The document provides details about designing the front cover and contents page of a school/college magazine. It includes research on magazine design elements, proposed layouts, and flat plans. Secondary research was conducted on magazine cover essentials like the masthead, cover lines, and images. Primary research in the form of a student survey informed topics of interest. Photoshoot sessions were held to obtain images for the magazine. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software was used to draft the masthead and layouts.

1. Preliminary task
Andjela
Roganovic

2. Preliminary Task: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce
the front page and the content page of a new school/college magazine,
featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some
appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must
produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate
their grasp of the program.
In order to successfully complete this initial assignment I will carry
out:
• Secondary & Primary Research
• Front Cover Rough Draft/Flat Plan
• Photoshoot
• Design Front Cover & Content Page
• Task & Product Evaluation

3. Secondary research is a research method that involves using already
existing data. Existing data is summarized and collated to increase the overall
effectiveness of the research.

4. The essential elements of a magazine cover
design:
Masthead
Issue and dateline
Main image
Lead article
Supporting cover lines
Bar code

5. Masthead
The masthead represents the name of the publication and is the most crucial
aspect of magazine cover design. Professionally designed magazine covers
make the mast head stand out besides the other elements. Therefore, it’s good
practice to set it right in the center and make it as big as possible. It also helps
people to recognize magazine among all the others.
Issue and dateline
This section contains the date, month, year, and issue number of the
publication. Usually, some magazines also add the price in this section.
Main image
The main image of the magazine cover is usually a representative illustration of
the content within the magazine. It should best reflect what the issue is all
about. Big magazines typically portray a well-known celebrity or a visually
appealing image that easily triggers an emotion.
Lead article
The lead article reflects the central issue of a magazine. Maybe an interview
with an artist, an expert on a subject, and so on. It’s recommended to use a
different font for the lead article to let the readers know the issue’s theme and
main story.

6. Supporting cover lines
The supporting cover lines are topics that can revolve around the same theme
or simply be completely different subjects. When it comes to placing them on
the magazine’s cover, the key is balance. Cover lines are clear, short, and
concise. Usually they are done in a more subtle font and smaller size to avoid
distracting the reader from the main attractions.
Bar code
Mandatory but not design feature. Usually such elements are placed in the
corner area.
Magazine Design Rules:
• the magazine name is placed in the most obvious place
• the same cover template is used for all magazine issues
• The design is done with grids and layouts
• Must have focus point and everything else is built around it
• font styles must be unique and easily associated with magazine attributes
• powerful words must be emphasised
• magazine cover design must be infused with a healthy dose of color &
contrast
• a portrait is usually featured on the cover
• avoid busy backgrounds

7. Masthead
Cover lines Main cover line
Screamer
Upper third
border divider
Main image/Focal
point
Lower bar
Cover line
Selling line
Date
Price

8. Masthead
Date, price & issue
Page title Featured images
Address
Contact details
Page numbers
Topics
Cover line
Article quote

9. The contents page is very rigid and formal
in terms of overall design. The design and
layout is following main contents page
design codes and conventions. The layout
is well organized and the reader is able to
easily navigate and find desired
information. The color scheme and choice
of font reflects school logo but at the same
time these elements st6and out from the
background.
The featured article page number are
aligned on the left hand side and are
framed within the navy blue shape. This
makes page number stand out from the
background. Page numbers are placed
next to articles but I think that it is not so
easy and straight forward to connect the
page number with specific article.
The use of written and visual elements
again is very formal but its simplification
makes it easy to navigate and get the
information very quickly.
The school logo is placed in a top
right corner besides contents title.
This compositional placement creates
straight forward link between the
content and who is the content aimed
at.
The main headings are written in the
navy blue color in an arial bold font in
order to clearly suggest what is article
about. In addition the anchorage text
is used under the main titles in
smaller font to provide additional
information about each article
The overall contents page mise-en-
scene complies with magazine design
codes and conventions. The grid
structure and clear and simple
composition is easy to read and it
relates symbolically with the school
attributes and student life.
The language used directly provides key
information and is appropriate for the
desired audience. The summurised article
information is another important contents
page design technique, but on this
example use of written repetition for few
articles makes it rushed and not well
planned and thought trough.

10. Masthead: The typeface is composed out
of serif and sans-serif fonts. Both fonts
connotes professional and traditional feel
with relaxed and informal attitude. The
masthead is in white color in order to stand
out and to be noticeable. The choice of
color represents calmness and peace
which reflects school ethos.
The date, price, issue number as well as
school webpage is written in clear and
crisp font. Those information are placed
just below the masthead so that everything
is framed in one segment so that target
audience can access information easily.
The main cover lines are placed on the left
hand side of the magazine in order to
frame main image and are written in
contemporary font using capital letters to
draw attention. Sub heading is added to
provide additional information and main
cover lines are framed with faded block of
color to add additional focus to the reader.
The cover lines are short, snappy and
easy to read and understand in order for
desired audience to be attracted to read
the articles and find out additional
information about school and student life.
The main image is a medium shot of a
smiley relaxed school girl wearing a school
uniform in a informal manner. The choice
of model represents the school and
students in a professional and traditional
way but at the same time the models body
language and uniform connotes that the
school life is fun and enjoyable.
The color scheme used for fonts is
simple and plain and it stands out
from the main image but at the same
time the choice of colors compliments
the main image to. The use of vibrant
yellow color stands out and attracts
the audience from a distance.
The Plug is placed in a top right hand
corner so is easily noticeable but it
does not disrupts and dominants the
rest of the front cover design. This
advertising techniques is used
commonly by well established print
publications.
The focal cover line is specifically
aimed at potential target audience
and is relevant to their every day
school life. The main article is
informative and educational and
provides useful tips how to cope with
teenage stress. The use of hand
written font makes it informal and
personal so that target audience can
identify with it.
Overall this front cover mise-en-
scene reflects school and students in
a positive light with the professional
and serious attitude that is relaxed
and informal. The front cover follows
main design codes and conventions
and it is very appealing and visually
pleasing.

11. Primary market research is a unique study conducted to discover the wants
and needs of consumers who fit the description of target market. The process
involves approaching targeted source and asking questions about specific
product or service. This is done through different interviewing methods:
questionnaire, in-person, phone calls, focus groups, and online surveys.

13. According to my questionnaire most
people answering are age 16, and
they are identified as my main target
audience. Therefor my magazine
will focus on featuring topics and
issues that are closely related to that
specific group.
Majority of participants in this survey
are female and according to these
findings I will need to make sure that
my magazine attracts them in
regards to design as well as featured
articles.

14. As expected most participants are
not willing to purchase school
magazine, most probably because
they believe that school itself should
fund magazine publishing. I strongly
agree with this because magazine
would be beneficial to overall school
environment in a positive way.
With this question my aim was to
identify my target audience
disposable income and their
willingness to purchase school
magazine if I fail to secure regular
publishing fund from school.

15. As the results of this question show
most students would prefer for
magazine to be published every 2
weeks or every month. In order to
sustain quality and manage
workload, I will most defiantly publish
magazine every month.
Answers in this question further
reinforced my belief that students are
equally interested in written elements
and in a visual appeal. This finding
will definitely have input in my
magazine overall structure and
design.

16. This findings show me that most
students would be attracted to
a colorful layout. This is essential
design element and it shows as well
that my target audience is influenced
by eye noticing and eye catching
magazine design composition.
On my magazine front cover I will
feature image of a student that my
target audience can relate to and at
the same time admire.

17. As my product needs to relate to my target
audience and at the same time needs to
be appropriate for the institution and what
the school stands for, I language in my
magazine will have informal note but the
tone of it will be subtle underlining which is
not vulgar or offensive.
This publishing selling point is very
often used by well known and
established magazines. In order to
attract my target audience as well
as other age groups I will make sure
to include free gift and prizes in my
magazine. In order to avoid
additional costs these prizes will be
provided by potential sponsors.

18. Magazine specifications are based on initial preliminary task brief and my
secondary and primary research findings.
• Magazine will be published every month
• Overall magazine design must be visually attractive and noticeable
• Design features must be uniformed in order to create sense of branding
• Magazine masthead must be associated with the school
• Language must be appealing to potential target audience
• Image must feature student/students
• No more than 3 fonts to be used
• Color scheme must be complimentary and at the same time must relate to
institution that is publishing it
• Featured articles must consider female target audience but must not alienate
male audience

19. A flatplan is a magazine plan laid out in such a way that
designer can see all the pages. This can be done digitally,
or physically, with paper spread out across a table.
“Flatplan” refers to simply laying ideas out flat and
arranging them.

20. Masthead
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Issue & Date
Barcode
Pug
Main image
School magazine front cover & contents page flat plan
Masthead
Contents
title
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Cover line
Issue & Date
Cover line
image
Cover line
image
Cover line
image
Cover line
image
Cover line
image
Cover line
image
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School
Logo

21. An occasion when a professional photographer takes
pictures of someone for use in a magazine.

22. Front cover Photoshoot

23. Contents Page & Photoshoot

24. Contents Page & Photoshoot

25. Contents Page & Photoshoot

26. Contents Page & Photoshoot

27. CAD (computer-aided design) is the use of computer-
based software to aid in design processes. CAD software is
frequently used by different types of engineers and
designers.

28. School Magazine Masthead CAD
Final Masthead Design

29. School Magazine Front Cover CAD

30. School Magazine Contents Page CAD