Magazine Research

 Here is the research for my magazine.

Magazines are often displayed prominently near the store entrance or in crowded, high-traffic areas to grab the customers' attention. To attract and catch their attentions, magazines use bright colors, bold and capitalized fonts, and appealing images on the front page cover. Magazines are most likely to be placed at eye-level and where customers are likely to browse, increasing the chance of them buying one. In Western culture, people read from left to right. The top left is the most important, especially the left third, because it is the spot where most people draw most of their attention to. When magazines overlap, only the left side is shown. Hence, it is important to highlight the left side with important articles and images. 

A magazine display in Japan

A magazine display in Japan

 During our school trip to Japan, I photographed several magazine displays. They are commonly found everywhere as reading plays a big part in the Japanese culture, and magazines can be easily found everywhere, such as places that are easily accessible by everyday commuters such as convenience stores.

This is an analysis of a magazine our teacher made for us to help us understand the different parts of a magazine better. I think it has helped me significantly in identifying features of a magazine. 

1. Vogue Magazine - October 2023 issue

- Vogue is an American magazine dedicate to lifestyle and fashion, including beauty products, haute couture, and runway. Vogue began in 1982 as a newspaper and has since then developed into a monthly magazine. British Vogue was launched in 1916, and as of today there are 28 different versions of Vogue. 

Genre: Fashion and lifestyle

Demographics:

Age: 18 - 40

Gender: Female

Location: North America 

Income: Middle to upper class

Star Appeal: Kate Winslet

Psychographics:

Personality: Confident, optimistic, social butterflies

Lifestyle: Dynamic, accomplished, invests in luxury products

Hobbies and Interests: High fashion, gossip, wellness, celebrity culture, romance

Media Language and Representations: The celebrity Kate Winslet is dressed in a bright, colorful dress and is surrounded by a bright background. It makes her seem bold, akin to how Vogue usually styles their magazine with bold colors and high-end fashion. But while fashion magazines often have many coverlines, this magazine has only 2 sparse coverlines. The main image is Kate Winslet, and leveraging her star appeal is a strategic choice to boost the magazine's popularity and sales. 

Audience: The typical Vogue reader is a woman between the ages of 18 and 40, mainly from North America. They are well-educated, exudes confidence, and is often the life of the party. Her lifestyle is vibrant and successful, and they can afford purchasing luxury goods. They are deeply interested in the world of high fashion, celebrity news, wellness, and romantic pursuits. Vogue's audience appreciates the magazine’s mix of cutting-edge style, cultural insights, and the allure of high-profile personalities like Kate Winslet. These women are eager to stay ahead of fashion trends and enjoy indulging in sophisticated and exclusive content.

Industry: Vogue has established itself as a global brand with editions in multiple countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and many others. Its international reach allows it to capture diverse audiences and perspectives while maintaining a consistent standard of quality and style.

2. The Story of Taylor Swift - second issue 

- "The Story of Taylor Swift" is a fan magazine created by Future Magazines. It has varied articles based on the pop-star's relationships to fashion choices. 

Genre: Biography, celebrity, lifestyle, and music

Demographics:

Age: 13 - 35

Gender: Female

Location: North America with a global reach

Income: Varied but predominantly middle to upper class

Star Appeal: Taylor Swift

Psychographics:

Personality: Fans of Taylor Swift, non-fans who consume celebrity news and music-related content. 

Lifestyle: Fans who actively engage with Taylor Swift's career, attending concerts, and participating in fan communities.

Hobbies and Interests: Listening to music, attending concerts, collecting merchandise, following Taylor Swift's social media, discussing her work with other fans.

Media Language and Representations: The cover consists of a singular eye-level shot of Taylor Swift herself during a photoshoot event. It features a bubbly font, as opposed to other celebrity magazines making their titles bold. It subverts the media conventions, as it also helps promote the magazines to a predominantly female and young audience. It also has illustrations instead of the usual photos. 

Audience: The audience of "The Story of Taylor Swift" fan magazine consists of devoted fans, casual admirers, and curious consumers. Fans of Taylor Swift, predominantly aged between 13 and 35, form the core readership demographic. They are deeply invested in Taylor Swift's music, persona, and personal life, seeking in-depth articles and behind-the-scenes access to their favorite artist. Casual admirers may include individuals with a passing interest in celebrity culture or those drawn to Taylor Swift's influence in the music industry. Overall, the audience is united by a shared admiration for Taylor Swift and a desire to look into her story and impact.