Preliminary task, my magazine front cover ( 15/11/16 )

Today, I have attached the finished front cover of my college magazine, which I will analyse.

As you can see, I have included a large heading of the name of the magazine; the same as all the exisiting magazine covers. I have also included a slogan which is in significantly smaller font, although not in any of the exisiting magazine covers I annotated, it is a very common feature for any magazines to have, followed by the price of the magazine, standing out with contrasting colours - black and purple. Along the left side of the page I have put some of the featured articles along with the page numbers they are on. Also, the main article is in a bold font to emphasise its importance in this edition of the magazine, this links with the phrase, in slightly smaller font than the heading at the bottom of the page - 'Passport to success', highlighting the fact it is the main theme running thoughout the magazine. I have included an image, also linking to the main theme of the magazine, at a mid shot. At the bottom of the page there is a website and name of social media account hence allowing the readers to access the magazine online, even at home this is because from the questionnaire I found that most people read magazines at home. I have also included a simple colour scheme of purple ( representative of the future ) to be the running theme of this edition.

Preliminary task, potential contents page photos ( 07/11/16 )

Here, is my analysis of 4 potential photographs for my contents page. 

Like the potential front cover photos, you can see a gradual process throughout the photos. With photos 1 and 2 there is a camera shot issue; photo 1 - the shot is taken too high up so there is too much room above the models head, photo 2 - the shot is too low therefore you can notice the chair and the angle is slightly looking up at the model creating this connotation of inequality. In addition, in photo 3 the position of the model is not what I wanted to use, as I'd rather the model be facing the left. Therefore, photo 4 is the photo I will be using on my contents page, as the angle and shot is correct and the position of the model is what I was trying to achieve.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Preliminary task, potential front cover photos ( 02/11/16 )

I have attached some of the photographs of which I had taken as potentials for my front cover.

You can see a progress over time, until the final photograph. I went through various angles, lighting and positions of the model throughout the process of the photo shoot, for example in photos 1 and 2 are of a more cold light than in the other 4 photos, this I did not like as I was aiming for a more warmer lighting for the actual magazine of which would make it a more inviting magazine, in comparison to connotations of the harsh light.

I began by placing the model with his body facing the right - facing the future - however I felt the posture and the angle of photo was not appropriate for the cover of the magazine, as it did not give the connotations of leaving for university.

In addition, in photo 3 the shot is taken landscape, very soon after I realised the mistake I had made, as the photo has to be a portrait for the front cover.

In photos 4, 5 and 6, it was really more about getting the position of the model correct- i.e. keeping the box straight, allowing enough room above his head, yet not too much room and getting the right position of the models head. For example, in photo 4, the model looks like he is straining - which will give annotations of stress when college is over -, in photo 5, the position of his head is perfect, yet he did not smile, therefore making the image appear more negative.

Photo 6, is the final photo that I have chosen to use on my front cover, as the position of the model, angle of the shot and lighting is just right, allowing the correct annotations to be inferred.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 4

Photo 3

Photo 6 - chosen photo 

Photo 5

Preliminary task, sketches ( 02/11/16 )

 Here is the sketches of my front cover and contents page of my magazine. 

Sketch of front cover

As you can see, I am going to include a heading, logo and slogan at the top, in the biggest writing, the image on the right side and what is featured on the left. There will be the title of the page which is of the main focus in slightly smaller writing at the bottom of the page above the barcode, price and the name of the website.

Sketch of contents page

On the contents page, I will include a heading; either the name of the magazine, 'contents' or 'what's inside'. I will also include a brief summary of the magazine ( introduction ), 3 image on the right side, page numbers and whats on them on the left side, and the name of the website or social media, names of producers and editors, an any other useful information at the bottom.

Preliminary task, questionnaire and results ( 02/11/16 )

Here, I have attached the questionnaire I assembled and used to gain information to base my magazine off of. I had 30 college students answer the questions. I have also included the results I gained, of which showed:

• I will use one colour theme to run throughout my magazine.
• My magazine will include a mix between lots of information and necessities students need to know
• I will also include information about how to stand out when applying to college, how to boost CV's, how to decide what to do next - what is right for them -, an advice column and also advice from past college students.
• My magazine shouldn't be overpowered by images, it should only include a few photos, to make the magazine stand out and create life in the magazine making it less formal.
• I will include photos of students in a home environment on the contents page, as people said they would usually read a magazine at home.
• I will price my magazine at £1.50
  

Preliminary task, existing contents pages analysis ( 02/11/16 )

Here has been attached 4 contents pages, from 4 different college magazines, that I am going to analyse: 

Contents 1

The first contents page is from the Imperial College of London's magazine. Full with information about what is on each of the different pages, the contents page has two images, a title ( Inside ), staff names, subscriptions, the edition of the magazine, the origin of the front cover and the colleges website. However, the producers used 4 columns on the page; only 3 should really be used. However, there is the running theme of black and white - carried on from the front cover - this contrast makes it easy for the words to be distinguished. Also, on the images, there are page numbers enabling readers to know where they can find information about the images.

Contents 2

This next contents page is from the Worcester College magazine. It includes the name of the magazine and the logo, what is on each page, 3 images, credits to the producers and editors and contact numbers. The contents page only has two columns; one with writing the other with images. In addition there are page numbers and titles beneath each image. Also there is a running colour theme of orange, white and black, again this contrast makes the writing easy to read. Lastly, main articles are highlighted, emphasizing their importance.

Contents 3

The third contents page is filled with different features; a title ( what's inside? ), an introduction, 3 images, page numbers and what is on those page numbers, subscriptions, contact numbers, website, what to do with the magazine once finished with - recyclable -  page numbers by the images and a running colour scheme. The contents page, not only has titles of the different pages but it includes a small summary of what will be included.

Contents 4

The last contents page is from Worcester college's magazine. Much like the front cover, the contents page includes the name of the magazine, the year and the edition. Unlike the other contents pages, it is on the right side of the two pages, rather than the left, this because there is an image of the left page. The contents page includes the titles of pages and which page number they are on, a website and who it was edited and published by.









I have come to the conclusion that on my contents page I will include a title, at least one photo, at most 3, the titles of each article, a small summary of the article and what page number each are featured. I will also include the name of the colleges website / magazines website. I may feature names of the producers and editors, and an introduction to the magazine.

Preliminary task, existing magazine front covers analysis ( 02/11/16 )

Today, I have attached 4 different front covers, of 4 different college magazines, which I will analyse.

Front cover 1

The first front cover of the Imperial College of London magazine, includes a lot of detail of which will be expected to be included within the magazine, but what is actually featured within the magazine is only in very small writing at the top.. In addition, the cover lacks images, therefore making the cover very formal; this may not appeal to their target market. Although there is some colour - the writing - the whole colour scheme is very dark; using a black background may imply a dark future? On the other hand the cover does include a large, bold title, a some what slogan beneath, what edition magazine it is and at the bottom in slightly smaller writing than the title what the main focus of the edition is going to be.

Front cover 2

Worcester College's magazine front cover includes the title of the magazine, what edition, the logo of the college and what edition the magazine is, and a singe image of the lake and and willow tree hanging over it. This front cover majorly lacks any information about what is inside the magazine, therefore the students may back interest in the actual magazine as they would not know what they will be reading about. In addition the image does not really connote 'college', as there is no sign of a college or even any students, again not appealing to their target. In addition, delving deeper into the meaning of the willow tree; death, it is not a very suitable connotation for a college magazine.

Front cover 3

The third magazine: 'College', includes a lot on the front cover; an image ( of a student ), a very large and bold title, subtitles revealing what can be expected to be seen in the magazine, what edition, the date it was issued, a barcode and a price. Also, there is a running colour theme; red, which is the colour of the title and the colour of the models top, which contrasts with the blue and black writing, not only helping to make the writing more clearer, but actually allows the writing to stand out. The image is shot, between a mid and a long shot, which is the two most common shots for a magazine front cover. Lastly, the design of the front cover is also aimed largely to their target market of students

Front cover 4

The last front cover is from Christ's college. It features the title of the magazine, the edition and the college's logo. However, the magazine cover lacks in any information about the articles that feature within, and any photography which may not interest any students to actually purchase the magazine. In additon there is not slogan of the college / magazine. Yet, there is a running colour scheme of blue, which is probably the colour the college is known for.
















In my opinion, I believe that Front cover 3 ( College ) is the most suitable magazine for a college as it includes an image, a running colour scheme, information about what will be within the magazine, a title, a barcode and price. All of which make up a good magazine in general and suit the target market that producers would be aiming at selling to.