Research- Color Theory

        For this stage of my project, I researched color scheme conventions across a wider range of Magazines still pertaining to the sub genre of mindfulness and meditation in order to further my understand in how different magazine distributors communicate through visuals which in this genre are calm, balanced and emotional characteristics.

     I analyzed exemplars from Kinfolk, Mindful Magazine, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, and wellness-focused digital layouts from Insight Timer and Simple Habit. These examples were selected because, while they differ in branding and audience focus, they all still align within the mindfulness and meditation sub-genre. This allowed me to compare how color schemes are made across print and digital formats while still maintaining consistent genre expectations.

(The Kinfolk magazines)

    Specifically, in regards the new magazine I began to research this week, The Kinfolk. I noticed that this magazine particularly adheres more to a strict color scheme than other mindfulness magazines I have researched so far. The magazine is known for its minimalist visual sort of cues, relying primarily on muted neutrals such as beige, cream, soft gray, and warm taupe. By dramatically limiting its color palette, Kinfolk reduces visual noise and distraction, in turn creating a calm and a visually uncluttered reading experience. This limit use of powerful color leads to a slower engagement from the reader and also prompts a reflection during the reding experience, reinforcing the values of living life to the fullest by taking in each moment as opposed to speeding through life as many do in this time and age. Balance, and simplicity are also shown through these color schemes, and perfectly overlap closely with meditation and mindfulness media. 

Given color pallets of real Kinfolk magazines 

    Expanding my research to include a wider range of mindfulness publications helped me understand that individual brands could defiantly vary in style, but color scheme conventions remain consistent across the meditation sub-genre. Soft, natural palettes function not only serve as a visually aesthetic choices but also aid the shaping of an emotional response from the reader and reinforcing genre the genre conventions of mindfulness magazines.

    For my own magazine project, I plan to adopt a neutral color palette inspired by Kinfolk, combined with soft and muted blue or green pops of color similar to those used in Mindful Magazine. This approach will allow my magazine to feel calm and cohesive while still maintaining a clear visual identity that aligns with meditation media conventions.