The document discusses creating a school magazine to suit students as the target audience. It notes that images, color schemes, topics, and text must all be appropriate. Independent research like audience research would help determine what the target audience prefers. Creating a rough draft and getting feedback would allow improvements to better appeal to students. Analysis of sample school magazine covers found that clearly stating the school or topic, using bold colors and text, and including free offers helps make the magazine appealing to its intended audience.

1. AS Media Studies
Jamie Dear
Preliminary Task

2. Brief
In this preliminary task, we were asked to create a school magazine thus we had to ensure that
our magazine suited students well. We had to consider the images we used, the colour schemes,
the topics and features of the magazine as well as the text – these all had to be appropriate and
well suited to my target audience. Therefore to ensure that I met this, I intended on creating a
school magazine that featured the school logo throughout because this would make the
magazine personal and would ensure that the school the magazine was from, was plainly
evident so that the audience understood clearly what school the magazine was from – it was
clear.
To meet the specification, I also intended on doing independent research for example, audience
research so that the topics I chose, the colour schemes, the features of the magazine etc. were
all relevant and preferable – it would suit the target audience’s wants. Not only this, but I also
intended on creating a rough draft of the school magazine so that I could take this, find out what
the audience liked/disliked about it and from this, I could make further improvements and
modifications to it. This would ensure that it was well liked by my target audience because it
would be something that appealed to them because it was what they wanted.

3. The fact that there is a
picture of a child – the
main image and focus -
highlights the fact that
this magazine will be
about children. This is
why this magazine is
successful in the way
that it shows what sort
of magazine it is
because it is clearly
showing that this
magazine is suited
towards children – it is
child friendly. This is
why it appeals to its
target audience
because the main
picture on the page –
the thing that first
grabs your attention –
is a picture of a child
therefore we
automatically know
before we begin
reading that it will be
suited and focused on
children.
It has a clear and bold masthead which takes us the majority of the top magazine. The word
‘New Term’ has been written in a bold and striking font and is also one of the biggest words on
the page therefore we automatically know that this magazine focuses on school because the
words are essentially clearly stated on the page. This is why in my opinion I think that this
magazine is successful because it tells the target audience and buyer, exactly what the
magazine is about clearly. Also, because it is clear and bold on the page, it suits the younger
generation because it is easy to read and because it has been highlighted in black, it is
successful in the way that is grabs our attention easily. This links into how the colours on the
page are all bold and all contrast one another therefore makes the text look more vibrant on
the page.
This magazine also features a strap/sell line which is another convention that
has been successfully used. This line has been written underneath the main
title and persuades the audience to pick up and buy the magazine because the
line is convincing. The strap/sell line essentially entices the target market to
buy the magazine because the line essentially shows how the magazine is going
to show us what school life is like thus we automatically think the magazine is
going to help us and is going to give us tips and helpful advice which for the
target audience, would be very helpful. However to improve I would
perhaps suggest including a
date line/issue no. so that the
target market know just how
old the magazine is, so they’re
not reading a magazine which
is a few years old; the
audience want to be reading
new and up to date magazines
and because this magazine
doesn’t explicitly state the
date line or issue number
therefore some could be put
off because they don’t know
whether it is a recent
magazine or not. It also does
not include a price thus to
improve, they should add this
so that people know how
much it is because if its price is
clearly stated, then we are
more inclined to buy it there
and then.Not only this but magazine cover also features secondary
stories and these have been positioned all over the page. I
feel that this is successful because it makes the entire front
page look interesting and therefore keeps the audience
interested. Also because it has been highlighted in bold,
ensures that we can clearly see it and ensures that we
understand and know what is going to be in the magazine.
The topics that are around the magazine, are all school
topics which interest many school children like homework
and revision tips therefore is successful in the way that it
makes the audience want to buy the magazine.
This magazine cover also mentions a free
calendar at the bottom of the page and
this grabs our attention because we all
love free things, especially when it is going
to help you organise yourself. This is why I
think that this magazine is successful
because it appeals to the audience –
students and parents – and the use of a
free calendar, makes us want to buy the
magazine for this purpose.
Analysis of another school magazine:

4. The masthead on this magazine is the name of the school and is clearly and boldly positioned on the
page. It is written in dark blue in front of a white background and with the use of these contrasting
colours, it makes the text stand out therefore we automatically know when we pick up the
magazine, what school the magazine is about. This is why this magazine is successful because it
clearly states the name of the school thus is suitable for students and parents.
Unlike the previous magazine, this magazine includes an issue no. therefore we know how old
the magazine is and whether it is a recent one or not. This is helpful because we know just
how up to date the magazine is thus is suitable. Not only this but it includes the price of the
magazine unlike the other magazine and I feel that this is a good and appropriate thing to
include so that the target audience know exactly how much it is.
The magazine also features a strap/sell line at the bottom of the page and this is
successful because it entices students to pick up and read the magazine. This is because
the topic on the sell line is appropriate and suitable for students and because the sell line
is exciting and interesting, the target audience are more inclined to buy it.
The text on the page is also
successful because it uses
contrasting colours like navy,
white and red. This helps the
text stand out on the page
and makes the writing more
clear and visible and this is
not only suitable for the
target market but it makes
the overall magazine stand
out on the shelf because the
colours and bright and bold.
Also, the main topics on the
page – the secondary stories
– are all highlighted and are
in bold and this is helpful and
suitable for the target market
because it clearly states
around the page, what will be
featured therefore we are
more inclined to read on. Not
only this but all the topics are
suitable for the target market
and are all to do with school
like uniform and exams
therefore we automatically
know by the front cover,
what the magazine is about
thus is successful in
portraying the type of
magazine.
The main image on this
magazine cover is of a
student possibly outside
of his school therefore
we automatically know
that this magazine is
going to be directed
towards students and
the younger generation
therefore it is
successful. However, to
improve I would say that
perhaps it would make
the cover look more
professional and classy
because the clothes he
is wearing are quite
casual and doesn’t
project the school in a
positive and
professional light.
Although the magazine cover does include the school logo, I would
suggest putting the school logo somewhere where it is more visible
and is more eye catching. This is because it is quite transparent and
because the magazine is essentially promoting the school, the fact
that you can’t even see the school logo lets the magazine cover
down.
Moreover, I would also say that they should have included a free
thing like the previous magazine cover because that makes the
cover more exciting and makes the target audience want to buy the
magazine because as stated before, people are more inclined to
buy a magazine if it comes with free products. This is why to
improve I would include a free product because it would be both
appropriate and suitable for the target market – it would make the
overall magazine more interesting thus more people would
purchase.
Also, the text like the previous
magazine is child friendly – no
complex or swear words etc. -
thus is suitable for the target
audience therefore it is
successful.

5. What do you expect to see in a school magazine? Total
Sports results II 2
Reviews of new music IIII 4
Reviews of new films IIII 4
Editorials II 2
Articles about school life III 3
Upcoming events IIII 4
A message from the head I 1
How much do you expect a school magazine to cost?
Free II 2
0.01p – 99p IIIIII 6
£1.00+ I 1
How often should a school magazine be published?
Daily III 3
Weekly IIIIII 6
Monthly II 2
Audience Research

6. In my opinion, this magazine cover and contents page are successful in the way that it clearly
communicates to the audience, what the magazine is about and what is going to be featured
inside. The student has successfully used a Medium Close-Up image of someone who looks
happy and this portrays school in a positive light – it is showing the students enjoy school. As
well as this, the colours and text are all suitable and successful because not only do they
compliment the background thus are easy to read and clear on the page, but they are also
simple and to the point. This is suitable for the target audience because it clearly tells the
audience what sort of articles are going to be in the magazine; it’s straight to point therefore
less time consuming and is easier to read. The magazine also covers a variety of aspects, from
primary school to sixth form therefore allows a wider range of people to be interested in the
magazine.
Personally, I think that the picture on the front cover can be improved. This is because the
magazine is primarily about school however at first glance, I wouldn’t necessarily say that he
looks like a student. Therefore, an improvement would be to use a student that is dressed in a
school uniform and is younger perhaps? Because I feel that this would highlight the school’s
magazine genre more and would make what the magazine is about, more evident at first
glance.
I would say that this student has successfully fulfilled the brief because they have produced a
front page of a school magazine that features a medium-close up photograph, as well as
appropriate laid-out text and a mast head that is featured on both the front cover and the
contents page. The mast head on the front cover is prominent and is bold on the front cover
hence is successful. It also clearly demonstrates their image manipulation and DTP knowledge
and understanding because they have used a variety of colours, sizes and positions for the text
and images. As well as this, they have also put the mast head on the contents page and the
transparency of this has been changed so the mast head has almost been faded into the
background. This shows their understanding of Photoshop because they are clearly illustrating
these techniques.
I think I could produce similar work to this but I would ensure that the photograph I do choose
and use for the front cover, is suitable and is of a student who is in a formal school uniform as
opposed to casual clothing. To improve, I would also need to know how to successfully use
Photoshop so that I am able to make the text and images unique and creative so they make the
magazine look more interesting and will thus, appeal to the target audience.
Analysis of Previous Work

7. Target audience:
(age range, interests)
Although it is a school newsletter you still have to
think about your audience and how to appeal to
them.
Because it is a school magazine, I shall be appealing
specifically to students. Therefore because of this, I
will ensure that the text, topics, colour scheme and
images suit students. I will also try and appeal to
both male and female and I am hoping to target 11-
18 year olds thus I will have to ensure that the
magazine suits all secondary school students.
Possible title ideas:
(masthead / title block)
What is your magazine going to be called?
The mast head will be related to school in some way.
I want it to be memorable and short as well as it
being suitable for the magazine. This is why I may
call the magazine ‘Student’, ‘Priory News’ or
‘Schoolin’ Life’ because they are easy to remember
and they are both simple and to the point. They are
also both related to school however, I am strongly
considering ‘Schoolin’ Life’ because it is modern and
creative but I also like ‘Student’ because the
magazine is written for and by students therefore it
makes sense and is suitable.
Main image:
What will be the focal point of your front page,
remember, your work “must include a photograph
of a student in a medium close-up”
I will ensure that the main image is a medium close-
up of a student who is smartly dressed and looks
happy. This is because I don’t want a scruffy,
unhappy child as this doesn’t put the school in a
positive light. Also, I will possibly use a sixth form
student because they generally look smarter and
they will be the ones who will most likely read the
magazine because they will be the most interested in
helping the school to progress and will be the most
interested in reading tips about exams etc.
Main cover line:
What will be the main story?
I want the main story to be a discussion based
subject therefore every week or month, there is a
different discussion. One that is most relevant at the
moment is whether we should have spent money on
the flag poles when we need money for ink and
paper for printing. Therefore, I will highlight this on
the front cover and will use the phrase “Printer
credits or flag poles?” This gives students the chance
to get involved and it also allows the school to
progress and change. I would also like it if the main
story was about tips and tricks on exams from the
Year 11’s, 12’s and 13’s and especially towards exam
season, I feel this would be very relevant appropriate
because it is something all students struggle with
thus would suit the magazine and the target
audience.
Proposal Form

8. Additional key images:
What other images will be on your front cover?
Remember, it is a school magazine.
Other than the main image, I will probably only use
the school logo. This is because I feel that by adding
the school logo, it makes the magazine more
memorable and personal. Also, it ensures that when
you pick up the magazine, it clearly indicates what
school it is from therefore it makes the magazine
clearer. However other than this, I don’t think I will
add any other images because I don’t want to clutter
the front cover – it is probably not necessary and it
takes away from the main image.
Additional cover lines:
Other features, stories or selling points which will
be inside the magazine, these need to be audience
appropriate.
At the beginning of the term, I will probably include
GCSE and A-Level results and statistics because not
only will this be relevant but it is something that
many will be interested in. As well as this, I will also
include reviews. This will include film and music
reviews and so students will know opinions on any
new music or new films that have recently come out.
This I feel would be suitable for my target audience
because it makes the magazine not just about school
– there are additional, interesting articles and
reviews that students will find useful and helpful. I
will also include a section on prom at the beginning
of the year so students are able to see prom pictures
which is something fun and interesting and I will also
use opinionated articles written by students so that
parents, teachers and students are all able to see the
current issues and how pupils want to deal with
them. All of these I feel, are very suitable for my
target audience.
Typography:
(style, size, colour of copy)
Think about the writing and the style of the writing
on your front page.
I am going to choose a style of writing that is clear
and can easily be read. Dependent on the
background, I will choose a colour that works well
with the background colour. For example, if the
background is red, I will most likely put the text in
white. This is because I want the text to be visible
and bold on the page. Also, I will most likely use a
size 18 – 30 text for the stories and features because
I feel this is not too small so that you aren’t able to
see it but isn’t too big either so that it takes up the
entire page. I will probably use a style that is simple
because I feel that a complex font will be
inappropriate because some may not be able to read
it. Not only this, I will also use a large font size for
the mast head because this will ensure that the
audience are able to know automatically what the
magazine is called and it will also make the magazine
easier to identify.

9. Background colour/image:
What will be in the background, remember you
don’t want to take the focus away from the main
image.
When I design the background for my magazine, I
don’t want it to be plain. I want the background to be
creative and different because this will ensure my
magazine is original and unique. I would either like
the background to be an ombre effect using the
school colours – this is red, white and black - which I
feel is very modern and stylish thus suiting my
audience but I would also like my background to be a
collage of either school pictures or the school logo.
Therefore, this makes the magazine original and
unlike any other and it also makes the magazine
personal because the pictures that will be in the
background, will have been taken by the school thus
is individual and personal – it can’t be copied. This I
feel would also suit my target audience greatly.
However, when taking my pictures for my school
magazine, I want to ensure I use a plain background
so preferably white. This is so there is definite focus
on the model and the background isn’t distracting.
Not only this, but a white background would ensure
that the model stands out and this is good and
suitable because I don’t want the model to blend in
with the background.
Technical considerations:
(equipment, setting, props, costume, lighting)
Be realistic and creative, think about what you
have access to and how you could use it.
I will try and choose a main image that is bright and
colourful. I will make sure that the clothes the
student is wearing are bright and bold because this
will make the front cover more bright and exciting –
it makes it more fun. I will also ensure they are
wearing a suitable uniform which is formal and classy
so that it portrays the school in a smart and positive
light. This I feel would suit my audience because I
don’t want to make the school magazine boring as
then nobody would read it. I will also use natural
lighting because I feel this is the best lighting and
makes the model look more natural. However, if
there is no natural lighting, I will consider using
artificial lighting because it is softer and neutral thus
makes you look softer; it doesn’t create shadows.
If I was to use props, I would use school books, for
example: the model will hold them or read them, or
stationary because this is school related and is well
suited to my magazine. Also, it would ensure that at
first glance, the genre and topic of the magazine is
clear and obvious – it is easily identifiable. In addition
to this, I will definitely use a school setting because
this relates well to the magazine thus is the most
suitable background. Again, it also makes the image
more personal.

10. Rough draft of magazine front cover:

11. Rough draft of magazine contents page:

12. Tilted Frame Low angle shot
(Looking up)
High angle shot (Looking down)
Moving subject
walks into frame
Interviewee looks into
space in the frame
(and towards the
interviewer)
‘Over the shoulder shot’
Two Shot Very Long Shot Long Shot
Medium Long Shot Medium Shot Medium Close-Up

13. Extreme Close-UpClose-Up Big Close-Up

14. Screen grabs and notes:
Here is the original photo. I
took a medium close-up but I
felt that the photo was too dark
to begin with and so I decided
to change it using the ‘curve’
tool/effect. This made the
photo darker and lighter and I
experimented with both so that
I could find a suitable tone so
that it wasn’t too dark or too
light.
Here, the photo is too dark
because it is really difficult to
see her facial features; it isn’t
clear. This is why I didn’t choose
this effect.
In this photo, I made the image
a bit lighter. This is because I
didn’t want the photo to be
really dark or really light
because this would mean that
her face would be unclear and
hidden. This is why I tried to
find the right balance so that it
was light and bright on the
page but it wasn’t so light that
her face disappeared.

15. Here is the original photo.
Because there were a
variety of images on the
page, I wanted to make one
image a bit different and
quirky. For this, I changed
the levels and this changed
the effect of the image.
At first, I made the overall
image lighter and softer
because it made the text and
logos stand out more on the
page. However, I didn’t
choose this effect because it
was quite boring and
unsuitable – it wasn’t bright
and colourful.
Here is another example of
my experimentation with
levels. I made the image a
lot more creative and
unique because it has
somewhat made the image
quite plastic and colourful.
However despite this, I will
probably not use this
effect as it is unclear.
Lastly, I experimented with
effects. I decided to try a black
and white effect because it is
quite modern and classy
however I will not use this
because it doesn’t make the
image bright and colourful like
I wanted it to be.

16. A draft of the front cover and contents page:
Front cover draft:

17. Contents page draft:

18. What have I learnt?
I found this process extremely helpful and useful. This is because I got to play around with
new softwares such as Photoshop so when I come to use it in my next project, I am aware of
what I can do to make my work of a good standard. As well as this, I also learnt how to use a
camera properly and this is something that I can take with me into my next project because
it will ensure that the quality of my pictures are high. Also, I learnt about time management
and deadlines because work had to be completed by specific times so that we didn’t fall
behind. This is why I feel that this process was useful because it has prepared me for my
next project. This is because it ensured that I balanced out my work load well and it ensured
that each piece of work was done to the best of my ability. Also, it ensured that for my next
project, I don’t rush over any work nor do I spend hours on one piece of work when it is
unnecessary because this wouldn’t be good time management.
I have also learnt how to be creative. This is because I got to play around with photos and
text and images by using different effects etc. and this is again, something I can take into my
next project because it means that when I come to create my music magazine, I can create
one that features creative and unique pictures and text. This links into how this process
made me think about the audience/target market more when creating a magazine, because
I had to constantly be aware of the target market throughout so that my magazine greatly
suited them. This I felt was essential because they would be the ones buying it and if they
didn’t like it, then it is somewhat pointless. Therefore, I have found this process very useful
and helpful, especially because I have learnt a variety of new skills and techniques that I can
take with me and use in my next project.