Magazine Research

Here you have my magazine research for Component 1's project.

For my comp 1 project, I will be analyzing 2 magazine covers in full detail and 4 magazines that include the cover, contents, and double page in less detail.

RELATED LINK:
Here is a link to my Double Pageb Spread research + development ---> Double Page Spread: Research and Development

Reflection:

At first, I enjoyed creating this magazine research project, and I was the first to finish among all my classmates, but then it turns out I had to research another two magazine covers in detail this time, plus an additional less detailed research of 4 magazines that includes the cover, contents, and double page. I quickly went on to try to finish my first research on a magazine cover in full detail, I had some struggles with what should be included in my research but I managed my way through it by examining my teacher's research example and comparing it side by side to mine. I started to slack off and didn't continue the research for weeks and started to dread thinking about doing it. Today I finished the magazine research before the due date, for your information, this week is the last week. 

It is very hard for me to come up with different ideas and connotations from little features that can be found in the magazine. I just follow the conventional way of answering or writing this type of analysis which is easier than writing up something new from scratch in your mind. I will just burnt out, especially with exams right around the corner. 

The most valuable spot on the shelf is at eye level, therefore magazines compete with each other for it, because eye-level spots are what gain the highest audience attraction. In order for these magazines to be placed on the eye-level spots publishing companies pay lots of money to obtain such placement as it serves as a great advantage. Given that there are often numerous similar titles within a single sub-genre, a magazine's front cover becomes its primary tool to stand out among the competition. This becomes harder for the publishing companies due to how magazines are arranged on shelves, where they tend to overlap, leaving only the upper third visible to the audience or people passing the aisle. As a result, I will be researching the importance of these areas on my magazine cover and the impact it has on the audience.

Fresh

Woolworths - Featuring Jamie Magazine

Fresh Magazine is a fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and wellness publication based in Canada. Their focus is the healthy, happy, beautiful woman- inside and out. On the other hand, Jamie Magazine is the award-winning food, travel, and lifestyle magazine created exclusively by the UK's number 1 chef and food lover, Jamie Oliver.

Media Language

The usual conventions of a cuisine magazine include the chef they are starring or featuring a dish/food. Fresh magazine conforms to that convention by showing a dish as the main image of the front cover. The picture taken seems to be professionally done in a studio setting, not a candid shot, this creates a higher quality and more polished image that would be appealing to the audience. The picture consists of an image of a single,     specific dish. This may indicate the relevance of the dish with the context of the cuisines in the magazine, foods to cook for spring, or to celebrate spring, as said in the main cover line "Celebrate Spring!". Furthermore, the language used in the cover also supports this, the inclusion of words such as 'seasonal' and 'green' has connotations of it being a season thing and spring, as the color green represents spring. One of the main color palettes of the cover is light/warm green, this can be seen in the text (the typography) of some cover lines, which further fortifies the spring atmosphere. 

Representation

The magazine chose a kebab stick ready to go on a green plate as its primary image. The image was an overhead shot to show a clear image of the meal, this also includes the green sauce of the kebab stick on the bottom left. Kebab sticks are normally related to BBQs and parties, which represent celebrations. This choice of meal further emphasizes the message directed by the magazine, 'Celebrate spring!'. Shades of green can be seen all around the front cover, this usage of the color green by the magazine connotes health and/or healthy meals as green is generally associated with vegetables & fruits. If we see the coverlines it says "asparagus" which further fortifies this connotation. 

Audience

The target audience can be professional cooks/chefs, home cooks, spring lovers/celebrators, healthy meals and cooking enjoyers, or simply Jamie Oliver's fans/followers. According to the Uses and Gratification Theory, people want to consume this media text for surveillance and knowledge. This audience might be curious about what meals fit spring and/or meals to cook during spring, or solely to find out what Jamie Oliver has to offer this time around with his cuisine magazine. The overhead shot of the kebab makes the components used on the stick to create the kebab noticeable for the audience to clearly see the avocados and other healthy components. This would be noticed and acknowledged by kebab lovers or people who often cook/create kebab sticks. It most likely be hard for people who enjoy kebabs and healthy meals at once. 

Industry

This edition with the promotion of Jamie Oliver happens every seasonal celebration, such as spring, Christmas, Halloween, and other celebrations, this creates an intriguing schedule for releases of fresh magazines featuring Jamie Oliver. The timing of the releases is fully intentional as these are the moments when people are generally excited and cheery for celebrations, this would support increased sales as people would need culinary knowledge or references for the celebrations/festivals. The Fresh magazine has a website (woolworth.com.au) -  a-call-to-action- for browsing their items that are for sale and for shipping/buying. 

Reflection:

I couldn't find the table of contents for my magazine above, so I've decided to take a picture of the first page of the magazine (a double page). This analysis took a decent amount of time to finish as I had no idea what to include in the points above, this is due to the lack of understanding of what the points meant (Media language, representation, Audience, and Industry).

Fresh

Woolworths + White Wings

Woolworths is a supermarket chain, that specializes in groceries (vegetables, fruit, meat, packaged foods, etc.), but also sells magazines, DVDs, health and beauty products, household products, pet and baby supplies, and stationery. One of their publishing magazine, Fresh Magazine. 

White Wings is Australia’s baking expert. For over 125 years we have been trusted to deliver the finest quality products and ingredients to make baking tastier, easier, and more convenient! Launched in 1898, we made Australia’s first self-raising flour and have continued to expand our range of high-quality baking ingredients and baking mixes.

Media Language

A typical culinary magazine often highlights a prominent chef or showcases a specific dish. Fresh magazine conforms to this convention by featuring a delectable dish on its front cover. The photograph appears professionally executed, captured in a studio environment rather than an impromptu (done without plan) setting. This choice creates a higher quality and refined image, enhancing its appeal to the audience. It is a picture of some sort of dessert which is a cake, as seen from the cover (the picture) and the cover lines, "Chocolate & Blackberry Layer Cake". This indicates that the magazine is about cakes, creating/making/baking cakes, and other sorts of desserts and sweets. Furthermore, the language used in the cover also supports this, the inclusion of words such as 'Cake' and 'Chocolate' has connotations of sweets and desserts. The picture of the cake takes almost the whole cover page with no other images/pictures of other meals or foods which emphasizes the context of the magazine- cakes or baking! There are very minimal cover lines, it looks simple and clean, and a very straightforward cover line "Let's eat cake" it tells the readers what to expect. 

Representation

Just like other cooking mags, Fresh magazine likes to show off yummy stuff on its cover. This time, they've got a fancy pic of a super delicious chocolate and blackberry layer cake. The photo looks all pro and high-quality because it was taken in a studio. The cake is the star, matching what the magazine is all about - tasty desserts! They didn't bother with showing other food, just desserts, this connotes that it's all about the sweet stuff (food/meals)

Audience

The audience for this magazine could be professional bakers, home dessert enthusiasts, those with a sweet tooth, or simply people who love creating tasty treats. Following the Uses and Gratification Theory, individuals might be drawn to this magazine for dessert ideas and sweet knowledge. They could be curious about what sugary delights are perfect for special occasions or what's trending in the world of desserts. The close-up shot of the delectable cake allows the audience to savor all the delicious details, like layers of chocolate and blackberry goodness. This would catch the eye of dessert lovers or those who enjoy crafting sweet delights in their kitchens. It's also a perfect match for people who have a sweet tooth and appreciate THE ART of dessert making.

Industry

The magazine is free. This magazine can be accessed online. Fresh works hand in hand with White Wings, as White Wings is a firm or a community of bakers and baking experts that mainly focus on Christmas or seasonal holiday-related desserts. The Fresh magazine has a website (woolworth.com.au) -  a-call-to-action- for browsing their items that are for sale and for shipping/buying. 

Mini-Analysis

Nirmala

Nirmala

January 2002 Issue

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I like how the contents in the table of contents are placed it's very neat. The layout is very organized, however, there are many white spaces, not like it is a problem I think is fine. I also noticed they added an image/item on the front cover, which is a nice touch in my opinion. 

I do like the color scheme, it is very warm, and I appreciate that they stayed consistent with the colors. I like how there's one image of the woman doing yoga that stands out from the rest, it is bigger and takes up most of the space, which helps make it look diverse and distinct, making it not look dull and boring.

Fresh

Woolworths

128 Jan/Feb 2017 Issue

I love the layout, it is just so easy and simple to see, I really like it. The colors go well together, very diverse but pleasing to the eyes. The heading of the contents is very soft and saturated, very calming to see. I might incorporate this style into my own magazine later on.

This double-page spread is very nice to look at because it is very minimal with the text and applies more space for the image to be seen. I really like this design because it feels very open and not overwhelming for me to read. I will definitely incorporate this type of design as one of my double-page spreads in my magazine.

Fresh

Woolworths

137 November 2017 Issue

The layout of the contents is nice because it is well organized and it includes images. However, I do not like the color scheme implemented, the dominance of the color green on the left side doesn't go well with the aesthetic of the opposing side. Perhaps it is because of the red heading used for the word "contents", It just doesn't look pleasing for my eyes to look at, as it feels off.

I love the contrast between the red and black colors, it gives such a deluxe look. I also notice and love how the color palette matches the color of the meal (dessert) being presented, alongside the full black plate used, it is such a perfect touch for the aesthetic of this double-page. I would be sure to add such a design for my magazine: The background color matches with the meal/food showcased.

Fresh

Woolworths

138 December 2017 Issue

My first thought of the table of contents is that is pretty crowded but it's no problem. I like the use of colors red and blue for the words, as they relate to the holiday season or Christmas, the image of the kids opening up their presents under a Christmas tree is a very nice touch to keep the design aligned with the theme of the magazine. Other than that, the layout is organized as usual coming from Fresh magazine, they included pictures, images, and different typography. I learned a lot from these magazines.

I like the look of this double-page spread, nothing too crazy but I like how it stayed consistent with the color scheme. Good use of items or images of items like the dark blue stars they spread around the pages, I may follow such feature for my magazine. A balanced amount of text in contrast to the images and pictures. I see no drop cap, it makes the audience not bother to read the text, that's worst-case scenario. Overall, it looks okay nothing crazy.

Guide Question and Answer: