Friday, January 27, 2017

Does Size Matter? A New Era For Print Publications //

Dear Readers,

When Jo Elvin disclosed that Glamour magazine would change and return to the traditional A4 print size, a part of me felt a little heartbroken. Perhaps I have thought too much into the style of this publication or I have fallen too deep for the way things 'used to be'. 


I have always been a nostalgic person when it comes to print magazines. My hoarding has enabled me to gather a hefty collection of magazines and it always interests me to look back at the way a publication has developed and evolved to pursue the trends of the time. 


In the February 2017 issue of Glamour, Jo Elvin talks in the Editor's Letter openly about the changes in common magazine trends. I may have been unaware of it, but the way we read print media is changing once again. More people are choosing to read their favourite publications at their own leisure, rather then during their morning commute or during their lunch break. Whilst I agree that this is true, I also still see the scurry of working women grabbing the latest handbag issues whenever I am traveling into London. I am interested to understand why Glamour saw such a rise in sales of the larger A4 magazine to the seemingly convenient A5 size.

Glamour have paved the way for women's glossy magazines and have always maintained a strong readership through creating content that women can pick up and read at any moment spare in their day. I trust their judgement and so I think their readers will too, even if they themselves, do not realise what they want quite yet.

I also agree with Jo Elvin's comment further into the letter that 'in a digital world, I believe a print mag is a truly comforting antidote to the noise of online.'

Satin Shirt - Primark Jamie Jeans - Topshop Boots - Primark
Perhaps I am curious about this revamp because I am currently creating my own magazine as part of my degree and we are at the stages of deciding what aesthetic, typeface, page size and paper quality we want to use, in order to attract our target audience. It might also have a lot to do with the fact that I live and breath magazines and not a week goes by where I don't buy one.


Whether you're set in your magazine purchasing ways or you're open to change, Glamour has you wanting to try something new with their 'Supersize' issues. Offering  their readers new content, Glamour can be seen experimenting with the new space in this month's magazine. There is definitely room for improvement, but I know as the journalist's and artists become more comfortable, the reading experience will most definitely come into its own.

Stay Sweet,

Alice xx




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