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General Research
How are technical and visual codes used to construct meaning
within magazines?
Magazines have a number of key conventions that identify
them as magazines. Some codes and conventions within magazines are:
·
The Masthead - This is usually at the top of the
page and is the name of the magazine. This
indicates the instant recognisability to the audience as a brand image.
·
The Tag line – This is usually a catchy phrase
that represents the brand identity. This is used to attract and grab the audience’s
attention in order to produce sales.
·
The Date line – Thus is usually the line for the
date of the magazine to indicate when it has been produced.
·
The Main image – This is usually connected to
the feature article and appeals to the audience. Again, . This is used to
attract and grab the audience’s attention in order to connect with them.
·
The main image is a key signifier of the
magazine’s brand identity. The nature of
the image will generally depend on the genre and target audience. It may be an illustration, or it could be a
photographic image.
·
The Main cover line - This is usually the main story in which it is usually in the
largest font size and possibly in a different colour to stand out. The use of different
sizes and colours is to stand out from the rest of the page to attract the audience.
·
The Cover lines – These are usually quite short
and catchy phrases referencing content inside the magazine. This then attracts the
reader helping persuade them to buy it. Their
main function is to create an audience interest which is why it is generally
placed around the main image to grab the audience’s eye.
·
The Composition and Layout – This is usually the
way in which all the elements on the cover are organised; how text, images and
shapes are positioned on the page. An example of this would be the rue of
thirds. This is when composing the page, with the central image usually in the
middle third of the page. This ensures
that it takes up the main part of the page and is the most eye-catching
feature.
·
The Typography – This is usually the style and
size of font used indicates its relevance. Different font styles can make
different interpretations that readers make allowing them to construct their
own opinion.
·
The Barcode – This is usually the placement of
the barcode used to purchase the product.
·
The Logo – Logo This is usually a recognisable
image that runs across every magazine. This logo gives the brand a common and
well-known name for itself.
·
Price line – This is the placement of the price.
How do magazines attract an audience?
Magazines attract audiences in many of ways. One-way magazines do is through relating the stories
to the consumer/reader. For example, a magazine like Teen Vogue, their audience
demographic includes people aged 18-24 and genderless. This gives them a story
to target towards 18–24-year-olds who would be interested in. They also
describe themselves as a 'woke brand' and socially aware, this also allows them
to relate to their audience demographic. This suggests
that relating the stories to the consumers or readers attracts audiences to buy
magazines.
Another way magazines attract audiences is through strong
and powerful codes and conventions. This can be done through using unusual and
compelling photographs is a sure thing to attract readers to the story. This
can also e done through font texts and sizes to get the audience’s attention.
For example, Teen Vogue use a specific text size and font for the masthead in every
magazine suggesting the well-known, global brand. This suggests using strong
and powerful codes and conventions attracts audiences to buy magazines.
Another way magazines attract audiences is through globally
well-known figures. Magazines get celebrities or famous events in the main
image of their front cover to grab and attract the audience’s attention in order
for the reader to buy it. An example of this is Teen Vogue, as they get
celebrities like Ariana Grande, Victoria Justice and Katy Perry. This suggests
that the popular use of globally known, public figures attract audiences to buy
magazines.
How do magazines represent social groups?
Social groups are represented in the media, but especially magazines,
based on categories of class, age, gender and ethnicity. These are represented through
stereotypes within magazines. Stereotypes are one-sided accentuations of a set
of characteristics that indicate of a group. Usually within magazines you get
lots of gender stereotypes, for example, men and women different
characteristics based on their biological sex. For example, men are portrayed
as cool and calm and women as emotional. However, in magazines like Teen Vogue
who are for the new and younger generation represent women as powerful, strong and
independent. This suggests that due to the different audience demographic,
views and representations change.
How the industry context impacts a production of a magazine?
Industry context impacts a production of a magazine massively,
especially their sales. Magazine sales have been in steady decline since the
arrival of the internet. As print editions must compete with online only
magazines, magazines face competition from blogging platforms, which provide
free content. However, most popular magazines have responded to these changes
by publishing their own online editions, which contain some free content and
interactive features. Some examples of these interactive features include:
- Quizzes and questionnaires
- Comments sections where the reader can interact with the content
- Videos and podcasts
- Links to buy the products featured and advertised
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