Flat plans

 Edition One ideas (version 1&2)

I need to decide if I want to have one or two people on the main cover but I am planning to take pictures including both and then when editing, see which one looks better. 

Website ideas 

NEA pitch

Generic research- case studies

 Condé Nast is a global mass media company founded in 1909 by Condé Montrose Nast and owned by Advance Publications. Its headquarters are located at One World Trade Center in the Financial district of Manhattan. He publishes many well known titles such as Vanity Fair and Vogue.

All of his work is very high end, which resonated with my brief and what i am looking to do. 

My first case study: British Vogue February 2022 cover (featuring model Nyagua Ruea)

Genre conventions

This cover strongly adheres to fashion magazine conventions. This can be seen by the: 

Masthead: The iconic “VOGUE” logo dominated the top of the page, partially obscured by the model- a common convention that assumes brand recognition.

Cover model: The centrally frames, high fashion model with intense styling is typical of the genre, emphasising beauty and elegance.

Typography: Sleek, serif fonts are used for the title and cover lines, conveying luxury

Minimalist cover lines: Only one headline, along with a smaller subheading, suggests exclusivity and high fashion’s trend towards minimalism. 

Intertextuality

Reference to classical imagery: The model’s pose, lighting, and styling recall classical portraiture and photography from the 1950s and 60s.

Homage to past Vogue covers: This cover style- dark tones, luxury fabrics, strong poses- is reminiscent of previous iconic Vogue covers, aligning the issue with the brand’s historic identity.

Afrofuturist Aesthetic: The deep contrast, glossy textures, and futuristic styling could be read as referencing Afrofuturist visual language, connecting to broader cultural narratives about Black identity, visibility, and power in fashion and media 

Media language and representation

Lighting and colour: High contrast lighting with glossy black fabrics and dark skin tones creates a visually striking image. The sharp sheen on the model’s skin and clothing elevates her appearance to almost statue like perfection. 

Styling: The luxurious black satin suit and voluminous skirt blend traditionally masculine tailoring with feminine elegance- suggesting power and modernity. 

The model is represented as powerful, poised and regal- subverting mainstream fashion norma’s that have historically marginalised darker skinned models.

The cover challenged Eurocentric beauty ideals by celebrating dark skin as aspirational.

Intended Audience Addressed

- British Vogue aims at a progressive, fashion-conscious audience, often in the ABC1 social bracket

- This cover appeals to a culturally literate, socially aware demographic who value inclusivity, representation, and boundary pushing aesthetics.

- The minimalist approach signals to the audience that Vogue isn’t just selling clothes- it’s setting cultural and aesthetic agendas. 

My second case study: Vogue Japan, April 2024 (Anok Yai)

Genre convention

Masthead: The bold, pink ‘VOGUE’ masthead instantly communicates the genre- elite fashion. It’s placed behind the models afro, a convention often used to show confidence in brand recognition.

Cover Model: A striking female model in high-fashion styling is central, reflecting genre norms. Her confident stance and direct gaze create a powerful fashion persona. 

Styling: Avant-garde white mesh top and dramatic afro align with couture trends and signal the publication’s commitment to bold, trend setting aesthetics.

Typography: Japanese vertical and horizontal type placement reflects local conventions while maintaining Vogue’s global identity.

Intertextuality

Afro Hairstyling as Cultural Reference: The model’s voluminous afro invokes cultural and historical references to the 1970s Black Power movement, celebrating natural Black beauty—a visual conversation with past social justice imagery.

Fashion and Art History: The lighting and fabric texture draw inspiration from classical sculpture and Renaissance chiaroscuro lighting techniques, linking fashion photography to high art.

Vogue Identity: The magazine uses the recognisable “VOGUE” branding seen worldwide, creating a sense of intertextual coherence across its international editions.

Media language and representation

Lighting and Colour: The stark contrast between the model’s dark skin and the overexposed white fabric/background enhances visual drama, highlighting both beauty and strength.

Pose and Expression: Her upright posture, slightly tilted head, and direct eye contact convey confidence and authority. She isn’t sexualised—she’s empowered.

Audience Addressing: This speaks to fashion-forward, socially conscious audiences in Japan and globally. It appeals to a demographic that values diversity, representation, and bold femininity.

Representation: The model’s unapologetic Black beauty on a Japanese magazine cover challenges dominant beauty norms and pushes forward ideas of global inclusivity.

My third Case study: L’Officiel Hommes- the fashion issue 

Genre Conventions

Masthead: “L’OFFICIEL HOMMES” uses sophisticated serif typography, immediately placing it within high-fashion men’s magazines. Monochrome color scheme reinforces timeless luxury.

Cover Model: Joseph Quinn (known from Stranger Things) is styled in neutral, high-fashion menswear, reinforcing genre conventions of sophistication and elegance. 

Cover Line: “Takes the Plunge” hints at a feature piece, suggesting personal insight—common in celebrity-led fashion issues. Minimal copy is a trend among high-end magazines.

Intertextuality

Star Power: Joseph Quinn’s appearance taps into intertextuality with contemporary TV/pop culture, particularly Netflix’s global audience. This appeals to both fashion fans and entertainment followers.

Classic Male Imagery: His soft expression and body language evoke James Dean or vintage fashion photography, subtly referencing 1950s masculinity while updating it for modern sensibilities.

Monochrome Aesthetic: A nod to black-and-white photography from mid-20th-century fashion shoots and fine art portraiture—adding timeless prestige.

Media Language & Representation

Styling and Pose: The oversized coat and layered outfit signal contemporary male fashion, while his relaxed pose (hands in pockets, tilted body) softens traditional masculinity.

Monochrome Filter: Creates a mood of introspection and elegance, aligning with the cover line’s emotional tone (“Takes the Plunge”)—possibly hinting at vulnerability.

Audience Addressing: Aimed at modern men interested in fashion, style, and celebrity culture—especially those who value understated confidence over traditional machismo.

Representation: Quinn’s styling and expression portray a nuanced masculinity that is stylish, introspective, and emotionally open, reflecting evolving male identity in media.

I would like to include a lot of these elements into my own front covers as each of these techniques is what makes it look so high end and sophisticated. I really like the idea of the subject sitting down on a stool and sitting in a commercialised pose. Furthermore, i like the monochromatic look, however i might try this with a monochrome colour instead of black and white as i feel this will really make the cover insteresting and eye catching. 

I would like to get as much diversity as possible in my cover- using people from different genders and ethnicities to really help widen the target audience and possible ‘readers’

Industrial Context

 Brief timeline of magazines 

1600s – The first magazine, Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen, was published in Germany in 1663.

1700s – Magazines became more popular, with The Gentleman’s Magazine in England and the first U.S. magazines launching in the mid 40s

1800s – Magazines grow even more, with famous ones like The Saturday Evening Post and National Geographic (1888) launching.

1900s – The “Golden Age” of magazines; major titles like TIME (1923), Playboy (1953), and People (1974) debut and we start truly seeing the uprise of magazines and hem being a weekly purchase for many individuals 

1980s-1990s – Digital magazines begin; Word, launched in 1993, becomes the first online magazine, opening the market up to a whole new audience an also helping to deal with the technological convergence that was happening at the time.

2000s-Present – Many print magazines decline as digital takes over, with some going fully online but, those that are still around from early on still have popularity with celebrities being featured  on the main front covers. eg. Harry Styles on  the cover of Vogue. He is a very current  figure that most of the target audience would recognise, helping a company such as Vogue to continue getting revenue. 

Generic Research and inspirations

Researching Condé Nast brands such as Glamour has provided valuable insight into high-end editorial design, branding, and audience engagement. Glamour is known for its bold yet sophisticated layouts, striking imagery, and a strong balance between fashion, beauty, and cultural commentary. The magazine effectively uses typography, color schemes, and photography to create a visually compelling and cohesive identity that appeals to its target audience. When creating my own magazine, I will take inspiration from Glamour by incorporating dynamic layouts, eye-catching cover designs, and a strong editorial voice that resonates with my chosen demographic. Additionally, I will study how Condé Nast publications structure their content, using engaging headlines and high-quality visuals to maintain reader interest and create a polished, professional look.

One of the pages i like on Glamours web page is this article called 

                            6 people who found love without dating apps share how they did it

followed by this photo as the main image: 

I like this picture as i feel it resonates with the target audience as this particular style is very popular at the moment. It is something i am looking forward to recreating in my own magazine/ website.

I looked at some other Condé Nast front covers that I would like to take inspiration from multiple eras, ranging from 1940s editions to current editions. Looking at how they have changed has helped give an insight into how as society has changes, brands identity has changes to fit with the social context of the time. Some examples include: 

 

Audience research- focus group

 PRIMARY AUDIENCE 

Subject 1:

My first subject is Liv. She fits my target demographic as she is a 19 year old uni student, part of the ABC1 audience and has an aesthetically pleasing life and an interest in higher end fashion, which can be seen in her own style. She is a creative individual who spends her free time reading and spending time with her friends, who also all fit this target demographic. Liv has a noticeable online presence, this is possibly a result uprise of social media that has happened in her childhood, as Instagram was created in 2010 the platform grew the more she did, leaving Instagram as her go to social media app. 

Subject 2: 

My second subject is Gracie. Gracie is 16 years old and also part of the ABC1 audience. She is interesting in fashion and lifestyle which is something that my magazine will cover. In addition she is currently a reader of Vogue and Glamour, both of which are Condé Nast magazines- further fitting my target audience. 

Subject 3:

My third subject is Loren, she is 24 years old and currently spends her time travelling. Along with travelling Loren has a presence on social media, regularly posting her recent travels and events with friends. She is a very fashionable individual and i believe her style to be influenced by the current trends in the media, making her an ideal reader of my magazine. She is also part of the later end of the age range making my magazine open to more people from the 16-25 age range.   

Audience research- average reader profile

 candidate name: ALICE TRAYNOR

candidate number: 2170

centre number: 16607

Audience research:

Primarily 15-25 year old middle market and up market audience of style conscious people.

—> usually a reader of other Condé Nast magazines such as Vogue and GQ

reader profile: