Analyzing different papers and magazines

Looking closely at the choice of fonts, the hierarchy of types, page layout, use of images and any adverts.  By analysing the general rules/themes applied to the magazine/newspaper as a whole I can see vibe of the content and gauge:

*the target audience.
*the mood implied.
*what the magazine/paper is about.


The Big Issue magazine

Fonts:
Brand name:       Unique individual style type, bold sans serif with surrounding box.
Header:              Mostly Sans Serif (same as subtitles) occasionally is more elaborate header.
Subheadings:      Sans serif
Body Copy:       Serif
Highlighted bits:  Bold variant of Serif (same as body copy)
Specials:            Script/handwritting font

Colours:
Black and Red largely throughout, Choice of colour for subheading differs in section:
The mix: Red
Films, TV, Culture: Ocre yellow.

Light gloss to pages

Content:
Cultural issues or features on lighter side.
Ads are for community projects or homeless assistance
No product placements
Free-er speech
Less formal content and style of writing.

Example page, p 13:

The Guardian newspaper,

Fonts
Brand name:           Slab Serif, bold version.  Lower case writing for both words "the guardian"
Header:                  Slab Serif (same), bold version.
Subheadings:          Slab Serif (same), bold version.
Body copy:            Slab Serif (same)
diagrams/specials:  Thinner sans serif.

Same font, different parts of the family for it -
bolder: page title
regular: body text
in red: for subheadings and bold
thinner: for quotes
condensed:  section title header top
6 varients on pages 6 and 7.

Colours
Larger colour photos,
limited colour palette - mainly black white and red, varies colour of subheadings for some sections.
ocre yellow, orange, maroon red and occasionally blue.


Content
For the people
3 or 5 text columns a page instead of 2.
Family orientated ads - time together to catch up as family.
High end purchase ads - cars, designer bags, M&S.
Consumer ads on most pages
Charity ads occasionally through.
Political subject matters.

Example page, front cover:

TV Choice magazine

Font
Header:                different for each article, even if 4 on page! Round or blocky, sans serif largely.
Subtitles:              Sans serif, italic version (of body copy)
Body copy :         Sans serif

Colour
6 used - red, white, black, yellow, green, blue - all very bright!
Borders and text and b/g's are coloured.
Colour tab on page edge for day

High gloss pages

Content
Ads are for cheap but practical clothes or accessories, appear to be at a glance better than are.
Ads for elderly assistance items
tabs like "new" appear like price tags, stuck onto pics and overlap stuff.
Intense - an assault on the senses.
Fast read - intended for quick pick up and short reading.

Example page, p4: