Annotated School Magazine Covers:

This Magazine Cover is unusual because not many covers like to put a collection of pictures together because it can be off putting and make it look busy. But somehow they have made it work. I think its because they have broken up the images with the green lines so that it doesn't look too compiled together and the colours are not to bright but very mellow, so work well with the surrounding colours, whereas if the pictures were bright pink, orange, red, purple.. it would make the magazine cover look to tacky. Another thing that I liked about the magazine cover is that they included the school logo, which I personally think is a good touch because its clear that it is a school magazine and it shows a sign of possession and achievement which makes the magazine look more successful and has something to be recognised for.

This School Magazine cover is more like the others and I think is definitely looking more realistic than the previous cover. I like this one because I think it would appeal to a broader audience because its more attractive and the colours are not so much in your face yet still catch your attention. I also prefer the title of this magazine, probably because it seams like its trying to get students of my age range to read it where as the previous magazine seamed a bit to mature and made it look more serious, where as this one is more focused about appealing to an age group and not making it feel so serious so that they can enjoy it and not feel as if its something that will bore them. The downfall I think for this magazine is that it looks as if it aims more towards the masculine audience which makes it look sexist and this could offend someone. Especially the sub heading 'BOYS-ONLY CLASSES'.

Research:

·         Target audience would be to students aged between 13  & 18 because my genre is school and this would be the age where the students would actually be interested in what’s happening in school and they would be intrigued to read my ‘True Life Story’ articles because they have this sense of drama which appeals to the teenage mind.

·         The front cover of the magazine will make it clear to some of the genres within the magazine. For example on the front cover there will be quotes of human interest stories, poetry, and future news stories.

Design:

Layout of front cover + content

           

Title Masthead:

Image:

Font:

My chosen font is century because I like the idea of it looking old. I think that this creates a bit of mystery to the magazine, and it makes the words look appealing. E.g.

I ENJOY READING MAGAZINES.

I enjoy reading magazines.

Size:

I would like my magazine to be produced at an A3 size because I think it makes the magazine become more convenient. I prefer a smaller magazine because they are easier to carry around which means it will be easier for the buyer to carry and keep in their bags. If the magazine was A4 it becomes a chore to carry it around or keeping it in your bag without damaging it, plus most magazines are printed in A4 so it would be good to standout and have a way of being identified amongst other magazines.

Testing –survey

1. What things would you like to see in the magazine if you were to buy it every 
week? ......................................................................................................................

2. What 3 colours would you like to see included on the magazine? ....................

.................................................................................................................................

3. Would you prefer it to be printed on A5 or A4? ..................................................

4. Would you prefer the imagery to be mainly of male or female students or for
them to have equal share of coverage?..................................................................

5. What would appeal to you more, if they were wearing school uniform or sixth
 form clothes? .........................................................................................................

6. Would you prefer the magazine to be black & white or colour? ........................

Results:

Final Front Cover

Final Contents Page

finally decided, im not going ahead with the collage of students in the background, just tested it out with the title but its not working out, im not liking it so ill just stick to the otehr idea. Heres an image of the colage idea and what made me realise it wasnt going to work. it just doesnt look very attractive, theres too much going on, on the front cover for a school magazine maybe for a music mag but defiantely not for this.

 Im liking all these pictures as an idea for my magazine cover - obviously using my own images and students though :) bottom ones my fav so far. first ones good too, i like the way the image faintly goes out round the edges :) second one could be to good use in the idea that you would write on the left hand side and your not over taking the main image but thats kind of the same for the third - not sure will have to think about it. but i will keep looking for more rather interestig ones.

Decisions Decisions.. need to decide which idea for the front cover I want, may have to do a survey of a few people in the class and see what they think would be best as it is them that would be buying the magazine - good idea :D sorted!!!

Fonts - Done
Title - Done
Article Headlines - Done

Neeed To Take Pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!