The document analyzes and compares the design elements of three different sixth form college magazines: 1) King Edward IV college magazine uses an unconventionally tilted masthead and hanging lettering to seem more informal for a student-created magazine. Photos are at a canted angle to appear less formal as well. 2) Blackpool sixth form magazine has a sleek modern masthead suggesting it keeps up with students. The cover is in a poster layout to entice readers. Images on the contents page are not anchored to specific pages. 3) Stoke Newington 'spotlight' magazine unusually places the masthead at the bottom, suggesting an arts focus. The cover features illuminated objects on a black background

1. Textual Analysis of Sixth Form
Magazines

2. King Edward IV college, StourbridgeMasthead tilted at a slight angle
makes it more interesting as it
is unconventional for a
magazine. The lettering
hanging over the black box of
the masthead is also
unconventional and makes the
magazine appear more ‘edgy’
and unusual. It reinforces the
magazine’s tagline of being
created ‘for students by
students’ because the
masthead looks more informal
than a brochure for parents or
staff.
Students shot at a mid shot
(conforming to codes and
conventions of a regular
magazine) but at a canted
angle, to appear less formal.
Body language of the
subjects is very friendly and
they are arranged so that
they all appear comfortable
with each other.
Language used in puffs are
informal, often using puns. The use
of exclamation marks shows the
content is light hearted yet exciting.
Using ‘our’ gratifies student readers
by making them feel included and a
sense of community
The cover has no anchor image or anchorage text (it is unclear whether the students pictured
are actually featured in the magazine) this breaks the codes and conventions of a commercial
magazine but is a common feature in sixth form magazines.
Cover line unclear against the busy
green background
serif typography has been used to
create a professional and classy
touch to the cover, showing the
magazine is still representing an
academic college

3. King Edward IV college, Stourbridge
Contents format is set out
clearly with images around the
outside (similar to a brochure
rather than a magazine)
Sans serif typography doesn’t
match the serif typography on
the cover.
As there is a lot of plain black
text on the contents page,
images are all rotated slightly
to make the page look less
formal.
Drop shadows on images
create a three dimensional
effect to make the informative
page more interesting.
Numbers next to images
anchor the image to a
specific page number,
suggesting that the image
is associated with the
feature on that page.

4. Blackpool sixth form magazine
Masthead has sleek & modern
font to suggest the sixth form
college is up to date and aimed
at students rather than parents.
The continued font scheme
makes the magazine look
professional
cover in poster layout breaks
codes and conventions of a sixth
form magazine and entices the
reader
minimal cover lines make the
cover look more artistic and less
commercial-centred.
The main image shows a
leaf spray painted onto a
brick wall, this ties in with
the cover line ‘eco action’
and gives the cover an edgy
house style, as well as the
green leaf having
connotations of nature and
environmental concerns.
High contrast background
image of worn away bricks
reinforces the idea of the
magazine being
unconventional and edgy

5. Blackpool sixth form magazine
Image montage in separate column to
text so readers can read the text more
easily
images aren’t anchored to a specific
page number, suggesting the images
are just to create a general picture of
what the magazine will feature.
Plain white background with black
sans serif text suggests the purpose of
the contents is to inform readers
rather than entice them to read, as
the text is formatted to be as legible
as possible.
Contents title does not
conform to the font
scheme established on
the coverand doesn’t
create any sense of
continuity - the smaller
cover image at the
bottom of the page is
the only clear indicator
that this contents page
belongs to the same
magazine.
Images of
predominantly students
suggest that the target
readership is sixth form
students but the simple
informative layout does
not reflect that.
Language used in
page titles is
relatively
chatty/informal, app
ealing to a younger
audience

6. Stoke Newington ‘spotlight magazine’
Masthead unconventionally at
the bottom of the page suggests
the magazine is aiming to look
more unusual
‘spotlight’ suggests the magazine
is performance or art
orientated, main images
illustrate this.
Main image format is
unconventional (no main subject
or rule of thirds)
illuminated objects against a
black background create
dramatic effect which fits the
masthead ‘spotlight’, as the
objects are lit as if they are on
stage.
Simple black background adds to
the sense of minimalism and the
magazine looking artistic.
No coverlines create a
subtle sense of mystery as
the readers are expecting
the codes and conventions
of a stereotypical
commercial or school
magazine. Minimal texts
fits the artistic minimalist
theme

7. Stoke Newington ‘spotlight magazine’
Letter fromhead teacher
adresses ‘parents and
carers’ clearly establishing
the target audience
page layout is factual and
informative with clear
black sans serif text on
white background
layout completely different
from the artistic minimal
cover
contents page has less
images than the other two
magazines and is a lot
more text intensive as it is
aimed at parents who want
to be informed