Magazine Research Post #3b: Feature Article Conventions

 For this blog post, I will be examining and analyzing the conventions of a feature magazine. For this example, I will be using the Women's Fashion magazine, Vogue. In particular, I will be using the special feature "A Fine Romance", published in February 2012, by Catherine Piercy

It is most obvious that the target audience is targeted towards more typical feminine audiences. More specifically, feminine lifestyles that are adhere to high fashion, elegance, and minimalistic styles. Moreover, the feature article details spring fashion and how femininity lifestyles flutter in this time. It also appeals to those that are obsessed with the art of make up, and how it shifts between different seasons, requiring immense skill, patience, and understanding of the art to effectively interpret oneself with the medium. 

Let's start of with the text hierarchy for this analysis. At the top of the hierarchy, is the title of the feature article, "A Fine Romance". It is in bold and is relatively bigger than the rest of the text in the article. Moreover, the font is minimalistic, geometrically symmetrical, and elegant. This captures the reader's attention, without seeming tacky, out of style, and ugly. It maintains a concise and minimalistic design, which is a common trend among this magazine. Next the the hierarchy is the subtitle, reading "Straddling the innocent/sexy divide, spring's lush-lashed new look is powerfully pretty. Photographed by Craig McDean." Following the common trend of minimalism and elegance, the subtitle is concise and informational. It provides a basic description of what is in store in the feature article. This helps the reader understand what they will be getting into, in an aesthetically pleasing manner. An interesting way they start of the main body of the text int he feature article is by starting the first letter of the body text in the biggest font. First off, this helps the reader know exactly where to start when reading, in a stylish and elegant way. Second, it adheres to the design of the text, while preventing a boring wall of text by adding a stylistic "pop" in the typography. 

Reflection

Knowing how to lay out a feature article is so important when it comes to creating a magazine! Although it can be a bore to write or read, Vogue, which is a popular women's high fashion magazine, adds an amazing style and pop to its typography. Adding a bit of geometric asymmetry to the usual symmetry help create a contrast that helps the main body of the article fun to look at. I think these types of unique stylistic choices are the way to go when it comes to creating a magazine, since it is not only fun to create, but fun to read and navigate. It is almost as if the typography is mimicking the dynamic articulation and poses of the models themsleves!