I based my gaming magazine around the digital football game called FIFA. One of my intentions for the magazine was to make sure it stands out on the shelf and that it was clearly about the game Fifa. The target audience is young men and boys who have an interest in football and the game FIFA. I named my magazine FIFAWORLD which clearly represents the idea and concept of the magazine. I made the masthead stand out by using a bold font called Anton and using the colour white on a dark background. The title is clearly in the top left corner covering most of the width of the page. The idea was to make sure that the title was easily recognizable and stand out on the page. I also wanted to make sure the date, barcode, and the price was clearly visible as well. I also placed my tagline “UK’s No1 gaming magazine” under the title. This is to show the gaming image of the magazine and will show the concept of the magazine. Using the terminally “No1” is effective as it connotes that the magazine is good and worth buying. 

Another key intention of my magazine was to make it appeal to the target audience by using competition to win an Xbox. As the target market is gamers this will appeal to them. I placed this across the bottom of the cover in bold, white capitals to make it eyecatching and stand out. Another technique to make it stand out to the target market was my main cover line. “Exclusive first review of FIFA 19.” Again using bold font and the colour red. Using the word exclusive connotes that the article is only in this magazine and is, therefore a must-have. The background of the magazine is a picture of the game with some of the players from the game. There is also a football and a game controller just to create the imagery around the game. My colour scheme was white, red and blue which are quite bold and bright colours. The other overlines I used about the posters inside and the top tips on playing the game are again to make the magazine more appealing and give some information about what’s inside and what type of articles there are. I used a different font and a bright blue colour to make these cover lines stand out from the title and the background image.

Overall the main ideas and concepts of the magazine were to make sure that it was clearly representing the game Fifa and appealed to the right target market. I think using the colour scheme I used and the bring images made it look eye-catching and standout on the shelf. I think it also clearly represents the game as I have used an image from the game and added the image of the game controller. This also adds to the overall image of the magazine along with the fonts and the colors.

1. An iconic sign – which has a direct connection to its’ object (ie it looks or sounds like the object)
2. An indexical sign – which has an indirect link to its’ object (think smells)
3. A symbolic sign – which has a random or arbitary link based on a shared knowledge or an agreement, for example, a shared culture or language (think letters, words, writing, shapes, squiggles, colours, sound effects, facial expressions, hand gestures, clothing, hair styles, etc)

Iconic signs 

1. The backround image of the players 
2. The football clipart
3. The game contoller clipart

Indexical signs 

1. The football stadium is an indexical link to football

Symbolic signs 

1. The title FIFAWORLD links to the game Fifa
2. The colour red symbolises fire and passion for the game.
3. The colour white symbolises the kits and the field
4. The colour blue symbolises masculineity.

Gaming magazine design  

 
Cinn Balcombe 

Unfortunately, I lack the tools to create this magazine cover right now. However, I can still use the original plan and explain my process. 

1 and 2: 

Inserting a small area of text means that vital information about gaming news will be displayed as well as it being in a large enough, visible font as well as being short in length but just long enough to keep the attention of the reader, for example, it could say “nintendo announces new pokemon for sword and shield? More on Page 34”. This means that a small line is used to “hook” the reader into purchasing the magazine so that they can know more. This is used to display less popular games, with the most popular and anticipated game on the front. 

3: 

 The title of the magazine must be bold, clear, and have a design that is unique and     noticeable. The name of the magazine must be easily seen, so that frequent readers can spot the magazine easily, as well as those looking for a good gaming magazine within other different types of magazine. The title must also show the genre of “gaming magazine” clearly, for example, gaming weekly or something of the like. This easily shows to the reader what to expect. 

4: 

A video game title is generally used to interest those who are fond of the specific game shown, and it is usually followed by the game’s mascot on the front cover, or a popular character from the series. The logo should be large and easily seen from far away in order to catch the eyes of those passing by. 

5: 

A video game character is used in a similar purpose to the video game title but can also be used for those who do not know the series but recognise the character. This means that anyone who enjoys the idea of the series can know what the main article is about and can easily read more about their favourite characters. The idea of a character appeals more to children who do not know what the series is called but know the character, as the title always matches the character. 

6: 

A short sentence about the game is useful as it shows short and sweet information about the game. This hooks in the reader into reading, as they would like to know more about this. The hook is usually something major, which hooks them into reading it more. 

7: 

The background is usually game related, normally following a screenshot of the game on the title, displayed as a background. A background does not add much, but without it, the magazine is incomplete.  

This magazine could be for anybody, but it is mostly aimed for teenagers and young adults.  

Signs

Iconic:

Video game character, could be a console,

Indexical:

Logo, video game character,

Symbolic:

any text, letters, shapes (the squares of text on the front cover),

The title of the magazine is in a big, bold black font to capture attention and the eye of anyone looking as the white color stands out on the black background.. This could also represents the idea that characters or protagonists in games are brave and adventurous. This also compliments the other colors on the cover by bringing in a more basic element..

The centre of the cover is the video game character Sonic. Making him the main part of the cover creates a noticeable center/side piece which gamers may be familiar with, therefore making them eager to read about it. The vibrant appearance of the character results in contrasting colours which makes for a striking view.

The ‘NEW’ sticker gives an element of currentness which would make the reader want to see the newest events in gaming. Also the bold red colour is noticeable from afar and compliments the bold blue of the characters design. 

The phrase ‘Run rings around your opponents’ is a catchy tagline which suggests an excellent game which has clearly had an impact. This would make the reader want to pick up the magazine as the exciting expression would intrigue them and make them wonder what’s so good about the game, therefore making them want to read about it.

The sub head ‘number one video game magazine’ shows that this magazine is top. They will instantly think that this is the best one to buy as many other players have already, hence why it’s number one.

The text ‘SONIC BOOM’ is striking with its colours and phrasing. The dramatic onomatopoeia acts as a loud catchphrase, evoking a reader to pick it up.

The visual impact of the sonic-style rings creates another visual factor which flatters the bigger image of the character. The golden shade of these rings gives another pop of colour which, again, creates a vivid cover. 

The banner at the bottom includes a character with the line ‘Get to know all the characters.’ along with the sub title ‘Exclusive’. The color of this small character compliments the golden rings above as well as the word exclusive a it is in an electric blue colour like sonic sidepiece.

The small motto prompts the reader to open the magazine as they’d want to be informed about each protagonist.  

Also there is the price and a bar code to show the affordability of the publication which could also urge the viewer to buy. 

Edit: 
Iconic signs = The Sonic character. The yellow character. 

Indexical = "New" sticker implies modernness.

Symbolic = Colors of blue, red, green & yellow = confidence, adventure, goodness, happiness. Each color compliments the other.  

Letters/words/the writing. The price. 
 
The golden rings = money.