Evaluation for Preliminary - Friday 18th November

What have I done?

For my magazine I researched into what other school/college front covers and contents pages looked like in order to give me guidance on how my magazine should look in order for it to be professional. I analysed 4 front covers and contents pages and after doing this I could pick out details of what was good and bad about each magazine. By analysing these front covers and contents pages this really helped me to get an idea of what I wanted my magazine to look like and what I needed to include.

I then carried out a questionnaire in which I asked other sixth form students to answer as they are my main target audience. My results showed me what would enable these students to read my magazine so this was an insight of what I could include in my magazine. I asked general questions for example; "How often do you read magazines?" and "How much would you pay for a magazine?".

Next, I carried out a photoshoot in which I took different pictures using different angles and I looked at them and analysed each of them. However, there were some pictures that I disliked so I did not use them and I stated why.

Then, I created my magazine front cover as I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like from my research. I made sure I used all the codes and conventions that I needed to and there was a similar colour scheme throughout. My main focus was that my front cover looked professional and ticked all the boxes it needed to.

Following on from my front cover I then created my contents page using pictures that I had taken and using all the codes and conventions I needed to. My colour scheme continued onto my contents page.

After creating my front cover and contents page I then gained feedback from my teacher and fellow classmates on what they thought about my magazine which helped me understand what I could do better.

Dealing with demands?

I did find it challenging to decide exactly what I wanted on my front cover as I had a brief idea but I did not know what is specifically wanted. I also struggled to analyse college magazine front covers and contents pages as some were very unprofessional and didn't look like a front cover or contents page so I really had to carry out in-depth research to find what I was looking for.

High Grade Example?

http://hterry.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Preliminary

I found this preliminary coursework for a level media and thought it was the best out of all of them as there was no grade for any of them. All the codes and conventions have been used correctly within the magazine and there is a consistent colour scheme throughout, personally I feel the font should be the same throughout and the cover lines should be in a smaller font than the mast head.

Feedback for Preliminary - Friday 18th November

I have showed my magazine to the class and my class mates have said that my magazine is professional and of a good standard. I have made sure everything has correlated between my front cover and contents page. One of my class mates said; "I like the way you have laid your magazine out, it includes the correct amount of detail and your picture are of a high standard." On the other hand, my teacher said: "Next time you could ensure that your images are more colourful so they stand out to you audience and make your magazine look appealing." Another one of my class mates said; "You have stuck to your colour scheme of blue throughout which is a key factor of making a magazine the best it can be however, I personally would ensure that your masthead stands out more in comparison to your cover lines." Finally, another fellow class mate said: "I love the layout and your magazine overall!" All of these points have contributed to help me to understand what is the positives and negatives of my magazine.

Questionnaire - Friday 18th November

These are the results that enabled me to create my magazine and make sure I met the needs of my target audience.

My Contents Page - Tuesday 15th November

My contents page includes my own picture of the christmas shoeboxes and I have stuck to the same colour scheme throughout my front cover and contents page. I have included what is covered on some of the pages within my magazine but I have made sure my page numbers correlate with each other and make sense. I have also ensured that the page numbers with what is included on that page is the same on my contents page as on my front cover. The reason for my content on my contents page comes from the research I received from my questionnaire.

10 Potential Images - Sunday 6th November

Image 1

This is my first potential image that I took within my photoshoot however, in my opinion I thought the picture was too blurry and I did not like the background within my picture. On the other hand I do like the fact it shows all the toys in each box so you can see everything included in our charity shoeboxes.

Image 2

This is my second potential image which shows someone looking at each toy before the carefully pack them into the shoebox. Unfortunately, I dislike this image as there is too much free space within it as I believe it will distract my audience from the main aspect of the image.

Image 3

My third image, again I feel there is too much free space within the picture, also the person holding the box is looking away which implies that they have no interest in what they are  holding and this is not what I want in my magazine.

My fourth image, this picture is blurry and you cannot see the persons face which suggests they do not want to be in the picture which does not look professional. Furthermore, the picture has been taken on an angle which I like however it is not an image I would include in my magazine.

Image 4

Image 5

My fifth image, looks as if the person is giving the box of toys to someone out of the image however this image uses a unflattering angle in which the camera has taken the picture from a downward angle.

Image 7

My sixth image, I really like the way this image has been captured in a way I think it looks very professional however some of the persons face is cut off therefore this is what lets this image down.

Image 6

My seventh image includes a lot of free space and it doesn't show anything of what is in the box of what is the main purpose of the image on the contrary it does make it look like he is giving someone the shoebox.

My eighth image shows the person looking at one of the toys but  it is not an image I would include in my magazine as there is not much purpose for it.

Image 8

Image 9

My ninth image is not focused and rather blurry which is why I did not want to include it in my magazine as it does not look professional.

My final image shows the children's toys in a shoebox but this image is also very blurry maybe due to the flash being on which ruins the picture.

Image 10

Contents Page Annotations - Wednesday 19th October

Student Fitness, the contents page includes an image on the right hand side of the page indicating that this is the cover story and who and what it is about which is the main focus of a contents page and this highlights this amazingly. Down the left hand side of the page we can see that a number of pages have been discussed which are potentially the most important in the magazine. The comments below each subtitle ask rhetorical questions which are enticing and suggest to you to look at this page as it may relate to you, this is really good for the target audience as it shows them that they are the people the writer of the magazine is aiming the articles at. In the very bottom left corner you can see that social media icons have been displayed to incite that you can actually contact the creator and discover more which is a great way to expand your target audience.

Ad Mag, has a creative contents page that reflects its target audience of students. Down the left hand side you can see that the first few pages have been included in the context with a title and subtitle that expands the article. On the right hand side you can all the people involved in the magazine have been mentioned and ways to contacting the advertising company. The title and background are very creative and however the contents itself maybe should cover more pages to show that there are a wide variety of aspects covered. Overall,this is a good contents page which I think is for an online magazine and not a paper production.

Urban Mag, their contents page includes 2 pictures which is great as it expands the magazine and shows more variety. On the right hand side of the page you can see a subtitle of "Regulars" which is a great start as it shows there have been previous issues of this magazine. Underneath each heading, next to the page numbers, you can see a sentence or two giving an overview of what that page is about. Down the left hand side of the page you can see what is within the magazine this week. Social media links have been included which is a tremendous way to interact with you customers and widen your audience.


This contents page for this magazine includes every single page which in most professional magazines, this does not happen as then you are basically giving away every detail of your magazine when you want to just give a overview of some pages included in you magazine. An image is included in the top right hand corner showing the school the magazine is about and a editorial is included at the bottom giving a brief of the magazine and who wrote it. Unfortunately, in total this magazine is quite bland in comparison to the other contents pages I have looked at.

Front Cover Annotations - Tuesday 18th October

Worcester College, does not include any cover lines which makes us as an audience unaware of what is included in this magazine. The image of a lamp could suggest that Worcester College creates a bright future for their students no matter what situation they are in. On the contrary, the cover is not one that suggests it is a magazine as no barcode or price is included. Furthermore, nothing on the front cover will excite its audience which means people may not pay any attention to the magazine at all. On the other hand, I do like the factor that they have included the issue number of the magazine and the logo for the college.


Imperial, is a diverse magazine as they have included their cover lines in their main image which makes it unique and more interesting. Aswell as this, above the title it states what is featured in the magazine which gives an insight to the audience. A date is included on the magazine however the typical conventions such as a barcode and price are missing from this magazine also. The front cover is very sophisticated which differs it from your typical magazine.



College, is a typical but mature magazine that includes all the main conventions. The title stands out that the rest of the text on the page and the main image is the central point that is connoting the image of the college she attends. Furthermore, the cover lines have subtitles and then more information below. This magazine however, does have a barcode and price in comparison to the other 2 magazine front cover that I have looked at which makes it looks like a professional magazine that the public will want to buy if they are interested in this college.

CHS Magazine, has a brilliant front cover where the cover lines highlight the main aspects of the magazine. The bold font stands out and it is what attracts the audience especially where it indicates what the main focus of the magazine is which is; "Teenage Stress". The image used on this front cover shows, using a mid shot, that this girl is the face of there magazine and the way they have positioned her to the right indicates that she is walking towards her future at this school. Underneath the main title you can find the issue number of the magazine, the website for the school and the price of the magazine which aids its audience. Also, in the top right corner there is an advertisement which is not included on any of the other magazines I have analysed making this a successful production.

My Magazine Front Cover - Monday 17th October

Today I will be looking over my front page to ensure it is up to the standard I want it to be. My front cover is an overview of some of the subjects I will include in my magazine and they will also be included on my contents page. The colours I have chosen connote the colours which represent my school and I feel like they suit my front page. The picture I have included gives an insight into what our school is taking part in. I changed the colour of the text for my price as i wanted it to stand out from everything else as it is one of the most important factors on a magazine.

Operation Christmas Child is a charity which sends shoeboxes that are decorated with christmas wrapping paper and filled with anything a child would need. Our school is taking part in this to aid us as students as it is something that will improve our cv and personal statement.