Photos From School

School Moodboard

What I Have Done So Far In Media

Having recently started Media Studies I have never had any experience in what I was learning. In my lessons so far I think I have been covering a lot of ground and making successful progress. 

I have learnt key terms used for Media, such as Mastehead, Coverlines, Plugs ect. having leanrt all of these key terms I have also learnt and retained for to apply them to my work effectively, and learning the best ways to notice them when analysing covers, contents pages and double paged spreads. So far I have applied them to two pieces of work which is when I had to analyse a fashion magazine, ‘Harpers Bazaar’ and two school/college magazines, ‘Focus’ and ‘College’. Having used them in my work i know how to best annotate them and use them to target my chosen audience for my blog.

Another thing I have recently learnt is how to do a mood board, which is what we are covering in order for us to be able to make one for our own school magazines. To make my mood board more interesting to my readers I went around school and took photos of what I believed would fit in well with my magazine cover so I could get an idea of how to develop it further.

Front Cover Comparison Of 'Focus' And 'College'

The two school magazines I analysed was ‘Focus’ and ‘College’. Although both magazines cover the same genre there context is completely different as each one is specific to the individual school.

On both covers the masthead is spread across the whole of the top half of the page, this is a very effective way of catching your readers attention as when it is stacked behind other magazines and books you are able to see its name at the top of the page. The masthead is very effective for the schools magazine ‘Focus’, this is because it is not often that a masthead could cover the that space without looking squashed or disproportionate. Unlike ‘College’ magazine which has managed to fit the forward in the whole space however the lettering does looked squashed and different sizes, this is because the word is longer and the font the school have used it larger and bold however the function is still effective.

Both ‘Focus’ and ‘College’ use teenage female models to sell heir magazines however in ‘Focus’ the models mode of address is straight at the camera and its audience unlike’Colleges’ model who is looking down at the camera. Both photos are effective in different ways. ’Focus’ magazine have used a medium shot of there model, the girl is smiling and has a fresh faced hair scraped back look of a student who is enthusiastic about their work and the school. She is clutching onto her stripy folder and in the background we can see the lit up school corridor, this all emphasises her interest to learn and succeed. On the other hand the ‘College’ magazine have used a girl who comes across as an older girl. Because of the way the image has been shot it seems like she is coming out of the page. Unlike the other magazine ‘College’ is set in what is perceived as a bar as she is playing pool. However we know that this model has been cut out of her original background and replaced with a pale blue colour which matches the material of the pool table she is playing, this could be because that is the colour of the colleges uniform or logo. The model on colleges mode of address is facing down at the table as she is looking down her pool stick, this creates a more interesting photo and makes you as the reader feel like you are playing pool with her taking your shot. Both magazine central images involve the consumer as you are made to think they are directing there line of view onto you which makes it more personal and intimate.

On the other hand although both magazines have a lot of similarities they also have many differences. With the masthead in the same place on both covers, on ‘Focus’ the title is in front of their model whereas in ‘College’ the masthead is behind the model. You often see this effect on big branded magazine companies like ‘Vogue’ ‘ELLE’ and ‘Harpers Bazaar’.

On both magazines there are cover lines. Both use the correct amount of information and a good title to try and entice the reader into opening it up. Focuses most effective cover line is “Meet our new head girl” this is because as a human we are all naturally nosey therefore what would know one not like then to know more details and the inside story of their head girl? Colleges most effective cover line is “Freshers party : Don’t miss out out on the college freshers party” this is once again down to the readers interest in looking at photos and probably funny photos of the comers. The small amount of detail that we are given is just the right amount to keep us intrigued but not giving away too much detail to keep us interested and wanting more. If either magazine said too much in their cover lines we would feel like we didn't need to purchase the magazine as we already knew all about it from the front cover. Although both magazines follow the ‘Three colour Principle’ the colours chosen are very simplistic and dull and mainstream. ‘Focus’ used light blue, dark blue and white which are not colours yoyo would associate with vibrance and fun and ‘College’ use only two colours, black and blue which is extremely boring and does not suit the audience they are targeting, this is definitely something that lets down both magazines.

Barcodes and prices are located at the bottom of both magazines, this makes the magazine seem more official and purposeful. However ‘College’ costs £2.99 when ‘Focus’ only costs £1.50. For magazines that are of the same quality, have roughly the same amount of content (with different information) and are for the same genre the price difference is unnecessary. If the targeted group of people are for people who will probably not be working £2.99 is a lot to pay for your school magazine whereas pricing your magazine at £1.50 is far more realistic and shows an understanding of your market. 

School Magazine Analysis

Fashion Magazine Analysis

HARPERS BAZAAR

About the front cover : - 

Title - Harpers Bazaar                                                         Price - £4.20

Frequency of the magazine - Weekly/Monthly

Typography used - Harpers Bazaar are using the font H&FJ Didot. The type is large, bold and elegant.

Freebies - Nothing  

Target audience - 30 - 40 year old women of a big class who are smart and well established with a fashion conscious mind.

How does the cover appeal to its target audience - By using Jennifer Lawrence, the magazine who insist upon being a bible for elegant sophisticated women show a beautiful woman in Chanel attire posing gracefully in her head shot. Many women aspire to be like this woman therefore women as well as her fans will want to purchase the magazine.

Pictures - There is one main central image which dominates the whole cover.

Front cover design - An elegant headshot of Jennifer Lawrence subjugates the front page. The image has been placed at the back whilst the Masthead, graphic features and cover lines which are all in white have been placed a top the picture.

What are their 'sell lines' - Jennifer Lawrence exclusive

                                        - The art of fashion 

                                        - Carine Roitfield's modern Romeo & Juliet

Connotations of images and words - The image connotes many different feelings and ideas, the 

close-up headshot reveals a sense of intimacy between herself and the reader, giving the viewer a chance to look into her private confidential life, exhibiting her secrets, passions and tales through an interview that you and other Bazaar readers have an exclusive possession over.

The image is very strong, using dark colours to show power and sexuality through her makeup. The seductive rouge purple lip has this beautiful contrast with her bold smokey eyes, which perceive a sexy, sultry look that brings out the cool blues of her eyes, which are fixated and unwavering as she looks down slightly upon you, putting herself in her desired place in the heirachy, allowing you to appreciate her strength, that you recognise in her because as a woman you are strong aswell.

Lawrences posture upon her hand exposes her feminine delicacy of sensitivity and passion, however can also unveil that she can support and protect herself and stand her ground, not changing herself because of someones opinion but following what she thinks is best and being the person she is wen she is happiest.

The cold cool wash of blue in the background has this sense of power but also has a calming affect linking to the human traits of emotion but also to uncover the 'art of fashion' portraying that only Harpers Bazaar viewers have the eyes for art that other people can't see. The cool wash reveals Jennifer Lawrence as a stylish, powerful leading lady.

Inside the front cover : -

Editorial style and tone - The magazine uses a sophisticated and elegant style and tone to accommodate for its upper-middle and upper class members, Bazaar congregates photographers, artists, designers and writers to deliver a cosmopolitan perspective into the world of beauty and fashion, because as a magazine it considers itself to be 'the style resource for women who are the first to buy the best from casual to couture.

Harpers Bazaar aim to be meritocratic in terms of who they will feature in their magazine in order to attract the best customers.

Range of topics covered - Beauty

                                        - Fashion

                                        - Interior

                                        - Travel

                                        - Art

                                        - Film

                                        - Regulars e.g. Horoscopes

Content - Editors letter // Contributors // 10 things we love : fashion hits // Style : Thinking fashion - Between the lines : Stitch perfect : Our moodboard : Bags of talent - Cruz sisters interview : Rise up : My life my style - Polly Morgan interview // Accessories : Beauty to go // Shop Bazaar : Dress code // Inspiration // Directory // Talking points : Basquiat forever : Art&Design : Books : Film - The contender (Daniel Radcliffe) : Architecture : My cultural life - Elizabeth Gilbert interview // Horoscopes // Exclussive subscription offer // Fashion : Romeo&Juliet // The art of fashion : Playing the game - Jennifer Lawrence interview : The golden age : A Russian romance : The new poise : Costume drama : Ralph Lauren (interview) // Beauty Bazaar : The sculpture : The sketchers tools : The eye palette : The painters brush : Something in the air : Dark arts : Waters of life // Bazaar home : A place to dream : Wonderland // Bazaar escape : Picture this :Art in residence : Travel notebook // FLASH : Power dressing : Frames of attraction // Stockist // Advertisement feature // Inspiration.

Adverts within the magazine - Yes

The depth of the articles - In-depth

The level of vocabulary - Very High