Research - Genres

Greetings,

My media studies class is currently doing a magazine brief for our portfolio. I decided to focus on researching the three main genres: Fashion/Lifestyle, Music/Entertainment, and Sports & Fitness. Researching these genres helped me gain a better understanding of the conventions, different layout and design choices, and the audience expectations that bring together the magazine.

Genre #1 Fashion/Lifestyle 

These are primarily targeted towards 18-35yr old women who are interested in keeping up with beauty, celebrity culture, and style trends. I noticed the glossy, high-quality photography, bold mastheads, coverlines to grab the audience's attention, and high contrast color schemes.

While observing these conventions, it helped me understand the visuals, layout, and lettering that make the magazine's personality. I learned that the visual and organized design keeps the magazine engaging, which I will keep in mind for my own magazine project.

https://www.magazinecafestore.com/products/cosmopolitan-magazine?srsltid=AfmBOoqRRMpesEZYQAkDxrN_XCczju-MufRpJ3Oi1akF0qDVnF8WS9gH&variant=45900660637885

https://blueprintforstyle.com/comparing-womens-style-magazines/

Genre #2 Music/Entertainment

These magazines are aimed at 15-30-year-olds who have an interest in the latest music, new artists, concerts, and trends in pop culture. The NME is for readers who want to stay updated on new music releases and celebrity interviews.

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Research helped me understand how, when combining current music 

ea hel content with informal language and visuals engages a younger audience. This showed me that it's key to make your magazine feel lively and relatable while still organized.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/nme-wasnt-a-monolith/

https://www.nme.com/

Genre #3 Sports/Fitness

The sports and fitness genre is widely ranged from 16-20, 18-35, and even 30-45-year-olds. These magazines use high-contrast layouts, creating energy and action, bold lettering emphasizing headlines, and conventions suggesting motion and strength intensity.

I chose this genre as my genre for my magazine brief because it spoke to me the most, relating to athletes and the motivational language utilised. After reviewing these, I will carry the important conventions and high-impact photography onto my own.

https://creativemarket.com/Mighty-Design/286315279-Sports-Magazine-Layout

https://www.si.com/

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