The Brief

In this task I will have to make a school magazine. To get the marks, I have to design a front cover for the magazine and an informative contents page. I have to make sure the magazine is suitable for everyone that is associated with the school, E.G. students, staff, governors and the head teacher Alex Russell. I had to follow specific rules like: I have to take photographs of students, teacher in a medium shot.

Content Analysis

In this part of my blog I will analyse two school magazines. This helps me to understand some codes and conventions needed when making a school magazine. I can then apply the same principles to my magazine.

  

Magazine 1

 

In this school magazine I have noticed that there is only one picture on the front cover. This is the main part of the front cover as it takes up most of it. There is writing on the page, to indicate what is going to come up in the magazine. The front cover of the magazine is relatively clear, with one picture and a few words of information about what is going to be inside the magazine. They have used the colour blue as their main colour. This goes well with the main picture as it is two girls on a boat on water. 

I find the lack of information on the front cover of the magazine to be a fault. If there was more information in different fonts, sizes etc. Then the magazine’s front cover would look less dull, the main font colour used is white, and the title is in dark blue. They could resolve this issue by letting the students throughout the school have a say on what the magazine looks like and the content. This varies the magazine and will be enjoyable for everyone. 

I think the magazine on a whole is good. This is because it is clear and easy to read. It doesn’t give much information away and makes the reader want to open the magazine up and read it.

Magazine 2

This magazine is from the same school as magazine 1. The magazine similarly has one main picture and limited information.  The picture is of a boat. This attracts attention because it is a sporting activity, this may be helpful to make this magazine popular and stand out to the reader/students. They have used the colour green as their main colour. This is a solid dark colour which isn’t dull and boring to look at. This magazine is different from magazine 1, although it is from the same school. This shows the school experiments on different front covers. This varies it up and doesn’t get the reader bored of the same design.

However the lack of information on this magazine as well is an issue. There isn’t enough eye catching information on the front cover to attract a lot of attention. The magazine just looks plain and simple and if the magazine is trying to appeal to students in a school then there should be different font sizes, colours and pictures. If there is only one main picture it may give the main story away to quickly. 

I do like the magazine on a whole, but I do think there could be some improvements made.  If the magazine was more eye catching it would be more ideal for a school magazine.

Audience research

For this magazine I had a diverse audience in which I had to present the magazine to. I had to do a lot of research on my audience and my main target audiences, so as a class we decided to work together and collectively gather data and share it with the rest of the class. By using this resource it saves me time and I can include more points of view and more pieces of information on my research for my audience. There were many different age groups, because the community around the school was also in my target audience. I can then be sure that my audience will enjoy reading my magazine.

SLT

Many questions were asked to the ‘Senior Leadership Team’. First question: ‘what would benefit from a school magazine?’ five members of the SLT said that a school magazine would be very beneficial.

Next question: ‘what should the magazine include?’ most of the SLT said that the magazine should include fun puzzles, as the magazine is for kids and for maturing teenagers. They also said there should be puzzles, current news on the school and the community and news on other schools. This may include news such as house cup progression.

Miss Gould, said the magazine should have a gossip column to make the magazine interesting. (Like Heat magazine). Made for the school, by the pupils.

Next question: ‘how often should each issue be published?’ most

Mr. Russell said the magazine should want to be bought, even though it will be given out free, this makes it more professional. 

The community

They said the canteen menu should be printed in the school magazine just out of interest and special offers happening in the school canteen should be stated.

They said the magazine should be fun and enjoyable and not to formal as the school kids would get bored reading something to formal. They thought a good idea may an Agony aunt page or column. 

There should be current affairs outlines with sub headings, sports section, like the upcoming football fixtures and results etc. Up and coming school events should be also be included.

The community think the last school magazine should due to lack of interest from the audience.

Year 7 

80 percent of the year 7s that were asked, said that they would prefer it if a school magazine was published every half term. The majority said that the magazine should include a sports section, and current news on the school. They also liked the idea of a free gift, but that would depend on the budget of the magazine. They would like the magazine to include a lot pictures so it is not boring with long paragraphs of text. They would also like a gossip column and music chart updates every issue. Schools clubs that are on for year 7s should also be mentioned.

Year 8

There should be many pictures and photos taken, and included. The magazine should be printed in colour and not black white, as black and white print would be boring a standard. The magazine should be funny and humorous, with short jokes on each page. Details on upcoming school events should be mentioned. Competitions should be included every issue, with good prizes (E.G. £25 iTunes voucher)  and 30 second interviews with teachers.

Year 9 

The year 9s loved the fact of a fun school magazine. They said there should be interviews with the football teams, a different year each issue. They said it should be a colour print not black and white Colour. A fun idea would be to have pictures of teachers outside of school. They would like to have pictures but not too many.  Different students should produce different issues, this varies it up. And they said a consistent theme would be a good idea. 

Year 10 and 11

Should include and state current problems happening around the school. Puzzles, games, quizzes should be included they thought the people that have written the magazine should have an input on the magazine so they enjoy as well as every other student. It should be an excuse to target certain students and tease them. Personal stories should be included, but only if the persons’ consent is given.  Should be in colour print and not black and white.

 

Mr. Russell

The magazine should look good and should be published every half term or every 2 weeks.

Current event in the school should be included. Community events, and how the school supports the community. Help students with counselling if needed.  Some sections fun and others serious with news.

In the past, the magazines have not been successful be of lack of interest and not enough people and equipment to properly publish one.

Some magazines are boring because the writers miss understand the interests of the readers.

There are boundaries to the magazine. Nothing personal, that could harm a student personally should be included, if personal statements are included they should be in good taste, and consent must be given. Suitable news for the school, not to of subject.