Possible Photos

 

This image may not work for a front cover image as the main focus of it is too big, but it may work for an image in the contents page with an article about the music block of the college. On the other hand, if I used draft number one for my front cover then it may work, because there's nothing in the bottom corners, and that's where I've drafted to have two more smaller pictures. I think I'm going to use this photo on the contents page as it may lose image quality if made any bigger.

This image may work for draft number two for my front cover as I could then put the title above where the computer and Ed's head line up. If I used this image on draft number one of my title page then I think the image may get a bit lost with the two smaller images to the side of it. This image could also work in the contents page for an article on the music block. I think I'm going to use this image in the contents page because although I think it would work well with the title above it, I prefer image number three as a title page image.

This image could work on either of my front cover page drafts as it is quite bright as the sun is on them. Compared to image number 2, this photo wouldn't get lost within the page because of it's brightness. This image may not work on the contents page as well as the other two, because it would have to be quite small, and I think this image would look better larger. I think I'm going to use this image on the front cover as it is very bright and will look good with cover lines and a masthead above it.

This image would work on the title page or the contents page as it has room around it to write cover lines but not necessarily room to have a masthead. It would work on a contents page because if I used image number 3 as the front cover, I could use the other 3 images as an article about music as they all link to the music block. I like how bright the guitar stands out, as this makes it quite a key focus point for the image. I think I will use this image on the contents page as it would fit better into there, rather than a front cover with everything squashed into the small places.

Contents Page Drafts

Draft 1

Draft 2

Please vote for which one you prefer! :)

Title Page Drafts

Draft 1

 

Draft 2


Please vote for which one you prefer! :)

What should my magazine be called?
	Snapped
	Published
	Leap
	Double Vision
	Echo
	Voice
pollcode.com free polls

Organising the Photoshoot

For my magazine, I have decided to have a number of students on my front cover of the magazine. I think this will add a more communal feel to it as there is more people within the frame. I will use bright clashing colours that will stand out amongst other magazines that choose to use colours such as greys, blacks and whites. I will take a number of photos and then choose my favourites from the ones I've taken. I've decided to take the photos in a room at college so it will make the magazine seem more local to the students that will read it. Although in my questionnaire, I found that students didn't want to see pictures of the teachers, I think it would be a good idea to have a page on a different subject each issue, this will include a picture of the relevant tutor. If my photos were of a big group of students that were sat down, talking and laughing, I think that it would have a sense of a happy environment.

On this cover of Heat magazine, they use minimal colours, but they clash which makes it look simple, but effective. I like how it has a long shot of Victoria Beckham so you can see her whole body, as this is what the point of the article is about. If I were to have the main article on something which you would need to see the whole body for, then I would go for a similar technique. However, for a student magazine, I don't think anybody would be willing to talk about their body issues as confidently as a celebrity would. Also on this cover, there isn't many cover lines which may not entice the reader as much as if they had twice as many on the cover. The writing is quite large which doesn't leave much room for the picture, as it looks like it's just been pushed away to the left hand side.

This cover is the complete opposite of the one shown above. The photograph is the main focus and the cover lines are what is pushed to the side. You're going to buy this magazine if you're a fan of Kristen Stewart, and not because of what you read as it's the picture that is the dominant feature. Heat magazine used a long shot because that what's you need to see to believe the article, whereas Elle have gone for a mid shot, as you don't necessarily need to see her whole body for the article.

Audience Poll

Would you pay for the magazine, if yes, how much?
	Yes, less than 50p
	Yes, between 50p and 99p
	Yes, over 99p
	No, it should be free to all students
pollcode.com free polls

Textual Analysis of Magazines

I'm analysing the front cover of issue 355 of Star magazine. You can instantly see that it's full and have no gaps. The only gap that is in sight is above the mast head, but that is filled by a serif of the date and price. The masthead is very distinctive, being the big, bold red letters. Even though part of the 'a' and 'r' are covered up, you still know which magazine it is. The cover lines in the middle of the cover stand out as the red writing is against a bright white highlight. These cover lines are also lures, as it quotes part of the article which are quite dramatic and would make the reader want to know more. It claims it has an exclusive with an "X Factor Special" which would make you want to buy it if you were a fan of the programme. The typeface is all generally in capital letters which makes the magazine look loud. In the top left hand corner they have the very cheap price of 99p for 3 magazines. The way they have the '3' and '99' larger than the writing portrays the price well. The positioning of it is very clever as well being over the masthead. People will look at the masthead and then notice the clashing blue background of the price. Overall, it's a very bright, colourful magazine cover for teens. Myself being a teen, this magazine definitely stood out on the shelf to me and I was intrigued enough to buy it.




On this cover of First Car, they've used the cast of The Inbetweeners as this will promote their magazine by having a popular teen show with the iconic yellow car with a red door. They've worked around this colour theme by having  highlighted text to show who is on the cover. The masthead is large so you can automatically tell which magazine you are buying. The white writing stands out against the dark background and the yellow fit in well with this as well. The fact that the only colours used are white, yellow and black, bring the cast out who are all wearing blue, therefore promoting some more. The cover lines that are dotted around the page also stick to the colour theme of yellow, and this makes them a bit more obvious and maybe advertising the magazine more, depending on what they say. There is a small strap line at the top which is disguised by using dark colours again. There is no obvious hybrid as The Inbetweeners is a programme for all genres, although a magazine on cars would be more towards the male gender. The typeface is very bold as it's in capitals, and gives off a sense that it is a very fun magazine, mainly aimed at mainly male teenagers. The fact that the price isn't easiy seen may give off that it's an expensive magazine; it's most probably hidden on the barcode which most people don't look at.

Audience Questionnaire

I then went out around the college and asked a few students what they thought would be best ideas for my magazine. These are the results:

• What would you want to see on the front cover of a student magazine that would make you want to buy it?

Bright/clashing colours, bold headlines, students and not teachers (!), lots of information about what will be inside the magazine, price (if any).

• What do you expect from a student magazine?

Information on things for young people to do in the area, gossip, people, activities, what's going on in and around the college.

• What kind of name would stand out to you?

Snapped!, Published, Leap!, Double Vision, Echo, Voice.

Initial Comparison of Magazines

I looked at 3 different magazines and compared the qualities of each one.

• SMAART TALENT. VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1

This was a magazine for black and minority ethnic students. This magazine had a range of features such as politics, careers, adverts and university opportunities. This magazine also had Miquita Oliver had on the cover which could promote the magazine more than if you just had a civilian on the front page.

• YOUTH ACTION. SPRING/SUMMER EDITION 2008

This magazine was similar to Smaart Talent because it had a community based feel to it. It has a mixture of elements such as volunteer work, an agony aunt page and a massive amount of young people taking part in jobs in and around their community.

• STUDENT ID, NUMBER 14

This was a Ludlow College student magazine, and it introduced new teachers and students that had started the term it was released. It also had a double spread page that was taken up with bash photos, therefore advertising them to anyone that had never been to one before. It also advertised Vaughn's Sandwich Bar, who supply the college food. It also had everyday magazine features such as horoscopes, TV programme debates and photographs showing the college.

Personally, I would prefer my magazine to be most like Student ID, because I think it has more variety that you'd generally see in a student magazine than the first two.

Action Plan

We have been asked to create a front page and a contents page of a new college student magazine.
In the first week (from the 15th November), I will:

• Create an action plan
• Set up a blog
• Do my initial comparison of magazines
• Do my textual analysis of magazines

In the second week (22nd November), I will:

• Conduct an audience questionnaire/poll
• Organise a photoshoot, take my photos and edit my photos
• Decide on a name for my magazine
• Create a draft and front cover of my magazine

In the third week (29th November), I will:

• Create a draft for my contents page, and create the final product
• Get my audience feedback

In the fourth week (6th December), I will:

• Create my evaluation