Friday, 19 November 2010

Textual Analysis

I am now going to look at a front cover and a contents page and carry out a Textual analysis.
  • Smart Talent is the largest font on the page. This fact grabs the reader's attention and makes them look at it. It is also, the word "talent" is a different font to what is on the rest of the front cover. This suggests that it is the most important feature of the magazine. it also hints at what the content of the magazine and suggests that if you read the magazine you are talented or can become talented.
  • The picture on the front of the magazine is positioned so that the eye line of the man is generally in line with where the reader will be looking. This makes the magazine seem more intimate and personal. By doing this it could make more people buy the magazine as it gives off a friendly vibe. The picture itself is done in a quirky, abstract way. This suggests that the magazine is aimed at the younger generation as it has  more modern "hip" look to it. The man featured (MC RIZ) is said to be a "rising star" by this magazine; another suggestion to it's target audience. The younger generation may be able to relate to this man and want to follow in his footsteps, therefore will want to read more about him. The fact that his picture is used could draw people in and attract people to buy it alone.
  • The colours used on the page suggests that it is aimed towards a female audience. This is because of the pink colours used. However, the turquoise and white contrasts suggests that it is a magazine that would appeal to both sexes. The use of a male on the front implies it is for males as well as females despite the colours used. 
I am now going to do a textual analysis on a contents page...

The contents of this magazine is very simple. this implies that it's purpose is not to grab attention and supply teens with gossip. This is also backed up by the pictures that are used on the page. they are pictures of people in suits who look important as opposed to celebrates.
The actual content that is shown

Poll

What should I call my student magazine?
Voice
Word up
Pow!
The Student Mag
LC News
  
pollcode.com free polls

Questionnaire and Poll

I am now going to ask people to complete a questionnaire so i can find out what students want from a student magazine. This will help me to create something that appeals to my audience.

  1. Would you be willing to pay for a Student magazine? £1.00, £0.50, £1.50
  2. Would information about Universities be beneficial? Yes      No
  3. Does information about events in the area, for young people, interest you? Yes    No
  4. How often would you like like a student magazine to be released? Weekly, Monthly, every two months
  5. Should i put horoscopes in a student magazine? Yes    No
  6. Would you like a list of places that do student discount? Yes   No
  7. Is there anything that you think is usually left out of a student mag?......
Copy and past the questions into a comment and answer next to them please! :)

Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Comparing Student Magazines

am now going to look at serveral Student magazines and compare their content:

Issue 14 Ludlow College student mag:
  • Teachers
  • Students
  • Bash Photos and Summer Ball photos
  • Reviews of games and Films
  • Information on universities
  • Horoscopes
Youth Action, Spring/Summer 2008:
  • Sex
  • Police
  • Culture Club
  • Information on teenage pregnancy and homophobia
  • Planning for the future (University)
HC:
  • Music and gigs
  • Internet
  • Films
  • Colleges
  • Universities
  • Celebrities
Smart:
  • Politics
  • Poverty
  • Careers
  • Music
  • Police

Action Plan

My task is to design and create the front cover and contents of a student magazine. Before doing this i am going to look at other magazines to get some inspiration and knowledge of what  a student magazine contains. i am now going to write an action plan of the tasks i need to finish during each week:

Week 1. 15th Nov 2010
  • Write Action plan 
  • Create blog
  • Comparison of student mags 
Week 2. 22nd Nov 2010
  • Audience questionnaire
  • Textual analysis
  • Create layout design
Week 3. 29th Nov 2010
  • Create cover and contents
  • Organise photo shoot
  • Edit Photos
Week 4. 4th Dec 2010
  • Draft pages
  • Audience feedback
  • Evaluation
The final deadline for all of this is the  10th Dec 2010