Magazine Deconstruction: 4 Different Magazines

Oliver Bishop

The word doctor links with Tennant’s role as the Doctor in Doctor Who. The ‘tardis’ also is associated with the show so viewers can recognise Doctor Who is the main feature of this issue.

Eye-contact with the reader is used to engage the reader. The reader will gain a strong affiliation with the star and therefore buy the magazine.

In contrast to ‘trashy’ magazines like Soaplife, the lay-out of Radio Times is steady and central based. This symbolises the steady, lifestyle the reader lives. It also implies that the reader is perhaps of an older age than those reading Fabulous.

David Tennant is the star of this front cover. Tennant has built a strong fan base since he started Doctor Who, and one which attracts all types of reader; Children, teens, adults and the elderly.

As Doctor Who is a family show, it suggests once again that the target reader is perhaps one with a family and steady income.

Banner at the top with extra features. The extra features could interest the reader.

‘Exclusive’ has been stated on the front. Firstly, this makes the reader trust the brand as David Tennant has agreed an exclusive interview with them, therefore we believe if Tennant trusts the brand, so should we.

Website is displayed once again. Although the target reader wont use the internet as much as perhaps Soaplife or Fabulous, in this day and age it is vital we cater for all platforms.

RadioTimes Examples:

RadioTimes is an example of a ‘Classy’ type of magazine - One main star dominates the cover again, with smart fonts and elegant colours used.

This is the masthead. This takes up around 1/5 of the page. This masthead is familiar with the reader, and encourages brand loyalty. It’s a trusted brand and a masthead which is recognisable.

This Sky and Virgin banner is a regular convention of this magazine. These are global recognisable brands therefore new readers will trust the magazine. Sky and Virgin also broadcast pretty much every channel therefore this links back to soaps and their channels.

A button is used as they're a good method of including small snippets of information which attracts the readers attention.

The website is included. This gives the reader another way to access the brand. More and more people are using the web to access brands therefore it is vital TV & Satellite Week cater for their customers needs.

Main feature anchored onto the image so the reader knows that this is the main feature of the issue.

Clear eye contact is made between the stars and the reader. This automatically grabs our attention as they're looking at us.

TV & Satellite Examples:

TV & Satellite is an example of a ‘Classy’ type of magazine - One main star dominates the cover.

Soaplife is very different in terms of layout to Radio Times, Fabulous and TV Satellite week. Instead of including one main feature, Soaplife cram as many small features as possible onto it. This is a normal convention for Soaplife. This implies that this magazine is targeted at the working class, as they’ll feel like they're getting more for their money with this.

Another regular convention of Soaplife is that they includes shots from the actual programme instead of specific photo shoots made for the magazine like the other magazines. This perhaps suggests that the magazine is lower budget, portraying that Soaplife is more aimed at the working class.

This front cover story ‘LOVE SHOCKS’ is anchored onto every image. This shows that it relates to every image. This’ll attract the reader as the emotion love is a standard code in soaps.

Soaplife’s masthead is a regular convention for them. They use the same font and colour scheme with it to make it recognisable. Once it becomes recognisable people start to trust the brand, this encourages brand loyalty. The masthead is quite low down to allow room for more features above.

Tabs are used with several different soaps in them. ‘Corrie’, ‘Eastenders’, ‘Emmerdale’. Instead of just using one soap, Soaplife have catered for all different soaps, so there's something for everyone.

Soaplife Examples:

Soaplife is an example of a ‘Trashy’ type of magazine – A number of images, bright colours clash and multiple features on show.

Star’s head intersects and covers the middle of the masthead. However with such brand loyalty, and brand reach, customers still know this is Fabulous magazine.

Rihanna is a figure who is idolised worldwide and especially by the target market of this magazine. She is an aspirational woman and a big attraction to the reader.

Scruffy writing which looks like it’s been done very quick. This symbolises the fast and sharp lifestyle the reader wishes to pursue.

Rihanna is clearly displaying make-up and jewellery, and accessories to create a feel for the reader. It creates a need for material goods in the audience. They feel they must have the same ‘stuff’ as Rihanna. Consequently the reader picks up the magazine in the hope that it shares where Rihanna gets her products from.

Eye-contact is shown again. Rihanna engages the reader via simple eye contact with the reader. This links with customer interaction.

Pun plays on ‘red’ and the colour of Rihanna’s hair, and the colour red connotes sexual implications to the reader. This fits in with their lifestyle choice and the way they live. This is then backed up in the sub-heading ‘Sex symbol’.

Hair covers half of Rihanna's face. This suggests there's a side to her you perhaps don't know. This intrigues the reader and leaves them wanting to know more, which results in them buying the magazine.

Fabulous Examples:

Fabulous is an example of another ‘Classy’ magazine - One main star on the cover with a selection of features.