Friday, 11 March 2011

Preliminary Task - College Magazine Cover & Contents Page

Review on College Magazine Cover & Contents Page:

How did you think about your target audience?

I came to a choice on my target audience by putting myself on the spot and imagining what kind of magazine would aide me as a student at college. I therefore decided on a magazine that would provide students with helpful tips and advice. 
The target audience would be teenage students aged between the years of 16-19. However, the magazine could also be viewed by people other than the students such as parents.
As aforementioned, I came to the decision that the best magazine that I would be able to create would be a magazine that will give tips and guidance to all students at college as I have experienced the situation of arriving at college myself so I know what advice the students will find useful. These tips were pieces of advice such as: how to manage time effectively, how to make new friends, tips for first years and many more pieces of advice.


The magazine cover I have designed is an issue that is the 'End Of Exams Issue' and will therefore provide informatio and tips on having a productive holiday and also a review of the year.

How did awareness of that audience impact upon your visual design and choice of language?
I decided to make the language quite informal as the magazine would be viewed by a young target audience of teenagers and an informal tone would make it easier to understand.. On the front cover Standard English is used, there is no presence of slang or colloquial language - although I wanted to use informal language, I didn't want to use any slang just standard English.
In the case of the visuals, I viewed example magazines such as FHM and GQ and came to the conclusion that it is best to have a colour scheme consisting of two or three colours that flow well with the rest of the text and the image. Examples are shown below:
           
Above, here are a couple of the example magazines I viewed.
The GQ magazine has a red background whereas the text is both white and grey.
This example is very similar to the FHM magazine in which the text is black, grey and red which stand out against the white background used in the image. Also, both magazines have the individual whom the main article is about in bold, to attract the readers interest in the magazine. Both magazines have a sophisticated style and feel to them that look professional, uncluttered and neat. This was the kind of style I was aiming for in my magazine rather than that of a magzine such as HEAT.
In my opinion, Heat magazine is much more cluttered than the other two examples and uses clashing colours; this front cover features 4 main colours. Red, yellow, blue and pink. This may have been done specifically to attract attention from potential buyers but I believe that it is not the sophisticated style I am aiming for.

                             

Above are two College magazines that can be used as examples on hoe to layout my magazine and what to include.
Both magazines have bold, striking names that stand out to the eye and are easy to see. Also, both magazines feature presumable students of the college, smiling in the image. Both examples have a number of cover lines around the page; to reinforce the depth available when purchasing the magazine. In the example on the left, the model is holding books, reinforcing the fact that it is a college magazine.

My College Magazine Front Cover

Above, I have uploaded my college magazine cover. As aforementioned, this issue is an 'End of Exams' issue and features articles on summer jobs and tips on how to have a productive, useful summer.
The title of my magazine is 'College' Magazine. Although this was used by the two examples shown , I believe that it is a very easy title for the readers to understand; they will easily and quickly realise that it is their college magazine. The main image used supports the main cover line about 'Prom 2010' as the image portrays a number of students enjoying themselves at prom. The magazine also providdes information, tips and advice for students. Included are summer job listings and tips for a useful productive holidays for students. Both the image used and the black and purple design used around the page is eye catching and I believe it works well together.

My College Magzine Contents Page


Above I have uploaded my completed magazine contents page. Once more, the image I have used relates to the main story about Prom 2010. Also, I have continued the purple and black colour theme that was present on the front page of the magazine. I have included an 'Editor's Scribble' area. In other magazines I have looked at this area is commonly known as the 'Editor's Comment' however I have been slightly more informal in order to connect with the audience further. The contents page has been laid out in an accessible manner in which the reader can view which section they wish to view/read with ease. Also, the main story 'Prom 2010' appears in bold in the contents line up to attract attention there.

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