1. The masthead has been used effectively due to the type of font and
colour that has been used. By it being all in lower case makes the
magazine come across as informal and different, reflecting its genre
and the block colour of white makes the masthead as a whole stand
out against the foreground picture.
Underneath the
masthead, is the
production information
containing the issue
number, date and price
creating the
conventional look of a
magazine. Moreover
the use of a different
typeface, signifies its
importance to the
reader as the sans serif
font comes across
much more formal as
the characters are in
upper and lower case.
The use of a pug on
the upper right hand
corner is effective as it
is one of the first
things that the reader
will see. The use of a
transparent
background around it,
highlights it further as
it signifies to the
reader its importance:
they’re getting
something for free.
The image, a wide angle
shot, has been used for
the entire background of
the magazine. By
blurring the foreground,
the integration of the text
comes across very
natural and fluid, not
blocked. Making the
magazine look
professional.
Furthermore, focus of
the image is on the
teenage girl which is
effective as it is
reflecting the magazines
target audience and in
turn making it known to
them that this magazine
is directly aimed at them
and that the magazine is
for a mass audience.
The headline within the bottom third of the magazine is eye
catching due to the use of two different typefaces and colours.
The first line is in a fairly formal sans-serif white font whereas
the topic area of the article is about, is in a natural bright yellow
sans-serif font, reflecting how large and powerful teenage
stress is for the target audience. Making the mode of address of
the magazine personal as the topics talked of directly effect the
target audience, hence making the target audience feel as
though the magazine is directly aimed at them. Signifying that
the target audience is mainly of an age of 15 to 17 possibly 18.
The cover lines/teasers
along the right third of
the page are effective as
they give brief insights
into the content of the
magazine through the
use of buzz phrases
which entice the reader
to buying the magazine.
Furthermore the use of
the same typeface
throughout aides in
presenting and
grounding the magazines
house style and the use
of white against the grey
background creates a
great contrast, drawing
the readers attention to
this. Moreover, the cover
lines cover a range of
topics, encoring a wider
target audience and
increasing the circulation
of the magazine.
The use of the banner
within the bottom third is
effective as it gives
credibility to the magazine
and validates it. Making
the reader more likely to
buy the magazine and
again increasing
circulation as more people
will feel the ned to buy it.
The overall colour
scheme is effective as it
uses complimentary
colours throughout,
making the colours
easily flow into one
another. Moreover, it is
suitable for its genre, as
it reflects the schools
emblem shown on the
teenagers tie, a range of
colours from green to
blue, reinforcing the
institutions branding and
house style.
The overall layout is effective as within each third there is an appropriate amount of
content. Meaning that the design comes across clean and clear, not cluttered,
making it easy to read just at a glance.

2. Within the skyline is a unique selling point, highlighting the fact that,
“Student Weekly” is “the number one student magazine”. Although
the colour of the font, a block black, contrasts greatly against the
white background, the characters of the sans-serif font are very
close together, making the phrase seem crushed together and in
turn making it harder to read.
The masthead is effective
due to its colour because
again, it creates a
contrast to the
background of the
magazine. However, due
to the fact that it’s in the
same sans-serif font as
the skyline and the rest of
the cover lines and tag
lines within the magazine,
its prominence on the
front page isn’t as great
as it should be. The
masthead almost merges
into the rest of the
magazine. Making the
house style of the
magazine not
recognisable to the
reader. Perhaps next
time, the designer could
use a different font to
ensure that this is not the
created effect.
The use of teasers and
cover lines within the
left third is effective as
it meets the
conventions of a
magazine, bringing
familiarity to the reader.
Furthermore, the use of
the language within he
buzz phrases is also
effective because it
reflects their target
audience: teenagers.
Hence why the phrases
“boring” and “nerves in
test” appropriate.
Therefore, making it
clear that the magazine
is geared towards a
mass market audience
as it targeting
teenagers from the
ages of 15 to almost
18, both male and
female.
Underneath the
masthead is the
product information.
Although this does fit
the conventions of a
magazine to an
extent it is lacking
the feature of the
issue number and
usually the barcode
and price are much
closer to it. Making
the design look
slightly disorganised
and make their
target audience not
want to buy the
magazine,
decreasing their
circulation.
Although the image
used is placed
conventionally on the
right third of the
magazine, a medium
shot and of good
quality, the woman
used does not reflect
the target audience
the magazine is trying
to appeal to. The
woman used, is in no
way relatable due to
her age and makes
the reader question
whether this
magazine is really
aimed at them.
However, the way that
the woman is smiling
and giving direct eye
contact does make
the mode of address
seem warm and
friendly, combating
the pervious issue.
Magazine
conventions are met
by including price
and barcode, though
these would be
preferably closer to
the date at the top.
The overall colour scheme is not as effective as it could be. This
being because, although the white background does create a brilliant
contrast to text laid upon it, the contents use of red and black, plus
variations of these colours within the image used except for the
notebook, the overall design looks bland. The colours are not vibrant
enough in order to draw in their target audience of teenagers who are
usually drawn to brightly coloured vibrant magazines. Although the
constant use of red and black does aide in its brand identity.
Therefore, next time the designer should include more variations of
colour to make it more appealing.

3. Within the skyline of the magazine is the date of publication. Although effective as
the colour black stands out against the cream background, it breaks convention of
a typical magazine as the date, issue number and price are usually all within the
strap line, usually located underneath the masthead.
The typeface used for
the masthead, comic
sans, is effective as it
is recognisable and
emulates the genre of
the magazine: school/
college magazine. This
being because comic
sans is the typical font
used within all schools
and has become
almost stereotypical.
Moreover, the dark red
used for the colour of
the masthead is also
effective as it creates a
great contrast against
the cream background,
meaning it stands out
and draws the readers
attention.
The use of teasers
and cover lines down
the right hand third of
the magazine is
effective as the overall
positioning of all cover
lines are equally
spaced, making the
design look clear and
easy to read; not
crowed. However, the
title used for the first
cover line “cover
story” is not effective
as although the blue
draws the readers
initial attention to the
article, the title itself
does not include any
buzz phrases which
would actually keep
the reader interested.
Making them skim
over it. However, the
use of pictures and
the range of shots
displayed, medium
long shot and two
shot, immediately
draw the readers
attention and does
keep them interested,
making up for the lack
of content above.
Additionally, the last
cover line suits the
target audience’s
interests perfectly, as
this is topic which
affects their own lives
heavily. Yet, the stand
first comes across as
informal, making the
mode of address
friendly and therefore
more inviting;
increasing the
circulation of the
magazine.
The use of the main image being placed within the
left third of the magazine is effective as the image
itself is inviting, the teenager is looking directly at
the reader. Making the target audience, young,
mostly female teenagers, know, just at a glance,
that this magazine is aimed at them. However, if
taken again, the teenager should have either worn
a different top or the designer should change the
colour of the background as the teenager does
blend into the background to a degree.
The overall colour
scheme of the
magazine is effective
as all text within it and
images, to an extent,
do stand out as the
cream colour sets of
the other colours
perfectly. Furthermore,
the themes of the dark
red runs throughout the
magazine, not just
through the cover lines
but also within the
central and secondary
pictures. The teenager
within the central
image has a bag which
has variations on the
colour and a girl in the
prom photos has a
dress in a similar
colour. The constant
use of the colours then
creates a recognisable
house style.
The overall
layout is
effective as its
clear design
and use of
graphics are
eye catching
and draw in
the viewer.

4. Within the skyline the designer has placed the date of publication and the price of the magazine,
suggesting that they’ve moved their strap line above the masthead, which is effective as it makes
not only the date and price stand out more, but the slogan, just underneath it. Furthermore, the
different types of font used for the date and price is also effective as the “FREE” draws the readers
attention first even though they would naturally read left to right, hence, immediately drawing the
readers attention to the most important pice of information in the top third.
The typeface used for
the masthead, a type
of serif in italics, is
effective as it reflects
the genre of the
magazine and appeals
to the target audience.
This being because the
font connotes that the
institution behind the
publication is
professional and
sophisticated because
it uses traditional
typography, This in
turn appeals to its
target audience,
young, most likely
female teenagers, as
their main desire is to
be older than they truly
are. Hence, by looking
at the masthead they
may immediately want
to buy the magazine as
this will aide them in
making them look older
and sophisticated.
The slogan
underneath the
masthead is
effective as it
further reinforces
the branding of
the genre: a
school magazine.
The teasers and cover
lines alongside the right
hand third and left hand
third are effective as
they do draw the
readers attention and
hit the variations within
their target audience.
Meaning that there is
something for
everyone, from sport to
social gossip this
magazine has got it.
Moreover, the colours
used with the coverlids
are effective, especially
for the core line of
“Battle of the house”
which quite literally
represents article and
entices the reader.
However, it would more
effective if the
foreground of the
central image was
blurred.
The overall colour
scheme is effective as
the light blue
compliments the white
and black text.
However, the image
behind it, due to its
background being such
a bright green, does
make it hard to
differentiate between
the text and image.
Therefore, the designer,
should have outlined all
the text in either a black
or even yellow colour,
just like they have done
for the cover line of
“House Music Results
Are In!”
Although the use of the banner is eye catching,
due to the blocked colour around it, the actual
content within is not very positive, making readers
pull away from the magazine. Perhaps if the
designer had used more buzz phrases and
portrayed it more as a scandal, the readers would
d instead be drawn to it. Additionally, the block
colour behind, ruins the design as it breaks it up,
perhaps they could have used a transparent colour
instead to make the design more fluid and to fly.
The image overall is
effective as it reflects
the genre of the
magazine. However,
due to it being a long
shot there is need to
blur the foreground or
crop the image, in
order to make the
design come across
less busy and easier to
read as the cover lines
would stand out more
in a blurred or block
colour background.
Type to enter text
Overall, if the
background
were to be
blurred and the
colour scheme
altered, the
magazine would
look very
sophisticated.