Analysis of regional magazines

CONTENTS PAGE

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.

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.

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: this is the boldest colour on the page and therefore immediately grabbing the attention of the reader, creates familiarity for 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.

MASTHEAD: Creates familiarity for the reader as they will continue to see it throughout the magazine. It also creates brand 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.

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.

CONCLUSION

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.