The Four F's

 

 

Format:     They are the design choices that are included in every issue to keep an overall consistency of the magazine. This includes colour scheme and font. For example, magazines aimed at young girls will most likely have pastel pinks and blues with doodles and sparkles all the way through the magazine and in every issue

For example 'girl talk'  has lots of pink and little doodles of love hearts and females on the cover which is featured in every single edition of the mag. (With exceptions to boy bands or actors that may be featured on the cover)

 

 

Formula: Editorial content (what's inside the mag) for example, article content, departments and their length. The address and the way the article is written will effect the audience. An adults magazine written like a child's magazine wouldn't work because people may think that the writer is insulting their intelligence and consequently the audience may lose interest in the magazine entirely and not buy it again.
 

As this example shows, its very clear just by the headlines which magazine is aimed at adults. The one on the right features mostly adult themes and cultures and is also mostly blocks of writing whereas the one on the left is much shorter and more fun and seems to be aimed towards the bands fans and young girls.

 

Frame: Margins and gutters are kept to a standard size to keep a familiarity and consistency in every issue of the magazine. The white space from the margins mean that it gives an eye break for the reader but also allows the reader to hold the publication without covering words. Without any white space at all the magazine would be very off-putting to the reader as it would look too overcrowded and time consuming to read. It'd be very difficult to escape a standardised margin layout whilst still having a good visual effect on the reader.

 

 

Function: What a magazine is trying to achieve. This can be the message it wants to convey to the reader whether that is fashion, music or political views. Other magazines that support wildlife could want people to volunteer for a charity for example.