Genre Conventions

Front Cover:

Layout:

• One main image, usually of landscape, nature or animals 
• A masthead central to the page
• Serif fonts used for the masthead and some cover lines
• 2-3 cover lines
• Bare-code featured on the bottom right hand side of the page 
• Pugs 
• Strap lines 
• Production factors ie. price, issue number, date 

Colour:

• Clear bright use of house colours 
• Black and white being the main feature 
• Masthead is usually presented in white 
• Colours are chosen from shades already evident in the main image
• Vibrant fonts are often used to add excitement to the page
• Contrasting mix of colours in the colour palette 

House Style: 

• Use of similar fonts throughout the whole magazine 
• Aspects of the layout are carried though to other issues
• Repetitive use of the same masthead 
• Similar colour palette 

Typography:

• Serif fonts tend to dominate the front cover 
• Editing features such as; italics and bold 
• 3-4 range of different font styles, showing variety 
• Upper case or sentence case
• Text is mostly in black or white 
• Evenly spaced
• Differentiation of sizes
• Upper class vocabulary 

Images:

• One main image 
• 2-3 additional small images complimenting the strap line
• Landscape, nature or animals 

Representation:

• The general representation created by most regional magazine front covers is a sense of tradition. The use of colours boost the excitement factors and compliment the main image
• The use of language and tone suggests the medium is targeted at sophisticated individuals 
• Layout gives an easy read; implying relaxation
  
  

Double Page Spread:

Layout: 

• One main image filling the two A4 pages (however, more modern issues are challenging this by colaging groups of images, positioning them accordingly)
• Possibly 1-2 additional smaller images to compliment the main image
• Columns of text
• Headline
• Tag line 
• Page number in the bottom corners of the page 
• Website link 

Colour:

• Colours are chosen from shades already evident in the main image
• Colour palette tends to reflect the story
• Use of white and black- carried through from the front cover
• Contrasting mix of colours in the colour pallet

House Style:

• Use of similar fonts as the front cover 
• General features such as website link, page numbers and tag line 
• Recognisable use of language 

Typography:

• Serif font dominates the page
• 2-3 range of different font types are featured
• Sophisticated language and tone 
• Text is in mostly black or white
• Editing features such as; italic or bold

Images: 

• One main image filling the two A4 pages (however, more modern issues are challenging this by colaging groups of images, positioning them accordingly)
• Possibly 1-2 additional smaller images to compliment the main image
• Chosen visuals are relevant to the article story 
• Tend to have a more active content ie. sport, cooking, movement

Representations:

• Local activity 
• Positive connotations of the regional area
• More modern approach; design factors being more aspiration  

Contents Page:

Layout:

• 'Contents' headlining the top left hand side of the page 
• One main image filling the two A4 pages (however, more modern issues are challenging this by colaging groups of images, positioning them accordingly)
• 15 - 20 story leads 
• Issue number
• Date 
• Website and social media links 

Colour:

• Aspect of the colour palette from the front cover are often carried over to the contents page 
• Bright and relevant colour pallet 
• Use of white and black- carried through from the front cover

House Style:

• Similar elements as other issues of the magazine 
• Same headline style
• Layout qualities follow a recognisable pattern

Typography:

• Serif font dominated the page
• Short and to the point language use
• White or black font
• Easy to read style
• Large headline 
• Small text

Images:

• One main image filling the two A4 pages (however, more modern issues are challenging this by colaging groups of images, positioning them accordingly)
• A variation of topics present within the visuals 

Representation:

• Busy but not overwhelming for the consumer
• Professional content 
• Inviting 
• Moving towards a more modern approach of design features