How to Spend It Magazine - Describing the Design Style of the Publication - Essay Example

? ‘How to Spend it’ Magazine- Describing the Design Style of the Publication It goes without saying that when designing a magazine publication, it is important to put yourself in the reader’s position. Imagine the contents of the publication in the magazine you intend to write from this point of view. If this technique is implemented, you will be able to deliver the contents which are important to the reader. This is particularly important as the reader will automatically read a magazine as it relates to him or her. When designing, the typography of a magazine is vital and key to its success. Garfield Simon (2010), states that topography is the use of design with type with the aim of communicating a message (p. 45). This is usually achieved through the use of a computer to design publications. The computer allows one to use various styles and fonts that allows the designer to achieve a more professional and appealing look of the magazine being published. In the publication “How to spend” the design of the magazine has been achieved professional standards of a modern designer. A publication needs to be clear and accessible. It also has to be to connect with its readers. This will allow the reader to scan through the pages to search for something that might intrigue them. The ‘How to Spend it’ magazine has been able to capture most vital designing elements. Contents of the magazine suit the overall objective of the magazine. As the name suggests, the magazine intends to enlighten the reader on how to spend money on most of the important things from clothing to beauty products. In addition, it has managed to show the reader some exciting places that are fun to visit. This is all with the aim of teaching the reader on how to spend his or her money wisely and enjoy life. Baines & Halslam (2005) assert that by maintaining a solid perspective to the reader of the aim of the magazine, the designer has managed to capture the readers’ attention (pg. 53). The designer maintains a clear norm in the magazine. The norm in this case revolves around teaching the readers how to spend their money without overspending. The magazine contains graphic features that make the reader want to read more. The designer has managed to attract attention as he has emphasized on elements that capture the readers’ mind. Use of heading such as ‘digging deeper’ creates as sense of spending it to the last possible coin. Therefore, this matches the intention of the magazine which is to ensure the reader develops a taste for things advertised in the magazine. The ‘How to Spend it’ magazine features other characteristics that are important to the customer. Baines & Haslam (2005) believe that the designer of the magazine shifts from the normal format of designing to the loop format of designing which is very important when designing a publication (pg 45). By deviating from the usual ways of spending ones’ money, he highlights unique ways through which one can try spending. For example, he does not concentrate on the usual items that most people consider relevant and at most times end up buying. Most females will spend their income on items like handbags and designer shoes and such items as is evident by most of them. On the other hand, men will spend on watches and expensive clothes. However, the design of the magazine seems to avoid what is normal for most people and introduces new ways one can spend his or her money. Rather than concentrating on handbags and designer wear including ornaments, he majors on travelling and engaging in activities that require money such as mountain climbing and skiing. This strategy makes the reader to consider how he or she spends his or her money by trying such unique things as compared to the things he or she has already bought. There is significant use of texts in headings that catch the reader’s attention. The magazine features headings of different sizes and styles. The headings in most parts of the magazine are used appropriately to capture the reader’s eye. The designer has used these headings in the most appropriate parts thus the reader cannot just skim through the magazine to give him or her an overview of what is being discussed. The use of different sizes and styles help the designer in presenting his or her idea to the reader. This is because he manages to maintain an effective visual communication with the person reading the magazine. Another feature that is portrayed in the magazine is the use of illumination. The magazine has good use of illumination in its pages therefore has been able to keep the reader interested while reading the magazine. The layout of the contents of the magazine is aimed at ensuring the reader does not get bored reading the magazine. There is an effective arrangement of elements with each of the images carefully placed. An intricate layout portrayed in the magazine gives the reader a modern feel of the magazine allowing him to keep on reading. There is also a structural design where the images in the magazine keep on getting better as the reader peruses through it. Good use of the primary colors that attract the reader is also emphasized in the magazine. The designer has used bright colors where there are relevant and vice versa. He mixes these colors with captivating titles that get the reader attentive and attracted. An example is where the designer has used the black color for electronics advertised in the magazine and goes on to ask the readers- ‘what is it worth to you? A person reading this will be motivated to purchase the electronics as he or she is persuaded that they are authentic and worth his or her money. There is also a good choice of words that engage the reader to the magazine. Words such as ‘pick and mix and mesure et demesure’ capture the readers’ eyes and creates a need to know more about the various items displayed (Garfield, 2010, p 23). The words are carefully positioned in fonts that cannot be missed by the reader. As a result of usage of good font, the designer manages to communicate his ideas to whoever reads the magazine. ‘How to spend it’ magazine features a unique blend of the most significant elements in designing therefore is capable of capturing the attention of a large audience interested in spending yet have no clue on what and where to spend the money. Bibliography Garfield, S. (2010). Just my type: A book about fonts. London: Profile Books. Baines, P., & Haslam, A. (2005). Type & typography. London: Laurence King. Read More