1. The research analyzed existing magazine and merchandise websites to identify common design elements. These included things like prominent images, mastheads, menus, and color schemes related to their brands. 2. Questionnaires and interviews with the target audience provided insights into their preferences and buying behaviors. For example, many said they would only spend $2-3 on a magazine and prefer digital formats over print. 3. The research will help inform the design and content of the new magazine product to effectively target the audience of gaming and anime fans. Elements like relevant images, pricing, and digital accessibility will be considered.

1. Research
Alexander Sullivan-Cree

2. Existing Product
(NEO Front Cover)
Featured Article Image- The Image
connotes the anime ‘Food Wars’. This is
the main focus of the issue. This is used to
attract the attention of the audience and
target this magazine to anyone who has
seen or interested on the anime.
Masthead- The masthead uses a
modern/futuristic font with a blue
colour. The font uses the colour navy
blue which is used in the feature article
image of the girls uniform. The colour
orange however can be seen as a male
gender stereotype. The word NEO
means ‘New’ and ‘Recent’ which
defiantly fits the magazine and its
articles. The magazine mostly talks
about Asian anime, films, book and
music.
Feature Headline- The feature headline
is the second largest and boldest font on
the whole magazine. This is designed to
grab the interest of the audience and
reader. This also indicates the main
article and focus of the magazine. This
also links to the featured article image as
they’re both related to the same anime.
Selling line- The selling line usually
accompanies the masthead, a kind of
motto if you would. This tells the reader
what else to expect inside the magazine.
Anchorage- Much like the selling line,
the anchorage accompanies the feature
headline and gives the reader more
information about the feature article.
Barcode- The barcode is a common
convention used by magazine publishing
companies. The barcode is used to order
and sell the magazines by stores.
Menu Strip- The Menu is is yet another
common magazine convention. Much
like the selling line, the menu strip tells
the reader what else is in the magazine.
In this case the magazine will be talking
about new anime, Escaflowne and
manga experts.

3. Existing Product
(PlayStation Front Cover)
Featured Article Image- The image
connotes the game ’Persona 5’ which
features the main protagonist. This is used
to draw fans of the series to buy the
magazine as well as draw the attention of
bystanders. The colors and image look like
they’re pulled straight
Masthead- The font for the magazine is
the same font used on all PlayStation
products so its easily recognizable to
fans which are probably their target
audience too. The font itself uses a
white colour as white is gender neutral
and easily stands out among the red and
black background.
Feature Headline- The Feature headline
in this example is ’Persona 5’ which links
to the feature image as they’re both the
same game. Much like the masthead the
headline uses a white bold font. White is
a good colour to use as its gender
neutral.
Selling line- The Selling line often
accompanies the masthead and gives
the reader more information about the
type of magazine it is. This selling line
tells us that the magazine will be
covering articles related to PS4 PS-VR
and PS-VITA.
Menu Strip- The Menu is is yet another
common magazine convention. Much
like the selling line, the menu strip tells
the reader what else is in the magazine.
In this case the magazine will be
discussing ‘Prey’ and Horizon Zero
Dawn’. The menu strip uses a white font
to easily stand out among the red and
background.
Barcode- The barcode is a common
convention used by magazine publishing
companies. The barcode is used to order
and sell the magazines by stores.
However this magazine doesn't’t have
the barcode on the front cover
Plug- The plug stands out from the rest
of the front cover in order to draw more
attention to it. This makes the reader/
audience see that the as long as talking
about Persona 5 it will also be talking
about Mass Effect.
Sub Heading- The subheading uses a
smaller and thinner font compared to
the feature headline. This time however
the subheading is enclosed in a white
shape to make it stand out from the
feature article image. The text uses a
blue colour alongside a small few
sentences in black.
Sub Image- The sub image links to the
sun heading as they’re both about the
game Crash Bandicoot. Much like the
feature image the sub image is used to
attract the attention of the audience and
any fans of the game series.

4. Existing Product
(Bandai Namco Merch Website)

5. Existing Product
(Bandai Namco Merch Store)
Colours- The colours used by the Namco Bandai team to create their merchandise store link to their logo
as they use the same tone of orange in their menu navigation strip at the top. A lot of the colours are basic
straight from the website itself like the black and the white, however the images used in the page are all
titles that they've published themselves such as ‘Ni No Kuni II’ and ‘Dragon Ball Z’. All the colours used are
all gender neutral so it isn't targeted at a single gender. The orange and white work well together and the
overall page is quite simplistic.
Target Audience- The target audience of the website I would say would be teenagers to young adults as
it’s a merchandise store so you’ll need money. Like I said in the colours, there is no specific gender to the
store as it contains items for both males and females. The store mostly sells items such as video games
and figures so nothing targeted at a single gender or sexuality.
Purpose- The website doesn't have a single purpose as it contains a range of subject. The websites main
faction is to sell and advertise and sell merchandise and video games. However, the website also has a
membership program where members can get free items and early information about games. You can also
interact with friends on the website.
Layout- The overall layout of the website is extremely clean and in no way unorganized. It isn't bombarded
with text and images but rather small and smart menu buttons at the top, a few images and minimum
text. It contains common web design conventions such as a menu bar, a log in/sign up button and a basket
and checkout button.

6. Existing Product
(Blizzard Merch Website)

7. Existing Product
(Blizzard Merch Store)
Colours- The colours used in the website link to the game they’re selling merchandise for. For example,
the red in the lower left box links to the game ’Diablo’, the orange in the middle box links to the game
‘Overwatch’ and the lower right box isn't related to any game in specific. Yet again this website doesn't
have any colours specific to a single gender like blue or pink. The menu strip at the top in a dark navy blue
which contrasts the light blue of the company logo.
Target Audience- The target audience of this website is the same as the first website I annotated. As it’s a
merchandise store I would expect the target audience to be someone who can afford to buy the
merchandise such as young adults and parents. The website sells items which could be seen as age
specific items such as cook books and shot glasses for adults to plush toys and clothing for the younger
audience.
Purpose- The purpose of the website it so sell and advertise items such as clothing, figures and plush. As a
merchandise website it works well when it comes to trying to persuade people to buy items from it.
Furthermore the website also advertises events like Blizz-con which you can buy the virtual ticket from.
Layout- The website layout is extremely professional and smart, much like the Bandai Namco Website, I
wouldn't’t expect less from a multi billion dollar company. It also contains common website conventions
like a signup/sign in button alongside basket and checkout button.

8. Research Analysis
• What common features do the researched
products have?
• What aspects of the research will you include
within your own production work?

9. Questionnaire Analysis

10. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

11. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

12. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

13. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

14. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

15. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

16. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

17. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

18. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

19. Audience research
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this audience:

20. Interviews

21. Interview 1
1. What would persuade you to buy a magazine? Answer: If it
includes a celebrity. This is because it encourages me to read the
article associated with them.
2. If you were to buy a magazine, how much would you spend on it?
And why? Answer: I would spend £2.50 max. This is because you
can access everything online for free.
3. What adverts would you expect to find in a gaming magazine?
Answer: I would expect to find game information, as well as
console adverts. Maybe some offers?
4. How often would you expect a magazine to be released? Answer: I
expect a magazine release every week.
5. Would you prefer a digital magazine or a physical magazine?
Answer: I would prefer a digital magazine. This is because
everyone has electronic devices, so having access to the magazine
online would be more accessible and less of a hassle.

22. Interview 1
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this
audience:

23. Interview 2

24. Interview 2
• Observation:
• What this says about my audience:
• How will your product appeal to this
audience:

25. Bibliography

26. Bibliography
1. Your, Name. (2018) Target Audience Research Survey (conducted on
DATE)
2. Interviewees, Name. (2018) Target Audience Interviews (conducted on
DATE)