largest boldest font. It is about why
vultures are good for the ecosystems
of their native countries, the article
also goes into detail of how they
benefit humans, this is a nice tie-in
with the strapline. “more vital than
vile” is a well thought out subheading
as people often consider vultures as
dislikeable, they are even depicted as
villain in children’s films. To use the
words “vital” alongside “vile” is also
good use of alliteration. This kind of
language makes for a high quality of
formal reading.

10. The magazine is filled with double page spreads that feature a single image, such
as this one. The magazine specialises in sending photographers and reporters
into the nature to capture dramatic images that really make the magazine
enjoyable. This image shown below occurs mid-article, it splits the text nicely
and allows the viewer to gain an understanding of what they are reading about.
The image shown on these pages are always relevant. With a photography
interested demographic, an entire page spread is fitting.
A small
description of the
image.

11. The magazine will often feature diagrams and drawing to better illustrate text and images. This spread shown
below is describing and illustrating the anatomy of a vulture. There is a main image spanning over two pages, the
way this has been positioned has allowed there to be plenty of space around the rest of the page. This area is used
for annotations that then lead off to a more detailed diagram with a small piece of accompanying text. This
method makes the page easy to understand and read. The information is delivered with all that is needed to know,
background knowledge is not required. The way the text has been written has been done to make sure that this
page can be read on its own without prior information from the article that it belongs to.
A self-contained strip at the bottom
of the page that displays vulture
species to scale in comparison with
other. This is excellent use of space
as the endangered species have also
been colour coded.
There as also two split paragraphs
that introduce the page and gives an
explanation as the relevance of the
rest of the information.
The background colour is greyish
(colour of old paper) and the
brushstrokes from the drawing
spread onto the background. This is a
nice tough as it makes the reader feel
as if they are viewing someone’s note
on vulture with small diagrams
dotted around with labels.

12. I have chosen to display this page only as an example of how the majority of articles look. The page is about 50%
images, the rest text. The text is in columns and features no novelty font or text positioning that you might find in a
celebrity gossip magazine. The text is written formally and structured in chunks, written in good English. The
background to the page is plain white this retains a premium and high class style. The positing of the images dictates
the page layout. The audience is well paid, with stable careers, they also have an average age of 58 making the
simplified page layout, spoken word and premium look a perfect match with the audience. The audience is above all
interested in absorbing facts and information, it is the magazines job to make this as pleasurable as possible. This
page layout design achieves that with the balance of images and text.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/mediakit/pdf/ng-magazine/NGM_Media_Kit
Date of issue and page label (to assist when
flicking through)
Image takes up half the page.
Image caption
High use of images for the
audience that takes an
interest in photography