Why are magazines layed out in such a specific format?!
Question: just something that past through my mind whilst reading a magazine the other day...
Why are they layed out in columns? why do they use pull-quotes? (where they place quoted parts of text in the middle of the columns) and why do they use drop-caps?
- Just why?! cos pretty much every magazine is formatted in the same way!
curious to know if anyone has an answer to this!
Thank you for your time! =D
Answers: just something that past through my mind whilst reading a magazine the other day...
Why are they layed out in columns? why do they use pull-quotes? (where they place quoted parts of text in the middle of the columns) and why do they use drop-caps?
- Just why?! cos pretty much every magazine is formatted in the same way!
curious to know if anyone has an answer to this!
Thank you for your time! =D
Columns make it easier to read as your eyes don't have to go all the way across the page and back and try to keep aligned with all the rows of text.
Pull quotes are used to help readers identify if the article is relevant to their interests (aside from the title) and also to help balance the page visually.
Drop caps are a stylistic device, they serve no practical purpose.
Most magazines use these conventions as they are understood by readers and do help to make the reading experience flow more easily.
To interest the reader and to get your attention.
Most magazines are layed out in a specific format so (a) it makes it simpler for you (the reader) to find what you are looking for in the magazine and (b) so the editors of the magazine can keep it organized when publishing the magazine.