Serif and Sans-Serif Fonts

Most fonts can be broken down into two general categories. Those categories are “Serif” and “Sans-serif,” and the difference between the two is very simple: One has decorative “feet” while the other doesn’t.

We normally associate Sans-serif fonts to be informal and clearer to read, we would use them as mastheads on magazines or on a PowerPoint presentation to children! Serif fonts on the other hand are more sophisticated, we would use them when writing letters and on magazines with a more formal audience.

Denotations and Connotations

19/9/2011

Denotations and Connotations are words we use when we describe meanings of media, whether it be a TV commercial or the front cover of Vogue. A Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word, the 'dictionary defintition' for example: 

Waterloo Road

The girl on the far right is wearing school uniform this denotes she is a school girl.  A Connotation on the other hand refers tot he associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotions suggestions to that word, for example: The girl on the far left has her mouth slightly open, this connotes she could be shocked or upset.

Codes and Conventions

7/9/2011
Today in lesson we studied two contrasting magazines, we listed conventions and codes from each. The first magazine was called 'InStyle' it was a sophisticated high fashion magazine, it was very editorial and it was targeted to middle aged women, who are interested in style and fashion. The next magazine was called 'Best' it was a high street commercial magazine which was full of celebrity gossip and real life stories. a convention from each magazine was that they both contained high amounts of advisement, also there presentation of price were similar, the font was small and the price was almost hidden. Overall the magazines were very dissimilar so the codes were simple; the colours contrasted as well as the fonts. the content was very different, 'InStyle' talked a lot about fashion and 'Best' contained various stories from celebrities, soap operas, and horoscopes. We discussed the contrast the magazines had in class.