Evaluation

Evaluation.

My audience for Aspire could have been one of two; The more sociable students or the more academic. The more sociable and party-loving audience would want articles, images and cover lines based on outside activities such as the Wyke Halloween party. The more academic students would like things such as enrichment course information and possibly tips on how to write essays. So, to decide, I did a survey. The results were close and therefore I couldn’t risk only targeting one audience. If the magazine was to be real and distributed, only half or so would find it interesting. Therefore, I tried to create a balance. The main cover line is ‘All work and no play?” which is to advertise fun things within the college and the first cover line is the Wyke Halloween party. Then, there are the cover lines for organisation and information about NUS extra. Two cover lines for each audience to create the balance.
The main image is a happy student with a folder. I picked the model to be smiling, not just to make the magazine not seem depressing, but to show that Wyke is a happy, great and enjoyable place to be. The folder is important because it makes the student appear academic, intelligent and organised. Something that makes the college look good too. My model is wearing a black hoodie (although the hood is not visible) which most people associate with ‘ASBO teens’ and troublemakers. I wanted to show that my model is successful, bright and happy and that just because she is wearing a hoodie doesn’t mean she makes trouble. Plus, the casual dress represents teen.
My magazine isn’t so different from the ones I researched. Ridgewater magazine and College are two very different magazines, but I think I’ve managed to find an equilibrium between both. I found both had the normal ingredients: top-left masthead, plenty of cover lines, one main cover line and a smiling student on the front. I used these ingredients in my magazine.
I, personally, think I used my time wisely. I took my photos a week before the due date giving me plenty of time to create the magazine. Before that, I did a plan, and IT draft, a survey and a spider diagram. The survey enabled me to see what people wanted in the magazine. The drafts made it quicker for me to create the magazine because I didn’t have to spend ages choosing what it was going to look like when I was manipulating the photo. The only thing I would have changed is the font of the title. I didn’t have much time to choose, and I don’t particularly like it. I chose that one because it appears modern which is definitely what I wanted my magazine to be. Once the magazine was done, I had a whole day to do the evaluation and upload my images to Blogger. However, I would have preferred to have more time to write this evaluation, so it is something I will remember when creating my Music magazine – finish the magazine even earlier.
In all, I’m rather proud of my magazine. It has all of the ingredients of a magazine, and it even looks like one. I think my time management was good too; especially since I spent many hours at home in bed from flu.

Other unused Photos

The rest of the photographs that didn't make it.

Finished Magazine

My finished College Magazine.

Contents page.

Basic Spider Diagram

This is my plan, thoughts and decision making.

Draft

My hand drawn draft.

My survey.

IT Draft

First IT Draft.

Mood Board

My mood board. The main things are stationary because my magazine is based on the more academic side of college. However, I also think that I should include social activities which are taking place, to appeal to everyone.

More research into Magazines

The magazine has the normal ingredients of a magazine; a masthead, main image, date, issue number and sub-headings.

The main image is of a pretty girl smiling, in a pair of shorts and sports t-shirt. Something that will appeal to male audiences. The medium shot is focused on the girl. The background is blurred to make her stand out further. She is smiling and happy, she's obviously a student, so college must be a great place?

The red of the masthead and the girls top stand out in red; possibly intended to be the first thing you notice.

The sub-headings are short, snappy and they try to sound interesting, with a less bold, short description at the bottom.

The magazine is not purely focused on the college, but the social activities outside of it.

The audience that this magazine will attract are the more sociable students. It is represnting the college students who like to socialize out of college and have fun, unlike the Ridgewater Magazine which represents hard-working, less sociable students.

Research into Magazines

This college Magazine has the ingredients of a cover design.

The masthead is clearly visible and stands out. It's placed at the top of the magazine. It has become a convention that the title is placed at the top. Plus. if the magazine is stacked anywhere, the title will usually be visible because of where it is located.

The main image is a single image, which draws in your attention. The image is focused on the face of the female, which is happy. Her pose is relaxed and worry-free. This gives the reader the feeling that the college is welcoming and a happy place to be. The girl is also in a room with a globe and a comfy looking chairs which could give the impression that she is actually in the college.

The model credit in this magazine says, 'Ridgewater Student (and Myanmar native)' is a great way to say that everyone is welcome.

The main cover title stands out. They've used shadowed white text on a fairly dull background to give maximum standout.

There is no barcode or selling line which could mean that the magazine is free.

This is Assumption magazine. This magazine not like the others, but some ingredients are the same.

The masthead is at the top, just like with Ridgewater College and most other magazines.

It's simple; the main image isn't of a person but of a lamp and cross which adds emphasis to the main cover line. 'Catholic' and 'tradition' are shown in the image with the cross and lamp with have a hint of nostalgia.

However, the magazine still looks modern. The thin font and few colours are very up-to-date.

This is the same with other Assumption magazines.