Ria White

Media Coursework Unit 3

This is the smallest and hardest to spot text on the page, making the reader not realise the price of what they are buying. The large picture of Adele as the cover model would be an instant eye catch for any Adele fan as well as any VOGUE reader as it is clear and large being only a headshot. This also links with the overall theme of the magazine, fashion. The use of the bold heading catches the readers attention whilst the italics add extra information.
These two names also give some extra information as to what may be included in the magazine . Also, they are both about different things, making the magazine suitable for a range of people.

Magazine number 1
Front cover
A bold masthead makes it clear what the audience is about to read. Also, the colours contrast with the text as well as the model s hair colour, making the design work well and look appealing to the viewer. The orange block colours also attract the readers eye. The large strap line is the third biggest piece of text on the page, however is read before ADORING ADELE as it is straight underneath the title. This gives extra information on the cover model and hints to what could be inside the magazine, again enticing the viewer to buy it. This gives detail to what may be inside the magazine whilst only telling viewers a small amount about it, making them have to buy the magazine to find out more.

The use of the alliteration attracts the audience as well as the model being a well known singer. This entices the reader to buy the magazine as Adele has been current number one in the album and singles chart.

Hometown Glory is one of Adele s well known songs. This makes the play on words appealing to any adele fan. The use of the white stands out against the dark background as well as contrasting the orange.

The bold title draws the eye immediately to it, giving the overall page a clear structure. This pictures hints as what the overall magazine is about. As we know it is fashion, which coincides with the model on the left. Also, the image uses many colours, the red also going with the text to the right making it suitable for the contents page. This image gives colour to the page, as well as the background linking to the cream jumper in the top right of the page. The use of colour also makes the page look brighter breaking up the white background. Also, the model s clothing tells us more about what the magazine is about.

The contents title tells us what page in VOGUE this is. The way it is displayed makes it be seen quickly as it is right by the big VOGUE sign which is easily seen.

Magazine number 1
Contents page
The red headings link to the other colours on the page, like the red robot. Also, they break up the page and are clear to see against the white background and black text. They also divide up the different sections of the magazine making it clear to navigate. The italic writing make the page numbers easy to spot, as well as the page titles, showing reference to what is going to be displayed on that page.

Having this piece of text ruled off makes it easier to spot. Also the red italic writing is bigger and different from any other on the page, making it easy to spot. This has been done as it can be a selling point for VOGUE as well as a way of making money, therefore they want it to stand out.

The short black captions add extra information to the page, hinting at what sort of information can be found on the page as well as making the contents page look more structured and professional.

The layout of this is very much like a newspaper as it goes down in three separate columns as well as the colour being black and the font being quite small. This makes the article seem very professional, as well as giving a consistent layout and colour scheme through to the facing page.

Magazine number 1
Double page spread
The way the cover model (Adele) is facing the text also makes it look very professional, and as if she is involved with the page of writing. This title links to the title given on the front cover, linking the two and being clear as to what section of the magazine the reader is at.

This piece of text stands out as it is much bigger than the other text surrounding it. Also, it is in a different font, as well as italics making it more clear and visual to the reader. Although Adele is the cover model, her interview doesn t start until page 209, showing that the fashion part to the magazine is much more important.

The black and white image goes with the layout off this page as all the information on the facing page is in black and white with no colour.

This gives reference to the magazine as well as the website where you can find extra information as well as subscribing to the magazine making money for Marie Claire.

Magazine number 2
Front cover
The bold white heading attracts the reader instantly as it is very obvious and stands out clearly. The text links clearly to the cover model, Keira Knightley, whilst the italic writing adds extra information about the cover model and what can be expected in the issue through the use of quotes. The cover model attracts the reader as a famous person would bring fans as well as Marie Claire readers being interested simply because they enjoy the magazine. Also, the colour of her blouse contrasts the pink background as well as the white boarder.

This shows the basic theme throughout the magazine, using two colours to attract the eye as well as making the magazine appealing to the customer.

Relates to many females including teenage girls. Would be appealing to someone interested in their figure or wanting to make changes to themselves. The black background really emphasises this text as it stands out clearly along side the white bold writing to highlight the text. This is appealing to sexually active people as well as health conscious people. Again the black writing makes the text stand out.

The black bold text attracts the readers eye as it is placed over a cream back ground making it very visual, linking to the overall fashion theme of the magazine.

By showing the magazine title again, it ensures the reader of what can be expected in the magazine, as well as creating a good layout to the contents page. This image shows what could be expected on the following pages. It brings colour to the black and white contents page and the eye is easily drawn there and to the page reference due to the bright orange background. STRAIGHT INTO STYLE gives a title to this part of the contents page, telling the reader that the section is all going to be associated with the general theme of the magazine. All of the writing is bold showing that it is most important. This section gives more detail to the headlines on the front cover, explaining where they can be found as well as some brief information about them. These few images add to the layout of the page and help to break up the writing by dividing it. Also, the images used are all involved with fashion, Marie Claire and designers.

Magazine number 2
Contents page
This tells us as the audience exactly what we are looking at, even though it is placed after quite a few double spreads, the contents page signifies the start of the magazine properly. The OCTOBER sign tells us the month the issue was released and based around making it easier for buyers to know which issue they need. Also the way it has been written is to make it clear and stand out, but still less important than the Marie Claire heading. The image gives a clue as to what the magazine is based around. Being much larger than anything else on the page it also gives reference to a specific page, informing the reader that they can find other information about fashion on that page, making a contents page more creative as they are advertising pictures through their page numbers.

The use of text here informs the reader of the importance of the double page stead. Linking well to the current climate and the winter weather ahead.

The text being writing in this style emphasises the fact that it is the new collection out. Whilst the TROPHY COATS emphasizes its important and together they make a strong title for a busy page.

Magazine number 2
Double page spread
This caption based on a black background stands out as the colours contrast. Making it clear to see and easy to read. This heading tells the reader that the overall page is all based on parkas. Making the images all very similar, however the use of colours breaks it up. Also, the page has bags, shoes and gloves dotted around it. This makes the magazine layout more interesting as well as giving ideas of what to wear with these coats.

Drawings like this give an initial idea to the coat/jacket. Then mixed along side the actual images the drawing matches some of the designs signalling that it will be successful and creating a good page layout.

By giving reference the reader is instantly interested in wearing similar clothing to celebrities and designers. Therefore this would persuade people to buy one of these jackets. The style tip is also bold and stands out from other text being eye catching.

Key Concepts
Audience and audience demographics Uses and gratifications Codes and Conventions Representation Institution Audience

Key Concepts: Audience & Audience demographics

I think the suitable audience for VOGUE magazine is teenage girls and adults ages 16-35. This is because the magazine is very influential, and based upon fashion, making it less suitable for men. However, by seeing a women on the cover like Adele or Keira Knightley males may look at the magazine through the attraction to the cover models. VOGUE entice the audience by firstly using a famous character as the cover model. Also, the use of colours can attract the reader, as shown on the VOGUE cover, the colour scheme is consistent, with the orange linking to the cover model s hair as well as the white text suiting the dark background. VOGUE can also attract its audience as people interested in fashion as well as the cover model for that month, October s issue being Adele, would buy the magazine to find out more on the cover stories, as well as finding out more about Adele which would very much entice a fan to buy the magazine. . I think the suitable audience for Marie Claire is typically women ages 16-30. This decision is reached very quickly through the clear colour schemes. Marie Claire uses a pink background, surrounded by white text as well as few black bold texts. This attracts females as the colour pink has connotations of women. Also, Marie Claire focuses on: fashion, hair & beauty, health, celebrities and travels. This makes it targeted at women even more, as well as readers interested in these categories. This magazine wouldn t attract men firstly due to the colour scheme as well as the cover stories all linking to fashion and other women s interests. Also, the text on the front page of both magazines has been selected specifically to not give a large amount of information away, but instead hints at what could be inside the magazine enticing the reader to buy the magazine and read through. The audience demographics for VOGUE and Marie Claire are both obviously very similar as they are both fashion magazines aimed at similar audience as well as being about the same topic; fashion. However, the price of the magazines are fairly expensive, VOGUE being 4.10 and Marie Claire being 3.60. This means these magazines would only be brought monthly by the people able to afford them. These types of people would typically be class A, B C1 and possibly C2 workers from the national readership survey. Also, the products advertised in the magazines are expensive, making the magazine useless for someone on a low wage as they wouldn t be able to afford any of the items shown. Also, psychographics would say that many aspirers would be interested in this magazine as they like to buy flashy products to send a message about their status. Succeeders would also buy this magazine to get the latest fashions.

Key Concepts: Audience

Uses and gratification: Entertainment
The entertainment uses and gratifications throughout the two magazines are both similar and different. Although both of these magazines audience s are typically for women and people with an interest into fashion there are many other reasons why people are attracted to buying VOGUE and Marie Claire. Both magazines enable its readers to relax, as they are both much bigger than usual celebrity gossip magazines, the reader can take their time to read them attracting them to buy it again. Also, they fill time well, being of such a big size there is always something left to read. Not only this but they can also distract readers from current issues, making there problems almost seem long gone as VOGUE and Marie Claire both use techniques to glue the readers attention. Lastly, entertainment can also be reached through the use of sexual arousal. Found only in Marie Claire and not VOGUE, the magazine features a page on a new sex toy, aimed at women to release stress and bring sexual comfort to their life, making a single women more interested in buying the magazine again.

Uses and gratification: Information

The informational uses and gratifications throughout the two magazines are both closely linked. Firstly they both supply their readers with relevant images and events about the most recent fashions as well as educating them on the current society in terms of fashion. Also, VOGUE and Marie Claire can both satisfy the readers curiosity and general interest as they are both big magazines that include a vast amount of information on specified subjects, as well as teaching its readers about the fashion industry as well as other topics listed in the magazines. This then makes the audience feel more secure about their knowledge as they are up to date on the most recent trends.

Key Concepts: Codes and Conventions

In a fashion magazine, the typical front cover would have a large image of a famous cover model. This would instantly attract a viewer or fan. As you can see from the magazine on the right, the colour scheme all links together with the model. For instant, Adele s hair is typically strawberry blonde, matching the magazine title and the Adoring Adele headline. Also, the white text is used as it stands out. The picture is zoomed in on Adele s face, making her seem powerful, as well as important. Using a cover model like Adele will attract more readers as she is a young singer who has shot to fame with the release of her second album.

Key Concepts: Representation

Similar to the previous slides, the three magazines below can all link into the same themes. Each monthly issue of VOGUE is different, however, they all use a set colour scheme based around the cover models. As you can see below, Kate moss is wearing a coral/orange top, this is them portrayed through the title and the surrounding text which is of a coral colour too. This shows how the professional look of the magazine can help to sell it. The model s on the cover s of VOGUE are always shown in a positive way. Mostly, bright colours are used, however some dark backgrounds could be used in order to show a background to the cover model. Not only this, but the magazine covers also show the different times of the year. For instance, the VOGUE cover showing Kate Moss is from August, showing a summer theme using the light colours. Contrasting this, the Emma Watson VOGUE cover is from December, the use of gold showing the Christmas theme, as well as the STARDUST headline and detail around the VOGUE title.

VOGUE is a fashion and lifestyle magazine published in the United States and twenty other countries, including Britain, China, France, India and Japan. The magazine was founded as a weekly publication by Arthur Baldwin Turnure in 1892. After Cond Nast took over the magazine in 1909, VOGUE changed from weekly to biweekly (every other week) publication. He then began international publication of the magazine, first in Britain. VOGUE became a monthly publication in 1973.

Key Concepts: Institution

Marie Claire was created by Jean Prouvost firstly being released in 1937 in France. To begin with, it was distributed every Wednesday. However, In 1942, German occupation authorities in France stopped the distribution of most magazines, and Marie Claire was one of them, due to World War II. It wasn t then running again until 1954. This time, it became a monthly publication. In 1976, Prouvost retired and his daughter velyne took over the magazine. In addition to France, Marie Claire is published in the United Kingdom, United States of America, Spain, China, Turkey and India as well as 29 other countries. Marie Claire also comes under the IPC, which owns a large range of magazines.

These figures are found in the Marie Claire media pack. Although VOGUE is shown to be making less money than Marie Claire, the site could be biased in order to make Marie Claire look better. The Median IEI is the individual employment income, being how much each person owns on average. The median HHI is the household income, being the amount of money owned throughout the average household. The median age is also higher than I thought, and higher than many other sites had said.

Market & Production research

Market research
When making my magazine I am going to target it at a teenage to adult audience, mainly directed at women for ages between 14-20. I want my social grade to be about a C, as many people who buy my magazine may not have a full time working job, therefore may struggle to afford the magazine. This is why I am choosing to sell it at a lower price of 3.10 and only disperse it monthly. One magazine that could be competition against mine would be Marie Claire. Although the two magazines are aimed at different audience types as mine if for younger women, whilst Marie Claire s typical audience type would be for women ages 16-30. The type of information and layout of the magazines shall be very similar. Also, I would like my front cover to look similar to Marie Claire as I think the bright background is excellent to catch the readers eye as well as the contrasting colours emphasising it even more. The image of Kiera Knightly also makes her look in control and powerful. Similar to this is VOGUE which uses the same techniques for there cover images. On the other hand, the front cover for Elle magazine is very basic, enticing the reader to buy the magazine. Again, like all magazine it has a set colour scheme for the front cover. This makes me positive that my magazine cover must have colours relating to my cover model image. As well as cell lines in the same colour. Although, I don t want many cell lines on my front cover as I want the reader to be interested in what within the magazine from the pictures and bold headlines surrounding the cover model.

Production research
The editor of a magazine is the person who passes the magazine as successful for dispersal. This means they are the final person to seal the magazine, and in theory the most important person in the whole company as well as the production process. This person is also well known as the editor-in-chief, which changes over time but is defiantly considered the most important person within the company, taking on a boss like role. Most magazines begin from the very beginning. Firstly, an idea for a double page spread shall be brought up, along side designs on what the page should look like as well as suggested people to model on the page. This theory then becomes a reality after the models have agreed. There can be thousands of photographers linked into one company, although only one may be used for one shot, there may be up to 20 photographers taking pictures on the sidelines in order to get the best results. Big magazines like VOGUE, Marie Claire and ELLE can get paid thousands for a successful picture. Once the pictures are processed, they are then edited using Photoshop to give the classic air brushed look. These images are then accompanied by the relative text, focusing on the format of the text to match the images, as well as the colour scheme, and are set up by professionals in the industry before assembling the overall magazine for the assistant editor to present to the editor in chief.

I used print screen to capture my completed questionnaire before I asked people to fill in their answers.

Audience research

I created a questionnaire to gather peoples view points on VOGUE and Marie Claire. Some of my results are all listed below, however many of my questions were open answer questions so they may not be listed.

Do you ever use the fashion advice for your own personal style?
Would you buy either magazine monthly, or ever subscribe to them?
10 0 yes no someimtes 6 6 4 2 0 yes no someimtes 4 2 0

What do you think of the price of VOGUE and Marie Claire?

Suitable

too much

not enough

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Have you ever brought VOGUE or Marie Claire?

6 4 2 0

Would you buy it for this price?

6 4 2 yes no someimtes 0

Would you prefer to read Marie Claire or VOGUE

yes

no

someimtes

Marie Claire

Vogue

Interpreting results
Generally, my results seemed fairly varied. As VOGUE and Marie Claire are both quite big magazines, everyone seemed to of heard of them. Although, not many people had actually brought the magazines due to the expensive prices. Another reason, was many of the fashion advice in the magazines, for example recent trends; could easily be found when walking around the local shopping centre. Many of the people answering my questions were either 16 or 17 years old. This showed that they weren t as into fashion as I thought they would be. Due to the amount of adverts throughout the magazine, many of my reviewers said they felt like they were waiting for the magazine to kick off but it never did. They all agreed that there were far to many advertisements in VOGUE and although not as many, Marie Claire still contained too much. As well as this, many people thought the price was too much. VOGUE costs 4.10 whilst Marie Claire is 3.60. Both magazines are sold bi-weekly and for a younger audience, this amount of money would be quite a lot to ask as most of them are either still at school, or only have a small job with minimum wage. My results proved differently to what I thought they would show. Neither magazines seemed to interest people much, as everyone felt there were to many advertisements. Also, the reviewers would never be able to afford the expensive clothes listed, therefore un-interesting them into buying the magazine again. This is the reason I am going to sell my magazine for cheaper, as well as use cheaper clothes to be advertised.