The document analyzes the codes and conventions used in magazine design, including the masthead, box-outs, tags, images, typography, color schemes, and layout. It discusses design elements like placing the masthead at the top, using a main image on the left, and box-outs to draw attention. Fonts and consistent colors are described as making a magazine instantly recognizable. The representations section analyzes how the front cover and contents page portray the school in a positive light through images of students smiling and having fun, suggesting it is a welcoming environment that offers opportunities to learn and grow.

1. Analysis of front page and
contents page.

2. CODES AND
CONVENTIONS

3. Masthead…
• Mast head is in block capitals and I have used a bold font which is white this colour contrasts
well with green background making it stand out more – typical codes / conventions of any
magazine.
• The mast head of a magazine is the magazine’s trademark and it makes the magazine easily
recognizable to the audience by using a unique font.
• The masthead is at the top of the page covering the whole side and it is on top of the image
showing that is important – another code and convention of a magazine as shown in example 2.
• I have adapted this from the previous magazines which I have looked at because this is typically
recognisable in any magazine and it makes the title stand out the most.
• All of the examples have helped me decide how I should create my mast head.

4. Box–out…
• There is a box–out which is a coloured box behind some text at the bottom of the page.
This makes the text stand out more because it is different from the rest of the page.
• The box-out usually has writing which attracts people to read the magazine. In the box-out
I have an exclusive story. It’s important that this part stands out more because it’s
something that links only to that magazine. This also breaks the page up more by giving you
something else to focus on.
• I have also done this with a circle to attract the reader to something which I think they may
be particularly interested in. The circle is something different and adds affect to the page
by giving the reader another thing to focus on again.
I have made the box bolder, unlike this example
where the opacity has been reduced. This makes
the box-out stand out just a little more which was
the affect I aimed to create.

5. Tag…
• The magazines I have looked at all have an element of something that is
exclusive and that is only available in that magazine. This is a tag word
and another code and convention which I have taken into account and I
have added into my magazine.
• I have used the word ‘EXCLUSIVE’ to entice people in because it
suggests that its an item published by only 1 source and that only this
magazine institution has published this article. This means that no
other magazine institution has covered this story. This word is a
promotional item which acts as a magnet to the story.

6. Main Image…
• Every magazine has a main image. The main image dominates the front cover. It is usually
a medium close up, or a close up. I have chosen to use a medium close up, taken just
above the waist. The main image uses direct address to the reader which makes the
magazine more personal as it could be suggested that the magazine is just for the reader
currently reading.
• The main image can either be a person or a building. I’ve used a person because I feel
that it makes the magazine more personal and the audience can relate more to it.
• This image may be placed in the middle or to the left. I have used the rule of thirds and
placed my image slightly to the left.

7. Typography…
• Each magazine has an iconic look, this can be identified by the typography of the
magazine. This means the fonts used are genuinely the same throughout. This
makes the magazine institution easily recognizable and when people see this font
they will associate it with the magazine company.
• This is another code and convention of magazines because it makes the magazine
more recognizable and people will think of it when they see it.
• A magazine company may have 2 main fonts, like me. I have used a bolder font for
the mast head, then a subtler font for the story head lines. The writing I use for
titles will the same as the mast head as this is the font that stands out the most. The
font I use for the articles will be different as they wont stand out as much because
they will be in smaller font and won’t be something that introduces the reader to
the particular story, encouraging them to read on.
The main writing –
introducing what the
page is about – they’re
in the same font which
is iconographic of this
magazine institution.
The smaller writing uses a smaller font that is
subtler and doesn’t stand out as much. I have
used this for the contents page stories, where
I have written the main headline in a bigger
front, then information on the artlicle in a
smaller font – this is another code and
convention as it gives more detail as to what
the article is on.

8. Colour scheme…
• Many magazines stick to a colour scheme, again this means people can associate the
colours with the particular magazine institution.
• I have chosen a green colour scheme because this links in with the mast head – green
army. I have used a variety of different greens which closely links to the word ‘army’
because army colours are greens / browns. Also the uniform that the student is wearing is
green as that is the colour of the sixth form, therefore the colours links very closely with
the person on the front cover.
• The green is iconographic of my magazine institution because it is a colour scheme which I
will be incorporating throughout and a colour scheme which I will stick to.

9. Layout…
• I have adapted a similar style layout for both the front cover and contents page for my
magazine.
• Firstly, I have placed the mast head at the top, the main image to the left, writing on the right
(because people read from left to right, therefore will be taking in the information), I have use
a box-out at the bottom. This is a general layout for the front page. I have looked at many
magazines & the majority have a layout like this, or similar to this.
• Secondly, for the contents page, the word ‘contents’ so the mast head is placed at the top and
it stands out the most. I have a coloured box to the right, with text stating what is in the
magazine and then I have images to the side with page numbers which correspond to the
image. The images break up the text and give the reader something else to focus on. Page
numbers make it easier for people to get to the pages in which they’re most interested in.

10. REPRESENTATION

11. Front cover…
• The magazine has a clear primary audience:
people currently in sixth form, the model on the
front reflects this.
• To start, the model on the front is using direct
mode of address, making the magazine more
personal as if it is made for that specific reader.
The smiling connotes happiness suggesting that
the person in the image is in a happy place being
at the sixth form. The person in the image creates
a positive representation for the school because
of her facial expressions create affirmative vibes
of the school being a nice, welcoming place and
that she is enjoying her time there.

12. • The word ‘army’ represents the school as being a communal place because in
an army, everyone works together to achieve their goals. This creates positive
vibes as it reflects the sixth form because it puts forward the idea that all the
students work together, helping and supporting one another.
• Also the army is a large group of people genuinely doing the same things, again
this reflects the intended audience as they are all one group doing the same
thing: studying, and generally following the same day to day routine.
• The colour scheme used links closely with the mast head, with the word ‘army’
because I have used colours associated with the army (greens, yellows). Greens
connote growth suggesting that people in the sixth grow every day as a person
to help them be successful.
Front cover…
Green colours link
massively to
ARMY theme.

13. Front cover…
• I decided to use a folder in the picture because it
suggests intellectualism suggesting that pupils of
the school work hard to get the grades they
deserve. The folder represents a good work ethic
as it suggests hard working pupils.
• The bright colours (pinks) contrast well with the
green and suggests kindness which again creates
positive vibes because it promotes the idea of the
school being a friendly place. If darker colours had
been used, this could have suggested a harsher feel
to the school and a negative message.

14. Front cover…
• The school putting on hairspray, represents the
school in a positive way – it suggests the school
is adventurous and they like to be different in
the extra curricular activities which they
provide.
• This represents the school as having a fun edge
by putting on shows and getting students from
different years involved. It is giving people a
chance interested in performing an opportunity
to get some experience – this suggests that the
school offers lots of different doors for people
and that there are a wide variety of activities
which pupils at the school can get involved in.

15. Contents page…
• The picture of chairs in the common room on the
contents page represent that the students have
more freedom which suggests that the school is
more lenient with the older years.
• This promotes the idea that the school has a fun
element and that it is a place for people to socialise
as well as learn. Also this is somewhere where
people can relax more.
• The 2 girls laughing around again represent the
school as being a fun social place. The girls facial
expressions suggest that they’re enjoying their time
at the sixth form.

16. • Then the picture of someone getting a textbook out of
a locker represents the hard working students that the
sixth form has and the textbook shows the resources
which are available to students which will further their
education.
• The picture of the boy on the contents page represents
the sixth form as being a multi sex sixth form and
offers the education to both boys and girls. The facial
expression of the boy also suggests that he is happy
even if he is in school that only has boys in years 12 &
13.
Contents page…