COLLEGE MAGAZINE COVER&CONTENTS ANAYLSIS

Magazine 1


FRONT COVER

Language- The Masthead for the College Magazine is a dominant icon,placed right in the top center of the front cover , being bold, big font/text and with a colour scheme of red and white with black outline on the white text and an inner white outline on the red text saying ‘U.Magazine’. It also has  subtitle in similar font and same colour scheme but smaller, saying ‘The National College’ above the main title. It is a little difficult to read as the model on the picture covers some of the masthead/sub-title. The image for the magazine doesn’t feature a colour background, just a full photo with background of a older female in sports gear (Long Shot), this may give the audience an idea this article has features in about College sport. The colour scheme seems to be a consistency of white,red and black, but other subtitles on the magazine cover are in smaller but bold,light blue font. There is no thumbnails on the image, just one main image that draws the audience’s attention. There is no price or barcode, which may make it assumable that the magazine is free, or maybe on the back of the magazine. The main article/feature relates to the image as in the biggest subtitle on the magazine is ‘Exclusive Article with Ana de la Reguera’ who is the model on the cover. There are no competitions/ free gifts advertised on the cover which could make it more attractable since it’s a National Magazine. There is a lot of teasing contents on the front cover, explaining many of the features inside the magazine therefore making it appealing to the reader as to what awaits them inside the magazine.

Institution- The institution for the magazine is ‘U.Magazine’ with its slogan being ‘The National College’. It is not produced by college students, but a specialist college magazine publishing company.

Ideology- The ideology the magazine promotes first of all, a healthy image. The main image on the cover is a young woman who is in sports gear, and has a happy,relaxed expression on her face and seems very healthy. It may help give relevance to the fact students are young and active. With further research I found out that the female on the image is actually an actress, (as one of the subtitles told us she was Ana de la Rueguera) which also may attract people to read the magazine (almost like celebrity endorsement) and not think it is stereotypically ‘boring’ articles to do with college. Other subtitles showing us what features are in the magazine also show us about products and services, not just about ‘boring education articles’ and also relate to students with articles such us ‘What do your dreams mean?’ and ‘Are you Living?’ and ‘How to avoid the Freshman 15’.

Audience- The audience is male an female college students, and this college magazine is American so obviously aimed at all American students and as is national must be sent to be provided in many States. College teachers/professors may also read the magazine.

Representation- The magazine seems to represent that college students are young, active and healthy in relevance to the main image. The magazine’s main subtitles also seem to represent that they think students personal issues are just as important and relevant as college education itself. It seems to represent students in a positive light, but the magazine seems to keep sensible with a ‘cool, modern’ approach at the same time.

CONTENTS PAGE(S)

Language- In the top left hand corner there is a smaller version of the masthead from the magazine, the colour scheme is the same as explained before but the main white font has been changed to black due to the background of the double-page spread of contents page being a bright white shade. It also now has a below sub-title of ‘Fall 2010’. This now shows the magazine issues are produced seasonally. The most dominant title on the page in a grey, ‘Comic Sans’ style font is ‘in this issue’ making it clear this is the contents page. The subtitles for the articles and their page numbers are bold and in black, but a lot smaller to read, as are the descriptions of the articles underneath them,which are still black but not bold and in normal font. This could prove difficult for someone who has poor sight. There are many thumbnail images which are bright and in full colour but are jumbled up on both pages, so reader may not know which image relates to which article in cases. Along the bottom of the page is the page numbers, but also the website address, and the title of the magazine and the season and year it was published in. This is repeated on both pages.

Institution- The company who produces the magazine is ‘U.Magazine’.

Audience- Aimed at American college students, but may be also read by College teachers/professors.

Representation- The magazine contents is layed out clear and neatly even the though the font is rather small, but the magazine manages to keep a basic yet modern, edge to the magazine making it appealing to ‘younger audience’. It is presented in a positive light to students.

MAGAZINE 2


FRONT COVER






Language- Firstly, the masthead for the magazine is right at the top of the page and takes the length of the page up with its masthead size. The masthead is a bold block font in bright red colouring, and stands out really well. The main image has no background and takes up the whole page, it is a female model (likely to be a college student) in 'typical' american college gear. It is also nearly full figure so is a long-shot style photograph. The issue,date and edition subtitles underneath the masthead are quite small (could be difficult to read if got difficulty with eyesight) and nearly blend in with the background (although some are of the colour font are white some is green which blends in practically with the greenery in the photograph background) which is a negative side, although explains the edition is 'College Park Edition', the issue is number 7 and is 'Fall 2009' so this tells us the magazine must be published seasonally. The barcode and price are together at the bottom in the left-hand corner. It is clear and the price is highlighted in blue with black font on the side. It says PRICE FREE, so tt shows the consumer the magazine is free of charge. The subtitles of the magazine cover are in bold but smaller sized dark blue/indigo shade and make it stand out on the picture clear to read. Underneath them are teasers explaining the articles in the magazine vaguely in a black even smaller (sometimes italic) font which helps in contrast to the sub-titles. The main image relates to the sub-title nearest the model, obviously giving the image that the person mentioned in the subtitle is about her. There are no free gifts or competetions advertised on the front cover either, just teasers in the subtitles.

Institution- The magazine company is 'COLLEGE', and is produced by a magazine publishing company, not from college students theirselves.

Ideology- The image shown helps the magazine promote 'a fresh young student' kind of image. The model's expression shows her smiling and looking happy. This may give relevance to the stereotypical view on students being 'young,free healthy' type view. With further research I found the model on the cover was actually a young Olympic gold medallist, this may get other consumers interested if they're interested in sport, olympics or that particular gold-medallist herself. Reading the subtitles seemed to cover more of a 'gossip' side to college, not as much educational type articles, with titles on such teasers as 'SHE'S 15 AND PREGNANT' and 'SMOKING SALVIA', a little Tabloid newspaper style to the college magazine.

Audience- The audience is male an female college students, and this college magazine is American so obviously aimed at all American students and as is national must be sent to be provided in many States. College teachers/professors may also read the magazine.

Representation- The magazine seems to promote happiness and young and free in relevance to the main image of the magazine. Due to its teasers on the sub-titles the magazine seems to want to bring 'cool,hip' style to the magazine's contents and seems to focus more on the social-life in college-life and goes off the education topic of college-life. It doesn't exactly say positive things about students as the teasers seem to be about fairly negative issues which are 'gossip' at the same time, but only fairly negative but not all bad, but doesn't help the stereotype of a 'wild young' student.

MAGAZINE 3

FRONT COVER


Language-The masthead for this East Riding College magazine stands out and is very bold and clear. Along with the colour scheme, black and white, it is clear and understandable to read. The logo for the college in white is in the bottom right-hand corner and fairly big so easy to understand the college it is catering for. The background of the magazine is black, which makes the white font & college logo stand out well on the magazine cover. It also clearly shows the price (Free) and date (seasonal- Spring 2010) near the masthead so as soon as you read the title no doubt you will likely notice the date and price information next. However the main image (bordered with a white outline) is not an MCU shot and the models in the picture are not very noticable, also they have their backs facing the camera. The teasers and other magazine information such as subtitles are boringly listed in a small-ish font in the left hand corner and don't really stand out as much as they could. The main image doesn't seem to give you a clear link to any of the articles in the magazine. Overall even though the black and white colour scheme helps the font and information stand out its too simple and quite boring, which could result in the consumer not even being that interested to read further on into the magazine contents.

Institution- Students that have created a magazine for their college, East Riding College.

Ideology- It proves difficult to try and see what image East Riding College are trying to promote their students as, as the main image is not of an MCU Shot and is fairly hard to notice the models in the picture, who also have their backs facing the camera, so is hard to suggest the expression the students are trying to promote in their photography. Also focusing on the photograph the setting and lighting also looks rather gloomy, which almost gives a dull impression to the college. The teaser article quotes at the bottom of the cover seem to be okay, covering things such as Art Exhibtion to Anti-Bullying , so the magazine seems to cover a good selection of issues. However the cover itself doesn't make the magazine that appealing considering its articles could be good if you read on, but the look of the magazine could already bore the consumer, meaning less people would give a chance to read the magazine itself.

Audience- The audience will be East Riding College students, maybe the students families and also the East Riding College staff/professors.

Representation- Considering the articles inside the magazine don't sound that bad, the colour scheme and the imagery for East Riding College seem to put a 'gloomy,dull' front on the magazine, which lets it down a lot. An unclear photograph of the students with their backs to the camera also almost gives a 'negative look' to the students image at East Riding, the magazine doesn't really seem to put in the effort to try to 'lure you in' to read the rest of the magazine's contents.


CONTENTS PAGE

 

 Language - The black and white colour scheme continues on into the magazine. A black border outlines the page making it formal and neat, and the title/masthead is black and bold saying 'Contents Page' making it clear and easy to read for all. To the left of the page is the contents information, smaller font but still black and bold, fairly easy to read, with clear numbers to page directions making it simple and easy. This is all on top of a bright lime green back ground making it stand out, and also giving a splash of colour to the page,unlike the Front Cover itself. There are several thumbnail images, but none note any information on which articles they are relevant to. They are also bordered by black outlines,making it a little too much border for one page. However everything stands out and easy to read, but the house style still stays fairly simple and 'boring'.

Institution-Students that have created a magazine for their college, East Riding College.

Ideology - There are more images on this page that show students in a positive light, and also got happy expressions on their faces, promoting the fact East Riding seems to be an enjoyable atmosphere to be in, helping promote the college's reputation. The photographer has also seemed to take into consideration taking photographs of a student who has a certificate (possibly a diploma etc. which is a good point as the aim of going to college is to get your A-Levels, diploma etc.) also photographs of students artwork, and also pictures of what seems to be college trips which may intrigue the reader on what other activities the college has to offer. Overall the contents page makes the college look a better place to be than how it is portrayed on the front cover.

Audience-The audience will be East Riding College students, maybe the students families and also the East Riding College staff/professors.

Representation - In conclusion to the actual Front cover of the magazine the contents page of the college magazine seems to give a better outlook to it. The students are portrayed less negative and more happy and promoting academic skills, and look like they're in an enjoyable environment and it also looks like the college has more to offer. The front cover should have more thumbnail images on the cover as the contents page is already more interesting with them on and it could be hard as some consumers will not look past the front cover to see the magazine has more potential on the inside. The colour scheme, even though they have stuck to it is still dull and boring only with a hint of colour and could be better and more appealing to such a type of audience.