1. School Magazine
(Preliminary Task)
EDNA 12S

2. Analysing Different Magazines
. Masthead: The
masthead is bold to
make it easy to read
Colour Scheme:
The orange border
matches their ties.
It has bright
colours which
connect with main
image because
their happy.
Text: the small
print suggests
that the
information is not
as important as
the rest of the
school magazine
Issue Date:
demonstrates
when the
magazine was
published
Key Image: The image
suggests that these
students are “” with the
awards that they have
received.
Main story: The fact that
the word “Awards” is
underlined, implies that this
school recognizes it‟s
achievements etc.
Icons: Twitter icon highlights
that it appeals to young
teenagers, because they use
social media

3. Main story: The clear and
distinctive headings in
red emphasises it‟s
relevance. More people
are likely to read it.
red represents strength,
power and
determination. These
articles will give people
the determination to do
well in exams.
Secondary stories:
The font size
suggests how
relevant the topics
are
Masthead: Stands out,
which connotes it‟s
importance.
KEY IMAGE: IMAGE OF
THE STUDENT WORKING
SUGGESTS THAT THIS
MAGAZINE IS
TARGETED MAINLY
TOWARDS STUDENTS
THAT ARE ABOUT TO
TAKE THEIR GCSE
EXAMS.
Colour Scheme: based
on the colour of the
students tie and
uniform
Text: elements of
sexual connotation

4. AS Media Studies Preliminary Task – School Magazine Front Page Proposal Form
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.
Students that attend the school –Ages 15-18
Possible title ideas:
(masthead / title block)
What is your magazine going to be called?
School News
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”
Medium close up of Model (Celestina)
Main cover line:
What will be the main story?
Music Department
Additional key images:
What other images will be on your front cover?
Remember, it is a school magazine.
One Image on the front cover, but additional images on the contents
Additional cover lines:
Other features, stories or selling points which will be
inside the magazine, these need to be audience
appropriate.
Sports, Exam results, Olympic Sports day
Typography:
(style, size, colour of copy)
Think about the writing and the style of the writing on
your front page.
Yellow/Blue/White
Background colour/image:
What will be in the background, remember you don’t
want to take the focus away from the main image.
White, Background of music classroom
Technical considerations:
(equipment, setting, props, costume, lighting)
Be realistic and creative, think about what you have
access to and how you could use it.
No Props

5. Camera Shots
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
Interviewee looks into space in the
frame
Big Close-Up (BCU)
Long Shot (LS)
Moving Subject Walks into
Space
Close-Up (CU)
Very Long Shot (VLS)
High Angle Shot (looking down)
Medium Close-Up (MCU)
Two Shot (any shot with two characters or objects
Low Angle Shot (looking up)
Medium Shot (MS)
„Over the Shoulder Shot‟
Tilted Frame (Canted/Dutch
Angle)
equally framed)
Camera Shots
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)

6. Brief – What we were asked to do
 The
aim of my preliminary task was to create a school
magazine front cover and contents page, so that I‟d
become familiar with the software, and Photoshop so it
enables me to create a successful music magazine. I
intended to design my magazine in a way that would
appeal to 15-18 year olds because of the colour
scheme, the articles included in the magazine, and the
layout.

7. Research
I did a few background tasks for my research. I analysed
other school magazines, to help me understand what is
included in a magazine and to suggest improvements I
also did an Audience Research task where I asked 20
people about what they expect in a music magazine,
and answers that fitted their preference. I also used the
internet to look for any useful backgrounds and
additional key images that I needed for my front cover
and contents page.

8. Audience Research
1. What is your gender?
Male = 13
Female = 7
2. How often do you read magazines in
general?
Very Often = 1
Often = 2
Somewhat often = 4
Not very often = 6
Not at all = 7
3. Do you read the school magazine?
Yes = 8
No = 12
4. Do you think the school magazine should be paid 6. What types of magazines fit your
for?
preference?
No = 16
Rock = 3
Yes = 4
R&B = 4
Pop = 8
5. What do like about the magazine?
Classical = 2
Sport section = 8
Gospel/Christian = 1
Music = 3
Country = 0
Tips/Advice section = 2
Jazz = 2
Awards and Achievements = 1
Other (please specify)
__________________________________
Competitions = 5
School Updates = 1
Other (please specify)
__________________________________

9. Rough Drafts and
Final Designs

11. Front Cover and Contents
Page

13. Rejected Photos
On Photoshop, I cut out these pictures using the polygonal lasso tool. I decided not to use
them in my school magazine because the model does not look like she was prepared for
the picture.

14. Used photo

I decided to use this photo
because the model looks
prepared for the photo,
she‟s giving eye contact
which is positive.

15. What Have I Learnt?
 This
preliminary task has helped me learn new
features about Photoshop and how to create
different projects. This task has also helped me with
managing my time well and meeting deadlines. I
also understand to structure a magazine and what
would be expected in magazines.