This document contains an analysis of magazine conventions and layouts. It examines the common elements found across magazines, such as the masthead, cover images, cover lines and barcodes. It then analyzes a fashion magazine and school magazine to show how their layouts and conventions differ based on their target audiences. Fashion magazines are designed for profit, while school magazines solely provide information. The document also deconstructs magazine covers, contents pages and articles to identify how elements like images, colors and text are used to effectively engage readers.

1. E M I L Y G A U N T
MAGAZINE RESEARCH

2. INTRODUCTION
• I have begun to look into a broad range of magazines, I am using
inductive research to look for a patterns throughout the magazine range,
for example:
• Common Conventions:
• The masthead
• The main image
• Heading
• Cover lines
• Barcode
• By looking at a broad range of magazines I have then analysed a fashion
magazine and a school based magazine I have shown how they are
different to each other with the convection and the way they are
produced for their target audience, I have also explained how most
general magazines like fashion magazines are sold for profit to their
target audience whereas school based magazines are not sold they are
purely for information to be given to their target audience.

3. RESEARCH
• Looking into different magazines there are patterns of
common conventions throughout here are some examples:
• Here are a couple of different magazines to show the
common conventions and how they are shown on a
magazine front cover.
• First is the fashion magazine, I have explained the different
conventions that are shown on the front cover but also
show, by using the centre, third left third and right third
etc, how they are laid out to then attract the reader.
• I have also deconstructed a school based magazine, I have
shown how they have laid it out to attract the reader but also
how they have displayed information effectively to then give
the audience a clearer reading of the school magazine as it is
only used on information rather than general magazines
which use profit as well.

4. The masthead is separated by the model on the front
cover however the name of the magazine still clearly
stands out and is recognisable for the client. The
masthead is located in the top third of the magazine
drawing in the eye when readers pick it up.
The plug here entices the
reader to want to read the
magazine because of what
they are offering . As the
main target market for this
magazine is women
advertising “win you whole
fall wardrobe” appeals to
women who may need a
new fall wardrobe and
could possibly win it for
free, so its hooking them in
with different offers or
competitions
The main image on this magazine
is used as a ploy to draw in readers
attention to buy the magazine its
purpose is to give the
representation of the genre of
magazine. Having this model on
the front gives the connotation
that this is a fashion magazines as
she is dressed up in relation to this
weeks ethos. Having this model on
the front of the magazine which is
a fashion magazine gives the
connotation that she is a fashion
model it becomes the selling point
for the magazine
The colour scheme for this
magazines is linking in with
the ELLE style, the
masthead is the
connotation of ELLE
because its in keeping with
logo of ELLE, the colours
that they have used
A common convention of a
magazine is to have cover
lines, cover lines are used to
show snippets of information
that is within the magazines or to
show different offers that the
magazine are advertising, as
you can see the cover lines on
this magazine are located most
commonly down the left and
right hand third of the
magazines, this gives room for
an image to be in the middle
but also catching the eye as
most people skim read across
the page.
The barcode is another common
convention of a magazine, this is
commonly displayed at the
bottom right third of the
magazine, this is then used for the
magazines to be purchased, most
magazine will have this
convention on however free
magazines sometimes don’t have
this.
The target audience for this
magazine would be a niche
market, this is because this
magazine targets women as
their audience, by appealing
to women they can offer
different diets that most
women swear by , they can
show what shirt goes with
which skirt so it gives them
something that women want
to read that they know will
have good content.

5. Adele is the artist on this front
cover of this music
magazine, she is a well known
artist worldwide, this would
drawn the attention of the
audience of Adele and
Billboard readers as she is
recognisable as a worldwide
star. Having a close up shot of
her face would attract the
reader in because her eye line
is the first thing that is seen
when looking at the
magazine, this is because her
eyes are in the centre third of
the magazine straight where
the eye first looks.
The main title of the film is “Billboard” even though Adele is
covering the middle part of the title it is still recognisable that it is a
billboard magazine, this is because the title stands out even
though there is a picture blocking it. Having the white writing on
the black background means that it stands out more, it also has
that highlight of colour within which gives it that edge as well.
The cover lines, which on this
magazine are down the
side, follow they typical
convections of a magazine. It
has typical cover lines set out
around the page in white
writing which stand out on the
darkened background. It also
has flowered outlines around
the writing which make the
page more appealing for the
reader.
Down the bottom left hand
corner of the magazine, there
is a barcode that is situated
next to the issue of the
magazine, the date of the
magazine, the cost and the
website that links to the
magazine, these are all
typical convections that work
with the front cover of the
magazine. As the barcode is
situated at the bottom it isn't
to overpowering on the cover
so doesn’t draw attention
away from the artist. It also
gives clear information that
the reader can look at but
not have to read to much
detail because its just quick
and precise information.
The colour scheme for this
magazine is predominantly
colourful however has the
darkened background which
means that the colours stand
out more, this also enhances
the picture to make her stand
out more. Also she is wearing
dark coloured clothes which
suggest that the magazine
what's to make her stand out
rather than what she is wearing
because it is more about who
she is rather than what she is
wearing. They have also made
sure that her eyes stand out on
the page, this is because they
want the reader to focus in on
her. They have done this by
making her eyes stand out on
the cover this means that when
the reader picks up the
magazine they will look straight
Adele.

6. Masthead-this shows what the
organisation is for in this case
it’s the school “Hampton”. It
gives a clear indication to who
produced it. Also because its in
the top third
Logo- this shows/advertises the
school towards the parents so
the recognise when they are
given the magazine, it also
advertises it to other parents as
well.
Main image- the main image on
here shows a school performance
of Les Miserables, this gives the
parents an incite into what kind of
performances they do at the school
and different types of arts they can
get involved in.
Les Miserables is a well know
musical, so having this on the front
of the school magazine gives the
school a more appealing and
creative aspect that will make the
school more well rounded and
interesting whereas if it was
something no one knew then
parent would be disinterested.
Using columns are a typical
convection of magazines, this
gives the magazines a better
look, cleaner and shaper cut.
It also makes it easier for the
reader to flow through the
article rather than be looking
for the start and end.
Using original images give a better
interpretation of what the magazine
is trying to convey, it makes the
reader more interested because
they become more appealing if
they can see photos and recognise
the children that were within the
play.
As this is a school magazine
there is no barcode situated
on the front of the cover, this is
because a school magazines
purpose is for giving
information only this means
that it doesn’t gain any profit
from the magazine, it just
informs parents and advertises
the school to others who may
see this magazine.
On the cover of this school magazine it shows
what will be in this issue this is listed as a column
down the side of the cover. This isn't typical for a
normal school magazine however this just may be
a small informant of what may be more detailed
inside .
The colour scheme for this school
magazine is mostly yellow, black and
grey suggests that as these are similar
colour to the logo then it suggest that
the school magazine would want to
keep in theme with the colours of the
logo so the reader wouldn’t be
confused if the was a completely
different colour scheme.

7. The logo at the top right hand
corner of the magazine, gives
continual advertisement for
the magazine Q. going across
the top of the contents page
of the magazine is the
heading of the page it gives
a clear banner with the date
of the magazine and then the
issue No. etc.
This gives clear indications
that this is the contents page
and makes sure that the
reader is reading a recent
magazine not an out of date
one.
The main image on the page is of a recognisable band
“The Courteeners“ this picture shows the band on top
of what seems to be a hill, this shows them as quite an
outdoors band. The main image takes up half of the
page which draws attention to the picture for the
reader. It shows that they are the main feature.
Down the left hand side of the
magazine, there is a column of
the articles/interveiws that are
within the magazine. Its in the
typical convection of a magazine
and has a features sub-heading
that informs the reader of where
to find the features are, it gives
the page numbers of the
magazine in red which make
them stand out on the page,
making it easier for the reader to
identify where each article is. It
also splits the contents page into
three parts, the features, every
month and review. The subtitles of
the “Q contents” and “Q review”
are both the same text and the
same font so they are consistent
with the theme and style of the
magazine. This will make the
reader feel like they can read
through the magazine with a flow
and it wont feel like everything is
all over the place.
The way the contents page is
laid out gives the whole page
enough space so that it
doesn’t feel to crowded on
the page. This makes it easier
for the reader to pick up
different page number and
the different articles that they
want to read without feeling
like they are all jumbled up at
the side of the page.
Having the numbers in red
and the “features” and
“every month” in red and
white suggest that the
magazine wants the reader to
be attracted to these
important parts of the
contents page.
The language used on his content
page where they used “you” and
“we” suggest that the magazine
want to draw them in and feel like
they are involved. It uses this
language to persuade them to buy
the magazine because it makes the
reader feel like they are reaching
out to them. Also the layout on the
page is very organised this means it
wouldn’t confuse any of the reader
when they are reading them.

8. Heading at the top of
the page to show the
title of the
magazine, the title will
always be at the top
because it draws the
reader in at first
glance, it would also
give continual
advertisement for the
product.
Having the sub heading
standing out as sort of a
headline for the reader
also the numbers going
down the side give a
clear indication as to
where the pages start so
its quick and easy for
the reader to navigate
to a certain part of the
magazine. Using the red
writing on the white
background makes the
writing stand out more
and gives the
connotation that the
magazine has a fiery
edge because of the
red on white which can
give the representation
that the magazine is
edgy and outgoing.
The photograph of the
model that is on the
contents page again gives
the magazine an edge
because of the way the
model is dressed, her hair
style is pulled back which
gives he a dramatic edge
to her appearance also the
bright colour in her outfit
makes her stand out on the
page more so it catches the
reader eye line when
turning on to the page, it
also includes a page
number overlaying on the
main image which would
be for the reader if they
wanted a specific
information about the
model e.g. what they wear
or about their makeup then
having the number of the
magazine of the magazine
which the model was on
they then could find it
straight away and gives a
brief incite in to what's on
the page.
This magazine contents
pages has the conventions
of a magazine because the
list of contents , its in simple
conventions of it being in
columns with a main
heading of the name of the
magazine with a main
image which is different to
the main image that is on
the front of the magazine.
Numbers on the side of the articles, this shows the typical
conventions of a contents page, it shows simple direction for the
reader from the contents page to the article that interests them
the most, they are also in a clear eye catching font which would
be easy and simple for the reader to read.
The list is coherent with the style of the magazine the writing
either in black light grey or pink which is in line with the colour
scheme.

9. The main image on this
double page spread is a
long shot of the “kids in
glass houses” this shot has
been taken by all of the
member of the band
jumping up in the air and
the shot being taken slowly
as to capture the detail
into the photo. As it is set
outside the picture looks
bright because of the
natural light, it brighten the
page up more and links in
with the theme of the
magazine.
The layout of the double page spread is very spaced out, it is also
organised so that when you look at the page you see the title of the
article, but also it means that the reader can get a jest of where to
start the article from. The start of the article is clearly from the bold
white A at the start of the text and there are different pull quotes that
are highlighted throughout the article.
All the band
members are dressed
in a casual way
which suggests that
the band is more
focused on creating
music and having fun
in their career rather
than being all
glammed up, this
would then suggest
that the band was
more materialistic.
This also makes it
easier for the reader
to actually relate
back to them rather
than see them in a
higher status. Using
this picture of the
whole band spread
across the page links
in with the typical
convections of a
magazine and this
makes it easier for the
reader rather than
having loads of
different pictures
spread out all over
the page.
The text on the page is
evenly sized, also the way
it goes around the image
of one of the band
members legs follows the
typical convections of
magazine. It makes it look
more appealing for the
reader. Having them at a
low angle shot means that
they seen in a higher status
because they are
essentially floating in the
air. It means that they are
looking down on the
reader whereas the reader
is looking up to them.

10. The article title gives
the reader an eye
catching incite in to
what the article is
about, it gives the
reader an added
question as to why
Hayley Williams is on
fire. The relation to fire
may then be towards
how well she is doing
in her career, it gives
the connotation that
she is very successful
at the moment hence
why she “is on fire”.
The article is laid out
in columns which
are a typical
convection of a
magazine double
page spread. As
shown the picture is
presented on the
right side of the
double page
spread and the
writing in the left
side of the page.
As Hayley Williams
is a well known
music artist this
draws the reader
in, it branches out
to that particular
niché audience
which Hayley
Williams is in. this
article would
appeal to the
niché market of
pop punk.
In the article
Hayley Williams
appearance is
very bright, she is
stood in front of a
white
background
which suggest
that the colour
scheme is very
bright and happy
this gives the
connotation that
they want to
portray the
magazine as a
happy theme.
The bold red O at the
start of
article, indicate as
beginning of where
the reader would
read the article from.
It put in a bold
red, not only to go
with the theme of the
magazine but to
attract the eye
towards the start of
the article because
the magazine wants
the reader to be
engaged by the
magazine.
The clothing that Hayley Williams
wear’s gives the connotation
that she is a young artist with a
knowledge of fashion, this is
shown with the floral bodice that
she is wearing it gives of a kind of
flirty sense, also the bracelets
that are on her wrist suggest she
uses those as a statement . Her
stance/ body language shows a
shocked stance which then
could suggest that she is blown
away by her progressions
through her career.
As the artist is
looking straight into
the camera it gives
direct address to
the reader, this
then suggest that
the article is
informing the
reading about this
artist and from the
main title suggest
her specific career
in the music
industry.

11. In this photograph of this
model, the photographer has put
the model in a relaxed way with
casual clothes this portrays the
model as student type girl all
natural like she would be on the
front of a teen magazine. The
lighting is very bright giving of a
sense that the model is happy
compared to the other photos.
Also because she is natural and
she comes across as innocent.
The photographer in this picture
had portrayed the same
girl, however her body posture is
different because its more of a
sexual stance with her dominant
shoulder which give the
impression that she has a come
and get it attitude , also the
colour red gives the connotation
that this photograph was taken
for a male orientated magazine
because of the clothes she is
wearing, the way her hair is
making her look like she has been
sweating from heat and passion
and the make up blending in with
the background gives off a sexual
presence. Also the colour red on
the background and her lips gives
the connotation of love and
sexual presence
Within this final photograph that has been
taken we see the model in a sideward
stance, she appears to be thinner than in
the rest of the other photograph's he
body posture is very up tight and stiff, we
can then assume because of the white
background and the choice of clothing
that this would be for a fashion magazine
because she gives the connotation of a
fashion model being the size shape and
having that tall stance. Also having the
blank expression upon her face shows no
emotion towards the camera giving her an
unrelaxed feel towards the camera, where
as in the first photograph the girl has a
natural pose that suggest she is free and
independent in this photo she comes
across as she isn't very comfortable and
has been told to stand in that way.
In this photograph, this model is seen with
more of a darker edge, it gives the
connotation that this would be on a
punk/rock magazine, as the lighting they
have used is very dark and moody the
model doesn’t look the same shape as on
the other photographs, as she is wearing
black as well it also blends it so makes it
harder to define her shape, so because of
the lighting and costumes/makeup within
this shot she comes across as
guarded, whereas in the other photos she
came across innocent.
Analysing Different Photographs With The Same Model

12. EXPLAINING DIFFERENT TYPES OF
MAGAZINES
• From the research that I have collected I have been able to
show the differences within a print magazine that is sold to its
target audience and been able to show a print magazine
that is giving information for free to its target audience.
• The purpose for a school based magazine is to be able to
give parents/carers and anyone else that look at it information
about the school and what's happening within the school
where as the fashion magazine has a more wider range of
information for the diverse range of reader they
have, compared to school based magazine, most other
magazines tend to have a different layout, having the third
rule that then shows how they attract readers by positioning
and laying out the magazine correctly to what they think the
readers would like whereas with a school based magazine it
more displaying the correct information so that the readers
can pick up on important bit that they don’t want to have to
search for.