CONTENTS PAGE

Evaluation

I feel that my magazine follows the real conventions of a magazine as i have used the majority of the main conventions such as a masthead, sell lines, main image, and logo. My front cover follows the Z rule, as my masthead is placed at the top of the page and my logo is placed at the top left hand corner. Less important things to do with the magazine are placed in the bottom right hand corner, like the barcode and the price, as this is the last thing that the audience will read on the front cover.
Sell lines and cover lines are used to show relevance to the magazine, and also show what the magazine has to offer, I included sell lines and cover lines in order to attract the audience to read my magazine. I used appropriate vocabulary such as "EXCLUSIVE", to attract the audience. I also used page numbers to anchor the text, so the audience can navigate to certain articles.
However I have challenged the conventions, as i have not used a consistent font type,  for the cover lines and sell lines. This can appear very un-professional and un-realistic, as a result, the audience may not find the front cover appealing and untidy. I also found it hard to place the sell lines around the main image, as the text proved hard to read in some places. As a result of this I had to place the sell lines, in the bottom half of the magazine, which made my magazine look vacant, and may not appeal to the audience. 
I designed my magazine so that it would appeal to all social groups. Chislehurst School has different social groups, and i tried to design my magazine so that it would appeal to all. My main image on the front cover shows 3 girls in uniform, they all appear to be from different social groups. My magazine addresses both parents and pupils, as the articles that are featured in the magazine are both formal and informal. The articles feature upcoming events for the pupils, and school information and trips that the parents will want to have more information on. For my mast head, and cover line i have used different fonts to attract different social groups. 
My media product is a school magazine, which means that the distributor would be a fairly small publishing company, as my magazine is only distributed to pupils and parents from the school. I will not use any big companies such as IPC Media, as my magazine has a small audience of pupils and parents. 
The target audience for my media product is aimed at a small target audience, who would find it interesting, and benefit from the articles. My magazine is not going to be distributed to a mass amount of people, only a small audience, such as pupils and parents.  Pupils are part of my target audience. My main image of the front cover shows 3 pupils in uniform, which would attract young pupils as they are of the same age. My contents page consists of more images of the 3 pupils, which again shows that pupils of Chislehurst are a main target audience. Some of the articles appeal to the students as well, such as games and fashion tips. The articles also keep the students up to date with advice for revision and exams. Pupils are also a target audience as they will be interested in what their peers have been up to. Parents are also a part of my target audience, as some articles feature information on upcoming events, such as fees for school trips. The parents would also like to read the articles to see what the past term has offered their child. 
In order to attract my target audience, I have followed the conventions of a magazine to the best of my ability, by following the 'Z' rule. I used a large masthead to attract my audience, i made sure that my mast head is easy to read from a distance, and the font would attract both genders of pupils and parents. I also used sell lines that would attract my audience by advertising the big articles of my magazine, I also used appropriate vocabulary, such as "exclusive" and "new issue!", to attract the audience. If i used normal vocabulary it would not appeal to the reader as much. I used blue colours for a lot of my fonts, which could look as if my target audience was males, how ever I used white font to balance this. 
From constructing my media product i have learnt how to use programs such as Photoshop, to produce my Front Cover. I used tools on photoshop such as the magic wand tool. I also changed and corrected the lighting and colour of the main image. I also added special effects to my image, and learnt how to over lay pictures to create special effects. I used InDesign to produce my contents page. I learnt how to use the programme efficiently, and effectively, in order for my magazine to have a professional finished look. I can use these skills and apply them to when i create my next music magazine. When I create my music magazine I feel that I will be more confident in using different tools to make my magazine look realistic. 
Overall i feel content with my front cover and contents page outcome. As this is my first time using photo shop i feel that i have used a consistent colour scheme, and used high quality photos. I feel that my magazine appears professional and realistic. 

Feed Back

 

I have taken advantage of social media sites such as twitter to gain feedback on which fonts to use on my front cover. Twitter is one of, the most popular social media sites to our generation it allows you to post status and pictures online and to the world and your followers in a matter of moments. It is effient and quick. I asked my followers to give me consturctive critisms  and opinions on their favourite font. I posted a picture of my potential texts, online and asked 'Which font is your favourite?'. I thought this would be appropiate as my followers are of the same age as the audience of my magazine. The fonts would be targeted at young teens.

 

Here is the post i posted on my twitter account to my followers, it clearly states what i want them to take note on and shows the followers the type of fonts that i may be using.

Here is some of the feedback I gained from twitter, it seems that my followers agree that the bottom text is the best to use on my school magazine. They said that the font was eye catching and fun, and appeals to the audience.



PHOTOS USED FOR MAGAZINE

PHOTOS USED FOR MY MAGAZINE

My magazine theme is 'Autumn Term', so i decided to take pictures of the students outside to show the Autumn scenery around the school. The photos show the girls happy and surrounded by the nature and grounds of the school. Before i could take pictures of the girls, for magazine i had to ask for their permission and the girls signed a letter of consent, so I
am legally able to use the photos.

I then took photos of the girls around the school, and experimented in different locations, to make the pictures look as autumnal themed as possible.

This is the picture that i will be using as my front cover, as it is taken from the waist and upwards of the students it is appropriate and follows the conventions of a magazine. I have taken the picture so i have enough space for the mast head and logo. In the background of the picture i have included a tree, this portrays that the magazine is autumnal themed, also the nature in the picture connotes a sense of tranquility and is aesthetically pleasing to the audience. The dark colour of the jumpers allows me to input cover lines so the audience will be able to read them. 

This is the main image that i will be using for my contents page. I feel that this image conveys the autumnal theme well, as the students are throwing the fallen leaves into the air. The students are happy, and excited to start a new term. The image features the school on the background and some of the schools grounds and nature, which again connotes a sense of tranquility and appeals to the reader. 

These images shows the girls at the school, chatting and having fun, which shows friendship with in the school. I will use these photos as a smaller features on the contents page to surround text and to give the page character. I have used the same models through out the images as i think it is far more professional, and sticks to a theme. 

FRONT COVER ~ FINAL OUTCOME

MastHead Ideas

Here are the options for my MastHead font type. I have chosen simple, bold, easy to read font types, that can be read from a distance.

All the fonts above are from the website www.dafont.com

The first font, is very bold and easy to read. The font is all is uppercase, which makes the font appeal to the reader as it may appear more interesting, and make the magazine look realistic, and official. Most of my class mates agreed that this font in the easiest to read, and can be read from a distance. The first font connotes a sense of power and authority, as it is in uppercase. It is also very thick and bold. The font attracts both male and females, which portrays that the magazine is aimed at both sexes.

The second font, is similar to the first however it is mostly in lowercase, and this appears less powerful than the first. I feel that this font is not very eye catching, and it may be suitable to use for a sell line font, and other small contexts in the magazine,

The third font is different to the first two, as it not as bold, and the width of the letters changes from thick to thin. This might not work well as a masthead, as the audience may not be able to read the masthead from a distance.

I have decided that I might use the first font as the masthead, and i might use the second font for the sell lines and other smaller texts on the front cover and contents pages. This will make the magazine more interesting to look at and to read. The magazine will be more interesting to readers.

I am still unsure on what sort of colour i am going to use for my magazine just yet. I will be experimenting with the colours on photoshop, still sticking to my original colour scheme.

Fonts

In order for my magazine to be successful, it needs to be eye catching. A main factor for this is Font Type.

The font type is essential for a magazine as it enhances the tone of the magazine and portrays a certain theme. From researchng convetions of a magazine I understand that bad font can potentially make people ignore the magazine. This is why i have to make my font looks professional and aesthically pleasing.
 The font has to be easy to read, as the audience have to be able to read the text as it contains information about the magazine. The font size needs to be appropriate and easy to read. If the font size is too small, the audience are unable to read there for no information is passed on to the audience. The smallest font size on a magazine, is usually the date, issue number, and the price, as it is the last thing the audience thinks about when purchasing or reading the magazine.
The Mast head is the biggest font on a magazine, as it is the most significant text, as it tells the audience the name of the magazine, which portrays what the magazine focus point is. For example, my mast head states Chislehurst Times, which portrays that the magazine is a school magazine. My mast head will be the largest font on the front cover to connote its importance and significance. It will be in sans serif as it is easy to read, and simple yet effective.

COLOUR

I will be following a colour scheme through out my magazine, so my magazine looks sophisticated and proffesional. The colour scheme in school magazines usually follow the school colours to connote asense of patrioticness.
The colour scheme i will be following will be, Green, and Blue. I will be following this because the green and blue colours relate to the school.

Green symbolizes growth, harmon and freshness. This will attract the readers attention, as it is a very peaceful tranquil colour, and will appeal to the audience. The other colour I will be using is;

Blue. This color is one of trust, honesty and loyalty. It is sincere, reserved and quiet. The colour connotes a sense of power and royalty.

The two colours contrast well with each other, as they both are both very patriotic, to the school. Colour is very important in media, as the audience respond to different colours, in different ways.
Colours have meanings, and we must bear this in mind when designing, anything from websites to logo design as to try and appeal to as many consumers as possible.

Contents Page and Layout.

After doing much research also on conventions of a contents page, i have now planned my own for my School Magazine.
I have included that main conventions of a contents page so my magazine looks realistic and easy to read. The contents page navigates the audience around the features and articles of a magazine. The certain conventions of a magazine are;

Masthead - this is a bold title, which is usually the biggest text on the page. It is the most eye catching and needs to be sharp.
Menu - The menu is key as it navigates the audience around the magaazine, as it lists the content inside the paper.
Pugs - are used to catch the readers eye. They are usually place at the top left or right hand corner of the magazine. Usually a logo or price or feautures in the magazine.
Main Image - The main image is usually related to the front cover image of the magazine, however slightly different. A different picture is used, however related to the main issue of the magazine.
Ordering and Structure - The articles are set out in chronilogical order, so its easy for the reader to locate themselves around the magazine.
Colour scheme - The contents page follows more of a colour scheme than the front cover. It is always very simple, so that the page is easy on the eye, and the colours do not distract the reader from the content.

I followed these conventions so my magazine contents page looks realistic and proffessional. I followed the convetions so my mgazine is easy to read. Simple but effective. I followed the Z rule as studis show succesful magazine companies follow the Z rule when publishing issues.

Front Cover Layout

Front Cover Ideas

After doing much research on front covers of a magazine, and analysing them, i have now designed my own magazine cover. When planning my magazine, i have linked to the way it is layed out due to the Z rule, as research shows that is how the audience veiw the front cover of a magazine.
I have placed the mast head at the top of the magazine, as it attracts the audience's eye, and gives information on what the magazine is about, clearly showing it is a school magazine, and is the most important text on the front cover. I have placed a sub-title underneath the mast head as it gives exclusive information, and appeals to the reader, as it is very close to the mast head.  In contrast to this I have placed the barcode at the bottom right hand corner, as it is the last place the audience will look.
I have included cover lines amd sell lines, in the thirds of the magazine, so the magazine comes across as exciting and appealing to the reader, the sell lines advertise key things that will be imcluded in the magazine. I have also included a buzz line, as it is exciting and makes the audience want to read the magazine.
I would like my magazine to appear simple and not in anyway messy. I want to keep the front cover simple so it is easy to read, and the audience can easily grasp the theme and meaning on the magazine. I will be sticking to a simple colour scheme, which is in some way related to the school and the theme of my magazine.
The school logo is placed at the top left hand corner of the magazine as, it represents the school, and clearly represents that it is a school magazine, and that the magazine is very formal.

Questionnaire Analysis

Magazine Analysis

After asking 20 people my questionnaire, i calculated the results and put them all in a pie chart, so i can clearly read my results and make judgements from them.

1

What theme do you think is the best for my magazine ?
I asked what theme people preferred my magazine to be, the majority of the people i asked like the Autumn Term themed magazine, because it is currently Autumn Term, and i can give advice and publish reports which are current and relevant to the pupils in school

2

Which name do you prefer, for my school magazine ?
I was struggling to choose a name for my magazine, so i decided to put my favourite ideas and ask people what they preferred. Chislehurst Times seemed to be the most popular name, as you can see from the pie chart above. I think this is because it is simple, instead of using the "Weekly", because that means i will have to publish a magazine every week so the magazine is true to its name, and the name Chislehurst Mag, is very informal.

3

How often do you think my magazine should be released ?

The majority of the sample agreed that i should release my magazine Termly. I agree with this as it gives me time to publish and release a new issue. 

4

Which colour theme, do you believe would be appropriate for my magazine ?
The majority of the people agreed that, Orange and Red should be the colour scheme of my magazine, however i disagree with this, as i feel that Blue and Green would be more appropriate to the school. There fore i do not agree with these results and i am unsure wether to follow them. 

5

How much would you pay for my magazine ?

From my results i found that, 20p was the amount of money that people will be wiling to pay for my magazine. I agree with this as it is only a school magazine, and will be published in an amateur way. 

6

What articles would you like to be featured in the magazine ?
The majority of the people that i asked, liked the Ideas for fashion in the Autumn/Winter term. I will be using this option and also another popular option such as Help for revision. 

Questionnaire

Before i begin to create my magazine, i am going to carry out a questionnaire, so I can make final desisions about my magazine, theme, titles and ideas, etc.

I will be carrying out the questionnaire with 20 people, to make it a fair.

Questionnaire

Which name do you prefer for my magazine ?

1. Chislehurst Weekly.
2. Chislehurst Times.
3. Chislehurst Mag.

What theme do you think is the best for my magazine ?

1. Autumn term issue - includes autumnal themes and back to school advice.
2. Winter term issue - includes Christmas themes.

Which colour theme, do you believe would be appropriate for my magazine ?

1. Blue + Green
2. Red + Blue
3. Orange + Blue
4. Orange + Red

How often do you think my magazine should be released ?

1. Weekly
2. Monthly
3. Termly
4. Anually

How much would you pay for my magazine ?

1. 10p
2. 20p
3. 50p
4. £1

What articles would you like to be featured in the magazine ?

1. Ideas for fashion in the Autumn/Winter term
2. Help for revision and advice for future exams
3. Updates to do with the school
4. Educational games, like cross words and suduko

Possible Ideas ?

After researching the conventions of magazines and different types of school magazines i am now going to brain storm my ideas for my own. It has been useful researching magazines as i have an understanding of what a school mgazine should look like and what it should include.

Possible Themes for my magazine ;

• Autumn Term

I can take pictures of students in autumnal settings, and include autumn reltaed things such as, appropriate fashion/clothing accessories for school, back to school advice, and an allround magazine for events that are taking place in the autunm term. I can use autunmal colours like orange, red and burgundy.

Or

• Winter term

For the winter theme i can include significant events from the winter term and highlight them. Christmas could be a very exciting theme, that ties into 'Winter'. I could possibly take pictures of students dressed in winter clothing or christmas hats. I can use colours that relate to winter.
I can include fashion ideas for the winter term, and talk about exciting events, that will be coming up like pantos.

My possible titles for my magazine ;

• Chislehurst Weekly

• Chislehurst Times

• Chislehurst Mag

Typography

Typography

Typhograhy is the way text is presented on a page. Typography such as colour, spacing and font. When you make a magazine the font is an important factor, this is because it has to be easy to read, and fit into the theme and style. Therefore typography is very important when producing a magazine.

Serif and Sans-Serif Font.

Serifs are semi-structural details or small decorative flourishes on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. An example would be the Times New Roman font. Sans serif does not have these details or flourishes. An example would be the Arial font.
It is said that serif fonts are usually easier to read in larger text areas like in books, magazines, in body content on websites. And sans serif fonts are used regularly because of how clean they tend to look in those main text areas.

Conventions of a Magazine.

Mast head -  The title used by known typhography to make the readers become familiar with what magazine they are reading.
Main Image - Typically shwing the person(s) or object directly associated with the main feauture/article.
Sell line - Seen as an introductory headline below the mastheaddescribing the magazine.
Pug - 'The ears of the magazine', can either be at the top left/and right-hand corners of the front cover. The prices of the paper, the logo or a promotion are positioned there or even a freebie is placed here to catch the readers eye.
Tag- The word of phrase is used to engage a reader's interestin a story by categorising it, e.g, 'Exclusive', or 'Sensational', this showing that the magazinehas high cmpliments.
Cover Lines - The essential articles inside the magazine are stated through sell lines, these are regulary seen at the right hand side of the cover.
Barcode-  A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data relating to the object to which it is attached. Originally barcodes systematically represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or one-dimensional
Colour Scheme - The colour scheme makes the magazine aethestically pleasing, and eyecatching for the audience.

Contents Page Analysis 2

Contents Analysis 1

Magazine Analysis 2.

MAGAZINE ANALYSIS 1

Researching Magazines

Introduction

My name is Millicent Sharratt, and I am an AS Media student. I have made this blog, which will contain all of my AS level course work. On this blog I will be showing my progresses to creating a school magazine.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL MAGAZINE

The school magazine is a historical document of the growth of the school. It informs the future generation of students about the traditions built up of their school. This valuable publication is the opportunity that students require to show their creative talents.Along with academic studies, students are encouraged in games and athletics, art and craft, science clubs, dramatics and various other activities. These make the years in school interesting and worth remembering. But intellectual activities like debates, elocution and essay-writing competitions are rarely found.


My first task is to analyse 3 school magazines. Before I begin I will be researching into the conventions of a school magazine, looking into how they are structured, and laid out. The conventions of a magazine are very essential. It is essential that a magazines follow conventions ensuring that the magazine looks professional, and realistic.
After doing some research I have personally picked out 3 main conventions of a magazine;
·       The Mast Head, is the title of the magazine. This is vital as it explains what the magazine is about, whilst giving the magazine individuality and information on what it is about. Traditionally the mast head is located at the top left hand corner of the magazine, as this is where, the audience first looks, as studies show. This has noted that when I create my magazine, I will place the title on the left hand corner of the magazine.
·       The image on the magazine is also very important as it is the main focus of the front cover of the magazine. The image indicates what the main story is about on the inside of the magazine.
·       The colour scheme is essential. As the colours used on the front page have to be eye catching, in order for the audience to pay interest in the magazine