Magazine Research Assignment: National Geographic

Purchase a well-designed magazine (ideally award winning) Post you’re your class website under link “Magazine Design” – “Research”

1. What does the magazine branding tell you about the magazine content and attitude e.g. humor, serious, intellectual etc. Intellectual, educational, accessible but serious

For the cover: 1. What does the nameplate convey about the magazine branding? a. Formal and educational brand 2. Describe the (s) and size(s) and style used for the nameplate a. 80pt, NatGeo SemiBold (similar to Times New Roman Condensed) 3. What kinds of images are used and why are they effective and how do they entice you to open and read the magazine? a. The cover photo is large and is the dominant element of the . It ties directly into the feature article and grabs your attention with unity and contrast. 4. How the use of image and make the featured article apparent when looking at the cover? a. The image is of an apple and the next secondary element is “FOOD”, then the rest of the feature information offers context and makes the subject more enticing. 5. What and sizes of typography? a. 80pt. Bold, 42pt. Helvetica Light and Helvetica Bold, 20pt. Helvetica Light

For the feature spread:

1. What type of images are used and why are they effective in illustrating the feature story? a. Large photos depicting different times, cultures, ages, and settings for eating food. It makes the story accessible and real. It brings emotion to the story. 2. How are large caps used – what font and size where do they appear? a. There is no drop cap but 8pt. Minion Pro used for the first phrase opening the section 3. What typography is used for pull quotes? a. 18pt. Minion Pro Italic (colored) 4. What fonts are used? What sizes are the fonts? What is the ? a. 10pt. Minion Pro with 11pt. leading

For a pull quote:

1. What font is used? What size? a. 18pt. Minion Pro Italic 2. What makes the pull quotes stand out from the article text? a. Large size, italics, different color

For a sidebar:

1. What information is provided in the sidebar and how does the information related to the accompanying article? a. A small map and it gives context to the area they are discussing at that in the article, gives factual support to the photo. 2. Explain the use of image e.g. illustrations, infographics etc. used in the sidebar. a. Context for the traditions of food being described in the subsequent text; mainly infographics.

For the folios:

1. What is included in the copy for the right (odd numbered folios) a. The hashtag for the article as the article begins with the page number or the credit of the photo on the page. Otherwise there is no right folio 2. What is included in the copy for the left (even numbered folios) a. The page number, National Geographic, and the issue 3. Where in reference to the page edge are the folios located? a. Approximately 4 picas from the edge