Analysing existing products: Milano low cost

Product #4: “Milano low cost"

picture taken by me of my own travel guide

Out of the travel guides I analysed so far this is definitely my favourite. The structure and the general layout are well organized, there are a few pictures and a lot of "interactive content" which makes the overall impression of the guide much much better. However, the thing I liked the most about this product is how it is focused on a special topic: enjoying the city without spending too much (low cost). This is something that might be useful for my guide as well. It covers a wide range of topics, from restaurants to shops and museums. The size is a great one. It is big enough to be clear but small enough to be kept in an handbag. A bad thing is that it is aimed for mainly people who live in Milan it's not something for tourist; but it could be one, that's the thing I like. 
I find that also the cover is very appealing because it reflects a really cool image of Milan that tourists wouldn't think of. I would like to try something like that for my own travel guide when it will come to create it. 

DIFFERENT ASPECTS: 

Aesthetics: This book has such a pretty cover. There is a tram on it which really reflects an awesome image of the city. There is a big title which everyone would like: “Milano Low Cost”. It really persuade the client to buy it. Again, no pictures in this travel guide either. I think that this is because these travel guides are aimed for people who live in Milan or at least have been there before. As a consequence there is no need of showing them what the city look like. I need to admit though that this guide works without pictures, not like the others. It is well organized and it has little colorful things at the top of each age explaining what the page is about. There are big clear maps and the font is pretty amazing. 
Cost: This guide costs around 90 kr. That is a good cost for such a book. Considering that this books sends the message of “low cost” there is now way this could have been an expensive book.
User/Audience: I guess that this book is aimed for families who feel like enjoying themselves in Milan without spending too much. However, considering the places that it talks about it is referring to someone who lives in Milan. As a consequence it is not the best piece of inspiration for me.
Function: The purpose of this travel guide is to promote the image of a low cost city. There is quite a bit of text however I have been reading a bit so I can say that it is not that bad. It’s clear and focused and I would say that almost everything that has been written down is needed.
Size/Content: The pages are quite thick however there are 300 pages so the book is not that thick. It is light and easy to carry, well-shaped and it’s easy to find things in there because of the good structure.
Overall, I would say this is a really good product which is worth buying. The only bad thing is that it is only aimed for people who live in Milan.  

ANALYSIS OF THE SOURCE: 
Origin:  just like all the other guides I have analysed before this is based on two people's experiences but the information about each one of the places included in the guide makes it a secondary source. 
Purpose: the point is to persuade people not to stop enjoying the city they live in just because everything is really expensive. It then lists a bunch of places worth to go to in order to keep enjoying yourself in the city you love. I guess that the intent of this guide could also be considered promotion. Unluckily the audience is, again, Milanese people  not really tourist as they are to really likely to use such a tool. 
Value: because the travel guide lists places and provides specific information I do believe it is based on real facts and experiences and as consequence real places. I can prove this by saying that for every place there is a website or a Facebook page provided. 
Limitations: material-wise this travel guide is kind of poor. The cover is paperback and we have had this for a couple of years and the corners are already completely ruined. 

RELEVANCE TO MY PROJECT: 
I do think that it is important to enjoy the place you are visiting as much as possible when you are on a trip. Not spending much, as a matter of fact, could be a way to do more things and as a consequence have more fun. I don't usually go to super expensive place myself when I am in Milan and I think that it is important to provide alternatives to the classical "tourist trap" in my travel guide. I might make a low cost section in my guide as well. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

Gherner, Bruna, and Luca Giorcelli. Milano Low Cost:. Milano: Rizzoli, 2012. Print. Survivemilano.