Magazines as a media form

A brief history

First publication, which could be called a magazine, was the German Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen, released in the year 1663. It was a literary and philosophical edition and after it was launched several periodicals with very similar topics were published, and were intended for an intellectual audience.

Thematic scope was very narrow, and it was mainly written by one author. A publication similar to today’s magazines (various themes and several authors) appeared in the year 1672, when French author Jean Donneau de Vize created Le Mercure Galant. It combines topics from court events, theater and literature, and this magazine concept was copied throughout Europe. The first women’s magazine, Ladie’s Mercury, was launched in London in the year 1693. Of course, these publications in their beginnings were called periodicals.

Name “magazine” appeared in the year 1731 with the occurrence of the Gentleman’s Magazine. The name magazine, which comes from the Arabic word which means the warehouse, and was used for describing the place which deposits large quantity of various goods, while the analogy used to describe a book that contained many useful information for travelers and sailors.

The genres

Amateur radio
Anomalous phenomena
Architecture
Art
Cars
Comics
Computer
Fashion
Film journal
Food and drink
Gadgets
Gaming
Health and fitness
Horticulture
Interior design
Literary
Manga
Music
Pet
Political
Sci-Fi
Trade magazine
Travel
Wildlife

Codes and Conventions

Masthead: This is usually at the top of the page and is the placement for the name of the magazine. It is instantly recognisable to the audience as a brand image.
Tag Line: A tag line is a catchy phrase that represents the brand.
Slogan: A slogan is a catchy phrase that represents the product and helps it to stand out against rival products.
Date line: The line for the date of the magazine
Feature article: The main feature or story, usually the largest font size and possibly in a different colour to stand out.
Central image: The main image on the magazine, it is usually connected to the feature article and appeals to the audience.
Cover lines: Short, catchy phrases referencing content inside the magazine and helping persuade the reader to buy.
Colour palette: Usually made of no more than three colours that contrast but complement one another. Each edition may use different colours to reflect a theme for that issue.
Barcode: The placement of the barcode used to purchase the product.
Price line: the placement the price will be.
Composition and layout: The way in which all the elements on the cover are organised; how text, images and shapes are positioned on the page.
the rule of thirds is used when composing the page, with the central image usually in the middle thirds the page. this ensures that it takes up the main part of the page and is the most eye-catching feature.
The most important text will me across the top, the top left and the centre, as this is where our eyes are drawn to first.