Research

Our task during this lesson was to find three similar magazine covers aimed at the same audience in which we are looking to target. We then had to see if there was a similarity across the three covers in terms of; subject matter, the colours used, the fonts used, the types of models they employ, the language used to address/target the audience, the design/layout of the covers and the freebies/offers.

subject matter: They are all based on dance. The first magazine is perhaps based on Latino dancing because of the Spanish model. This magazine seems to be about the publicity and celebrity culture compared to the other two which seem to be based around dance technique rather than the lifestyle which accompanies dance.

the colours used: The first magazine gives the feeling of an upbeat dance mag because of it's bright range of colours and the beach backdrop. This gives a party feeling to the magazine. The secod magazine keeps to simple two colours; light blue, grey and black. The blue descends into a lighter sky blue and the floor is a grey. The writing in the forground of the magazine is black which compliments to models black clothes. The final magazine is also partially colour coordinated; red, orange and browns. All three magazines have very differerent colour schemes.

the fonts used: The first magazine uses sans serif font which adds to it's carefree, party feel of the magazine. The soft curves across the masthead on 'dance spirit' contrast with the sans serif font on the 'dance' magazines which is a lot more anguler, giving them a serious feel to the magazine. Both magazines use a sans serif font however, in different ways.

the types of models they employ: the first magazine uses sex appeal with the model they have used - a young, attractive woman yet she does not appear to be dancing. This adds to the party feel of the magazine and contrasts with the models on the cover of 'dance' magazine; who are all in a mid-flow of dancing.

the language used to address/target the audience: The 'dance' magazines use dance related tag lines such as 'what is wrong with ballet schools?' this contrasts with the 'dance spirit' magazine which is all about the lifestlyes of dance, rather than the dance itself.

the design/layout of the covers: The first magazine uses the beach as the backdrop with the taglines along each side of the magazine whereas the magazine covers on 'dance' have simple backdrops and are soley based around the dancing.

the freebies/offers: On the first magazine there is an offer for a dance music CD. This shows that the magazine is based around the partying lifestyle rather than the dance wheras 'dance' does not offer any freebies which shows it is a proffesional magazine.