Evaluating school magazine- "Evolve"

“Evolve” Front Cover


I have researched a student magazine from George Stephenson High School which I was able to find on the internet via Google.

Forms and conventions
The front cover of the magazine “Evolve” doesn’t really follow the traditional conventions of a magazine. For example, the cover does not include any teasers or sell lines, prizes, or give any indication of what the magazine includes which could entice the audience into reading the magazine. However, the cover does include an issue number (Spring 2009 Issue 8), imagery and large text for the font, which are original conventions of magazine covers. The issue number implies to us that the magazine is produced quite frequently. Whether it is created by students or teachers, we are not definitely sure.

Title and connotations
The title, “Evolve” suggests growing into something new. This could symbolise the students reading the magazine developing into successful adults, after their education. Also, no capital letter has been used in the title “evolve”, this could resemble the rebellious students, as the cover doesn’t follow the correct punctuation or original criteria and conventions for a magazine.

Images/ visual
From the cover, we can see that the imagery is quite un-organised and is scattered all over the page. This could link into the disorganisation of some students, particularly through exam periods which therefore relates to the magazines target audience. The images involved are from; books, pencils, photography of teachers in costume, the school building in a surreal affect, and television programme logos and props, E.g. the Deal or No Deal box. The photography of the teachers could also give some indication that the magazine has been created by a teacher. All the images which are scrambled together making the cover seem quite surreal and childish, which could relate to the particular audience for this magazine.

Colour codes/ connotations
The creator of “evolve” has chosen to use very bright colours for the cover. This is quite affective for the target audience to catch their eye, especially as they’re a young generation. A purple cloudy background has been used, with white and black font on top of it. This creates contrast and really lets the audience focus their attention towards the imagery rather than the text as it’s quite simple.

Articles/ features
Unfortunately for the magazine, the front cover gives no initial indication of what features are inside it, which is quite ineffective. This immediately looses focus from the target audience as they aren’t as enticed as they would be if they knew what they would be reading- whether it’s to their interests.

Type faces and graphics
Overall, the font on the front cover is very basic. It’s not very exciting and it especially doesn’t entice the audience to flick straight to the text and read it. Black and white basic font has been used and the title is very bold, yet still basic. However, the black and white does contrast with the bright background and other images on the cover which makes the imagery seem more outstanding over the text. The basic fonts used on the front cover could again, show that a teacher has created the magazine as the graphical creativity could be improved.

Audience
The Evolve front cover gives quite a good indication that the magazine is directed at young people- preferably students from Stephenson High School. This is quite clear to us from the features used, such as; the type of imagery and original photography, the bright colours and disorganized structure of the cover. Which implies the magazine is targeted at a youthful generation rather than an elderly person, for example.

Issues raised
No particular issues have been raised by the representation of people shown on the front cover, as the cover doesn’t have a direct approach of what the magazine is about. However, the cover does try to be quite comical. We can see this from the photography taken of teachers dressed up in costume/ wearing wigs etc.

Improvement
The front cover of this school magazine could be improved by showing a better indication of the type of magazine it is and who it’s particularly targeted at- gender for example. It should also give a preview about what the magazine holds inside (such as teasers) to engage their particular audience into the magazine. Furthermore, through researching the magazine, I noticed that each issue has the exact same front cover with just a different colour/ background image. I think this makes the magazine seem quite plain, and wouldn’t entice many students as they may think they’re re-reading the same issue, for example.