College Magazine Final

Front Cove

Contents Page

Evaluation 

In the introductory task, we were trained to create a college magazines using programs such as In Design and Photoshop, further to this, I also used my prior knowledge of magazine features and layouts to create my cover and contents page which had similar features to what would be found in a real magazine, for instance, a masthead, subheadings, cover line and so on. I am relatively pleased with the piece I have produced and I genuinely believe the magazine cover and content page I have produced is up to a decent quality and superiority.

In order to make my magazine cover appealing and attractive I used various fonts, colours and sizes which allowed my magazine to be engaging. However, I did keep to a certain colour scheme, being orange, black and yellow in order to create consistency with in my work. Also, the choice of colour scheme applies to the release date of the magazine as it is published in autumn term it reflects to the colours connoting with autumn. The medium close up of a student illustrates the theme of the magazine (college magazine), for example as the image is the main focus of the cover, the cover star, the cover star is the most attractive aspect of the cover so it would attract the reader if they knew the cover star, it is important that the audience understand the theme of the magazine at first glance, I made sure that the photo I took was a medium close up to keep to the conventions of a existent magazines. Furthermore, the cover star is looking directly at the camera, showing eye-contact and makes it look as if she speaking to the audience which creates direct address with the audience.

Additionally, the student looks enthusiastic about education as in the image she is holding her folders like she is ready to learn this indicates that she is keen in learning and that college is a fun place which will influence other students. Moreover, the fact that the students ID card is visible once again highlights the theme of the magazine and clearly illustrates that she is a present student. I used a plain background for my image as the main focus is the student on the cover this way the magazine illustrates it focus clearly.

 In order to create the magazine, I used numerous tools in Photoshop which has enhanced my editorial skills. As I am newly introduced to Photoshop and InDesign, I believe I have made a good job in using different tools on both of the programmes, at first I found it difficult however the more I used it the easier it became for me. I used formal text on my magazine cover as the magazine is for school purposes it should be giving formal and helpful information for students to benefit from. I also provided the end user with valuable information about further education which can influence students to go on to further education and become successful, which is one of the aims of the magazine. Additionally, I have also used a quote by Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember” which I can relate to and I believe the majority of students can relate to therefore I believe it’ll be beneficial information for them and their teachers in lessons, it also makes them question whether they are actually learning or just in the lesson because they have to be there.

 After the completion of my magazine, I received quite pleasing and helpful feedback.

“Your college cover page is great as you used vibrant colours which is very appealing to the audience as this would tempt the audience to buy this type of magazine on the shelf also the fact that the information you have given is very straightforward and understandable.

Overall, well done!”  - I agree with the comment received , I also believe that the information I provided was straightforward this was my aim so that students that are unsure about college education can gain a clear and detailed information in order for them to make a right step in to college.

“Dilara, you have a simple, complex, naturalistic magazine cover. You have used orange, which suits the background of the student to make it seem like she is a studious. Furthermore, the magazine cover is really appealing which would grab the attention of the audience, along with the texts that make it seem entertaining. Lovely magazine cover, well done.” Although Complex is the antonym of simple, I agree with the matching colour scheme i.e. background colour and the text used with the cover and contents page. I also agree with the entertaining aspect as the cover star looks entirely happy which influences the students to purchase the magazine.

“The use of orange and black colour scheme really makes the image stand out also the yellow masthead catches attention also the content page has kept the same scheme however more tag lines could be used and a lighter colour scheme to make it for appealing for students.” I approve of the masthead standing out as yellow is an alarming colour which grabs the attention of the end user and the masthead is the most important feature on the magazine due to buyers finding the magazine reliable and constant buyers would be able to find the magazine easily. Furthermore, I agree with my peer that I could have used  more tag lines and perhaps a lighter background for my contents page however as I wanted to keep to a certain colour scheme I chose to use the colour black which is simple and creates sophistication within my work.