Magazines

In a consumer oriented culture where we are constantly moving rarely stopping to take a breath, it is not surprising that a medium as instantly gratifying and disposable as magazines should be so popular. That's not to say that they are a product of the latter half of the 20th Century like many of the other types of media we might study. Magazines have been around nearly as long as newspapers - even the Queen of the Women's Mag, Cosmopolitan, began in the 1880s.

Throughout their existence magazines have changed in form and substance, with pretty much a text available for every distinguishable niche market out there. Despite this seemingly endless audience, the magazine is facing its toughest test yet with information, images, gossip and opinion all available at our fingertips - magazines are having to decide whether they are going to fight the online revolution or be part of it.

We look at traditional print magazines, and many of the analysis skills learned in studying Advertising, as well as the plethora of appeals can be applied in the study of magazines. However there are some other fundamental differences.

The following lessons take you through all you'll need to know to analyse the codes, conventions and appeals of magazines.

As the market for magazines changes it is likely that some of you will never read a magazine. However they are absolutely invaluable for using for questions regarding Audiences and Representations and are great for helping students consolidate knowledge of various media theories. 

Even if you don't buy them, someone in your house probably will. Your boyfriend or girlfriend will read them you could even nick one from the waiting room of your dentist. But you must get used to reading them and analysing them.



Posted by at