Magazine Analysis

 

  • The Masthead is bold and unique and helps to create a brand identity.
  •  The dateline also follows tradition as it is found underneath the Masthead and is written above the price.
  •  It also roughly fits the rule of three as there are spaces either side of the main image.
  • The main image is also traditional as it is a single photo of Liam. The main image is a close-up picture of Liam Gallagher. Using a celebrity as the only thing on the front cover doesn’t just draw the attention of readers but it also draws the attention of Liam Gallagher fans. Using Liam as the main image in a serious way instead of a mocking way suggests that he is good and stands with the policies of the Big issue magazine.
  • The only font that is big and bold is the masthead. The rest of the font on the front cover is small and white. This could be so it doesn’t take away the attention from Liam Gallagher.
  • Colour scheme is a mint green background. This is an example of semiotics as green connotes good and the magazine tends to lean towards the left-wing political parties and seem to support the Labour party. The magazine believes in helping people and are more accepting of the changes in society, such as movements with LGBTQ+ and they often speak out about issues that negatively impact the homeless and vulnerable people, obviously all good things.
  • The target audience for The Big Issue is men and women aged 18-50, middle/upper class. The Big Issue website states that their typical reader tend to be high paid, well-educated, and employed. They also state that their target audience is hard to reach through traditional media. Meaning they choose to break the traditional codes and conventions, so they stand out.
  • It challenges the traditional magazine cover as it has no other cover lines or supporting images. It has one single photo and only one cover line, which is unconventional but draws the reader’s attention to the main topic of the magazine.
  • There are no supporting images. This could be so that the audiences focus is drawn directly to the centre on the magazine and onto the focus of the magazine
  • The Big Issue doesn’t have a selling line but does have more of a slogan “A hand up not a handout” and it doesn’t have a barcode as it is sold on the streets. The covers are more creative and often very different from each other because they are not sold in supermarkets – they have the freedom to do what they want because they don’t have to worry about competing with other magazines.
  • The magazine tends to lean towards the left-wing political parties and seem to support the Labour party. The magazine believes in helping people and are more accepting of the changes in society, such as movements with LGBTQ+ and they often speak out about issues that negatively impact the homeless and vulnerable people.

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