Magazines – Oh Comely
Iceberg Press
Small, independent company
Owns: ‘The Simple Things’ / Target: Niche audience online
This is a magazine promoted online and sold by subscription, launched in 2010
Cover
Unconventional and emphasises the use of photography, creativity and empty space
“Each issue we pick a theme + see where it takes us.”
They care about style rather than profit
There are androgynous elements to the choice of model and her clothing and body language are not
either hyper-feminine or overtly sexualised
What can be read from the image is the combination of jewellery
and clothing which connote middle and upper-class identity
The model is also not a celebrity, nor is she a recognisable character
In this way the cover is an example of an open text as the images
and writing leave much up to the decoder
She also subverts the idea of corporal perfection as she has features
that are often not considered beautiful
(e.g. seemingly short hair, thicker eyebrows etc.)
The image is a medium close up of the model – does not draw
attention to her physique or sexualise her - parallels the magazine's
aims of empowering women for their accomplishments rather than
their sexuality and appearances
Model is looking directly at the camera - direct mode of address is used
Perhaps suggesting that the magazine cannot deconstruct all of the conventions of magazine covers
- need to keep some of the elements so that it can be identified as a magazine
The style and costuming of the model suggests that the magazine is attempting to deconstruct the
idea of male and female by portraying a model who appears androgynous
, Cover lines
The cover lines used at the bottom of the cover create enigma, because they do not explicitly reveal
information
The alliteration makes the magazine sound somewhat poetic and highlights that this is a premium
product aimed at an educated (and affluent) audience
Feature: Speaking Out
The standfirst summarises the main principles and values of the magazine - the idea of empowering
women and encouraging them to achieve great things/change the world around them
Also creates a sense of aspiration
"your own revolution" acts as direct mode of address, again, encouraging the audience to feel
engaged with the magazine and the articles on a more personal level
Feature: More than Gender
Reflects modern attitudes towards gender fluidity and finding/constructing your own identity
Modern contentious issue of identity and the sense of belonging etc.
Photo booth style pictures of Andrea and Ash - adds a nostalgic feel to the article and also makes the
audience feel as though they are being spoken to on a more personal level, given an insight into a
personal aspect of their lives
Title
The title of the magazine is deliberately archaic
The word “comely” means attractive
but not in a sexualised way
The exclamation “oh” makes it both more poetic and more archaic
Typography
Title – Hand-written
Sub-titles – Sans-serif
– effect of making the magazine feel slightly home-spun, personal and craft-like
It’s more ambiguous than Men’s Health as they do not have to sell the magazine to an impulse
purchaser
Iceberg Press
Small, independent company
Owns: ‘The Simple Things’ / Target: Niche audience online
This is a magazine promoted online and sold by subscription, launched in 2010
Cover
Unconventional and emphasises the use of photography, creativity and empty space
“Each issue we pick a theme + see where it takes us.”
They care about style rather than profit
There are androgynous elements to the choice of model and her clothing and body language are not
either hyper-feminine or overtly sexualised
What can be read from the image is the combination of jewellery
and clothing which connote middle and upper-class identity
The model is also not a celebrity, nor is she a recognisable character
In this way the cover is an example of an open text as the images
and writing leave much up to the decoder
She also subverts the idea of corporal perfection as she has features
that are often not considered beautiful
(e.g. seemingly short hair, thicker eyebrows etc.)
The image is a medium close up of the model – does not draw
attention to her physique or sexualise her - parallels the magazine's
aims of empowering women for their accomplishments rather than
their sexuality and appearances
Model is looking directly at the camera - direct mode of address is used
Perhaps suggesting that the magazine cannot deconstruct all of the conventions of magazine covers
- need to keep some of the elements so that it can be identified as a magazine
The style and costuming of the model suggests that the magazine is attempting to deconstruct the
idea of male and female by portraying a model who appears androgynous
, Cover lines
The cover lines used at the bottom of the cover create enigma, because they do not explicitly reveal
information
The alliteration makes the magazine sound somewhat poetic and highlights that this is a premium
product aimed at an educated (and affluent) audience
Feature: Speaking Out
The standfirst summarises the main principles and values of the magazine - the idea of empowering
women and encouraging them to achieve great things/change the world around them
Also creates a sense of aspiration
"your own revolution" acts as direct mode of address, again, encouraging the audience to feel
engaged with the magazine and the articles on a more personal level
Feature: More than Gender
Reflects modern attitudes towards gender fluidity and finding/constructing your own identity
Modern contentious issue of identity and the sense of belonging etc.
Photo booth style pictures of Andrea and Ash - adds a nostalgic feel to the article and also makes the
audience feel as though they are being spoken to on a more personal level, given an insight into a
personal aspect of their lives
Title
The title of the magazine is deliberately archaic
The word “comely” means attractive
but not in a sexualised way
The exclamation “oh” makes it both more poetic and more archaic
Typography
Title – Hand-written
Sub-titles – Sans-serif
– effect of making the magazine feel slightly home-spun, personal and craft-like
It’s more ambiguous than Men’s Health as they do not have to sell the magazine to an impulse
purchaser
