Final Cover

Choosing the photograph

I have a problem as to which photograph to choose for the front cover of the magazine ( male side .)

I have edited two images and can't decide which looks the best. However, I think it would be best to go with the one with the arms folded as it looks more 'manly' and the model looks quite stubborn and challenging, as if he is challenging the opposite team.

Photographs

Photographs

Magazine Masthead Examples

Title Of The Magazine

Here I will brainstorm titles for my magazine:

Male Half
Mash
Offside
Banter/Banta
Bring it/Bring
Game
Union
Score
Cheer
Loop
Boot
Kick
Female Half
Dap
Moded
Mod
Empire
Swish
Slick
Hip
Sleek
In
Whisper
Swank

Analysis Of Three Magazines

Here I will analyse three magazines aimed at teenagers and possibly use the conventions of these in my own work.

The main photograph is of a man which obviously goes with the magazine title, ‘Men’s Health’. He is wearing a simple but smart black top and smart jeans and the background of the image is mainly white but in the corner there is a palm tree in a dark brown colour and to the bottom right there is the image of the sea also a dark brown colour. His is obviously well built as his arms look strong. He is possibly an idol of what men want to look like as the text around him says things like ‘Get back in shape’ and ‘Hard Abs’ and ‘your best body ever’. The title of the magazine is orange which stands out. The other text is either in blue or black or a faint red which stand out but not as much as the title. All the titles of the inside stories are to do with health, which is what the magazine is mainly about. All font is bold so it stands out and the colours are 'manly' e.g. blue and so this emphasises the fact that the magazine is aimed at males. The title makes it obvious it is aimed at men as it is in the title. Teenagers will also buy this magazine though as they want to look good and look like ‘men’. There is no text about any stories that are aimed at females which also shows it is a magazine aimed at males.

Analysis Of Three Magazines

The main photograph is of Hilary Duff, a popular celebrity in her teens. This is relevant to the fact that the magazine is aimed at teenagers. She is obviously posing for the photograph as she is smiling and looking straight at the camera. She is visually attractive and her skin has been airbrushed and make-up is applied carefully to make her look her best. Her make-up also goes with the pink font used on the title of the magazine (sugar) and other text e.g. ‘style steals’ as she has pink lip gloss on. The background of the image is neutral (white) and is obviously a studio background. The colour scheme is pink, black, white and yellow which are colours that stand out. Yellow is used as a background with pink and black font over it to make the text stand out and black is used with yellow text over it to also make this stand out. Smaller images are used to show information of the inside stories e.g. the photographs of clothes and the photograph of a female model. The colours of the magazine give off a young, hip feel which is relevant as the magazine is aimed at teenagers, especially girls-shown by the pink font and content in the magazine e.g. girl's fashion. The title of the magazine, 'sugar', is short and catchy and emphasises the fact that the magazine is for girls as sweet things are usually associated with females. There are also no images of, or to do with, males on the cover which also shows the magazine is aimed at females.

Analysis Of Three Magazines

The main photograph is of two celebrities (Gwen Stefani and her husband Gavin) holding their new baby son. They are posing for the photograph as Gwen is holding the baby and looking straight at the camera and her husband is kissing the baby’s forehead. Gwen’s skin is airbrushed and she is wearing thick makeup which shows that the photograph has been deliberately taken at a photoshoot. Gwen and Gavin are wearing dark colours which go with the background which is also dark. The colours give off a classy, homely feel. The baby is wrapped in a blue blanket which is stereotypical for a baby boy. The logo of the magazine is placed to the far left above Gwen’s head so it is noticeable. The logo is white and blue which are linked with the baby’s blanket. The borders and backgrounds on the other smaller images are also a baby blue which link with the baby’s blanket. This is emphasising that the main story is about a new born baby boy. The only font colours used on the cover are yellow, white and baby blue which all stand out. The yellow is used to emphasis names and statements e.g. ‘Nick’ and ‘The coolest kid on the planet’ The yellow is also used as a background of other bits of text to emphasise them e.g. ‘Exclusive in their Hollywood home!’ The main story is made clear as it is written in large white font across the main image so you notice it straight away.

Cover Draft

I have created a draft of what my final piece (magazine cover) could look like. I have used the conventions of other teen magazines.

Title (masthead): This is at the top of the cover and should be a bold, bright font as to stand out to the reader as they will immediately recognise the magazine they are reading. It should look attractive and not boring to attract people to read the magazine.

Plugs: These should be in quite a bold font as to stand out to the reader. They could be used to advertise college trips, college parties (e.g. the Halloween party) and equipment on sale e.g. the college sports jumpers. It could also be used to advertise competitions the college is holding. Some of the plugs could include an image e.g. if it is advertising a college trip an image of the place e.g. the Eiffel tower if it is Paris.

Headings Of Inside Content: These should also be bold to stand out to the public and are used to persuade the people to read the magazine. Most magazines use words such as 'Shocking' and 'Fantastic' to persuade the public to read the magazine. They should use persuasive words but should also be relevant to the college.

Photograph Plan: The main photograph is going to be of two students, one male one female. I am going to use the idea of the secondary teachers magazine cover that I analysed, but instead of the male and female both been the same way round I will make the female be ‘upside down’ so half of the magazine is written for females and the other half written for the boys. I think this is a good idea as then they both get an equal amount to read and it is fair. The background of the photograph is to be white (Neutral) so the audience focus on the male and female not the background. The male should be dressed in the Wyke college sports kit and the female just in normal clothes as the main story for the male part is going to be about sport (football or rugby) and the main story for the female’s part is going to be about a fashion show. This is stereotyping slightly but to make up for that fact I will place subheadings above the main image, one about sport on the girl’s side (possibly netball) and one about a male modelling competition on the male side. I plan to photograph students at this college to make it more realistic, as they are actual students, and I plan to use the photography studio backdrop for the background image. I could possibly use a football or rugby ball as a prop for the male to hold as it will make it more obvious what the main story is about. The female should be posing as if on a catwalk or doing a photo shoot as this links with the main story. The reason why I am creating the main image first is because it is going to be the largest thing on the front cover and therefore very important. Also it will be easier to base the text and smaller photos around this image as it will be the largest image on the page taking up a lot of the room. I am using the white background idea and the idea of two students, male and female, from the magazine ‘Secondary Teachers.’ However, I am using the idea of separate parts for males and females from a JD sports magazine/catalogue. I think my idea is unique and a good idea.

The full cover should use a colour scheme as it looks smart and most magazines do this.