The Codes and Conventions of a Regional Magazine - Front Covers
From the offset of this brief I wanted to create a magazine that tied in regional aspects with class and sophistication, to research the codes and conventions of such magazines I looked at several different covers and analysed them to identify the trends and conventions they adhere to.
Kensington and Chelsea Magazine
The entire layout of this magazine cover exudes class and wealth, a theme carried across all their editions. The masthead is bold and recognizable in a sophisticated and simple font that reflects it's target audience and is placed in the centre and in front of the image it draws it's audience's immediate attention (Barthes - connotations). The contents of the magazine are detailed down either side in bold larger fonts (drawing attention to and accentuating the importance of the text) demonstrating a wide range of cognitive needs. The subtitles are written in two different fonts to keep things interesting but maintain the overall classy house style with the smaller text underneath in a complimentary font. The structured and linear arrangement of the text also makes it more accessible to the audience and their wants and needs. The wording of the text also works to draw the reader in, the vague statement "Thigh's the limit" encourages the reader to find out more (Barthes - enigma) and the text reading "Star Quality" similarly entices audiences through Hermeneutic Code (Barthes) as it leaves many questions to be answered; "What is Star Quality", "Who has it?". The small black banner also works to entice audiences as they expect to learn more on the subject written on it (fulfilment of cognitive needs and uses & grats) The image used is the only one on the cover and the model is in direct address with the audience to entice and engage with them in compliance with the uses and grats theory.
London Magazine
The London Magazine has a similarly upper class feel across it's issues. It's masthead is also bold and recognizable in a simple and sophisticated font and is placed in the centre at the top (Barthes - connotations) it does not clash with the image, instead standing out starkly in red against the white background. The subtitles and details of the magazine's contents (cognitive needs) are clearly set out in a structured linear arrangement to make it easily accessible to audiences. They are written in complimentary fonts to the house style and in red, grey and white fonts in varying sizes that contrast clearly to draw attention to them and emphasise the importance of particular articles encouraging audiences to read select pieces of text first, for example the text reading "it's about goosebumps" entices and intrigues the reader as to the nature of the statement - (Hermeneutic Code and enigma - Barthes). The image used is the only one on the cover and thus draws the most attention to it. It is very colourful and makes use of mostly bright, loud, primary colours to draw audience's attention, the colour scheming carries through with the image as the same shade of red is used.
Cambridge Magazine
Cambridge magazine focuses largely on "city life and country living" and this is reflected in their elegant and sophisticated house style. Although simple it's large masthead catches audiences immediate attention being top centre of the cover and standing out in black against the white background (Barthes - connotations) and the small text underneath listing the sort of content an audience could expect to find inside the magazine (fulfilling cognitive needs) also draws attention as each word is in a different colour. It can be argued that the lack of any other text on this cover would entice an audience in to read more, particularly due to the peculiar nature of the image used which is one of a woman in a wedding gown sat in a wooden boat, the lighting of this photo picks out the red gold hue of the boats and compliments the skin tone of the model for an overall aesthetically pleasing image.
Surrey Magazine
Surrey Magazine has a similar feel to that of Cambridge, simple and minimalist, it is still is able to put across an elegant and sophisticated house style. The covers follow the same format and the focus is on a large centralised image with a dark navy boarder. The magazine's masthead is starkly contrasting to this in a white bold vintage style font across the top of the page, by using a larger size font to begin the word "Surrey" the magazine puts across a different and quirky style. The only other text is written at the bottom underneath the image reading "The Best of Surrey & Beyond" in a typewriter-esque font to tie in with the quirky vintage appeal of the magazine. The image on the cover is well lit and the complimentary colours pull together for a pleasant aesthetic, the model is in direct address with the audience despite having half her face covered to draw audiences in (Barthes - enigma).
Cheshire Resident
Another magazine that comes across as high end, The Cheshire Resident carries a theme of class and luxury throughout it's covers. The masthead is placed at the top across all issues in a rounded elegant font to reflect its audience (Barthes - connotations) and draws attention by being in two different font sizes and different colours. Other text on the cover detailing the magazines contents (fulfilling audience's cognitive needs) frame the background image in a different white 3D font in keeping with the house style, using bigger and smaller font sizes to emphasise the importance of certain articles. Audiences are also enticed through the language used "A perfect match: Aldo Zilli & San Carlo" entices the reader to find out the answers that the statement proposes to them; "who are they?" "why are they well matched?" (Barthes - enigma). The only other text is a sophisticated banner going across the bottom of the cover reading "Bohemian Rhapsody" in another elegant font with smaller details at the bottom of it reading "luxurious textures to float through spring" giving the audience the expectation to find out more about the subject (uses & grats and cognitive needs)
Canary Wharf Magazine
Canary Wharf magazine continues the trend of the glossy, high end take on a regional magazine. The masthead is written in serif elegant font to reflect on its audience (connotations) and is often in gold, as seen on this cover. The use of the colour gold implies that the wealth and status of the people living in the area and purchasing the magazine is considerably high and the gold colour would appeal to them (uses & grats) the masthead is obstructing the cover image but does so in an intriguing way as some of it is in front of the image and some is behind it, giving the magazine an authentic flair. The only other text on the magazine is a tagline at the bottom in a similar font reading "Bright & Beautiful" (Hermeneutic Code - Barthes) intriguing the audience as to what is bright and beautiful. The authentic style is carried through here as the "&" symbol is placed behind the text in a slightly lowered opacity, this style and flair would attract a modern and sophisticated audience. There is some more smaller white text underneath giving a short introduction to an article inside (fulfilling the audience's cognitive needs). There is also a small banner along the bottom of the cover that is consistent with the other issues and the text gives readers expectations of learning more about what's written on it (fulfilment of cognitive needs and uses & grats). The image used on the cover is in striking contrast with the text. It makes very direct use of loud bright primary colours to draw attention the magazine and the model in the image is looking off to the side shielding her face with her hand from a mysterious object, enticing the reader in when used in conjunction with the words "Bright and Beautiful" as she may be looking at something "Bright".
Cheshire Magazine
Cheshire magazine is yet another regional magazine that exudes wealth, status and class in it's house style and layout. The masthead, similarly to Canary Wharf magazine's in written in a bold sophisticated serif font in gold, the word "Cheshire" is a great deal larger than "The" and "Magazine" which are on top of and underneath it respectively, placing much more emphasis on the word "Cheshire" (connotations). Other text concerning the contents of the magazine (fulfilment of cognitive needs) is written around the cover image in an artistic white rounded font used across all issues, having the different subtitles different sizes places different levels of importance on each article, for example the eye is first drawn to the "Faith in art" title and underneath in the small white font audiences learn that it is for an article about Paloma Faith - the artist on the cover. The smaller subtitle in the corner reading "Time for a change?"asks the reader a rhetorical question that may entice them to read the article inside (uses & grats). The phrase "Top of the Range" - (Hermeneutic Code - Barthes) begs the question "Range of what?" "What's at the top?" and also encourages audiences to read on. The arrangement of the text is not entirely linear and this contributes to the artistic flair and vibe of the cover. The image used is another full of bright primary colours and the bizarre appearance of parrots interests the reader while the elaborate nature of her gown and the jewel tones of the image appeal to the upper class, artistic and luxury feel of the cover.
Swansea Life
Swansea Life Magazine also has the appearance of a glossy high end magazine, it's house style is sophisticated and refined and the masthead is written in a large serif, elegant font at the top in the centre, the size of the masthead and it's contrasting white colour against the grey/beige background make it a focal point of the cover and immediately noticeable to an audience. Other text on the cover describing the contents of the magazine frames the image and is written in equally sophisticated complimentary fonts in keeping with the house style, the subtitles are written in different sizes to place heightened importance on select articles eg. "28 pages of your party pics" The language used in this phrase places a personal value on it and connects it to the audience (uses & grats). The banner along the bottom also attracts audiences as they expect to "discover new ideas" and "escape and refresh" as it suggests (fulfilment of cognitive needs and uses & grats). The add-on also stands out to attract audiences, contrasting against the background colour it stands out and reads "Shopping Haul - New season Swansea finds" making use of Barthes Hermeneutic Code as readers would be enticed to find out more. The image used on the cover makes great use of rich, warm tones hues, such as the deep red and beige stone, these colours have connotations with wealth and status and would hopefully identify with the audience.
Absolutely - Chelsea and Fulham
Absolutely - Chelsea/Fulham is a regional magazine combined with a high gloss fashion edit. The masthead is written in a blockish sans serif font which compliments the edgy house style, on this particular cover it is written in gold which suggests ideas of wealth and sophistication (connotations) it is placed at the top in the centre of the image in the foreground, not being partially obstructed by the image making it a focal point of the cover that attracts audiences attention easily. The text on the cover outlining the details of the contents of the magazine (fulfilling cognitive needs and uses & grats) is written in a complimentary font to the house style and frames the image. There is also a larger grab line in the centre at the bottom of the cover reading "Free Spirit" in a white, rounded artistic font, the short phrase is in compliance with Barthes Hermeneutic Code as its vague nature entices readers to find out more about said free spirit and what it entails. The image used on the cover is shot from an upwards angle, giving it a quirky feel and the model's clothing also reflects this.
Codes and Conventions for the front cover of a Regional magazine:
Kensington and Chelsea Magazine
The entire layout of this magazine cover exudes class and wealth, a theme carried across all their editions. The masthead is bold and recognizable in a sophisticated and simple font that reflects it's target audience and is placed in the centre and in front of the image it draws it's audience's immediate attention (Barthes - connotations). The contents of the magazine are detailed down either side in bold larger fonts (drawing attention to and accentuating the importance of the text) demonstrating a wide range of cognitive needs. The subtitles are written in two different fonts to keep things interesting but maintain the overall classy house style with the smaller text underneath in a complimentary font. The structured and linear arrangement of the text also makes it more accessible to the audience and their wants and needs. The wording of the text also works to draw the reader in, the vague statement "Thigh's the limit" encourages the reader to find out more (Barthes - enigma) and the text reading "Star Quality" similarly entices audiences through Hermeneutic Code (Barthes) as it leaves many questions to be answered; "What is Star Quality", "Who has it?". The small black banner also works to entice audiences as they expect to learn more on the subject written on it (fulfilment of cognitive needs and uses & grats) The image used is the only one on the cover and the model is in direct address with the audience to entice and engage with them in compliance with the uses and grats theory.
London Magazine
The London Magazine has a similarly upper class feel across it's issues. It's masthead is also bold and recognizable in a simple and sophisticated font and is placed in the centre at the top (Barthes - connotations) it does not clash with the image, instead standing out starkly in red against the white background. The subtitles and details of the magazine's contents (cognitive needs) are clearly set out in a structured linear arrangement to make it easily accessible to audiences. They are written in complimentary fonts to the house style and in red, grey and white fonts in varying sizes that contrast clearly to draw attention to them and emphasise the importance of particular articles encouraging audiences to read select pieces of text first, for example the text reading "it's about goosebumps" entices and intrigues the reader as to the nature of the statement - (Hermeneutic Code and enigma - Barthes). The image used is the only one on the cover and thus draws the most attention to it. It is very colourful and makes use of mostly bright, loud, primary colours to draw audience's attention, the colour scheming carries through with the image as the same shade of red is used. Cambridge Magazine
Cambridge magazine focuses largely on "city life and country living" and this is reflected in their elegant and sophisticated house style. Although simple it's large masthead catches audiences immediate attention being top centre of the cover and standing out in black against the white background (Barthes - connotations) and the small text underneath listing the sort of content an audience could expect to find inside the magazine (fulfilling cognitive needs) also draws attention as each word is in a different colour. It can be argued that the lack of any other text on this cover would entice an audience in to read more, particularly due to the peculiar nature of the image used which is one of a woman in a wedding gown sat in a wooden boat, the lighting of this photo picks out the red gold hue of the boats and compliments the skin tone of the model for an overall aesthetically pleasing image.
Surrey Magazine
Cheshire Resident
Canary Wharf Magazine
Cheshire Magazine
Cheshire magazine is yet another regional magazine that exudes wealth, status and class in it's house style and layout. The masthead, similarly to Canary Wharf magazine's in written in a bold sophisticated serif font in gold, the word "Cheshire" is a great deal larger than "The" and "Magazine" which are on top of and underneath it respectively, placing much more emphasis on the word "Cheshire" (connotations). Other text concerning the contents of the magazine (fulfilment of cognitive needs) is written around the cover image in an artistic white rounded font used across all issues, having the different subtitles different sizes places different levels of importance on each article, for example the eye is first drawn to the "Faith in art" title and underneath in the small white font audiences learn that it is for an article about Paloma Faith - the artist on the cover. The smaller subtitle in the corner reading "Time for a change?"asks the reader a rhetorical question that may entice them to read the article inside (uses & grats). The phrase "Top of the Range" - (Hermeneutic Code - Barthes) begs the question "Range of what?" "What's at the top?" and also encourages audiences to read on. The arrangement of the text is not entirely linear and this contributes to the artistic flair and vibe of the cover. The image used is another full of bright primary colours and the bizarre appearance of parrots interests the reader while the elaborate nature of her gown and the jewel tones of the image appeal to the upper class, artistic and luxury feel of the cover.Swansea Life
Swansea Life Magazine also has the appearance of a glossy high end magazine, it's house style is sophisticated and refined and the masthead is written in a large serif, elegant font at the top in the centre, the size of the masthead and it's contrasting white colour against the grey/beige background make it a focal point of the cover and immediately noticeable to an audience. Other text on the cover describing the contents of the magazine frames the image and is written in equally sophisticated complimentary fonts in keeping with the house style, the subtitles are written in different sizes to place heightened importance on select articles eg. "28 pages of your party pics" The language used in this phrase places a personal value on it and connects it to the audience (uses & grats). The banner along the bottom also attracts audiences as they expect to "discover new ideas" and "escape and refresh" as it suggests (fulfilment of cognitive needs and uses & grats). The add-on also stands out to attract audiences, contrasting against the background colour it stands out and reads "Shopping Haul - New season Swansea finds" making use of Barthes Hermeneutic Code as readers would be enticed to find out more. The image used on the cover makes great use of rich, warm tones hues, such as the deep red and beige stone, these colours have connotations with wealth and status and would hopefully identify with the audience.Absolutely - Chelsea and Fulham
Absolutely - Chelsea/Fulham is a regional magazine combined with a high gloss fashion edit. The masthead is written in a blockish sans serif font which compliments the edgy house style, on this particular cover it is written in gold which suggests ideas of wealth and sophistication (connotations) it is placed at the top in the centre of the image in the foreground, not being partially obstructed by the image making it a focal point of the cover that attracts audiences attention easily. The text on the cover outlining the details of the contents of the magazine (fulfilling cognitive needs and uses & grats) is written in a complimentary font to the house style and frames the image. There is also a larger grab line in the centre at the bottom of the cover reading "Free Spirit" in a white, rounded artistic font, the short phrase is in compliance with Barthes Hermeneutic Code as its vague nature entices readers to find out more about said free spirit and what it entails. The image used on the cover is shot from an upwards angle, giving it a quirky feel and the model's clothing also reflects this.
Codes and Conventions for the front cover of a Regional magazine:
- Mastheads are always big and at the top of the page, typically written in a serif, sophisticated fonts in richer colours like gold, red, silver or white to reflect on their target audience
- The key word in the magazine's name eg. "Cheshire" in "The Cheshire Magazine" is made much larger than the surrounding words in the masthead
- Text is structured, framed around the image and attention-grabbing
- Different complimentary style fonts are used in different sizes to emphasise the importance of particular articles
- Serif fonts commonly used - reflective of audience's wealth and class status?
- Only one image used on the covers to keep them from appearing over cluttered
- Images are high quality and sophisticated often depicting a well dressed model in luxurious surroundings and high key lighting
- Long shot images
- Audience is typically the people living in the region - in the cases of the magazines I studied, upper class wealthy young men and women, but leaning slightly more towards women
- The barcode is typically placed in the bottom corners
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