For my preliminary task, the objective of creating a Sixth form Magazine for my school was set upon me, detailing the need to include a front cover, containing a medium close-up of a model in an environment related to school, the conventions of a magazine, and a mock up of a contents page, containing all of the conventions of a magazine’s contents. This task was set with the hopes of helping me achieve and show full understanding of the magazine medium before creating a front cover, contents and full page spread for a music magazine.
The front cover and contents page produced followed and displayed the conventions of a magazine, the front cover containing a mast-head, dateline, banner, sell-line, main sell-line, puff and a main image, and the contents containing a 50:50 ration of image to text, page numbers over images relating to articles, text in categories and columns, cover story is separate and highlighted, page number, title, and reflects style of audience, magazine and content. Several conventions are missing, but only because they didn’t fit the style of magazine that was to be created. Firstly, it was a free magazine, so therefore there was no need for a barcode as barcodes are only used on purchasable items, secondly, there are no feature article photos as it only caused to form a distraction from the main image and sell-lines on the front age, next, there is no strap-line because it made the product look cluttered and disorganized, something no reader wants a magazine to look like. On the contents page, the only convention missing is the date and/or issue number, although the school term of which the volume was issued is included in the title. It was in the best interest of the finished product to not include each of these conventions because, as detailed in my mission statement, “DM Magazine’s mission is to produce a modern, clean-cut, free magazine for Douay Martyrs Sixth Form…”, and to have squeezed in these facets would have compromised this promise.
The symbiotic link between contents and front page is presented through the text, color scheme, use of symbols for emphasis, font, and the same model and costume for the main story image. Each of these aspects of the products made the running themes clear; the use of the same text makes it a smooth transition from page into articles, as does the use of the arrow symbols, and the implementation of the color scheme not only represents the masthead and the text of the sell-lines on the front page, but the school colors of which this task is for. By using the same model and costume, there is a continuity that makes the magazine slightly more respectful and attracts the reader rather than repels them with a choppy, jumbled mess, and makes them come back for the next issue.
The magazine is meant to be educational, as one would expect for a school magazine, and that is seen through the academic tips and support offered, but it also meant to be fun to make it seem a=more attractive to readers, and that can be seen through the style section offered and the article on “75 things to do before Uni.” This can help keep the reader entertained and continue reading all the while subtly picking up tips and learning from the magazine. It’s hard to make these articles appeal to both gender groups, but in an effort to do so; I have made sure that nothing on the front page or in the contents is gender specific by choosing very simple colors, article topics that can help either and a model that is appealing to both genders.
The strengths of my practical work lies in the organization and implementation of color schemes, text, and image. Using clashing colors like blue and red is a difficult task, but by cutting through it with white and black, it meshes to form a bold look that attracts readers. The text follows this color scheme and varies in size, attracting readers as well, as does the use of image. The model is formal, but casual, just as students as the school targeted at by the magazine is, and the slight smile is welcoming for the reader, as is the casual rolled up sleeves. However, there are weaknesses in the form of the image background, as it is too defined and too bold in it’s color that clashes with the color scheme. It took a long period of time and multiple adjustments to come up with the finished products, but even then parts don’t go properly. Were I to re-make this product, then I would consider reshooting the image in a different location with a background that it mainly one color so as to make the text more visible.
This task has shown me the complications and deliberations pertaining to the creation of a magazine front cover and contents page and the tribulations that come along with it. Whilst most was easy, as it is based upon my age and professional status demographic, it was the implementation and creation that was the hardest. When it comes to the creation of the main task, I will deliberate heavily on the main image, the location of shooting and lighting, and the text that goes on top. The methods I used to create the task, however, proved to be fruitful and easy to use, aiding me to create the final product; I fully plan to use these methods in my main task.
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