Synergy

The topics of gender identity discussed within the essay are a reflection of what the practical has to offer. In the essay themes of underrepresentation are evident throughout, focusing on the theory that binary culture dominates western society culture and leaves little space for individuals who identify their gender differently, to express themselves.

In the conclusion it became evident that the way mainstream magazines present themselves, still to this day is a global issue for non-conforming binary individuals. Although it was understood in recent years there have been social shifts when it comes to accepting other gender identities, representation for all gender types does not exist on a mainstream level. Theories between the editors and readers of magazines discussed in the essay provided an insight that concluded that the reader has the ultimate power when it came to processing magazine culture, for example, in the essay some mainstream magazines have changed their content due to social changes. The case study interview with Diva magazine was a interesting insight to how real the issue is.

"Mainstream magazines are definitely getting better at representing queer communities and telling our stories, but they aren't doing nearly enough, and certainly not for those who are marginalised within the LGBTQ umbrella – people of colour, people with disabilities, trans people, intersex people and so on. Queer people with multiple intersecting identities are still ignored, overlooked, and erased."

The primary research for the essay muchly inspired the idea of Spectrum. The magazine aims to breakdown gender stereotypes, create exposure for non-conforming binary individuals, promote feminism and be a beacon in magazine culture to inspire readers and future editors to be diverse and forward thinking when it comes to gender representation and acceptance.

The editorial design of the magazine explored experimental design, often found in zine culture, and modern editorial design. Research into mainstream magazine layouts of Paper Magazine, Out and V Magazine were noted and applied to parts of the final design to create a mainstream aesthetic that would bring the magazine attention and also to present the subject matter in a professional way. Influences from existing zines where researched, resulting in an experimental flare within the final resolution. A particular colour scheme was not selected to represent the idea that gender identity is in fact a 'Spectrum', however, black and white page layouts where chosen as a reference to the science of colour, black incasing all colour, whilst white reflecting all colour. The colourful imagery within the publication representing the idea that gender can be anything and it is no longer case of 'black and white' ideals. Pink and Blue pages towards the front and back of the magazine where places as a reference to western society adapting these colours to the two sexes, which ironically the pages in-between do not conform to these ideals.

It was decided that the photography elements where to be a collaboration to create a diverse visual that could not be achieved solely. Photographers from around the world were happy to submit their work and be a part of the publication. The typefaces and layouts used followed modernist trends in order to appear current to represent the forward thinking content of the magazine.

Through the process of writing the essay knowledge about magazine culture abled me to create this magazine that takes on a huge societal issue that exists in western culture. It has given me to knowledge to understand how magazine culture works from editor to reader, the problems of gender identity in society and the power of the people who evidently control mass media outlets.