Analysis of Devon Life
I am going to be analysing 'Devon Life' - a regional magazine produced and published in the county of Devon. The magazine is aimed at people aged 35-65 in social grades A-C1. It's aimed at heterosexual males and females, however, perhaps moving closer to a higher percentage of females, due to the archaic typography. The magazine shows little racial diversity so I assume it's aimed at white British, in particular people born in Devon. The genre of Devon Life is regional magazine and it's purpose is to inform and entertain.
To start my analysis, the masthead is large and takes up roughly 1/8th of the page, which fits convention. The spacing and alignment fits conventions as the type is spaced closely together and it is central, in terms of the page as a whole. The typography style for the masthead fits convention and the letting is in capitals with no space in between both words.
There is a bevel and emboss style design on the masthead which allows it to stand out due to the darker edges. This helps to lift it off of the background and give a 3D effect. Moreover, in terms of colour, the masthead is coloured in such a way so that the colours oppose each other and it stands out in a conventional manor. The masthead connotes the magazine's target audience through an archaic style font - this is something better known associated with older people. Moreover, the type is light in terms of it's weight which allows for an elegant connotation.
In terms of typography and lines on the front cover, the type is relatively conventional and the 'sneak peaks' of information are concise and straight to the point. These two elements allow the magazine to follow other magazines of the genre and also to allow the audience to read and understand the information quickly. Most of the text has a bevel along with some being in a serif-based font. One criticism, or area where conventions are broken is the use of typefaces and sizes used on the page. I feel that there are too many used in terms of lines on the page - whether it's a completely different typeface or if it's just an italic version of an existing font. This makes it look slightly unprofessional and busy.
In terms of the main image, it covers the whole page (as you would expect from a conventional magazine of this genre), and it is bright and lively. These features connote the target audience, of older women, as it demonstrates an upbeat however calm atmosphere and mood. The image's aim is to demonstrate the natural beauty of Devon, while also engaging the audience and trying to sell the magazine.
They have used a bright image which incorporates blue sky - this connotes happiness and a lively atmosphere. It makes the cover look colourful as well as grabbing the audience's attention. This image also allows for the magazine to attract plant and garden lovers as well, due to the array of colours amongst the shrubbery. The main image also works well because the proportion of ground and sky works in terms of the page layout - the percentage of sky allows for the page to be split, with the masthead standing out because of the colour contrast.
Structurally, Devon Life's layout is highly conventional, straying away from broken conventions as magazines such as those of the alternative genre might do. This tells me that they are aiming the magazine at a wide demographic rather than a niche audience. Text is placed around the sides of the page which allows for attention to be drawn to the main image - perhaps the magazine's main selling point. Furthermore, colourful graphics are used at the bottom and top left hand sides of the page to add depth and allow text to be separated in specific sections.
Conventionally, the bar code is positioned in the bottom right hand corner, positioned vertically - something which is seen fairly often due to designers wanting to incorporate type into positions which it couldn't be otherwise. Furthermore, the price is positioned in the bottom right hand corner - disguised by the bar code so that the buyer doesn't get 'put off' by the value of the magazine.
Devon Life's colour palate is relatively simple with only two main colours being used, as appose to the conventional 'rule of three'. This may however be down to the bright, colourful background image which, if put alongside another main colour could make the cover too busy. The conventional colour of white is used for the masthead and most of the smaller text on the page, along with the graphical text box at the bottom of the page.
A secondary colour of purple is used, which I am assuming has been colour picked from the plants and shrubbery in the main image. There is also a small logo in the top left of the page, which incorporates the colour of red - this maybe why the designer refrained from using another colour. If another was used it could have detracted from the main image's natural beauty and spoiled the cover.
Analysis of Wild Cornwall
The masthead on the front cover uses an interesting, however slightly out of convention design. I would expect to see a more archaic type style, perhaps with a serif rather than a bold typeface. This doesn't mean that it's not stylistic however, it works well and helps to sell the magazine as it stands out. Moreover, from looking at conventional mastheads, I would expect for it to be in the colour of white, rather than cream/pale beige. The masthead is also perhaps larger than you would expect from a regional magazine, however it is positioned at the top of the page in a relatively central position.
In terms of colour, Wild Cornwall haven't used a particularly bright font/background image to ensure that the masthead stands out which is against convention. Usually, I would expect to see a masthead which 'jumps out at me' due to the contrast in colour. The masthead also uses a very slight emboss to give the page a slight textured feel along with giving it a very slight three dimensional feel.
The typography and lines on this issue's cover are few and far between. The designer has broken conventions and stereotypes through their use of type on the cover. A thin, almost illegible typeface is used and no text on the page stands out, with exception to the main masthead. They have chosen to use a serif-based typeface which almost goes against the masthead which is bold and has curved lettering.
Wild Cornwall only incorporates one image onto the front cover, which allows for a simplistic design layout - following on from other regional magazines. The main image is a long shot which connotes action and an outdoors, 'exploring' message. The main image's job on a regional magazine is also to show the audience what's on offer in region as well as what's on offer in their magazine; by placing a rarely seen animal on the front cover allows for this to be strongly connoted. Furthermore, the otter in the image is looking straight at the lens of the camera, which draws in the audience and helps to grab their attention, in turn helping to sell the magazine.
The background image doesn't work as good as some of Wild Cornwall's competitors in terms of creating contrast between the type - the colours seems to get lost within sections of the image. The magazine does however incorporate a logo - this connotes a formal nature as it represents the 'Wildlife Trusts' - it connotes the prestige of the magazine and also from a design and layout perspective helps to make the cover look busier.
In terms of structure, the layout is incredibly simple, perhaps too simple for a regional magazine when comparing it with its competitors. Quite a simple, amateur layout is incorporated into this magazine cover design which makes it look unprofessional and almost lazy. Type is positioned in reasonably central areas, along with not much of it in place. Despite this allowing the audience to enjoy the main image on the page, I do however feel it connotes a magazine which doesn't have a lot to offer their readers inside. For example, if there was twice as much text on the front cover, I would anticipate twice as much information inside the magazine.
Type isn't aligned on the page, nor is it positioned in particularly striking positions - this doesn't grab the audience's attention and breaks most conventions I would stereotypically expect to see from a cover of this genre.
Colour Palate's on regional magazines usually incorporate at least two different main colours, however Wild Cornwall have decided to only use one on this issue. The colour palate is extremely basic - this follows on from the simplistic layout, however it still contradicts stereotypical conventions of most regional magazines. The use of white is common for a regional magazine, however this struggles to stand out and have an impact on the page - perhaps this is down to the typography style.
Analysis of Cornwall Today
Cornwall Today's masthead sticks to convention well as the archaic/serif typeface represents that of many other regional magazines. Furthermore, the first line of the masthead is in capital letters which fits convention and the second line shows contrast through staying in lower case.
In terms of positioning and spacing, the masthead takes up the conventional amount of space on the page - 1/8th - and the lettering is spaced in such a way so that it is fits and looks professional yet doesn't look compact. There is a very slight drop-shadow/bevel on the text to give the masthead depth and help lift it off the page. This bevel also helps to add a dynamic nature and help to create creativity and contrast between the background image and the white masthead.
In terms of typography and lines two different type styles are used in terms of the bulk 'line' text. The first is heavier in terms of its weight and stands out more; the second is thinner and would be read by the audience if they become engaged by the bolder type. The text here refrains from using a serif which is something which contrasts from some regional magazines. Perhaps this is because this magazine is trying to aim their audience at a slightly lower age of person, therefore avoiding serifs, archaic typefaces etc. The magazine cover decides to use extremely large font to represent the '10' - this makes this section stand out above others and is conventional of magazines which try to appeal to a large audience.
There is only one image used on the front cover of this issue of Cornwall Today, which is reasonably conventional when looking at other regional magazines of a similar genre. The main image used is one similar to that of DevonLife's - it's in place to demonstrate the natural beauty on offer inside the magazine and connote what's on offer for its audience. A long shot is used on the cover which allows for many elements of the Cornish landscape to be presented. The shot allows the audience to see elements of Cornwall's history and heritage (through the old mining building), the long coastlines and also the sea and sky. All of these elements grab the audience's attention and make them want to buy the magazine so they can explore further. The main image is bright and of a high quality - something conventional of most regional magazines.
The layout of this front cover highly professional and connotes a magazine which has a lot on offer for people who live in Cornwall. It is attractive and bring up current cultural and social ideas. The layout as a whole uses a structure, with graphical text boxes positioned at the top and bottom of the page. These allow the focus to be on the main image and they also allow for stylistic presentation regarding the type which stands out as a consequence.
All of the text down the right had side is in alignment with each other - this is conventional and is professional looking. Moreover, in the top right hand corner there is an extra text box with more information - this connotes 'exciting info inside the magazine' and will make the magazine look like its got a specials section.
The 'win' text bubble at the bottom of the page drawn in the audience's eye and grabs their attention. The short line is intriguing and makes the audience want to read on and find out what they could win. This section is a strong section for the magazine because the magazine will stereotypically sell better if people think they might get something back from their purchase.
Finally, three different colours are used throughout this cover design - this sticks to convention as it follows the 'rule of three'. The use of white allows type to stand out from the background image/text boxes and the two different shades of purple compliment each other and help present specific parts of information. All of the colours help to create definition and contrast between the background image and the text the designer wants to stand out. The use of purple does however connote a slight feminine edge to the cover as this is a colour which presents associations with primarily women.
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