Here is my research for the preliminary task:
"Using DTP and an image manipulation programme, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the programme.
An example of a better front cover:
This school magazine has many of the features of more mainstream magazines; a big title, front page model, article titles, and the date of the issue. The style of the masthead is big and bubbly, suggesting that the magazine is fun and bubbly in comparison to normal school life, thus enciting people to pick up and read the magazine. The word 'Fly' relates to both freedom and the use of the word to mean something cool, this relates to the reader as they want to be free from school. It would have been more effective if it had been shown against a plain background instead of over the picture.
The articles featured on the front cover give the readers a hint as to what is inside the magazine. However, the lack of consistency in the placing, font, size, and colour of the titles make the magazine look amateur. However, the actual content of said titles is good in relation to the genre of magazine, and the use of the competition helps to draw in potential readers, whilst keeping to the school theme.
The fact that the magazine is free encourages readers to pick it up, promoting intersent in the magazine. The bubble in which the 'free' is located makes the writing stand out, making it obvious that it is free.
The picture used is simple but effective, drawing attention to the writing rather than the picture itself. The medium close-up of the girl standing smiling outside of the school building labels the school as a happy place.
An example of a poor front page:
This magazine does not look at all professional. The masthead looks as if it has been taken straight from 'wordart' and is difficult to see as it is small and squashed at the top of the page. The caption 'Britain's Best Selling School Magazine' is barely visable, the article titles, also small, are just as difficut to read and don't draw attention to the cover. They are not in an organised layout either, thus it makes the cover look unproffesional and messy.
The salmon colour scheme for the shapes on the page (lines at the top and bottom and a circle in the top corner) reduces the target audience to girls, as not many boys will be likely to pick up a pink magazine, especially when in school. It is also dull and doesn't draw any attention to the magazine.
The picture is boring and dark in colour, making the magazine look dull and pushing away potential readers.
It would have been better to have the free gift title in the bubble, rather than the chosen article, as it would have drawn in more potential readers.
It makes no sense to have a barcode in the bottom right hand corner as there is no price visable, making the barcode irrelevant. It is also far too big and it is clear that the picture of the baarcode has been dragged out to make it big enough to fit in the bottom border.
Contents pages:
An example of a better contents page:
The colour scheme of the contents page, purple, is neutral. Thus both genders are likely to read on. The other colours, white and black, complement the purple, working in harmony rather than clashing.
The enlarged numbers make it clear to see which page each article is on. The placing of said numbers also makes it easy to find each article.
The strip across the lower page, 'Top story' makes it clear that this article is more important than the rest, making it stand out above the others. It is also the last article listed, so is the last thing the reader will see, making it more likely that the will turn to that story.
The pictures are modest and fit with the genre. They illustrate the titles, giving the reader an insight into the article content. The girl stood in front of the brick wall is a very effective picture, as she could be anywhere, not just in school, and the repetition of the bricks means that the reader's attention is drawn more to the girl. The other picture shows two people in suits stood by a railing. They look smart and proffesional, thus the reader is more likely to agree and believe what they have to say. All the people in the pictures are smiling, making them seem friendly, the reader will feel more at ease and thus is more likely to read on.
The article title on the top picture stands out the most. This is beacause of the bold white writing on the coloured background, which captures the reader's attention.
The extended description of the top story supports the idea that the article is important, encouraging the audience to read on.
The contents page title is simple but effective. It doesn't draw attention to the title but to the rest of the page.
An example of a poor contents page:
The background is plain and boring, showing that the creator hasn't put much effort into the making of it, and it doesn't look proffesional. It is pink, a feminine colour, which wouldn't be appealing to a male audience, thus the magazine will have lost half of its potential readers, were it for a mixed school. If it were for an all girls school, however, the colour may well be appropriate, however, it is not clear what sort of school it is for.
The underlining of each title looks messy and amateurish. The writer should have left it big and bold, as the underlining is not needed.
The black font on the pink background works quite well, as the writing is visible and the colours complement each other.
The title is simple and boring, it doesn't stand out or differ from the rest of the writing on the page.
The font is quite harsh and unwelcoming, pushing away readers.
The messiness of the page makes it look substandard. The page numbers should have been lined up on the other side of the page. Not linked to each title with a hyphon. This makes it unclear where each article is, and forces the audience to read the entire thing in order to find out where it is. Also the use of the word page makes it look unproffesional.
