𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡

Here is the research for my magazine that are all related to my intended magazine genre. This blog page focuses on a general fashion genre of magazine covers and how they are usually displayed around the world, I have further & specific research on my other blog post.

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It took me quite awhile to conduct this magazine research because I had to analyse a number of magazines, both in-depth and broadly. This involved figuring out the elements of the magazine cover, target audience, relevant theories that can be applied (representation, uses and gratification), industry, media language, etc. Since I have limited physical magazines that fit my preferred magazine genre (fashion), I try to look up some of the most well-known magazines online and analyse them because most of them were released recently in comparison with magazines I have right now, which can give me more inspiration. Although the magazines I've analysed all belong to the same genre, they all differ from one another in distinctive ways, such as how they use typography, colour, layout, and other elements. This leads to some confusion for me when it comes to my magazine project later on because I wanted to incorporate most of the elements from each magazine, but combining them all won't produce a good harmony. I must therefore carefully choose which ones will complement my overall magazine design and be used as sources of inspiration.

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I've noticed that magazines are displayed differently in other countries compared to the country I'm living in right now. Below are the pictures I took during my trip as well as an explanation on the purpose of this display. 

Here is what magazines are normally displayed in the UK:

And here is what magazines are normally displayed in Malaysia (Kinokuniya):

Finally, here is what magazines are normally displayed in Indonesian bookstores (Periplus): 

Overall, magazines must compete with one another for readers' attention. In store shelves, a magazine only has it's front cover to draw attention away from other publications and toward itself because there may be several titles within a same sub-genre that are similar to each other. Magazines are often arranged overlap in ways that make only the left or upper third visible to possible audiences.

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Magazine 1 - A-ONE

A-ONE magazine is an Indonesian monthly magazine. 

Genre: Fashion, health & lifestyle 

Target Audience

Uses & Gratification 

Based on the theory of uses & gratification, there is a use of personal identity, where the magazine supplies with fashion role models and ways of understanding of their place in society. Another thing from this theory that is used is surveillance as the audience can use this magazine to gather information regarding health and beauty matters. 

Masthead/title

The name of the magazine is located on the top section written in a large and bold font which gives the magazine's title namely, 'A-ONE' hence making it easily recognisable for the audience when viewing the magazine even from far away or just a glance as it is the first thing the audience will read when picking up this magazine. 

Typography/font 

The typography used in the front cover have bold colors such as red, white and gold in order to make them more elegant, various types of fonts are used on the whole cover of the magazine to give variety. Regarding the publishing date and price of the magazine, small fonts are used which makes it more difficult to read so it doesn't catch the attention of the audience. 

Image

An image of a women (model: Malik Moestaram) dressed up with a bold red background is used as the main image of the cover, this will catch the audience's attention from the fancy and unusual clothing she's wearing. This is often linked to the main article or the feature within the magazine inside, which is outfits styling and fashion catwalks. 

Media language

The genre of this magazine is fashion hence the magazine tend to have images of models dressed up in fancy and unique outfits in order to attract the audience's attention. Conventions are used such as the use of eye-level angle to build a sense of connection between the audience and the main subject or star appeal on the cover.

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Magazine 2 - Teen Vogue

'Teen Vogue'  is version of the 'Vogue' magazine, which is targeted specifically for teenage girls. The magazine is published within the U.S and releases an issue each month.

Genre: Beauty & fashion

Target audience

Uses & Gratification 

Based on the theory of uses & gratification, this magazine utilizes personal identity as teenagers especially girls would look up to their role model. Chloe Grace Moretz is widely known and quite famous among teenage girls. Hence, from her beauty and achievements she successfully inspire them positively to become better version of themselves.

Masthead/title

The title of the magazine is located on top of the front cover with use of colors of teal and orange, these colors are enough to grab teenager’s attention due to its bright and bold colors. 

Typography/font

The typography used in this magazine are in wide range of varieties and colors including bright and bold colors such as pink, teal, dark orange as their main color. This will make the magazine stand up more as easily catch teenagers attention from the usage of color and style of font which is more playful as well as colorful.

Representation

Teen vogue represented teenage girls as is 'flawless'. With teen vogue for the star appeal Chloë Grace Moretz, they have used Photoshop to make her completely flawless, beautiful and even to make them look thin. This then gives out the idea to all teenage girls who view these photos that these photo-shopped teenage girls and woman are what 'true beauty' look like, when really it is an unattainable beauty. This then negatively affects teenage girls as it gives them the idea and belief that they should be flawless and just as beautiful when in reality they would be unable to become as flawless as it unrealistic. 

Industry

Teen Vogue is owned and published by Condé Nast, an American media organisation that publishes around 20 magazines including Vogue, GQ and Wired. The company targets a wide range of different audiences with 164 million consumers across its brands. Although Teen Vogue has been creating headlines for its political content in recent years, it is also an important part of the fashion industry. Both editorial content and advertising is designed to create a strong desire in their audience for products featured. This links to Condé Nast’s role as a major media company interested in maximising profit.

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Magazine 3 - Vogue 

Target audience

For demographics, it is targeted towards women in the ages of 25-35 with its star appeal Priyanka Chopra. On the other hand, for psychographics is for the audience who are mature and interested in beauty and love. 

Analysis

✮ Like: The use of white colored font to make them stand out from the dark background. 

✮ Dislike: All the fonts in the cover lines are too similar and same except the masthead, therefore I won't be incorporating them to my magazine because I would prefer use different fonts for the cover lines.

✮ Steal: I would like to position my masthead on top of the magazine, specifically behind the main image.

✮ Inspired by: My main image of the front cover magazine wll face directly to the camera but not on eye-level. 

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Magazine 4 - Elle

Analysis

✮ Like: I like the creativity used in the front cover because the main subject is using props. 

✮ Dislike: It seems kind of empty due to limited cover lines and it is only positioned on the right side of the magazine.

✮ Steal: My main subject will be in a sitting down position (but high angle).

✮ Inspired by: I would like to use props for the main subject of my main image.

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Magazine 5 - Fräulein 

Analysis

✮ Like: I really like the simplicity of the magazine but still attractive to be looked at.

✮ Dislike: Less cover lines so the audience won't know what the contents of the magazine are.

✮ Steal: To use borders (image not full page).

✮ Inspired by: Gradient but soft background. 

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Magazine 6 - Allure 

Analysis

✮ Like: The outfit and makeup matches the background (pink). 

✮ Dislike: The masthead 'Allure' is covered by the main subject hence makes it more difficult to read.

✮ Steal: Add cover lines around the subject.

✮ Inspired by: Match the colors of the main image and background so that it looks appealing to be seen.

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Here is a link to my double page spread research + development 

https://chelstirta-regentsmedia.blogspot.com/2023/11/double-page-spread-research-development.html