Preliminary Coursework: School Magazine

Preliminary Coursework: School Magazine

Names for magazine

Goffs Weekly

Goffs Chat

Goffs Goings-on

GW

Although I like all of the above titles, I eventually chose ‘Goffs Weekly’ because it is memorable and shows my target audience-students-that they will receive weekly updates of school events rather than the less frequent ones that they currently get.

Main story

Newly chosen Head Boy and Girl

New Headteacher

New Uniform

Record-breaking Results

I chose to use the story of a new Head Boy and Girl because it is both a current event and something that the students are directly involved in as they’ll have been  the ones to chose who they wanted, so it will be interesting to them.

Option One

Option One

Although I like this front page, I wont be using it as there is quite a lot going on, which may lead to some readers not wanting to read and/or buy the magazine.

Also, I think that the style of writing that I have used is uninteresting for the audience that my magazine is aimed, as I believe it may be a style found on an older persons magazine.

I won't be using this contents page either. First of all the type of text I have used for the word 'Contents' is too small and plain considering it is the title of a page, whilst the page headings are too big.

In addition, there isn't anything else on the page apart from the writing and the lone image of the school logo, which I think is too big.

Option Two

Option Two

Because the title has been abbreviated, meaning that the afore mentioned ‘weekly’ aspect will not be clear, I have decided that I am not going to have this idea as my front cover. In addition, the name is in the bottom righthand corner, which means it won't catch the eye of the target audience. 

Also, the main feature is one that won’t directly involve all years as it is only about students who have just completed their GCSEs or A Levels. 

This contents page is my least favourite. It only includes one image-the school logo. Because of this, there will be a lot of writing, something that I believe will deter the students from reading and/or buying the magazine as they won’t want to sit and read it all.

Option Three

Option Three

These two images are my favourites out of the six, and are the ones that I will use for my cover and contents pages.


I like the front cover because it clearly states many aspects of the magazine, such as the price, what it is called etc.
In addition, the afore mentioned name of the magazine is clearly stated at the top of the cover, meaning that it will catch the attention of the target audience.



























I also like the contents page as it breaks away from the conventional style of having more writing on a single background picture to one with pictures to show what the pages are going to be about-instead of numbers-with a coloured background.

Option Three-Chosen

Option Three-Chosen

This is my front cover, and even though I am pleased with it, there are improvements that can be made. For example, there is a lot of white space around the image of the 'Head Boy and Girl' and the text as its quite boring because of both the colour and style. In order to make these improvements, I would ensure that the people in the foreground were in front of a coloured background that would cover up the entire page, and change the text to a more eyecatching one (such as bigger and bolder). Another change would be what the boy is wearing. Whilst it is nice because it's a natural shot of the two of them, he isn't wearing what would be seen as the 'correct attire' for a Head Boy-a suit. So, when/if the picture is taken again, I would have him in a suit jacket in order to make him appear as formally dressed as her, as well as both of them wearing badges as yet another indicator of who they are.

Although there are some good things about this contents page, there are changes that I would make. For example, the background once again, as it isn't eyecatching, something essential if someone is buying it!

Another would be the title of the page. Conventionally they are placed in the centre of a page just like mine is, but if given a second chance I would place it somewhere else, or completely remove it as people would know what page it is as its following a front cover.
I would also change the calender image to a more colourful one as I think that it doesnt match the rest of the pictures on the page.

Born on September 4th 1981, in Houston (Texas), Beyoncé Giselle Knowles has become one of the worlds best selling artists of all time, both as the lead singer in Destiny's Child and as a solo artist. Aswell as an American R&B and pop recording artist, Knowles is a fashion model and actress, starring in well known films such as Dreamgirls (2006), Pink Panther (2006) and Carmen (2001). Her career first began during her childhood, after enrolling in numerous performing arts schools and performing in various singing and dancing competitions.

Then, in the late 1990s, along with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, Destiny Child was formed, one of the most infamous and successful girl groups of all time.

She is currently in West Side America working on her 3rd studio, due to be released later this year.

Born on February 20 1988, Barbadian-American Pop/R&B singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty has achieved worldwide success, not only as a singer and songwriter, but as a model, dancer, actress (as herself in ‘Bring It On: All Or Nothing), recording artist-to name a few! 

Raised in Saint Michael (Barbados), at the age of sixteen she moved to the States in order to pursue a recording career,supervised by record producer Evan Rogers, but after auditioning for the label head at that time (Jay-Z), she later signed a contract with Def Jam Recordings.

Born on January 12th 1991, in Bromley (London), Victoria Louise Lott has now become a household name in the United Kingdom, often credited for her live performances and fashion sense. In addition to being English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress-starring in ‘Fred: The Movie (2010)-she has recently appeared on ‘The X Factor’ as guest judge in order to cover for a pregnant Dannii Minogue.

Although she has only been famous for a year-thanks to her debut single Her ‘Mama Do (June 2009) going straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart, she has already achieved a double platinum award for her debut album ‘Turn It Up (September 2009).

She is now preparing for her 'Crazy Cats Tour', due to commence on November 24th.