The magazine that I choose was LOOK magazine. I choose this magazine as it very close to the style and type of magazine that I'll create for my coursework. Also, it is interesting to see the differences in what is advertised on the cover due to the different season and time of year. With the December issue focused on gifts and Christmas but the Summer issue focuses on 'Beach Buys' and the Summer. However, even though they my seem different under the surface they are both very much the same with them having identical layouts and presenting things in the same way every issue and each issue representing consumerism. The magazine also talks about the latest up to date 'gossip', news and fashion trends.
A theory that is most relevant to these magazines is Barthes Codes Theory as there is codes throughout the covers of the magazine such as the use of an enigma code like in the December issue where it says that Meghan said 'I've Had Enough' makes us curious to what she has had enough of. It is also the case with Rihanna where it says 'I've Met My Match' as it makes us curious to who it is.
Something that I would borrow is the use of quotes to use as an enigma code and using more than one image on the cover and using multiple smaller images as well.
Magazine:
LOOK
Publisher:
TIME Inc UK
Genre:
Lifestyle - With a focus on Fashion.
Genre Conventions:
These editions of Look magazine from July and December both show many of the conventions of what you would expect of a magazine of this genre. What stands out in both of these is the taglines as they are a lot more prominent compared to some of the other magazines I have studied. They both use very clickbaity headlines, with it saying under Meghan 'I've Had Enough!', making us curious to what she has had enough of. Furthermore, LOOK uses high profile figures and celebrities to sell its magazine and to catch the eye of the audience as they will be drawn to the magazine due to a recognisable face and in this case they use Rihanna and Meghan Markle.
Settings/Locations:
There is no distinct locations except a blue background for the December issue and a pink background for the July issues. This may link to the time of year with colours like blue having connotations of the cold and the Winter and pink having connotations of Summer.
Representations:
Both women are shown as confident and in the moment and casual, with neither of them even looking directly at the reader. Meghan looks as though she is posing for a photo on the red carpet and it makes her come across as powerful and confident.
Media Language:
The mode of address is very personal and this is clear throughout both covers and it makes it seem as though the magazine is your friend and is helping you and offering advice. For example 'Failsafe Styles For When You Really CBA', 'You Total POSER', 'YOUR Holiday HITLIST', 'Hot Hair At Your Desk?', and 'INCLUDING YOU!'.
Appeals to the target audience:
They manage to appeal to the target audience by featuring lots of stuff on celebrity news and celebrity culture, things that young people can be very obsessive over. Also, Rihanna is in the same age bracket as them and so is Jennifer Lawrence so they may be able to identify with them.
Website - http://www.look.co.uk/
The LOOK website has a simple and easy to navigate layout and has multiple headlines which appeal to the audience. The website features up to date news on the latest trends and news in the celebrity and fashion world. The website also links to all its social media pages and also advertises the latest issue of the magazine.
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