Research and Planning: Magazine analyses

College magazine analyses:

This college magazine is created for a target audience of young adults, ages 16 - 21. You can tell this as first of all, the title of the cover page is "STUDENT" and the age range 16 - 21 falls within a students age. The model on the cover is a young adult therefore a younger audience will see this and instantly think the magazine and it's contents can relate to them, whereas an older adult, 56 for example will see the young model and will not show much interest as they will feel it won't relate to them. As well as the model, the information on the cover, such as "Guide to music" and "Top 10 ways to help you revise", is information which only relates to a younger audience as an older adult wont need to revise or figure out about what music they should listen to.





(GAP)
I like this cover page and there are a few features on the page which I would like to use on my magazine. How the model is in-front of some text and behind others is a feature I like very much as it adds a 3D variation and it means text can be placed over and around the model instead of the model dominating the cover with text hiding away. Adding such features as issue number, price and bar code adds authenticity and a professional feel which I would like to portray in my magazine. I would also like to use a dominating title like the one in this cover page as the title is the eye catcher and tells the audience what the magazine is going to be about therefore it needs to be big and bold.

(GAP)
There are also features which I would like to copy for my contents page. The numbers and titles of the pages are easy to see so the reader will find it easy to navigate the magazine. Many pictures of college activities and young models re-assures them the contents of the magazine relates to them. Pictures also look visually pleasing and add a variation from lots of text.
(GAP)




Initial ideas for my magazine:
I plan to use one of my friends to pose for the cover picture. As he is a fellow student, this will add to the theme of a college magazine and portray a 16 - 21 target audience. The title of the magazine will be something on the lines of, "Clarendon Way". This title highlights the fact that the magazine is for Hyde Clarendon college and it's students. I intend to add bright colours and a dull background colour which allows the bright text to stand and pop out.




(GAP)
Stories I would like to include:
Stories about enrichment activities as it is the start of college and students would like to know when certain teams are having trials (maybe include a fake advertisement). I can talk about popular student items such as IPhones or games consoles which will interest students (such as the one above which talks about music).