School Magazine Evaluation

The style of my school magazine was similar to the style of one magazine I studied. ‘Top Terrace’ magazine had the same front cover set up and overall look as my magazine cover. However, the rest of the magazines I studied had one base image spread across the whole page, something I did not do. I took inspiration from the ‘Bishopbriggs Academy’ magazine when making the title for my front cover and contents page. I made it clear and easy to read against a totally opposite background just like the formally mentioned magazine. I also took inspiration from this magazine when deciding on the single and simple background colour scheme.

Making this school magazine front cover and contents I learned a lot about Photoshop and how to use it efficiently and effectively. I learned how to use the layer system effectively and many of the tools I otherwise wouldn’t of been able to use, I now can use with ease. I was able to cross-design and crop and edit images and texts to make a decent and professional looking magazine front cover and contents. I also learnt a lot about how to take medium close up shots. The shot needs to be taken just above the nipple to truly capture a medium close up shot of someone.

School Magazine Analysis

Bishop Briggs Academy

Front cover: Positives.

• One positive about this magazine cover is that the title is clear and easy to read. It displays the information you want to know and is eye catching and highlights that it is the ‘Bishopbriggs Academy’ magazine.
• Another positive is that the badge/logo is clearly displayed. As well as the title this clearly shows which school this magazine is representing. The logo is clear and not pushed into a small space.
• A final positive is that this cover has a clear layout. It is not over crowded with photos or colourful text. It is simple and there isn’t much going on in it.

Front cover: Negatives.

• One negative about this front cover is that it is extremely basic. This means that is isn’t particularly eye-catching aside from perhaps the colourful title. This means that this magazine may not catch peoples eye and therefore isn’t a particularly powerful front cover.
• Another negative is that the pictures used on it aren’t very clear. They are blurry and unclear making the cover less attractive.
• A final negative is that this front cover contains to much empty space. The editor hasn’t used the space provided efficiently therefore making the magazine cover not as good as one where the space is put to good use.

Contents: Positives.

• One positive about this contents page is that it is very clear and not to packed. Only the necessary information is displayed.
• Another positive is that it is easy to find the particular page you are looking for because of the clarity of the layout.
• A final positive about this contents page is that it is not over crowded with photos. It is kept simple to avoid confusion and maximise its use to its readers.

Contents: Negatives.

• One negative about this contents page is the lack of colour. This page doesn’t stand out or interest the reader.
• Another negative is the style of the font that is used. It is unclear and doesn’t seem like the best font to use in a magazine aimed at school children.

‘Evolve’ George Stephenson High School Magazine

Front cover: Positives.

• One positive is the very clear eye catching title. This tells you what the magazine is called straight away. This title is done in a ‘down with the kids’ sort of style.
• Another positive is the artistic collage made out of pictures relating in some way to the school and its activities. This is centred in the picture and very eye-catching. This style also tells us a lot about the school.
• A final positive is that the magazine cover had very little information on it. It is not over crowded and only tells you the basics of what you need to know. The writing is well displayed and easy to read.

Front cover: Negatives.

• One negative could be the collage in the middle. Although it is indeed artistic it almost looks scrappy and untied as if it was fashioned by a student and might not be particularly pleasing to the eye.
• Another negative is that you can not tell what this magazine contains by simply looking at the cover. IT displays no information about the actual contents of the magazine.
• A final negative is the background image. It is a sky that had been photo shopped in a way that makes it look gloomy and unattractive to the reader.

‘Top Terrace’ Mill hill School, Belmont School and Grimsdell School Magazine.

Front cover: Positives.

• One positive is that this front cover is very colourful and eye-catching meaning there could be more potential readers.
• Another positive is that the text is clear and doesn’t blend in with the background.
• A final positive is the clarity of the images. They are crystal clear and show a glimpse into what the magazine entails and who it represents.

Front cover: Negatives.

• One negative is that there could be some confusion over the title. Although the text proclaiming ‘Top Terrace’ is bigger than the text proclaiming ‘Record Year’ the difference is marginal which is where the confusion could occur.
• Another negative is the way the schools are represented through images. The images show nothing of any of the schools just two individual students. This means that two students would represent three schools, not exactly fair representation.
• A final negative is the amount of text displayed on the right hand side. It is a lot to put on a front cover and is almost like reading an article itself. This may not be what the reader is looking for.

Front Cover And Contents Page For School Magazine.