This document analyzes the design elements of a school magazine cover. It summarizes that the cover uses a large sans serif font for the main text to appear serious to parents, while smaller serif font is used for minor text to appeal to students. The layout follows the "route of the eye" with a 2:1 image to text ratio to attract attention. A medium close-up student photo conveys happiness at the school. Both formal language for parents and informal language and design for students aim to address both audiences. Typical magazine conventions like route of the eye layout and clear school information are used.

1. Lucy Allbut – AS Media Transition Project
Font: The majority of
the text on this
magazine cover such
as, “under the
microscope” which is
the cover story is in a
large sans serif font. I
think this style has
been chosen due to
the fact that this font
has a serious tone
and creates the
effect of standing
out to the older
audience (for
example, parents).
This creates the
impression that the
school is very
focused on providing
parents with
important
information. The
minor text on this
magazine cover such
as, “a specialist
college for science &
mathematics” which
is a standfirst is in a
smaller, serif font. I
feel that this style
has been chosen as
this magazine is not
only aimed at
parents, but also the students themselves. Young people are attracted to things which are
more fun so are more likely to read something with an exciting font. Also, only the minor
text uses this font due to the fact that if anymore text used it, the magazine cover would
then appear to be childish. This creates the impression that the school is a serious yet
modern one, and are aware of what their pupils like.
Layout: This magazine cover has a very ordered layout using the route of the eye and has an
image to text ratio of about 2:1. This makes the cover very bright which therefore makes it
stand out due to the picture taking up the majority of the page. Due to it standing out, both
parents and students alike are more likely to spot the cover and read the magazine. I feel
that an ordered layout, especially route of the eye, works really well for a school magazine
cover. This is because the reader firsts sees what the magazine is about, next is a picture
which not only promotes the school but also makes the cover more interesting, and then
finally, the reader sees the cover story which will make them want to keep reading.
Image: This magazine cover has used a medium close up shot type for the main image. This
gives the effect of the reader being able to see the expression on the student’s faces, this is

2. Lucy Allbut – AS Media Transition Project
good for parents because they will see that their child will enjoy their time in class and
leaves a positive impression on the school itself as their pupils are happy. The effect of the
mise-en-scene is that the setting of a classroom is very appropriate for the type of magazine,
showing parents, students and teachers a like that it is a genuine, serious, school. It will make
the reader interested as it is very topical and matches the costume of school uniform and lab
equipment. The props match the cover story “under the microscope” which will make the
reader want to read the magazine as they can actually imagine what the article will be about.
Mode of Address: The tone of this magazine cover is both formal and informal to match the
requirements of both the target audiences; parents and students. The informal tone is
created through some of the language such as “what’s going on @ royds halls”. This gives
the impression that they know what students like, in this case, technology as shown with the
use of ‘@’. An informal tone is also created by the font used for the standfirst “a specialist
college for science and mathematics”. The serif font, gives a fun vibe and makes the
magazine look more appealing to read as it isn’t all boring fonts and language. The formal
tone is created through some of the language such as “focus on our science college status”.
This is something only parents and teachers would be interested and by using vocabulary
such as “focus” and “status” the magazine gives a professional impression. An informal tone
is also created through the image. The fact that the setting is in a science lab shows that the
school is serious about education and cares for its students.
Conventions: The layout of the page is typical because on a magazine, you want the target
audience to be as intrigued as possible and want to pick up your magazine. By using route
of the eye, this can be achieved because the reader will see all of the important information
as soon as they first scan the page. Many magazines use this technique to sell as many
copies as possible. The content of the magazine is typical because it includes positive
images to give the school a good impression, it also clearly states the name of the school to
avoid confusion if an outsider decides to read the magazine and also, the language used is
very related to school, making it easy to understand for everyone reading it.