Preliminary Task - School Magazine Analysis

Front Cover:

   This school magazine front cover is very conventional of its kind. It is simple, yet formal and smart connoting the standard of education and formality of the school, while also showing the high standards.

    "DEYES HIGH SCHOOL" is the central text and masthead, this is the serif font and style used for all Deyes High documents and is very recognisable to the institute. The "Specialist Science College" and a nationally recognised and awarded logo below shows the specialisation of Deyes, with semantics that connote prestige and success. This cover is black and white clearly due to a budget cut as I am aware Deyes High usually use red, navy and white which is very recognisable to the school. The masthead is not in the conventional place and is almost central, while an image of the schools oldest building takes the place of where the masthead conventionally is. This building shows how established the school is, this building is recognisable to anybody in the area and holds much history showing a traditional school. I would use a similar image in the newsletter I will create for Deyes High School. The folio is at the bottom of the page, almost of a banner, including the issue of the newsletter, being "2" and the date, it is rather unconventional due to the size and placement, also the proportions compared to other text and the folio is usually much smaller in a more discreet place, such as a pug. The cover being very formal and smart shows that the intended audience is not only the students but also parents. The sans-serif almost comic sans font in the folio and banner at the bottom I do not find conventional, it almost seems out of place. It does not fit with the formal and smart presentation of the rest of the cover, seeming bulky and out of place. However, this could be representing the audience, showing that it is also students, from the ages of 11 - 18, not just the parents. This font seems less intimidating and formal to a younger audience.

This contents page is from St Ambrose Barlow School. I notice in comparison to Deyes High it appears less formal and professional than the Deyes High School cover, this could be suggesting that the audience is students and perhaps the students created it - therefore being that familiarity and informal attitude. All text, apart from the pug of the schools name and the columned, justified conventional text. The contents box is to the left hand side of the page, conventionally listed in chronological order with the page numbers beside them. The schools logo is in the top right corner as a pug. The  "Specialist Sports with ICT College" connotes the professionalism of the school and the high standard of education. Red, black and white are clearly representative of the schools colours. I doubt as the text is sans-serif and highly informal that this is used for all school documentation and logos. The folio is very conventional small and discreet as a top, right pug under the masthead, establishing the issue and date- I would use this in the magazine I will create. It is not typical for the first article to be on the contents page, though evidently this is to save money being a school and the newsletter not being a priority. The puff is a very informal yellow shape, connoting fun and obviously using semiotics to represent the sun, using the text "Summer Edition". Images between text break up large blocks of text and using captions is very conventional.

Magazine Documentation

Evaluation

Media AS Evaluation

Front Page - Break Down

When analysing existing magazines I noticed that the colours used for the house style tend to adapt seasonally, as I chose to create a July 2012 issue I made a conscious decision from the start to ensure I used the colours chosen. First I created a pink gradient from the bottom up and added the masthead Rebel. The name has been justified in a previous post. I chose an elephant font and made it all capital letters, though I think the bright pink makes it more mischievous and fun. I used the fx tool to create a large drop shadow, contour, emboss and and inner shadow. 

I then used an image of Amy which I was able to manipulate. Using the magnetic lasson tool I was able to cut her out and feather her. Using the tools available on photoshop I was then able to increase the vibrance, brightness and contrast. I also used the highlighting tool to show Amy's bone structure. I considered making the hair bun bleed over the text though felt it may be a little too feathered to do so.

I then created the puffs beside the image. The text featuring the copy is conventionally next to Amy's head with a quote and buzz word of exclusive. All the text is in the colours chosen and adapts to the subject of choice, for example "RnB Stars" is in a smooth text that definitely converges with its purpose. I used different sizes and fonts throughout to vary and make it look professional like the covers I had analysed.  I also used the fx tool to create drop shadows, contours, gradients, inner shadows and outer shadows.

This is the completed product. I added in a folio of the issue number in the top right corner which is a pug. Also I added a price and offer at the top saying "ONLY £2". This was the average price in my questionnaire and "ONLY" is a buzz word to encourage readers to buy. I also added a banner at the bottom using the rectangle tool and created a text box on top creating a small top shadow using the fx tool. I also added a barcode which is very conventional.

Contents Page - Break Down

Complete Product:

From analysing existing contents pages, I am aware that it must be consistent in house style, colours and images. I chose to create another pink gradient as on the front cover from the bottom up of a baby pink shade. I also created the masthead using capital letters again and an elephant font. I used the fx tool to emboss, contour, inner and outer shadow and created a wide outer shadow like on the cover.

I then created my "break in the book" showing me where my images and text will go. I used an image of Amy in the same jacket to show synergy and cut her out using the magnetic lasso tool on Photoshop. I used the dropper tool to get the same colour to use on the break in the book. I placed my images here because Billboard had three images set and I felt it structured the page.

I felt the background was too plain so I took inspiration from VIBE magazine and used a "R" where they had used a "V". I used the dropper tool to find the exact colour of Amy's jacket and kept it an elephant font for synergy though made it 500pt. I also arranged the layer to the back and lowered the opacity. 

I then added my editors letter from which I found inspiration from the Keri Hilson extract I analysed. She addressed her readers almost personally and informally with a certain amount of shared understanding. To do so, I called the readers rebels and acknowledged them with"Hey" which is fairly feminine in fitting with the demographic of the readers.

I then added the text which I set out like VIBE at the top. It is simplistic yet informative. The colours chosen were used and using an elephant font i created "features" and "also". Font converges with the purpose of the text, for example "KEIGAN TAKES OVER" is about REBEL's webpage so this is in an almost robotic, sci-fi font. Where as "Stars Stories" is in a more glamorous font. In all text I used the fx tools in various ways, though was conscious not to over-edit. 

To complete it I added page numbers next to the article headline. I then added 5 images which I took and edited and placed numbers over these. I added to the folio more by adding the issue, magazine name and page number. The magazine name shows synergy.

Double Page Spread - break down

Finished Article:

This is my finished double page spread for my magazine REBEL featuring "Pop Sensation" Amy Brown.
  Below is how I created this article and justification for my creation:

    I started off creating a new document on Adobe Photoshop CS5, I doubled the width of an A4 paper to ensure it was the right size. After analysing two double page spreads, I recognised the synergy and relation in colour, style and images between all three pages I created. The conventional three colours I chose were pink, orange and white. This is due to the issue being in July 2012 as magazines tend to adapt their colours seasonally. I chose the bright pink I had used in the masthead in both the contents and front page and created a gradient across the page

  The orange was incorporated in the jacket Amy is wearing. I made a conscious decision when taking the images to dress Amy in summer colours. I used this image of Amy and manipulated it through using my vibrance, hue, saturation, brightness, contrast and exposure amongst other features Photoshop offers. As this image is attractive and rather suggestive, though aimed at girls, this is evidence of David Gorndlett's theory of 'girl power' within the media.

   I then created the headline, as Amy is rather suggestive in her image and her text implies she is quite a REBEL (showing synergy to the name of the magazine and the star featured). I used "AMY BROWN" as I feel this immediately establishes her to those who may not know her. I chose a font called SI Impact. This font has connotations of a rebellious and proud nature. Using the fx tool, I created an outer shadow on this headline and was able to contour to give an almost 3D effect. The headline is always conventionally at the top so the readers eye can interact from top to bottom.
   I also added in page breakers, matching Amy's jacket. This is known as the break of the book. The large breaker across the middle I analysed in Solange Knowles feature in VIBE. I also columned in two four columns. Initially I did three however realising the text would be spread across the pages, these page barriers distinguish one page from the next. they are also evenly spread out.
  

I then added the article I had previously written. I conventionally used a lead columned within the first column like Solange Knowles'. Within the lead "AMY BROWN" is in capital letters, set differently from other text as I had analysed in both double pages. I considered using a drop capital though when I tried it out my magazine looked out of place I was unable to justify my text. I ensured my text surrounded my image to make it look professional. Most text is music related however in my questionnaire many did request fashion and style along with childhood memories which I included. Culture is not included a lot, however it could be argued pop and rap culture are included along with American culture.  Slang and improper English language was a necessity I felt due to the genre and artist. Its suitable to represent the artist in their brand image and identity. Fans will be aware from publicity and promotional campaigns, along with social networking sites of Amy's nature. It is only right to give the fans the identity of Amy they are familiar with. 

I then included anchorage text over the image which is a quote from the article, it is Amy summarising herself and her past. I used the fx effect and created a satin effect, as well as embossing, contouring, inner and outer shadows. I also added promotional text for Amy's next single above the page breaker, along with the folio in the conventional places including the page number, issue and magazine. The magazines name was set in its house style. Throughout the article when the word REBEL arose, whether in relation to the actual magazine name or Amy's rebellious attitude it was set in the correct house style showing synergy.

I felt I needed another image so I added a thumbnail of Amy and her dog. The dog is what is known as a "designer dog" and only adds to Amy's natural glamour more so. There is a border to separate from text and a conventional caption below.

Questionnaire results

These are my results I analysed before creating my magazine. Although my Excel barchart graohs would not load this Excel spreadsheet presents the results clearly.
  I have definitely noticed a gap in the market for girls music magazines aimed at a specific genre, though a niche market I feel a lot of young girls would be highly interested. Many of the girls that answered the questionnaire were 11 to 15 or 16 to 20. Being a female of this age group I felt I could relate very well.
 Also in music magazines, my genre of choice isn't very well represented. VIBE magazine represents rap and hip hop, while Billboard represents almost every genre. I recognise a new hybrid genre that artists such as  Nicki Minaj have introduced. Nicki is a female rapper and singer who has been known to feature in all rap, dance and pop songs. She highly converges with her audience.
   The average time frame seems to be a month in between buying magazines. This is true for most music magazines giving well enough time for professionals to produce the work.
   Rap and pop are highly popular genres, although I feel these could be merged in my magazine as many artists today tend to create a hybrid genre.
  Although many of the readers enjoy an interview which I will be presenting, they also enjoy learning about current releases and concerts which I can include in my article.
   When asked whether their magazine of choice represents their individual style all answers were positive with no less than "sometimes".
  The average price is around £2 and prefer globally known artists. I notice most actually prefer text to images, which is probably because the music magazine includes information as opposed to predominently visual context like a fashion magazine.
  Many also want to know about the artists history outside of the music business.