Analysing and Breaking Down Magazines

In class we were given a magazine to analyse any observations noted in the magazine. Some differences that were pointed out were:

• The different text used for each article.
• Decoration around subtitle to attract and encourage the user to read.

Different text for each article

Different text for each article - decoration around subtitle

• Drop caps used at the beginning of the article.
• Used so that the designer points the user from where he/she should start reading.

Drop caps

• A 3 column grid layout used for certain articles including white space while for certain articles 2 column grid layout including white space.

3 column grid layout

2 column grid layout

• Pink colour set as a background colour for the front page showing different titles of certain articles throughout the magazine.
• The magazine itself attracts punk and young generations.

Pink background colour

• For a poster it's set as a landscape orientation to show the full image.
• Two simple sentences about the poster.

Landscape oriented

• The majority of the pages are set as a portrait orientation.
• Enlarged and different coloured text to attract more attention to the readers.
• Fonts are enlarged to show greater hits at that particular year.
• Decorative borders throughout the columns.

Portrait orientation

Portrait orientation

Portrait orientation - different fonts for punk albums

• Every page has a page number with a different font style.

Page numbers with different font style

Page numbers with different font style

• Pages are divided into different sections to fit more articles.
• Page breaks to show that the article has finished and a new article is going to start.

More than article in 2 pages

• The layout of an article is similar to a newspaper style.
• Decorative borders throughout the page.

Layout similar to an article

• Advertisement taking up the whole page.

Advertisement for a whole page

• Most of the images are printing using colour.
• Similar usage to comics.

• Background patterns around text.
• Decorative patterns inside text.

Background and decorative patterns throughout the text 

• Certain articles are set with the text of the article on the left side of one page and a photo of the author who wrote that article on the other page (taking the whole page).

Left page - text on the article and Right page - image of the author