عنوان

Home visions :

Number

TLets532898

Title Proper

Home visions :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Trigoni, Mirsini

Title Proper by Another Author

representations of interior space in Wallpaper, Elle Decoration and Ideal Home magazines

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of East London

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2008

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of East London

Text preceding or following the note

2008

Text of Note

This study explores how creative practitioners work and how interior spaces can be differentlyrepresented across magazines of different backgrounds and target readerships. This study producesan analysis of the style and character of the published representations of interior spaces. It exploresthe modes carefully selected by practitioners in order to construct visual texts - to successfullyaddress their distinctive target readerships. As part of this analysis, and as a central element of thework, the thesis develops a way of looking at images. This study develops and demonstrates amethod based on content analysis and presents a detailed coding form and protocol, for the detailedanalysis of visual texts. This research produces an analytical tool to capture the atmosphere anddynamic of the image and the variations of interior space, rather than just the content of the imageas content analysis normally does.This study draws on material from comparative analysis of three contemporary magazines(Wallpaper, Elle Decoration and Ideal Home) during the years 1997-2006. In order to explore thevisual texts of these magazines I chose to combine quantitative and qualitative methods. Fromquantitative methods I selected content analysis and developed it in so far as to explore in depth thetexts of the magazines. From qualitative methods I selected fieldwork observations collected in fourLondon-based home magazines' editorial offices, and selective elements from diverse fields such assemiotics and visual theories, sociology, anthropology, advertising and media studies.This research suggests that magazines promote different representations of interior spacesdepending on their background and target readership. Features aiming at an elite, very upmarketreadership adopt an aesthetic approach and produce minimal, unrealistic and design-focused spaces,often with an entertaining or surreal twist; however, frequently these depictions look lifeless andself-centred. As we move towards more downmarket readerships, the representations of interiorspaces become more realistic, practical and informative and less experimental; these spaces arelively, warm and human and often appeal to their readers' senses, memories and emotions; these arespaces that are designed to promote, cultivate and celebrate human relationships.2

Trigoni, Mirsini

University of East London

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y