AS foundation production
Produced by Louis Harden
school front cover analysis:
This can almost be seen as a pug but also tells the reader what this issue is about. There is also a repeated S which could be seen as sybolance and means that it has a flowing tone and is pleasing for the reader.
The title is written in a dark red contrasted with white with the tagline of "Achievingsuccesstogether" also in the same colour. This creates a tertiary focal point for the reader and the tagline can be seen as direct address as the use of "together" involves the reader and invokes them to feel part of the school.
The colour scheme suggests efficiency within the school but also the white suggests that it is a calm environment also. This could be seen to have the connotation that the sports are competitive but the academic side is calm and collected.
The use of sibilance within this also creates a soft sound which is associated with a safe school envrionment which would be pleasing to the target audience of parents.
The image is the focal point of the magazine as the colours are in line with the colours of the magazine; red and white. This creares a sense of unity with the people involved in the school and the school magazine. It also links with the "Sports overview" text and gives context to it. Furthermore the low angle shot empowers the students; suggesting they are the focal point of the magazine. Also the outside setting coupled with the body language of the students suggests a positive environment for the readers which will appeal as they will most likely be parents.
There is a contents at the bottom of the front cover. This allows the reader to immediately indentify the contents of the magazine. This may be because the audience will not have to be as enticed and therefore the magazine can be more straightforward on what is inside the magazine unlike mainstream media magazines that will be competing with other like-minded magazines to be bought.
The use of the St. Georges flag and the well known disney characters suggest to the target audience that the school has large plans perhaps for trips. This links with the "The Prince's Teaching Institute 2009 English" which suggests that the school is participating nationally. This will again be encouraging for the target audience who will want to see the school being involved in national events that will be beneficial to their child/children.
The use of direct address on this magazine through the male involves the reader and personalises the magazine to the target audience, which will most likely be actual college students due to the informative and informal nature of the magazine. Furthermore the mis-en-scen of the image is important as his attire would be that of what a college student would wear. In addition he has the prop of college books which again reinforces the image of a college student that they are trying to achieve.
The Puff which imitates a paint splatter and has "splat" written on it is a pun and because of the contrasting pink colour will become an tertiary entry/focal point to the audience. This is important as it does not take up a large amount of space but is still noticeable and important which makes it more efficient.
The bar code shows the audience that it is distributed to a wider audience and it is able to be bought.
Main cover line and tertiary cover lines follow the colour scheme of the masthead (yellow) and the tagline (white). This creates a continuity to the front cover and it works well with the black background. Also many of the cover lines include puns but also key words that relate to college and will entice the target audience.
The left and right third include the cover lines while the middle third is dominated by the main/only image on the cover which creates a clear and neat concept for the target audience.
The red and white colour scheme is again prominent within this school magazine which attracts the target audience which will again most likely be parents. The tagline also introduces the female-only concept of the school.
Main image of the front cover has little text on it but the main image reiterates the school colour scheme. It shows unity which will attract the target audience. Furthermore the Asian style building in the background shows an international aspect to the school
Tertiary images show the students portraying happiness with the addition of musical instruments. These again reiterate the educational and interesting aspects of the school
This front cover lacks much substance and this can either be seen as an effective or ineffectual. It can be seen as effective because the majority of the audience will already be interested in reading so will not need to be enticed. However it is not eye catching and lacks many magazine conventions which means it may look unprofessional.