Blog Post #2 - Representation

In my travel magazine, I plan on representing and appealing to families and their vacations. 
Typical travel magazines include content that families of the middle class would read, 
since this tends to be their largest audience. A majority of these families go on yearly 
vacations, like my family and my peers. The middle class family is represented 
in generally the same way, like in these examples:

In the magazine, Travel + Leisure, they have an entire issue based on Family Vacations. 
Some modules are labeled “How to Plan an Amazing Trip With Your Kids,” or “I Took My 
Daughter on Her First Girls Trip.” There’s also other content that is based on a single location 
or vacation spot, but generally it’s about families. There’s also many pictures that show mothers 
and their daughters, sons and their fathers, and vice versa. These pictures form an idealistic 
dream family that isn't’ always the case. Yet, the magazine still draws in readers.

Another example of such content is, ROAM family travel, which is an online travel magazine 
whose main purpose is to assist in planning family vacations. Again, the photos place an ideal, 
probably fortunate, family exploring the world together. ROAM’s slogan is Real Families, Real 
Adventures, Real Fun, which is ironic since not all representations are real.

This representation is not necessarily a “bad” thing but it tends to generalize. No 
representation is “fair” because it always depends on the scenario. I would still retain content 
based on families and vacations, but challenge the representation by also appealing to more 
audiences and those who seek adventure in general.

Blog Post #1 - Additional Genre Research

1. Genre: Environmental Magazines
2. Content: Environmental magazines aim is to provide information about environmental
   issues and to share ideas about the Earth’s diverse terrain. It goes hand in hand with
   travel magazines because it features many aspects of the world. The goal of these 
   magazines is to encourage a sustainable lifestyle and promote a sustainable future. 
   Some examples of content would be stats on global warming and climate change, 
   ways to use renewable energy, and appealing landscapes and environmental scenarios. 
   I can add to the visual strength by enhancing the color (which also correlates with production.) 
   The color theme would be green and blue, representing the Earth.
3. Production: Due to the numerous photos, an environmental magazine could be costly. One of the 
   most important aspects to magazines and photos, is its color.  A way around the expensive 
   production costs is to use many photos that are smaller in size, and still fill up a page. Another 
   appeal of magazines is the longer “life” they have. While newspapers are discarded, magazines 
   can be kept for days, weeks, and years. Because of this, magazines need to have high-quality 
   paper and ink to produce that visual appeal. Again, this is costly, so the environmental article 
   should have different modules taking up space to balance the cost of production. Maybe a 
   “How-To” section that gives examples of easy sustainable methods of living, or a “Did You 
   Know” with facts about animals.
4. Sample 1: Environment. 
   

In the environmental magazine clearly labeled, “Environment” 
the cover alone tells readers what they need to know. As an environmental 
magazine, the main purpose is to teach readers to appreciate their surroundings, 
this cover is titled “Paying for Change” which embodies it. The colors are the same 
scheme that I think matches the topic, green for land, and blue for the water. The appealing 
question on the cover asks if foreign aid is really green. By reading this magazine it is clear 
that the audience will take away valuable information about the environment.

5. Sample 2: Orion

This sample to a more simplistic approach, but still embodied the environmental 
magazine genre. The same 2 colors are shown “coexisting”, green and blue. 
The specific goal of the Orion is to “focus on nature, culture, and place addressing 
environmental and societal issues.” All environmental magazines plan on accomplishing this. 
The specific issue is all about the promotion of coexisting, and how humans should respect animals. 
The Orion is a non-profit magazine that hopes to enlighten those who read it.

6. Examples!

E–The Environmental Magazine

New York State Conservationist

Resurgence & Ecologist

A\J: Alternatives Journal

The Ecologist

Environment

Down to Earth