Featured Article Research & Planning

Definition

This is a form of a long form, in – depth, piece placed in a magazine. It explores a central theme in detail, combining research, story telling, visuals and an analysis to engage readers

Types

• Human interests / Narrative
  • stories that evoke emotions, highlighting people, causes or unique experiences
• Profile
  • in depth look at a persons life, character, achievements and backgroud
• Instructional
  • practical guides, tips / advice on specific subjects
• BTS (Behind the scenes)
  • inside look at a specific event, place or organisation
• Trend / Lifestyle
  • current social trends, fashion, health or cultural shifts
• Historical
  • connects past events / person to the present day
• Cultural
  • explores traditions, customs, food, art
• Investigative / Informative
  • a deeper, more analytical look at a current, newsworthy event
• Visual
  • image led storytelling with minimal text

I will be having 2 feature magazines. Both of them would be a cultural but with a mix of Historical and Narrative with a interview and visuals

Conventions

• Headline
  • bold, punchy & eye catching
• Byline
  • authors name
• Stand first
  • A short introduction summarising the article
• Subheading
  • break body into sections
• Body
  • Longer word count that regular articles
  • Pull quotes, interviews, in depth research
• Language and tone
  • more personal & emotional, engaging, first person perspective
• Visuals
  • Image – high quality & often full page with captions
  • Graphs, illustrations with captions
• Conclusion
  • summary, call to action
  • memorable and reflective
• Barcode
  • interview videos, promotional content, etc

Guidlines

• Theme
  • strong and central
• Headline
  • clear, engaging and concise
• Hook
  • start with an anecdote, shocking statistics / vivid description
  • to grab attention
• Research
  • feature must be based on facts, exert quotes & credible data
• Show, don’t tell
  • use of descriptive, sensory language to visualise scene than stating facts
• Structure
  • Body with thematic paragraphs and appropriate tones
  • longer and more detailed
• Conclusion
  • tie story with lasting, thought provoking / action oriented thought

Headline

“The Stories We Wear“

I choose this titles as it immediately tells the readers about what the clothes represent, there is an human connection (something all can relate to), etc.

Text and Font

As previously said the font used here may not be the final outcome I would go far as I need it to be matched with the context that it is in

• Heading
  • Pethra

• Sub-heading
  • Park Avenue Script

• Body
  • Glacial indifference – modern, minimalistic
• Quotes
  • Peak avenue script – partially calligraphic, give sense of author saying it himself

Visuals

• Photographs
  • full bleed and collages of multiple photographs such as portraits
• Colour palette
  • Orchid yellow, Light brown, Maroon, Indigo, gold, ivory – gives a elegant and traditional feeling
• Layout
  • 4 page spread
  • Front
    • full bleed picture with headline, stand first and byline
  • left
    • Subheading 1, visuals (picture / graph )
  • Right
    • Subheading 2, visuals (picture / graph )
  • Back
    • Subheading 3, visuals (statistics), conclusion

This surely won’t be the final design and outline of the magazine.