Initial Research • Wild Travel Magazine

Work Experience is a vital part of progression in every industry. It not only helps in preparation to find a pathway for a future career, but also aids personal development regarding their Transferable Skills and their personal excursion through the world of work, ultimately enabling them to adapt into their chosen field professionally and appropriately.

During the month of January I set up work experience with Steve Rayner, the Editoral Designer for Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine. I've chosen this particular magazine firm as it's precisely the area I wish to work in professionally, it's within my surrounding area, and I feel this is the perfect environment for me to set myself up as a working professional Designer in this field, whether this is purely work experience, or if it leads to bigger opportunities.

As my first day or work experience commences on Thursday 14th February 2013 (10am-5pm) I thought it necessary to do some background research into the magazines they design before I begin. 

"Wild Travel is the UK's only magazine dedicated exclusively to wildlife travel. Every issue we showcase a selection of the world's best wildlife watching experiences, plus we gave wildlife destination guides, field guides to individual species, wildlife photography workshops, kit reviews, expert travel advice and the latest wildlife and conservation news. Working alongside many of the most respected writers, photographers and tour operators in the business, it's out mission to show you that you don't need to be an adrenaline-fuelled adventurer or a member of a wildlife documentary crew to enjoy many of nature's greatest spectacles first hand."

Wild Travel: Passage to India

Wild Travel: 100 Natural Wonders

Wild Travel: Big Cat Country

When looking into the design of the magazine layout on each issue cover, the main theme is consistent, using a clear, up-close and focused photograph as the main central image and placing it behind any available information. Their colour themes are also consistent, using white and golden yellow to stand out against the naturalistic forest-tones of the photographs.

This specific colour theme also has strong visual links to similar organisations such as National Geographic as shown below:

This white-yellow-black colour theme has been used and related to National Geographic for years, and so I feel the aesthetics of Wild Travel Magazine are perhaps similar to National Geographic as consumers will subconsciously link both the magazine and National Geographic as long-lasting, reliable and successful wildlife organisations.

I have also found an online copy of Wild Travel Magazine's October 2013 Issue. The page layouts are outstanding - displaying a variation in aesthetics and general layout design by using smaller photographs, arranging text in inventive and contemporary ways, and taking up remarkable double-page spreads with amazing once-in-a-lifetime shots of wild animals at their most beautiful. Two examples shown below:

1)

Note the contemporary use of circular photographs and experimentation with typeface and size

2)

Astonishing use of space over a double-page spread, with suitable typeface to blend perfectly with the beautiful photograph displayed

Among the research, I also discovered a video for Wild Travel Magazine, explaining important, useful information and displaying beautiful examples of their photography alongside some astonishing statistics (view video here)

Wild Travel Magazine Information/Statistics Video:

• Wildlife encounters for every season
• Wildlife destination guides
• Trip reports
• Expert advice
• Information on global wildlife and conservation news
• Stunning wildlife photography
• The UK's only magazine dedicated exclusively to wildlife travel
• Has a global audience of passionate wildlife enthusiasts and travelers
• It's easily accessible, inspirational and trustworthy
• Cross promotion to an audience of over 2 million readers
• An independent guide to the growing array of international wildlife tours
• The average spend of the magazine's readers is £3,500 per year on their wildlife travels
• Magazine is open for readers to promote their brand in print and online (iPad and Android devices)
• The magazine is available through WHSmith and a range of independent retailers.


Background research into my area of work experience is vital, as I feel it gives me a step-up into what to expect while working with this particular magazine - I feel this has allowed me to feel much more at ease with the design of the presentation of the magazine as a whole and has given me a specific and thorough understanding of this firm.