Gender representation in Homme and Harper's Bazaar magazine layouts

¶ … Homme (men's monthly magazine, September 2004) and Harper's Bazaar (women's monthly magazine, August 2004) examined the ways that men and women are depicted in magazine articles through photograph descriptions and a comparison of layout including copy length, white space, headlines and visuals. The intent is to determine if there is a difference between an American-based magazine and a European one in terms of audience and design.

Sampling Frame: Four articles apiece from September 2004 Homme (men's fashion) with 200 pages and August 2004 Harper's Bazaar (women's fashion) with 272 pages. The magazines were randomly selected off the library shelves

A nonfictional literary composition that forms an independent part of a publication, as of a newspaper or magazine.

Photograph Comparison (factors analyzed)

Looks (attractive -- pleasing and dignified in form or appearance; average; unattractive)

Weight (110-120; 121-130; 131-140; 141-150; 151-160; 161-170; over 170)

Race (This can only be an assumption)

Age (under 20, 20-25; 25-30; 30-35; 35-40; over 40)

Emotional state (smiling, serious, angry)

Layout Comparison (factors analyzed)

Size of photographs (other visuals)

Inches of copy

Headlines

White space

Harper's Bazaar

Article 1: (Feature) "Mommy's Checkered Past: A Bedtime Story: What do you tell your children when you've done it all?"

One photo, black and white 5x3" (white attractive mother smiling; age 35-40; 125 pounds; with two children serious)

One large 3" high bold headline

Article 2: (Regular column) "Fashion" photo montages, color and black and white, attractive mixed ethnic high-fashion models with new fashions, age 20-25, 110-120 pounds, very trendy looking, posed and serious

One large 4" bold headline on each page

Article 3: (Feature) "SAD -- Seasonal Affective Disorder -- Season"

One photo, color 4x7" (head shot of white woman in shadow, semi-smile, age 20-25)

One large 4" high bold headline

Article 4: (Feature) "Mother's Boy? Author James Ellroy sets out to solve mother's death"

One photo, black and white 3x5" (head shot of James Ellroy, close-up, serious)

One medium-size 2" high bold headline

Homme

Article 1: Feature "Charlie Watts -- Undergoing treatment for throat cancer and looking forward to soon rejoining Rolling Stones band."

One full-page photo, black and white (head shot of Watts, serious)

Small headline and 6" drop cap with copy, large amount of white space on second page

Article 2: (Regular Column) "Height of Fashion" pages full photos with fashion models, white, 30-35, smiling, trendy fashions pages copy with a large amount of white space

4" headlines on each page

Article 3: (Feature) "The Paradise of Portugal" photo montage, color, different locations in Portugal copy mixed with photos

3" headline on first page

Article 4: (Feature) "The Versatile Tie" photo montage of men's ties, color copy mixed with photos

4" headline on first page

Overview: Both of these magazines are for the latest fashion. Both are global magazines, although Harper's Bizarre is read more in the U.S. And Homme is more common in France because of the language.

The Harper's Bizarre has a better mix of informative articles in addition to straight fashion news and is for middle-class and up. It is written for a more-rounded audience as far as age, ethnic background and interests. Most of Homme's articles are for upper-middle class men who have the money for expensive clothes, travel, costly entertainment.