Analysis Of Similar Products - Double Page Spreads

Following on from my last post, similarly I am going to analyse three different contents pages from varying magazines. By performing this task it will allow me to build a strong portfolio of common codes and conventions found in the genre I am working in. This will effectively develop my understanding, enabling me to better fit the brief when it comes to my designing stages. I hope this task will prompt my skills and aid with my magazine construction.

Cornwall Today

Cornwall Living

Cornwall Life

The three double pages spread that I have chosen to analyse show very different qualities throughout their design features. I have enjoyed looking at these spreads; they have given me a different perspective of what is accepted in the regional magazine market. The thing that stands out the most to me in similarity is the volume of text on each page. Cornwall today, Cornwall Living and Cornwall Life all have large articles to complement their double page spreads. Thinking further into this concept, I feel this is done based on the older target audience of these magazines. When I am constructing my magazine I will consider this concept, however I will reduce the capacity of text; due to the age of my target audience. By doing this I am following conventions created by other genres that have the same age target audience.  I feel this will be more engaging, less daunting or overwhelming. It is evident that all of these double page spreads have headlines that stand out at first glance. I will definitely be consecutively exploring this convention, I think it is important as this sets the scene for the topic within the article. Again, there is no obvious trend set by the content written about in the article forum. This indicated to me that regional audiences are open minded to a range of different subjects; helping me understand my target market. All of the headlines have been processed in a serif font, which implies that this genre typically stick to conventions of traditional concepts. Throughout this extended analysis, I found that each double page spread included more than one image, ranging from 3-8. I hope to use more than three images on my design, my reasoning for this is down to the effects my product will have on the audience. For example, if I use more images it will look busier and more exciting to an age group that don’t frequently use print media. There are a range of layouts used in by Cornwall today, Cornwall Living and Cornwall Life. Cornwall has applied a more formal, traditional look to their arrangement, whereas Cornwall Living has used a unorganised, informal set up. When designing my double page spread I will follow the convention of columns, evident in most magazines from varying genres. I think this is an important aspect as it suggests high production qualities based on a functional basis. It is also critical to think about the representations produced by the use of colours, fonts and language tone.