This document provides instructions for an AS coursework assignment to design magazine covers and contents pages. Students must research two lifestyle magazines by analyzing aspects like target age group, masthead design, color schemes, cover features, interview styles, photo placement, and layout techniques. Detailed notes should be taken on these elements of the chosen magazines to inform the original designs that will be created.

1. MS2: Coursework
Initial research task on magazines
For AS coursework you have to create and design from scratch 2 lifestyle magazine front covers and a double
page spread/contents page. You need to decide on the layout, photos, font designs and style of language. To
help your research which will inform your production, work through the questions on this sheet. Remember to
write detailed responses.
1. Pick 2 magazine titles from your chosen genre (type or category) of lifestyle magazines. A good
starting point with links on the web to homepages is Wikipedia.
Magazine 1:
Magazine 2:
2. Look on the webpage and if you have them, printed versions for both of your chosen magazines. Make
detailed notes on the following features of the magazines from the online version and hard copies:
Magazine title:
Magazine title:
What age group(s) do you think the magazine is
aimed at & why? How does the price reflect this?
What age group(s) do you think the magazine is
aimed at & why? How does the price reflect this?
Look at the typography and colour of the masthead
(title of the magazine). How does it sum up the genre
and target its readers?
Look at the typography and colour of the masthead
(title of the magazine). How does it sum up the genre
and target its readers?

2. MS2: Coursework
Note down the dominant colours featured. What
connotations do these colours have?
Note down the dominant colours featured. What
connotations do these colours have?
What key features are on the front covers? What is
the mode of address? (of both pictures and
words)
What key features are on the front covers? What is
the mode of address? (of both pictures and words)
Double page spread research:
Read through an interview featured in the magazine.
What style is the interview written in (is it formal?
Using slang [colloquial] language? How is this
appealing to the target audience? Note down
examples.
Double page spread research:
Read through an interview featured in the magazine.
What style is the interview written in (is it formal?
Using slang [colloquial] language? How is this
appealing to the target audience? Note down
examples.

3. MS2: Coursework
Photographs – how are these positioned on the
double page? What sense of style do they add to the
feature pages?
Photographs – how are these positioned on the
double page? What sense of style do they add to the
feature pages?
Layout features –
What techniques are used that you might use in your
designs?
Layout features –
What techniques are used that you might use in your
designs?
How are the columns placed?
How are the columns placed?
Size of the headlines/introductory paragraphs/pull-out
quotes/crossheads (words in columns, centered)
Size of the headlines/introductory paragraphs/pull-out
quotes/crossheads (words in columns, centered)

4. MS2: Coursework
Contents page(s)
Contents page(s)
Note down layout, size of fonts, use of bold and
contrasting fonts.
Note down layout, size of fonts, use of bold and
contrasting fonts.
How many pictures? What size? How is the contents
page luring in the reader?
How many pictures? What size? How is the contents
page luring in the reader?
How many articles inside are listed?
How many articles inside are listed?