What I Learned Today

Today was about exploring possibilities. I looked at alternative magazines, visual kei publications, gaming magazines, fashion zines, and character art. I also considered hybrid formats and applied media studies theory to genre.

The most important realisation is that I don’t have to limit myself. I can create a magazine that reflects my actual interests. Alternative style, visual kei, games, character design. All without needing a huge budget. I can use my own wardrobe, my own artwork, and my own writing.

I also learned that consistency in design (colour, font, image style) is crucial for a professional look. And that genre conventions give me a framework to work within or break.

I was most inspired by the independent zines because of their creativity and how artistic their styles are. I will definitely include elements similar to theirs and incorporate my personal style into my magazine.

This week I’ll start deconstructing real magazines in detail to see how they structure their content and also forming more magazine ideas. This will help me shape and give me more inspiration for my magazine.

Media Studies Theory - Genre

In A‑Level Media Studies, genre is a key concept. Genre means a category of media products that share common conventions. Audiences recognise these conventions and have expectations.

For magazines, conventions might include:

A masthead (logo) at the top of the cover.

A main image (often a celebrity or model).

Cover lines that tease inside content.

A contents page with images and page numbers.

A consistent colour palette and typography.

When I create my magazine, I can follow some conventions to make it recognisable as a magazine, but I can also subvert conventions to make it unique. For example, I might use an illustration instead of a photo on the cover (like Little White Lies). That’s a subversion that signals that the magazine is different.

Thinking about genre helps me decide what rules I want to follow and which I want to break. It also helps me consider what my audience expects. If I’m making a music magazine, readers expect band interviews and live photos. If I’m making a fashion magazine, they expect style photography. I need to deliver on those expectations while adding my own twist.

Magazines with different genres are likely to have a big noticeable style difference. A generic fashion magazine will probably have a completely different approach to an alternative fashion magazine. 

Combining Interests (Hybrid Magazines)

As previously stated, I don’t have to pick just one genre. Many independent magazines are hybrids. They blend topics that reflect the creator’s interests. For example, previous magazines like Dekopon! and Huck.

It can be noted that the topics of the magazines could not even be similar whatsoever, yet still make a good and interesting magazine.

A hybrid magazine could be the perfect way to include all my interests: alternative style, visual kei influence, gaming, character design, and DIY creativity. I could have sections like:

“Style Subculture” - fashion looks and DIY tutorials.

“Playlist” - music recommendations (alternative/vkei/indie).

“Game Art” - reviews and character design features.

“Draw” - my own character sketches and process.

The unifying theme could be “self‑expression” or “creative subcultures”. That would tie everything together without feeling random.

I’ll need to make sure the visual identity is consistent. Same colour palette, same fonts, same mood across all sections. That’s what creates a cohesive magazine.

I’m excited by the hybrid idea because it allows me to be flexible. If I can’t get an interview, I can draw something. If I don’t have a new outfit, I can write about a game. I’ll have multiple content avenues.

Fashion Magazines (Independent Zines)

Introduction

I initially worried about creating a fashion magazine because I don’t have a huge wardrobe or money to buy new clothes. But after thinking about it, I realised that fashion magazines don’t have to be about expensive designer clothes or everything new. They can be about personal style, thrift, DIY, and creativity.

I looked at how independent fashion zines approach styling. Many use:

- Lookbook features with just a few outfits, styled in creative ways.

- “What I wore” diary entries with photos of everyday outfits.

- Thrift hauls and DIY customisation tutorials.

- Styling challenges. like for example “One jacket, three ways.”

Independent Fashion Zines that I'm inspired by:

The Sanxtuary

What they stand for

"The exploitation, creative theft, exclusion and cultural appropriation seen from other fashion publications can be prevented by one thing only: A 100% BIPOC and LGBTQ+ run publication, created with the purpose of celebrating fashion and beauty and elevating marginalized creatives."

(Sourced from their website.)

The Sanxtuary saw a gap in the fashion world and created a safe space. They created their own magazine because they saw that the industry was stacked against them while exploiting and stealing their culture and influences. The Sanxtuary is a magazine that delivers original fashion and beauty content unapologetically. It's a diverse community which inspires me to find my own style and niche.

Frutas

What is the magazine Frutas?

"A spin off of the iconic magazine, FRUiTS, documenting street style in Japan. But now we found ourselves in Los Angeles. A definite homage but with the backdrop of LA and its own  distinct vision."

(Sourced from their website.)

Frutas is an indie magazine inspired by the popular magazine FRUiTS. It was made to similarly show off the subcultures seen in Los Angeles. The focus is mainly on Latinos and Chicanos. It earned popularity because of Latinos and Angelenos love for Japanese and alt cultures. The project was made bigger and more complex to document and celebrate the beauty of being Latino in America. They want to make their contributions to music, art, fashion, and culture visible to people.

Dekopon!

About Dekopon

"dekopon is the name of a cultivar of orange that is like a large tangerine -- easy to peel, easy to share, and easy to love. 

oranges have long been a symbol of quiet love and friendship... by channeling all that is fun, fruity, and fresh, we hope to find meaningful ways to connect with one another.

through this publication, we are exploring art and fashion through the lens of love and craftsmanship with a strong focus on versatility and longevity. we want to foster a loving relationship between person and garment while contending with our nostalgia for icons of consumerism.

we are an independent publication trying to maintain low costs for our readers. we are also run by creatives of varying backgrounds; many of us are people of color, queer, and disabled. we are committed to maintaining this magazine as a financially accessible and inclusive project as best we can."

(Sourced from their website.)

Dekopon focuses on creating a zine with financial accessibility, inclusivity, and sharing the easy peel of art and fashion. I like the fact that their zines have art and artistic photography along with sometimes including art stickers and pocket fashion zines.

Conclusion

I can easily do these with my own clothes and resources. For example, I can photograph myself in a few outfits that reflect an certain aesthetic. For example, I can use layering and darker colours for alternative aesthetics, or less clothing pieces and styling for clean styles.

Another idea is to include friends. I can ask a few friends to let me photograph their outfits. That adds variety without requiring me to own the clothes.

I can also incorporate the idea of adding art stickers since I'm thinking of making a hybrid magazine.

So even with a limited wardrobe, I can create a fashion magazine that feels authentic and visually interesting. The key is to focus on personal style and creativity rather than consumption.

Character Design as a Magazine Subject

Character design is the process of creating a character’s visual appearance, personality, and backstory. It’s used in games, animation, comics, and concept art. I love designing character appearances. It’s one of my favourite creative activities.

I realised that a magazine dedicated to character design could be really unique. It could feature:

- Step by step tutorials (how I or others design a character from sketch to final).

- Interviews with character artists (friends or online contacts).

- Galleries of original characters (my own or friends’).

- Articles about character design in popular games or anime.

Because I could draw and create my own characters, I don’t need external resources. Everything can be my own work. That makes this genre very achievable.

I looked at some art magazines like ImagineFX and Advanced Photoshop. They often have character design tutorials. Their layout is clean, with large images and small text boxes explaining techniques. I could emulate that style.

ImagineFX

Advanced Photoshop

The audience would be fellow artists, game enthusiasts, and people who enjoy creative expression. I could also tie in fashion elements, because character design often involves designing costumes. That would let me incorporate my interest in alternative style.

I’m seriously considering character design as the main focus of my magazine. It feels authentic to me and uses skills I already have. The only problem I have with this is probably the time it takes to make a fully fledged out character design. I only have simple designs which may not be that ideal for a character design magazine.

Gaming Magazines (and are they still a thing?)

I grew up reading gaming magazines like random game guides (for example, The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft) and Official PlayStation Magazine. They were a big part of my childhood. Today, gaming magazines still exist, though many have shifted to digital. EDGE, PC Gamer, Game Informer, and Famitsu (Japan) are still publishing.

Minecraft Official Magazine

Official PlayStation Magazine

EDGE

PC Gamer

Game Informer

Famitsu

I analysed a few recent issues online to see how they’ve changed. The covers are often dominated by key art from a major upcoming game. The typography is bold and graphic, using fonts that match the game’s branding. Inside, there are reviews, previews, interviews with developers, and features about game culture.

What’s interesting is that gaming magazines have a very visual audience. Readers want to see screenshots, concept art, and character designs. I could easily create a gaming‑focused magazine using screenshots I capture myself from games I play, and writing my own reviews.

I also love character design. The art of creating original characters. Many gaming magazines include concept art sections. I could draw my own character designs and present them as a feature. That would combine my interest in art with gaming culture.

Another angle is indie games. The indie scene is huge, and many indie games have strong visual styles and dedicated fan communities. I could interview indie developers online (via email) and include their art in my magazine.

So a gaming magazine is definitely a possibility, especially if I focus on the artistic side of games.

What else is out there?

Previously, I've looked at FRUiTS, Huck, Little White Lies, SHOXX, Cure, and Rockin' On Japan. 

Huck is a magazine about skate, surf, music, and activism. Its covers often feature a single large portrait of a model, with minimal text. The masthead is bold, always in the same position, giving it a strong identity. The inside feels like a mix of documentary photography and long form writing. What I love is that it feels authentic. Not glossy or commercial.

Little White Lies is a film magazine with a unique approach: every cover is a custom illustration, never a photo. The masthead is always placed the same way, but the illustration style changes completely with each issue. This makes each cover collectible. I’m drawn to this idea of using illustration, because I can draw my own covers.

- Their common traits are that they celebrate niche interests, often use bold typography, and treat their readers as insiders.

- Their covers usually have minimal text where the photography tells all. They trust the image to sell the magazine

- I like the idea of a magazine that feels like a community for people into alternative music, games, and art.

Alternative & Niche Magazines

Introduction

“Alternative” magazines exist outside the mainstream. They serve audiences who want something different. Whether it’s authentic street fashion, queer culture, skateboarding, or indie cinema. Many alternative magazines take risks with design. They use unconventional layouts, minimal text, or experimental photography. Japanese alternative magazines are especially influential because they have such clearly defined subcultures.

Research Task: Pick Three Alternative Magazines

Choose three alternative magazines.

1. FRUiTS (Street Fashion)

Content: Pure documentation of Harajuku street style. No advertising, no editorial. Only photos of individuals with their outfits.

Design: Each spread is one or two photos with a brief caption. The cover is always a full page photo with mostly just the masthead, minimal coverlines.

Why is FRUiTS Alternative: It rejects commercial fashion. It celebrates real people’s creativity. The design is so simple but effective.

2. Huck (Skate, Surf, Punk, Art, Activism, broadened to cover wider culture)

Content: Stories about skate culture, surfing, music, and social issues.

Design: Documentary photography, clean typography, often large to full page images with bold quotes.

What Makes Huck Alternative: It’s not just a hobby magazine. It also covers politics and activism.

3. Little White Lies (Film)

Content: In depth film criticism, reviews, and features.

Design: Every cover is a custom illustration, not a photo. The logo is always placed in the same way. Colours vary wildly per issue.

Why is Little White Lies Alternative: It treats film as art, not just entertainment. The illustration based covers make each issue collectible.

Reflection Questions

How does the cover reflect the magazine’s values?

FRUiTS has little to no cover lines on every cover. This tells us that they believe the photography is enough to convince buyers to be interested in their magazine. Huck has interesting or storytelling photography along with minimal information. Maybe there's a quote or the model photographed, but little coverlines on the cover tells that the photo is often the main subject of the magazine, no extra information needed. Little White Lies has a custom illustration on every cover with no coverlines. This says to the audience that they care about art and every cover reflects the subject of the magazine. 

What makes a magazine “authentic” to its subculture? 

As an example, FRUiTS is about japanese street style or harajuku. They make it authentic by using real people and not models paid to do this style. It shows that the poses, feelings, and clothes of the subject are authentic and true to the magazines point of this being "street style."

How do experimental layouts signal “this is not for everyone”?

Magazines with little to no coverlines are not likely to attract audience out of the magazine's niche. Experimental photography with no clear meaning doesn't attract everybody. People interested in these types of magazines often know or feel that it's their type of magazine just looking at the style and different covers, while also connecting it to what the magazine's genre is.

My conclusion: Alternative magazines often create a sense of belonging for niche audiences.