The making of modern learning school magazine

AS level media studies

THE MAKING OF MODERN LEARNING SCHOOL MAGAZINE

STAGE 1 Analysis of published school magazine covers:

After analysis I found that many school magazines often that the covers were brightly coloured (Reds, Greens, blues and yellows). The images were are always of a student or school activities.

In order to interest pupils I needed to illustrate a common student in a way that didn’t appear dull or unrealistic.

Mastheads are large and inventive so that teachers may encourage creativity (though I believe it is mainly the parents and teachers that read the magazines anyway).

STAGE 2

Drafting

Despite a certain lack artistic ability my draft of a front cover was important to convey an understanding of codes and conventions as well as what I aimed to develop further on indesign.

Creating the masthead I decide to identify the magazine as modern learning as I felt that this was the most relevant masthead of my ideas. I felt that the majority of my readers would be interested in a modern approach to subjects that would refers to the technology commonly used by secondary students.

STAGE 3

What’s inside

Before creating the front cover on indesign I researched general codes and conventions on magazine contents pages. I found that images were almost always evident else the page would appear dull.

I decided to use four images on my contents draft as it distracted form the little I had to actually write about.

I found that variation in font sizes where important to emphasise the main aim of an article without forcing readers to read the unnecessary stuff.

To prevent the contents page form looking out of place or dissimilar to the contents of the magazine I used the same colours as where evident on the front cover.

STAGE 4

Pesky InDesign

After concluding the research and drafting we began transmitting our creations onto the InDesign. At the beginning I found that the process was difficult however after some time I found it to be a useful programme and managed to create my first digital copy.

Through the act of presenting my draft on the programme I found that I needed to make many alterations.

For example the cover lines fade into the background and the alternating colours gave it no clarity so people wouldn’t automatically assume that it was a school magazines front cover.

STAGE 5

Front and content completion

By changing many features of the first draft for my school magazine such as font size and colour as well as the background and layout I found that the cover was easier to distinguish as a school magazine.

Completion of the contents page took less time as the images were easier to insert and the text was clear as the background was plain so as not to distract from the main focus of the page. The text size needn't vary as the similar font sizes again enforced the purpose of the page while highlighting the certain topics and information.

ANALYSIS • If I was to repeat this assignment I would change many parts of my front cover however

make less to my contents page. On the front cover after having reviewed its presentation I realise that the barcode looks out of place and stands out. It would be better placed along the main cover line however I also feel the position of the cover line should be changed and emphasize in between other cover lines along the side. I would use subsidiary images and change the background of my main image. The text would be in the same font to distinguish the articles. I wouldn’t change the main image and I would keep the colours used for the masthead as I feel they are colours often used for other school magazines. I am pleased with the contents page but I would change the structure so that I could use less images.