Evaluation of Front Cover!

Evaluation

My task was to produce the front page of a new college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium-close up range plus some appropriately laid out text and a masthead. Also I had to create a mock-up draft of the contents page. After researching other college magazines I was able to use them conventions in producing my front cover of a college magazine. I think I have produced a simple but effective college magazine cover.

The audience my magazine was aimed at was Wyke College students and I believe my front cover appeals to this audience. Students would be interested in reading my college magazine for information on all aspects college life from UCAS points to sports results. People planning to enrol at the college in the future could also read it, to get an insight into what’s going on in the college. I’d say the front cover is aimed at students interested in sports initially, but when they read on it appeals to a wide range of people and their interests.

I believe my front cover meets the conventions of a college magazine in many ways. The masthead is eye-catching and specific to the college which is required in a masthead for a college magazine. I used the font Eras Light ICT for my masthead and sub-text as I think it’s a clear font and makes the cover look sleek. I chose the name ‘wykeside’ as I think it’s a sophisticated name and it represents the ins and outs of the college from a student point of view. I matched the magazine conventions in my research to my final design with the digital image covering the masthead slightly. I used a turquoise background for my cover because it symbolises happiness and relaxation which gives off a positive image on college life. For my digital image I used a medium shot of the second team football captain as I think he is a good role model for other students. I linked the image with a caption ‘seconds skipper speak soccer’ so the readers know what to expect when they read the magazine. I also added an outer glow effect and made the font purple to the sun-heading to make it different from the sub-text to show it’s the main discussion within the magazine.

The institution of the magazine cover was I as I constructed all of it. I also carried out the research of existing magazines so I could relate my work to those conventions. I think it also helped that I am already a student so I know what students want in a college magazine and I could adapt to these requirements.

I think my cover gives off a positive image on college life as it’s vibrant and quirky. The model on the cover is smiling slightly which represents humour and happiness which is a great aspect of being a Wyke college student.

I believe I could have improved my magazine cover by taking more digital images with a natural background on them, so they could show off some off the college a bit more. I also think I could have been a bit more creative in my production as it is quite a simple layout. All in all I believe my work has been a success as I planned well ahead of the deadline, giving me time to produce the cover.