The influence of websites on the design & layout of magazines

Abstract

It is generally believed that the print media had an important influence on Website design. This research will demonstrate that the reverse influences arc also prevalent in cases, because the changes that have occurred in the design and layout of magazines appeared to be influenced by Website design. The review of the literature examines works of research on; visual communication in art, visual perception, design principles and elements, the use of typography, colour theories and properties, the importance of a balanced layout and web design. All these works are in relation to both magazine and Website styling. Chapter three explains the qualitative research methodologies used in the research; this comprised an examination of design and layout magazines and four Focus Groups to gauge reader perception of Website influence and to identify and extract those as found within a representative selection of magazines. These methods served to identify and extract the changes and evident Web design influences found within a representative selection of magazines. The final part of this study presents an analyses of the data emerged from all three source of information. This research confirms that there is an evident change and influence of the design and layout of new magazines published after the insurgence of the Web. This also indicates that despite the increasing popularity of the Internet today, magazines are still a very popular, if changed, medium. The stylistic changes being one the possible reasons why such print media have survived in a predominantly electronic culture.