Codes and Conventions - front covers main task
- 1. Long camera shot - this allows audience to engage with the surroundings/gives a more personal effect (uses and grats) Bold/white/san serif - fits with the house style and theme - recognisable - reflects target audience connotations (Barthes) Text is in columns - looks organised and easy to read - informs reader whats going to be in the issue of the magazine = cognitive needs Add ons stand out - pink font - brighter colour used against the image - intrigues readers Large text attracts readers and makes the text stand out and show importance Image of harbour follows the hegemonic norm, it does not challenge the house theme of regional magazines Names a well known artist ‘Tracey Emin’, it says in pink “I never stopped loving you” this could create a hermeneutic code as readers question either who ‘you’ refers too or others question different meanings Barcode follows the house style - positioned at the bottom right of the front cover to be less noticeable
- 2. The masthead in a bold serif font - purple to stand out against the pink background also matches the house colours of the issue - the title states what region the magazine is from Main image is of one person - direct mode of address used to create a personal relationship between the model and reader Large text - san serif font matches the house font so maintains brand recognition - Yellow font stands out over the image to intrigue the readers; shows importance Hermeneutic code - ‘Cost more - or do they?’ (Barthes) List of articles included in the magazine - wide range of cognitive needs Long/full body shot allows audience to perceive surroundings and feel as if they are included in the image - personal effect (uses and grat) Barcode placed on left side - usually placed at the bottom of front cover Image doesn’t follow hegemonic norm - it challenges the typical lifestyle regional magazines Story about ‘Director Deyan’ intrigues reader and makes them wanting more - enigma (Barthes) Text is structured linearly which appeals to the audience - this follows the codes and conventions and its easy for the reader to find the article Colours are in keep with the house colour scheme - and contrasts to the brighter background as blue and pink are used as contrast colours - this brings the image to focus over the text
- 3. The masthead is bold and white - looks modern which matches the house style and the texts ideology - this makes the masthead easily recognisable to the target audience The main colour scheme of this issue is white and pink - the white text contrasts with the image - the colours are modern and stylish which link with the model The main image stands out and is very stylish and modern, this attracts the target audience - also this breaks conventions of many regional magazines - direct mode of address creates a personal relationship with the reader (uses and grats) The image of the model is centered and it is a medium/full body shot as she is seated - although the text is placed over the image the image is still the centre of attention - the model is attractive and is wearing makeup which establishes the male gaze (mulvey) and this will attract male target audienceSell line introduces someone ‘Saffron Sprackling’ - popular and attracts target audience Text is positioned in columns this allows the front page to look more organised - attracts reader
- 4. Masthead is white font to stand out from the image and ‘Brighton’ is in black to contrast and is also much smaller than the main magazine name VIVA - the name of the region is in the title date of issue and number of issue - this is positioned in the same place on every issue of VIVA Brighton magazines this creates brand recognition and informs the reader This magazine does not follow the conventions of many regional magazines, it is very minimalistic and this style is constant throughout all issues of VIVA magazines. The main image is a collection of objects and small images which attracts the reader, the objects and images link to Brighton in their own way, which IS a convention of many regional magazines as the image usually features something to do with the area or a model which attracts the target audience of that area. The image is also very bright which attracts the target audience; the target audience can discuss the minimalistic and original idea with their peers, this improves their understanding of the area.There is no side text positioned around the object which also makes this modern and unique and in its own way attracts further readers as they aren’t getting any further information about the issue so they are intrigued and want to read more. Furthermore, Brighton is an area full of young, arty, creative students which is the main target audience of this magazine and because it is unique and doesn’t follow conventions intrigues them even more
- 5. the masthead is positioned at the top of the cover n a bold font - reflects the colour scheme of the issue Full body shot of model - laughing - open mouth and red lips attracts male gaze also lots of skin showing which attracts male readers (Mulvey) - mise en scene matches the sub title ‘Vintage chic’ as does the sofas as they look vintage - attracts target audience Main colour scheme white red and black - this suggests elegance and fits the house theme of the issue Large sub heading in swirly font to link it to the text and image; looks more vintage and attracts the target audience Text is positioned around the image so the image is the main centre of attention - the text is in a linear structure to make it look more organised and professional this attracts readers as they like the look of a sophisticated magazine Image follows the hegemonic norm for lifestyle magazines and it doesn’t challenge the typical conventions
- 6. Masthead is white, bold san serif font - this stands out against the green background - the name of the issue is the name of the region so this informs the reader The sub heading says ‘The magazine for the city’ this creates brand awareness as it is on every issue - this also doesn’t challenge the typical convention of a regional magazine Main image is centered - mise en scene face covered which is not common however it leaves the reader wanting more - red makeup create a feminine appeal but can also attract the male gaze (Mulvey) - her hat also links with the background and the title to create a sense that they all link together in some way Large sub heading in bold serif font - green colour - this issue is supposedly about environmental issues therefore the use of green really emphasises this small amounts of texts allows the main focus to be on the title and image - in columns to look organised and informs the reader about what is in the article Extra features that are included in the magazine - this entices the audience to read more As the topic of the issue seems to be involved around environmental issues the target audience for this magazine would probably be aimed to an older audience (Barthes) Hermeneutic code - ‘Bristol Dons its Green Hat’ (Barthes)
- 7. MASTHEADS Regional magazine mastheads tend to be the colour white or black in a block san serif font; this is used so it can contrast and stand out to the colored background. In addition, many regional magazines use this idea so that the audience are intrigued because of the profound connotations (Barthes). From all the regional and lifestyle magazine that I have researched the masthead is always positioned at the top of the front cover in the centre; and this is usually the largest bit of text on the page. A san serif font is most commonly used possibly because it has more of a cosmopolitan look and it reaches to the target audience of many regional magazines. This follows the hegemonic norm (Marx) and allows the reader to feel at ease as they are confident that this is a common convention of the magazine. Some regional magazines have a younger target audience so the conventions of the magazine are slightly different than to a regional magazine which has an older target audience. For example, ABSOLUTE magazine is a lifestyle magazine for Brighton, the font for the title is much bolder so grabs the readers attention; therefore appealing to the younger target audience. In addition, another idea ABSOLUTE use is that they include a popular model/artist who is attractive on the front cover to attract fans and also the male gaze.
- 8. Sell Lines In the magazines that I have researched the sell lines lay underneath the title and they are usually the second largest font on the page, this attracts the readers attention but it doesn’t draw the attention away from the image or title. The majority of the sell lines are positioned parallel with the title, this gives a very organised feel to the front cover and is used to attract the target audience. The sell line is a principal effect used in all regional magazines which I have researched, they support the information of the issue without standing out too much from the title and main image. The colours mainly used for sell lines fit the house colour scheme of the issue and usually stand out, as well as it is sometimes being in a different font.
- 9. IMAGES In many regional magazines the image used is a long shot of a scenery of the area the magazine is about. This image is used to show off the beauty of the area (Barthes). The image is usually bright which attracts the target audience and allows themselves to image themselves in the scene. In addition, many regional magazines which I have researched use a long shot of a model/person; the reason for this is because some lifestyle magazines have a different target audiences to others for example, a younger target audience would be more attracted to an image of a popular artist than a landscape of a town. Many of the images of models use direct mode of address this allows the reader to connect with the magazine (uses and grats). Women are also used in these magazines to attract the male gaze (Mulvey) as well as to attract female readers as they see these models as role models. Older target audience may also be attracted to this genre of lifestyle magazines as the women are usually well dressed in smart clothes. Rule of thirds is also used in the magazines to make it more ascetically pleasing; I personally think this is a good idea to use in my magazine.
- 10. Text The text on the front page of many regional magazines are positioned very similarly, they are placed on the sides of the page over lying the image as the image is usually the centered and the main focus. The text informs the readers what information is going to be included in the issue and in all magazines which I have researched I have found that the most important information is either in bold, in a different font or in a different colour and this is used to attract the target audience and reinforce cognitive needs which are initiated in the article. The text usually has a catchy title then a smaller amount of text laying underneath; it is short but gets to the point and leaves unanswered questions for the audience which makes the audience want to read more. The language is very formal which gives an intellectual tone to the magazine and attracts the target audience appropriate. The text is equally spaced out and in columns this creates a sense of continuity and gives an organised feel, this appeals to the target audience and is a common convention of regional magazines. Viva Brighton is a lifestyle magazine; each month for each issue they ask different local artist to design the front cover. The front covers are very minimalistic and they challenge the conventions of the majority of the magazines which I have researched. There is no set text on the front pages apart from the title; I like this idea as it goes against the convention of regional magazines, and intrigues a different target audience so I would like to use this style for my regional magazine.
- 11. LAYOUT The masthead is always positioned at the top of the front page to inform the reader the name of the magazine, in addition it informs the audience the region of the magazine. The layout of the regional magazines which I have researched are highly similar. The text is positioned on the side of the page over laying the image. Some magazines eg. The Bristol magazine has the text at the bottom of the page but it still doesn’t take away attention from the image. A large sub-heading or sell lined is positioned near the title slightly below it, so it catches the readers attention but it doesn’t take the attention away from the title or image. Add ons or advertisements are common for magazines as it intrigues the reader and makes the page look much fuller; they are positioned either at the bottom or top of the page. However, too many can make the page look cluttered therefore taking the attention away from the main information of the magazine. The barcode is positioned in the corner of the magazine either at the bottom or to the side, this does not draw attention away from the page but it does give the page a formal feel, which makes the reader purchase the product. The centre of the page is taken up by a main image, something to do with the topic of the issue and this is the main focus which attracts the reader.
- 12. Colour Scheme The colour scheme for the regional magazines which I have researched include a range of colours; as some lifestyle magazines use bright colours to attract the reader and others use subtle colours to attract a different target audience. This means that the magazine is not gender defined, therefore reaching out to a broader audience. Black and white are commonly used for the title, sub heading and text, this is also gender neutral and looks much more professional which attracts the target audience. These colours also contrast with the image which allows it stand out more. The fact that magazines continuously use this colours, creates brand recognition and makes it look more professional. The outlook of the magazine makes the readers more inclined to buy the magazine as it links with the audiences ideology of how they perceive themselves and their lives. Brighter colours are sometimes used for sub heading or sub text to brighten up the front cover, this is pleasing to readers eye and creates a more modern feel which attracts the target audience of the magazine.