Kamilia Noorani AS Media Analysis

1. DECONSTRUCTION OF
SCHOOL MAGAZINES
three front covers and three contents pages

2. FRONT COVERS

3. HILBRE HIGH SCHOOL
The logo looks slightly odd, as if it has The boarder at the top and bottom of the cover
been stuck on. However, this could be asserts itself with the school by using the colour
the effect they wanted as it stands out. purple
The main image which fills the The title is very effective as the bold white font
background is strong and attention follows the theme of the cover. The schools
grabbing as it shows both staff and name is the biggest so their audience can
students in construction clothing with familiarise themselves with the school. But
spades inferring they are getting stuck more effectively they have used the word
in. contributing with work and getting ‘Endeavour’ which means ‘we can do it’
their hands dirty. The idea of team work reflecting the image of them working to get
presents the school very positively. The things done. It all flows and fits together
style of the picture used reflects the perfectly, with a sense of power.
mood and the editorial style of the
magazine. The whole presentation looks very professional
There is a student with a disability also Everyone has a smile of their face which
taking part in the work which reflects suggests they’re all happy where they are, doing
Hilbre school as being diverse and what they’re doing. It reflects the school as an
offering equal rights and opportunities. enjoyable place to be, working with a smile. It
The word ‘Inside’ mirrors creates a harmonious effect
There’s a limited colour scheme and font set. Too the title of the magazine
with the same font style The colour scheme seems quite dull to
many colours and too many font styles will make
which draws your attention me, perhaps this shows the mood of the school.
the cover look messy and hard to read.
to the text features. These The use of cool colours I believe would recede
promise a clear benefit to from the younger viewer but maybe an older
The font and colour scheme is clean and clear the reader and offer viewer would appreciate it more. If could be
emphasizing the idea that the school is quite something for new readers suggested that this magazine is meant for the
formal. parents/carers of students.

4. KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL -
HIGH PROFILE
The title ‘High Profile’ is solely the title of The excessive use of the colour black makes
the magazine, not actually the name of the the magazine look sleek and professional , a
school. Perhaps this is because the school connotation of the school perhaps.
is a high profile school and they want to The cover is split up using the law of thirds.
attract customers more with this fact. It allowing it to be easily distinguished.
could be that people will remember it by
this rather than the name of the actual The white text separates itself and contrasts
school. The title is the largest text on the with the dark background creating a sense of
cover and stands out. The second half energy. The simplicity of the font is effective
‘profile’ is bolder highlighting it’s more as too many fonts and font colours would
important as it’s the profile of the school. make the magazine cover look messy,
confused and hard to read especially as there
The schools actual name could easily go is a very busy image. Therefore, it ‘s clear it
unnoticed as there is a lot going on, the has been well thought about , making it look
cover is very busy and it’s in small print extremely professional
above the title of the magazine. We could
suggest this is the idea that the school The main feature ‘Hair Raising Show’ is a play
wants because they want their audience to on words, it’s the selling point and relates to
be curious where their exciting magazine the main image which is a typical convention
comes from and read inside to find out of a magazine to entice readers
This magazine is for a
The cover highlights that drama is a key subject for young audience. It The ‘plus’ at the bottom of the cover
this school and possibly what the school is specialised connotes fun and attracts promises a clear benefit to the reader and
in., what they’re proud of. This effectively comes its audience through this offers something for new readers. Although
across in an exciting way with the main image means, with the main this text is in small print it stands out as the
reproducing a scene from the musical ‘Hairspray’ . image being ‘plus’ is written in pink whereas the rest of
This entices customers to the school, especially those bold, colourful and eye- the text on the cover is written in white .
with an interest in the creative world and shows them catching. It suggests this is The use of the colour pink reflects the school
this is what they could be apart of what the school is all about being an all girls school

5. THE RUTHINIAN SCHOOL
The presentation of the cover shows Doesn’t posses typical forms and conventions
symmetry and fluency. The placement of of a school magazine, for example exciting
both the text and the logo shows a sense of headings a large image or images to entice
formality and organisation. readers. perhaps this is due to the idea that
this school is different to others and you have
The cover looks quite sophisticated, posh to read inside to find out how and why which
and perhaps regal. The simplicity of the creates a sense of mystery.
cover is very effective as it forms an idea
that the school is distinguished It is apparent that the school issue their
magazine yearly by the date placed largely at
The school logo is placed on the masthead the bottom of their magazine. We can infer
and fills the entire top half of the cover that the date is important to the school and
which is the most significant part as it’s the magazine as it’s the only other piece of writing
first place you look. This, suggests the logo after the schools name.
is the most important aspect for the school
Its extremely formal presentation and the lack
and they want people to be familiar and
of images except their use of the school logo
remember it
suggests that their magazine is solely about the
The magazine asserts itself with the school school itself and therefore it’s audience rather
by displaying the school colours over the than being students, more being
entirety of the background. It could be parents/carers who are planning to send their
suggested that the school is a mixed one as This cover certainly wouldn’t attract a children to this school and it’s more of an
the school colours attract both girls with young audience as although the information guide/magazine about the
the colour purple and boys with the colour school colours are very bold it doesn't school, perhaps full of
blue give off an element of fun which reviews, achievements, results OFSTED
young audiences feed off. The whole reports and such like. This idea has developed
The use of the colour cream for the text layout in every aspect puts across an by the fact it’s only issued yearly and every
and logo fits well on the cover standing older audience who would appreciate year schools take on a new set of students.
out against the bold background this kind of layout The ‘2008’ reflects the importance of the

6. CONTENTS PAGES

7. WALLASEY SCHOOL
Issue number lets the reader keep up The image of the school covers the masthead of
to date with which magazine they the page. This is the first place people will look an
are reading. The number 4 is it seems quite engaging. It will familiarises the
highlighted with a red reader with the school.
outline, showing its importance. The
use of the colour red around the 4 fits The image of the school is very natural as it shows
perfectly as it’s featured on the school surrounded by nature. The natural
numerous places on the contents lighting shows purity and innocence of the school.
page. It seems like a nice place to be.
The school logo is featured at the The title ‘Welcome’ is one of the largest pieces of
very top of the page next to the name text and stands out in white, which gives a sense of
of the school. By the use of red in warmth and friendliness. The font gives a
the logo, over the cover, and being harmonious effect. The ‘welcome’ overlaps the
the colour of the head teachers tie, it image suggesting the school welcomes everyone
suggest that this colour is one of the
school uniform colour Head teachers letter a typical convention of a
school magazine contents page. The image of the
‘what’s in this issue’ offers a benefit head teacher is there to familiarise readers with the
to the reader, letting them know head of the school. It could be there for new
what the magazine consists readers also, so they can remember an important
of, allowing them to jump to the The design and overall presentation face for future reference if they decide to go along
section that takes their interest to looks smart, organised and to the meet the school. He is dressed smart which
read. The mix of colours used for sophisticated with an edge by the reflects the schools reputation and gives a first
this section adds an edge to the bright use of red impression to new readers about the school. The
contents page and a sense of fun as background colour of the letter flows with the
elsewhere uses a more natural colour looks mature, perhaps for an older image of the school with a brown colour reflecting
scheme. audience nature.

8. BEBINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
There is only one image which draws your Title ‘welcome’ and ‘New’ stands out in a
attention especially with the colour against yellow/orange colour. It‘s funky font and
the excessive use of blue everywhere else. It positioning on slant add an edge of fun. It’s
Shows two young boys in their uniform. a very arty contents page, perhaps this is a
They are smiling which suggests they are key subject at the school.
happy at this school. You could infer if you
didn’t know the school that is was solely a The strip of black at the top stands out and
boys school from the extreme use of blue highlights what the magazine is
throughout the contents page and the only
image being two boys
‘What’s in this issue’ is in a light turquoise
whereas the head teachers letter is in a dark
A head teachers letter and a list of what’s to
blue. This separates the different sets of
come in the magazine are typical
text
conventions of a school contents page
The whole layout is neat and organised
In the first sentence in the head teachers making it easy to follow
letter, he states the magazine is called
‘Shine’. It stands out in the same colour I think it’s for a young audience as it gives a
and font of the header at the top of the sense of immatureness. It’s extremely bold
page. Although, you would think that if it and eye catching which is exactly what
was the title of the magazine is would have young audiences appreciate. It’s well suited
been placed at the top and made to stand The excessive amount of text and
and attractive to it’s audience
out more perhaps with a bigger font size. minimal images make it quite boring, a
From naming the magazine ‘Shine’ it could bit like a story. There is no main
be suggested that this reflects the students feature to catch your eye. The same
at the school, with each one shining or by style font is being used. There’s
attending the school they have learnt to nothing spectacular about it
shine.

9. KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL
The title is the largest piece of text and Even though it’s a school magazine it seems
written in a funky font to stand out. The the least bit interesting and exciting
positioning of the title is the first place you targeting an older audience.
look at the very top centre of the page. This
enabling the audience to understand its the The contents is extremely different from the
contents page first two contents pages iv deconstructed in
it’s simplicity, boring font styles, lack of
There is not much going on, it appears colour and images
very simple making it easy and clear to
read and follow There is a faded, washed out image in
background although you can barely make
The fact that their are no images make s it
out what it is
extremely boring. Images are usually a
typical convention and seen as an appealing Page numbers, headings and descriptions
factor to entice readers. Therefore this are typical convention of a contents page
magazine breaks that convention. Perhaps
their front cover and the rest of the
The use of colour is minimalistic. Black and
magazine follows this same theme or
white are typical colours most magazines
perhaps the rest of the magazine is
use. Contrasting dark against white stands
extremely enticing, therefore felt they
out. There are no bright colours to attract.
needn't make the contents page enticing.
The boarder appears to be the only Includes the basics of what a contents page The page and issue number are
interesting feature and is quite unusual is – to inform you of what's to come in the placed at the bottom below the
for a contents page to have therefore setting magazine, perhaps this is all they wanted boarder
it apart from others. It makes it appear from their contents page an that's why
more attractive. they’ve made it so basic, simple and straight
to the point. They want you to focus on the
text an not get taken away by images