ANORAK

ANORAK is an example of illustration in the context of magazine media.

Today I got to meet Cathy (the creator) and hear about how and why she started the company ANORAK.

Titled the 'Happy Mag for Kids', Cathy pioneered this illustrated children's magazine in response to the lack of choice in the magazine industry for this audience.

She was horrified by the selection to choose from.

ANORAK is aimed at an intended audience of girls and boys aged 6+,

Distributors and clients didn't like the fact that ANORAK didn't have a specific age range demographic and suggested that she should target just one, either girls or boys and an age limit. Cathy's argument is if you can read it, you can appreciate it, so it shouldn't be restrictive.

http://shelleysdavies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/anorak-magazine-2.2.png

This cover is so exciting and I want to buy it! It's engaging and so refreshing next to all the other junk on the market. It's the one different thing.
ANORAK work with lots of different illustrators to decorate the magazine each issue, but I think that there is often a recurring 'house style', perhaps of illustrations that Cathy is attracted to. They're all 'her thing'. I'm interested in this retro vibe harking on 70's illustrated comics and pattern. Very groovy, but will it be attractive to younger readers?

I think the price tag might put some consumers off and it seems to be more of an 'art shop' kind of product. I bet most of the readers are actually adults... or arty parents who have the disposable income and interest to invest in this product.

ANORAK mag is often themed in response to the National Curriculum and school subjects

but also themes with philosophical subjects too, such as fears and friends.

http://payload153.cargocollective.com/1/10/325156/5377132/Alphaforest.jpg

I think ANORAK achieves its goal of being gender neutral and an educated approach to a kid's magazine because of the careful consideration to colour, character and language. Neither girls or boys should feel 'left out' because the magazine appeals to the imagination, the childishness, rather than any gender preferences.
I'd agree that children are saturated by Disney and the same characters they see on the TV. They need stimulation and not just mindless, repetitive themes.