Evaluation: How Did You Attract/Address Your Audience?

I attracted my audience using a variety of differing methods varying from Colours utilised, Language and typography to Design elements and representations.

 

The colours utilised as specified from the start of the project intended not to be childish in the sense that the colours were too bright and vibrant e.g. Pink and Purple as this connotes a younger audience particularly girls, this is unacceptable as my demographic is over 18 and a significant amount middle aged, hence this justified why I selected more darker noire colours to contrast well with the white. Brighter colours have been utilised such as yellow however this is a darker variant with a gold like element to match the guitar. The clothing choice of the model is also a good colour choice as it does not overpower the front however still is given limelight and attention via the matching black and the connotative and iconic themes that are attached to the clothing colour (Johnny Cash aka "Man In Black"

 

Language was a vital factor in my magazine in order to cater to the demographic as it was necessary to make them feel like a community, a close knit group of country enthusiasts and listeners who only they understood the language, this also applies to Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs as it gives the reader a sense of belonging and love or appreciation. Colloquialisms or Southern American slang was used to cater to the Country demographic, words such as "Y'all" (located in the Editorial to amplify meaning to the reader as they witness the Editor using this language) and "Hankerin" were used (Y'all meaning You All and Hankerin meaning getting hyped or excited). This again makes the listeners feel like a community which is necessary for a magazine to be successful due to further issue sales.

 

The name Bonafide itself is a huge attraction for Country listeners as this is almost a slang type word used in the US mainly meaning "real" or "genuine" and has American 1900s heritage, bearing in mind that the demographic has a significant amount of Americans within, this is a excellent way of attracting the audience.

 

Typography placed a major role in attracting the audience as the masthead "Bonafide" involved a very American heritage like typography with themes of the Wild West in the font itself, this caters to  the demographic and not only catches their eye but again makes them feel like a community as majority of Country listeners are based in the US.

 

 

Design elements were utilised in order to cater to the demographic. Firstly the model for the main central image significantly connoted to major country icons (Johnny Cash & Woody Guthrie) as intended (using the quantitative research questionnaire to my advantage as the sample stated many iconic country stars as their role models). Johnny Cash was connoted to via my main central image dressed in full black, this using semiotics references to the "Man In Black" and is instantly catering and appealing to the demographic. Again only Country listeners will be able to understand the next use of iconography as Woody Guthrie was referenced to also using the text on the guitar "THIS MACHINE KILLS" replicated and emulating the iconic words of "This Machine Kills Fascists" on Mr Guthrie's Guitar. These references and hints to major iconic country artists plays a colossal role in catering to the demographic.

 

Utilising the Quantitative research via the questionnaire i catered to the demographic further, my sample had shown great interest in country stars like "Luke Bryan" and "Taylor Swift". Therefore this justified the use of a band/artists index as the audience can immediately see the artist they called inspirational and role models on the front cover and this not only catches the attention of the demographic but causes them to turn the next page and read on as they have acknowledged the fact the artist is featured by reading the index banner placed on the front cover.

Using the design elements I purposely placed an image of the editor in a chequered shirt and American rancher hat in order to "blend" in with the reader and again make the audience feel like a community.