Magazine picks
The magazines I chose to analyse - like I mentioned in my previous post are:
I feel as if these magazines represent well what we as a team want to create. They combine all aspects of lifestyle as well as artistic and commercial fashion through different eyes, which is especially the combination I am looking for. However, as they all are different in their way - it is also important to understand them through a brief analysis of their cover, double-spread and content pages in order to really see their differences, similarities, conventions, genre and much more.
Vogue
Cover
The Cover page I chose to analyse presents a black and white photo of Madonna captured from above while she is bathing in what appears to be a milk-bath. This is a common method used by magazines and photographers in order to create a more mysterious outlook to the moment they are trying to capture.
Conventions typical for Vogue magazine can be found on this cover such as the Masthead. In this case, its colour is not meant to distract the reader from the actual photo which can be seen but to direct them to it. The colour-coordination is meant to leave a mark behind and beautifully enhance the black and white tones as for the image to appear even more mysterious.
Moreover, it has a clear dateline on the far left, written really small, which helps the reader as well as the publication keep track of the issue, while the main cover line is meant to summarise what that issue focuses on, which in this case is 'fashion & music'. The other cover lines which can be seen at the middle of the page between the masthead and the main one are presenting some more in-depth articles or exciting information the magazine has to offer, while the blue is not only designed to nicely coordinate with the pink on the masthead but also to enhance some aspects which the editors found as more interesting. The main image is also topped with the model credit - bigger than the rest of the cover lines for the reader to see it clearly.
The cover overall presents a vintage yet luxurious portrait of Madonna. This can be deduced by looking at her jewellery, hairstyle and glass of Martini on the table next to the bath. It represents mystery (like I already said) because not only of the milky water but of the diary as well - which she keeps so close to her heart and face down.
Contents Page
The content pages are designed in such a way to still capture the reader's attention by including only black and white photographs and a touch of colour from the one on the second page where the girl is wearing an orange dress. Moreover, you can see the cover image again on the left corner of the first page - where descriptions such as the photographer, the model, the clothes used and stylists makeup artists and so on. This is an important aspect and convention in any magazine as the credits always have to be given to those who deserve them. This is also good publicity for them and could earn them other jobs as well. You can see the other photos covered by such information as well. The content information itself is not presented in any way differently since this is not the highlight of the magazine but more of a necessary informational aspect. Therefore you can see the classic layout where the number of the page is presented and then what it holds.
Double Spread
The double spread that I decided to analyse is a pictorial of Marte Mei Van Haaster (the model). It captures fashion inspired by military clothes and a small description of this can be seen in the bottom right corner of the first page. It follows conventions which can also be seen on the contents pages such as credits to everyone who worked on it as well as prices, jewellery and model. The colour palette used is green and gold - as it is inspired from military clothes and the jewellery is meant to add some elegance and style to it in order to show that anything - if styled properly - can look good.
The difference between the cover image and the pictorial images is that of two very different styles and vibes, yet the genre is clear: fashion.
The audience for this magazine - in the first place - would be women of all ages. That can be deduced by looking at the cover image representing Madonna - an all time icon loved by all women regardless of their age, while the pictorial is turned more towards youth and young women who are willing to experiment new styles and jewellery.
What I love about the magazine is the combination of styles in different contexts and inspired by everyday - activities. It is definitely something I will be thinking of when making my own shoot and a good inspiration aspect.
Harper's Bazaar
Cover
The cover I chose to analyse is June's 2019 issue as I feel like it is a good inspiration for not only my vision but also ours as a group. It's based on the beauty of life (as we will see later on in its analysis) and the photos it presents are the definition of what life is: 'La vie en rose'. Harper's Bazaar is a similar magazine to Vogue, yet it is based more on fashion.
The masthead specifically in this issue is grey. This is meant to coordinate with the grey and silver tones found in the model's (Rosie Huntington Whiteley) clothing. It presents a date line which unlike Vogue is presented between the masthead letters in grey as well but not big enough for it to be standing out too much. It also shows the price of the magazine and as an informational detail the magazine's site is written besides the B. This is meant to make it easier for the reader to gain access to in depth additional information about the magazine or issue if they want to online - since the print industry is slowly moving online as well. Moreover, the cover lines in this issue are limited to the cover and do not represent anything else which might be found online. Reasons for this may be:
- Too many details on the main image. This ultimately leads to the page being more empty and clear in order to attract the attention of the reader - too many details on the cover page are often tiring and bore the eye
- The model being enough for the audience to be engaged. Another method often used is having a celebrity on the cover page. As Rosie Huntington Whiteley is a popular model, people may want to get the magazine for her and her pictures in the first place.
- The cover line is enough to capture the audience's attention either by being interesting enough or covering an issue which tops all others in the magazine for which people may want to buy the magazine.
In this case, a useful explanation for the simplicity of the cover compared to others is the combination of the three aspects described above. Of course, this does not mean that EVERY magazine should present cover lines, as some do not at all. But in the case of the conventions of Harper's Bazaar and such commercial fashion magazines not presenting them can be found as something rather new.
The main image is a photo of Rose dressed in what one could call a fancy outfit, sparkly and silver. In her back a pink tree is noticed, its colour meant to coordinate with the other light grey tones on the page. As it is really bright and positive, the cover gives off those vibes and already subconsciously gives a description of what the issue is about and towards what it is turned: positivity.
Content Pages
As Bazaar is similar to Vogue in genre and aspects such as the Content pages, pictorials and articles, it is only natural that these similarities come also in their design and layout. The way in which the contents are presented is similar to how those of the Vogue magazine were, only here the Photographs added are fit to the positivity the issue expresses and colourful just like the cover.
In this case, there are three content pages in total and each of them present a main photo. As in the last analysis of the content pages, each photo provides information of either the model, the actual picture or the makeup, this being a common convention used by these types of magazines - the commercial fashion ones. Additionally, on the bottom of the last page the other covers of this issue can be seen. This is especially important for the reader or client to have a look at the other ones which they have not bought in case they were interested in them.
Double spread + additional page
I chose to analyse an editorial - just as I did before for the Vogue magazine since I feel like it helps me and us more as a group in getting inspired and learning more about photography, design not only for clothes but for interior as well. I picked out a single page and a double spread because all three evoke beauty, elegance and luxury which is exactly what I want my issue to give off.
The first page - portraying Rosie is not only expressed through the posh, remarkable and bright decoration and outfit but also through text. The text is simple and white because the photo already is combining so many other details - therefore any other font or colour for the text would have been too much in comparison with the brightness and complexity of the image. The outfit used is made out of a snake blouse with puffed up sleeves which are meant to really express the high-class way of living. Since this is the overall genre of the editorial, details regarding it can be seen through out the images. The roses are meant to express beauty and lust , while the brightness adds up to the whole image. Another aspect to take into account is even the relationship between her name: Rosie and the roses.
The text is meant to give the reader an insight into what the article is about and also the model herself. It emphasizes the model's wealth and luxurious way of living which is reflected in what I have analysed above - the posh and luxurious details of the editorial.
The double spread is covered by a whole picture of her wearing black yet again while her backround is made up of colours, roses, light and a vanity. The vanity is meant to express the life of the model as the summary on the other page says: a successful business woman.
Moreover, the chromatic pallette used is the same as in the first single page photo and is meant to express the same vision, as they are part of the same project.
Additional double spread
As i enjoyed the magazine a lot, I decided upon analysing not one but two double spreads in order to really understand the written pages and texts as well. For this particular double spread I really enjoyed the drawings and what they represented. As we can see and can be read, the beautifully designed pages are representing and expressing ideas about the one and only Manolo Blahnik (spanish fashion designer). As the topic coincides well with the magazine's genre which is fashion and lifestyle, and his original drawings are enhanced by the white backround on which they are presented, the reader is really drawn to reading what the unique illustration and the master behind them. I enjoy seeing the combination of colours used and the simplicity of not adding too many details other than the actual illustrations, which of course are designed by a talented and creative artist and designer.
The audience for this magazine is meant to be called out indirectly through every design, article and layout decision taken, therefore as its genre is fashion and lifestyle, the audience is going to be mostly females, the age varying since the articles are really accessible for everyone. What I would indeed use in my magazine and find inspiring to view are the elegance of the articles and photos as well as the effort which went in the editorial.
L'officiel Magazine
Cover
The last magazine that I chose to analyse is L'officiel. The edition that I am analysing is from Malaysia, August 2020 and is the magazine which not only I but we as a team find as the artistic side of inspiration that we need. Therefore, the simplicity and unique colour pallette of this magazine really stands out and is noticeably different from what I have analysed before.
The Masthead is quite similar to the other two magazines in terms of font and size, yet the surrounding picture and lack of cover lines really makes it stand out and be seen in a different way than a commercial fashion one would. In terms of dateline, it has got one which is barely noticeable since it is not the main focus of the cover but more of a necessity. The page has also got a link to the site of the magazine right under the dateline, which is a brief representation of how our world is changing and how the print industry is slowly evolving and combining with the media industry. The only visible cover lines are the name of the model (Atikah Karim) and the issue's 'heading' which is hero. The simplicity of it really suggests what the magazine looks like inside - simple, artistic and offers the reader an airy feeling.
The main image is meant to express beauty in a different way. That can be explained by the model's position which contrasts (for example) Rosie's positions in the Bazaar magazine which were thrilling and favouring her body. Here, Atikah's position is suggesting introvercy and mystery, true beauty behind a body and a face.
The colour palette used is meant to make not only the model but also the masthead stand out. This is due to the combination of a gray-ish backround with the red in the masthead and cover line and the blue on the model's shirt, which go really well together. As she is the center of the page, an illusion is created in order to intrigue the reader in wanting to know more about her.
Content Pages
The content pages of L'officiel are significantly different from the ones of Vogue or Bazaar. They are made in such a way for the reader to want to look over them too while reading the magazine. The aspects which make it different from the others and also more interesting to the extent of it being more airy and easy to look at are as follows:
- The significant space between the subtitles of the pages on the right and the fact that the reader is not overwhelmed by them
- The idea of presenting a photo which most likely holds a story in the magazine and the page where the reader can find the photo in case it has made them curious. Although photos can be found in the content pages of the other magazines as well, the main aim of them is not to actually be part of the presentation of contents as L'officiel is but to add a pleasing colourful touch to a paper which would otherwise be boring to look at.
- The combination of a calm yet pleasing colour palette which brings joy and relaxation to the eye right from the very first start
- The organised presentation of contents such as: the second page being only filled with watches and jewellery, the first page concentrating on fashion only and the last page presenting art and artistic photoshoots.
No additional information is given because none is needed, and in order for the magazine to keep its simple style they are shaping the design after a small yet big statement: "less is more".
Double Spread
I chose to analyse this double spread because I feel like it emphasizes the meaning and simplicity as well as the artistic side of the magazine through the use of colours, location, peculiar style of the photos and the lack of text.
The blue colour is the colour of the sky and ocean, often representing stability, inspiration. The way in which it is used in the given pictures, its beauty is meant to make not so beautiful backround stand out and make the reader view it in another way - just as the model is meant to be viewed on the cover behind her looks, reason why she is used in this photoshoot as well.
The angles in which the photos are taken are especially different from what we have seen in the other magazines, because a posh set up was not made up but an empty, wet street on what looks like a cold day was used. Suggesting the idea of beauty in every place, person and piece of clothing, this photoshoot really inspires me to do the same in our magazine and makes the reader look over the normal conventions used in magazines.
The white framing is meant to subtly enhance the pictures and the blue while giving a nice finishing touch to the entirety of the double spread, while the only text lines we can see are the small, unnoticeable ones presenting the designer which is a legal convention.
The genre of this magazine is obviously artistic fashion, and its target audience are people who look beyond the normal characteristics of fashion as well as photography and who know how to appreciate a more peculiar take on the modern fashion industry. I believe anyone from women to men could read this magazine as it also focuses unknowingly on the inside of people.
I would definitely take into consideration the precise colour coordination needed when making my own photoshoot as well as how angles can change's one look and genre of the specific photoshoot.
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