Final Magazine Cover & Analysis

Thumbnail Sheet and Images Used

These are a collection of images I have taken to feature in my Magazine Cover and contents page. I have chosen to stick to the theme of lockers, and have thus experimented different ways to incorporate various objects into the theme. I have experimented with things such as lighting, distance and how much a person is in the shot. For example, I first had only had a persons hands and their books in the shot, which was originally going to be my main image. However, after receiving feedback and learning more about the conventions of a good magazine, I realised that having a whole person in the image would show a greater understanding. I also took a variety of other photos consisting of various things around the school. Well known objects such as the school computers, the Apple Macs and the honours board are all things people instantly recognise, making them ideal to feature in my contents page. All of these photographs are of a documentary style. This meant that, through a pose, I was able to create a sense of what typically happens at the school.




IMAGES USED

Main Image

This was the image I decided to use in my final front cover. I feel that this picture instantly symbolises school life and a hard working atmosphere. The inclusion of lockers also sticks to the theme I intended to use, as lockers are common throughout all schools and are easily identifiable. The inclusion of a person, I feel, follows the conventions of a typical magazine cover. By following this convention I feel that my magazine is more likely to entice audiences.

       

Contents Page

These are the two images I used in my contents page. They consist of  a school computer in the LRC, and a school honours board. Both of these images are widely recognisable throughout the school, which is why I felt they were appropriate to feature in my contents page. They are subtle images, but really emphasis the school and a working atmosphere it strives for.

Images Needed for my Magazine

These are just a sample of images that I hope to take inspiration from when constructing my final magazine. The main focus of my main image will be school lockers. I feel that this will really emphasise school and school life. I hope that my final image will have the lockers as the main focus, and a blurred out background of students walking by. Documentary photography is an extremely common convention in school magazines, which is why I feel this form of photography will benefit my magazine.

Contents Page Layout

These are my six layout designs for my contents page. Through these visual syntax's I have stuck to the common conventions of a typical contents page.I feel that all my designs are varied and include all the features a good contents page should have. I've tried to include a good ratio of text and images, to ensure the visual success of this page. The contents title is given the same amount of space on each design. This is because I want it to be clear to the reader what page it is, and by having the title the largest feature on the page it will definitely inform the reader. 

With these visual syntaxes I've tried to experiment with the positioning of various features like the Starbursts, text and images. My text is arranged in columns, a common occurrence when it comes to the layouts of contents pages. Each starburst is placed strategically so it doesn't cover text, but is strong enough to stand out on its own. With regards to images, I've included a range of different sizes. If the image is large, it will be the only one on the page. However, I've also included more smaller images in some of my designs to experiment with the difference a variety of images can make.



Contents Page Analysis

School Photography Convention Ideas

These are several images that are appropriate for my school magazine cover. These photographs are taken exactly as how the school they are representing would want. I hope to take inspiration from these photographs for my own magazine image.

Magazine "Mock Up" Front Covers

  

I've tried to create two different front covers, which differ in their main image and the amount of text on each cover. In  my first cover (Left), I have included my PB Magazine masthead, along with a faded background image of a pile of books. I feel that these two elements contrast well with each other, thus making my magazine more visually appealing and appropriate for my target audience.. For my strap lines, I have stuck to a certain font and colour scheme(Black text for the main strapline with blue additional text). My main headline is also quite large, taking up the bottom third of my magazine. I feel this emphasises the importance of the contents of my headline and the meaning behind it. I've also included a bold Starburst and banner at the bottom of this cover. These features are incredibly effective in grabbing attention, which is what I hope my magazine will do.

My second cover (Right), has a completely different feel from the first. To start, there is much less text on the cover. I feel this is a good contrast to have, as it shows the importance of how much text should be on a magazine. I have also re-arranged the spacing of my Masthead, Headline and strap line in order to experiment with the positioning of the various features. By doing so, I feel I have gained more knowledge on the difference re -arranging these features can have.The lack of text, I feel, signifies the value of the Headline and strap line, thus making the reader aware of the amount of content these topics will take up within the magazine. My Starburst is situated in the top right hand corner, which I feel draws more readers to it due to its unique nature.

I also received some feedback whilst constructing these covers. I was told that my Masthead was too small and insignificant in comparison to everything else on my cover. In response to this feedback I added a darker black to my masthead and increased its size. By doing this, I feel that I have brought significance to my Masthead, and hopefully encouraged it to be the first thing my audience will be drawn to.