Unit 14: Digital Magazine Production

Purpose of different magazine genres

Magazines have been around for many centuries up to this point and through these centuries,
numerous genres have emerged and branched themselves off for specific and particular audiences,
ranging from topics like food, clothes and music. Here I will take a closer look into a few of these
many genres available.

The first genre is women’s fashion and lifestyle. An iconic example of this
genre is Vogue, which has been around for over 100 years now. With
fashion magazines, their goal is to start and spread the latest trends,
encourage readers to buy certain clothes and brands and entertain them
with the latest fashion related news they have to offer. They are known to
have iconic faces on their front covers that are sure to catch people’s
attentions and that most people will recognise which appeals to the
audience. The audience primarily consists of middle-aged women,
averaging the age of 38 and people who are at the higher end of income
who buy designer and luxury fashion. These kinds of magazines promote
the higher life, with bold and expensive looks.

This next genre is women’s, which usually contains many sub genres
combined together, like cooking and lifestyle. Good Housekeeping has a
wide range of sub-genres within it, and it is most well-known for its
reviews of products and recipes. Their demographic is based around
middle-aged women, ones who would usually be married and even
possibly with kids. They are also usually nearer to the upper middle class
standing and have a higher household income than the average family.
Their purpose is to entertain and tell the reader which products to buy
and which to avoid. Their opinion and review of a product is highly
respected and trusted, with their approval being something many
products, especially household ones, seek to gain to boost their sales and
success. For many readers, their lifestyle will revolve around what this magazine says. The general
look is clean, tidy and feminine with a hint of sophistication and shows the faces of well-known
women within the interests of the readers, like famous bakers and homemakers, which many readers
aspire to be like.

Another genre is technology, which is the genre of T3. The technology

genre as a whole has a demographic consisting mostly of males, which is
why the covers contain women with a certain product as the product on
its own isn’t enough to entice a man to take interest in it, so the female
model usually acts as a kind of bait to entice the audience to read. Their
purpose is to show the reader the latest technology and technology
related information. The style is clean, sleek and professional, and
represents the style of technology around us and represent the lifestyle
they are promoting. They aim to get the reader to buy what they are
promoting and have readers who seek out these products in particular.
 This next genre is music. Q has an audience consisting of 77% males and
those who attend gigs as a regular part of their lifestyles. Their style is
more cluttered and bolder, with the faces of musicians adorning their
covers, like Ed Sheeran, which entices audiences since they would like to
know more about their favourite artists, especially if they are on the front
cover. They aim to sell the music-lover lifestyle, where the art is a heavy
part of their day-to-day lives with a large percent of their readers being
subscribed to a streaming service. The aim is to sell music and the work of
the artists, get concert tickets sold and merchandise collected. It acts as a
platform for the music industry to put what they want out there.

GQ is a men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine. Their demographic is

middle-aged men with a high income. Their style is sleek and bold, with
most of their front covers adorning famous celebrities (men mostly) and
with most they are photographed in a smart expensive suit. To the reader
they represent the epitome of a successful man, which is what they
aspire to be and what the magazine is trying to put across. Their look is
also very clean and businesslike with harsh lettering to fit with the
masculinity attached to the genre, since their purpose is to advertise
masculine fashion and lifestyle. Their aim is to show the reader what the
latest trends are and what they should buy, wear and do. 92% of their
readers own designer clothing and a majority find fashion a key focus of
their lifestyles. They aim to influence fashion and advertise a rich lifestyle.

The last genre here is lifestyle and home. Country Living’s magazine is
about exactly what its name entails. Their demographic is middle-aged
women around 35 who have a higher income. Their interests and
purpose focuses on the home and countryside living. The magazine has a
feminine and clean look, with their front covers showing the interiors of
various country style homes that would interest the reader and inspire
them. They do not advertise with models, since that is not what they
focus on, and their demographic is not interested in a model, they want
to see home-related images. Their purpose is to sell to the reader
products and home things to the reader and to promote the country
lifestyle that many dream of. They show how homes can be renovated and how to DIY. They also
promote their shows like ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’, which aired in 26 countries.
The relationship between purpose and target audiences of magazines
with a specific genre

This first magazine is the Cosmopolitan, a fashion magazine. Its

demographic is mostly women (although a minority of men do
still read it) with the median age of 31 years old (varying from
18 to 34). Their target audience is appealed with the feminine
and playful themes of the magazine, like the colour scheme and
the models being females with feminine clothing. With their
median age being just below middle aged, their readers prefer
to view things more relatable to a younger and trendier
audience. They have relatable stories and gossip inside that are
relevant to the reader and interest them, like celebrity gossip
and discussions on topics that are prominent within their day-
to-day life. They also promote style and fashion, which the
reader is interested in since they are always looking out for the
latest trends and outfit inspirations to incorporate into their
own style. Having well known models and celebrities on their front covers and in their contents
entices the audience since many of them will idolize these people and want to dress and be like
them. This particular cover has Huda Kattan, who is better known to a younger female audience who
is interested in her makeup and blogs. The magazine uses this to promote brands and styles they
wish the reader to take up. Well-known models on the front cover also encourages new readers to
join when they see someone they follow and take interest in on the front.

This second magazine is Elle, also a fashion magazine. Their

demographic is 82% women, with a median age of 35 years
(varying from 18 to 49). They also have a feminine style, but
more sleek with a hint of ‘sexy’ and sophistication, largely due
to their audience being slightly older. Their audience is
interested in a more mature look. They aim to promote fashion
brands and entertain the reader with topics they would be
interested in, like dating and celebrities. They entice the reader
with their takes on latest fashion trends and inform the reader
of “what’s in” every season. Their focus is to use celebrities that
are not as heavily based in online media, due to their older
audience’s interests and likeliness to not use the internet as
heavily as those who are under 30 years of age. They focus on
famous female actors and musicians who are iconic to the
reader. The brands they use are more appealing to their mature
audience who are less likely to wear bold and playful designs at their age. They also have information
and topics that the older audience can relate to, like topics on how certain things are changing and
evolving around them and are new to them.
Codes and conventions of magazine covers
Model Credit
Have the models name, especially if they are famous,
on the front entices readers to buy if it means they
can learn more about their idols. For the magazine,
associating itself with these people is beneficial for
both parties as having the model on the front
encourages fans to buy and for the model, it can
widen their own audience too.
Masthead
Vogues classic and iconic masthead is made
easily recognisable with is bold and
contrasting orange colour that still sticks to
the warm colour palette of the overall
cover. It is put overtop the image so that it
is clearly visible and stands out to the
audience.

Dateline/Price

Informs the audience of the time of

publication of this magazine and what
season it is for. Vogue also has its price
here, rather small so that buyers
aren’t discouraged by the price.

Left Third/Cover Lines

The left third allows the magazine’s

cover lines to be visible while it is
being displayed in a shop since most of
the time the whole front is not visible.
The titles of these cover lines are in
orange to pop out and draw in the
eyes to the important information. The
cover lines of Vogue are tame and
professional with things that interest
their audience. They are kept vague to
encourage the audience to buy the
magazine and read it, while still
informing the audience of its basic
contents.

Main Image Main Cover Line

The image of Ariana Grande covers the front. She has a
feminine and warm look, to go with the season the
magazine was released. Her skin has a light tan and her
hair looks sun kissed, as well as her face. This is to create
the vibes of a warm summer. She bears natural makeup
and a natural look overall, signifying that this is the look for
the season to be having. The close-up of the image makes
it more intimate and personal and her direct gaze at the
viewer draws them in and encourages them to buy.
The main cover line is the largest text
on the cover, signifying that it is the
most important topic in this issue of
the magazine. The theme throughout
the magazine will revolve around the
main cover line usually. The white
also sets it apart from the rest of the
cover to further highlight its
importance.
Masthead
The Cosmopolitans masthead is
bold in red and despite being
partially covered; it is still
recognisable due to its popularity
and the reader knows the
magazine. The red is a contrasting
accent colour that pops against the
blacks and blues.
Model Credit The test here is
made to look like a
Have the models name, especially if they
sticker. The red
are famous, on the front entices readers to
stands out and
buy if it means they can learn more about
creates importance.
their idols. For the magazine, associating
It also makes this
itself with these people is beneficial for
issue seem more
both parties as having the model on the
special and one of a
front encourages fans to buy and for the
kind.
model, it can widen their own audience too.

Main Cover Line

The main cover line is almost as big as

the masthead and shows the main topic
of the magazine, which is ‘sex’, a strong
topic that entices readers to buy. The
bold black contrasts against the white
background and the red line under
‘your’ directs the words at the reader.

Left Third/Cover Lines

The left third allows the magazine’s

cover lines to be visible while it is being
displayed in a shop since most of the
time the whole front is not visible. The
Cosmopolitans cover lines are more
brash and daring with topics revolving
around sex and love since that is what
their audience is interested in and
intrigued by. The black text contrasts
against the white background and the
pink makes certain parts pop more. The
fonts and styles are inconsistent to make
them contrast against each other.

Main Image Dateline

On this magazine, Miley Cyrus covers the front with a playful and Informs the audience of the
‘sexy’ look. The way she is dressed in blue denim suggests that time of publication of this
denim is the focus of the season, and it is a daring look since denim magazine and what season it
on denim is a bold style to go for. Seeing a celebrity sporting such a is for.
look encourages the audience to follow suite. Her pose accentuates
certain areas and may entice the viewer to purchase the magazine.
This pull quote makes the
The bold colours draw in the eyes because of the contrast between
reader intrigued and want to
the blues, reds, whites and blacks. The bright lighting highlights her
know more about the context.
curves and figure and her playful expression which looks straight at
the audience.
Codes and Conventions of a Double Page Spread

On this DPS there is very little information since it is The page only contains a bold heading, small
part of the first few pages of the magazine. They did text and a photo that pops on the page. This
this intentionally to advertise the magazine to lets the reader get a feel of the
whoever flicks through the first few pages and uses magazine/topic. The text itself is an
the vague information to entice them to read further introduction to the topic and leads the
on the topic. reader further into the magazine.

The way the image of the

model overlaps with the
text and how the text
goes onto the image
page helps join the two
pages into one and stops
them from looking
disjointed. Her gesture
and figure lead towards
the accompanying page
and draws the eyes to it.

The colours are rather cool and sharp in the image and The large title text leads the reader towards
this carries through the rest of the DPS, with sharp the smaller text between it containing more
lettering and yellow, black and white themes. The blue information. The bold lettering and different
and red of the models clothing acts as an accent and font for ‘Kate’ signifies importance and
pops against the rest of the pages. The yellow text where the focus is.
helps tie in with the image.
The clustered images help guide the eyes across the two pages The layout and composition is split
with the leading line it creates, complimentary to the text. The in half but horizontally instead of
different colours and lack thereof makes the images more vertically so that the DPS is not
interesting and adds contrast between each one. The most just split into one pages of images
colourful is the smallest, most likely to stop the image being too and another of bulky text, which
overpowering in comparison to the sleek black and white image could discourage the reader.
that takes the spotlight.

The column text is a

conventional way of
presenting the information
here. It helps break down
large chunks of text into a
layout that’s easier to read
and follow. The occasional
heading also helps to
break it up further.

The title being at the bottom of the page directs The colour theme of this DPS is rather plain and
the eyes to go over the image above it so that the neutral, sticking to blacks and whites and only
reader can instantly get a feel of what the text is the few images present adding a pop of colour
about before even beginning to read. The font is to make the page more interesting. This is likely
sleek and professional to match with the rest of thedone to make the text easier to read as if the
DPS. Having the word ‘lead’ in bold highlights page was more cluttered and full of visual
importance and also aids the reader in noticing theinformation that’s unnecessary, it makes the
title which without any bolding is thin and not as page less appealing to read.
noticeable.
Platform Considerations
There are two main platforms used for magazine distribution, one is printing and the other is online
publishing. With publishing through print, costs are high, with millions being spent on this kind of
distribution since the ink, paper, and various other aspects of what goes into printing are not free.
Costs are made up for with the money made on selling the magazines, adverts within the actual
magazine, and generous sponsors and patrons of the particular magazine. On the other hand, online
publishing does not rely on the burden of costly resources to physically get the magazine out to the
world. While they do not have to pay for printing, the process itself is not free, as depending on the
website, having the platform itself to publish on has a cost since no professional website is made and
kept up without a cost.

Another aspect that can vary between the two platforms is how the magazines are viewed and laid
out. With printing, the magazine is physical and can be held by the reader. They have to physically
turn the pages and while on the retailers’ shelves, there is nothing stopping the reader from
skimming and going through the entire magazine before buying since creating a way for the pages to
remain inaccessible before buying would add to costs and hassle. In comparison, the online version
allows for easy viewing and often only requires a simple click of the next page to go through it. Often
times, the transition between pages mimics that of a real page being turned. It also gives the
publishers the advantage of only allowing a few pages to initially be seen to give the reader a small
taste of the magazine where to see more, they are encouraged to invest in the magazine.
Additionally, with growing technology use and the aging of younger generations, a large audience
moves more to digital and this is something online magazines take advantage of, knowing there are
groups of potential readers who are uninterested in purchasing physical copies of a magazine,
though still take interests in its contents. Using both platforms is beneficial to a magazine company as
alongside printing, they can simply transfer the magazine to a digital version as well to gain a wider
audience and grow their profits. This also creates consistency since both versions are the same
magazine and reduces costs that could be larger when the magazine sticks to simply one platform.

With online versions, there is a larger selection and abundance of adverts to gain revenue from the
magazine as the adverts are not restricted to the magazine pages themselves and can instead show
up alongside it on the website, between pages and as popups. Magazines that target a younger or
technological audience benefit from focusing mostly on online publishing since it is more
comfortable for an audience who rely on technology in their day-to-day lives. As the older
generations are slowly replaced by the younger ones through time, it is inevitable that eventually,
print will not be as popular and there will be a heavier reliance on online platforms. There is also the
growing issue of pollution and the health of the planet, which would eventually encourage more and
more companies to reduce their waste output, and magazines, once read, add to the growing
landfills if not recycled. The rising awareness of deforestation and the contribution of print to the
planets declining health will lead to a pressure on these companies to switch to digital or other
renewable platforms.
Online Publishing
On online magazine publishing
platforms like Magzter, they have the
first few pages their magazines
available to view before subscription.
They are kept low resolution and
generally, the pages do not contain the
main bulk of what is important in the
magazine to not give away too much of
what’s good about eh magazine for
free. The magazine takes up a whole
page and has arrows either side to
navigate between pages easily.

There are options on the side

to zoom in or out, switch
between pages, and full screen
the page on the screen. This
allows for much more
interaction with the pages that
would be less practical with
physical copies. The
requirement for less effort is
also an encouraging aspect for
some readers.

Only the first view pages are visible

before the magazine comes up to
message to buy the magazine in
order to fully view it. Having
already gone through the first
pages and received a taste of the
magazine, the reader is
encouraged to buy to satisfy their
own curiosity as to what lies on the
remaining pages they are unable to
see.