School Magazine: Finalised Front Page

When creating the school magazine cover, I decided to focus on the opening of the new ICT suite which was specified in my brief.

For the main image on my front cover I used the last image from the 1st photo shoot with both of the models using the ICT equipment. I chose this image as although I originally intended to re-shoot, this image showed the students using the equipment which is what I intended for the front cover. Additionally, after editing, the image appeared to be much better than before, due to the natural light behind, which appears to look like an artifical soptlight on the two models and the ICT equipment. This therefore suited the look of the magazine, which I designed based on the previous general research. I used a black and white feature on this image, much like the image from the research and the thick, bold coloured block at the top of the page to place the school logo and magazine title on. The title was also designed with the general research in mind as the title features two different font types and is positioned in the same place. I believe this creates an effective and professional appearance as the title is eye catching. I also used just three colours, maroon, sky blue and white, when creating the magazine cover, which is considered good design. I also bleed the image over the frame of the document when designing to ensure, when printed, there would be no white border. Furthermore, I additionally tried to line up all of the features, such as the logo, text, bar code and title to ensure none of the features were hanging. 

I used the same font type for the main text which was also present in the logo and title. I also used this for the school slogan, which was positioned under the logo. This made sure the magazine cover was consistent. I also included basic information for a magazine such as bar code, price and issue number.  





School Magazine: Front Page Implementation

The title of the magazine was then inserted by using the same technique which was previously used for the image.

The magazine title was then positioned over the block at the top of the page. This was taken from the general research for magazine covers.


I then inserted the logo into the document using the place technique.

This was then placed into the document and positioned in the top right hand corner. The barcode was then inserted and rotated to be positioned sideways with the issue number and price above it.

The text was then positioned in the lower left hand corner and changed to font type Trajan Pro and made bold to ensure it stod out from the image. The text was then made size 36pt. The text was then changed to the same sky blue as the block and the logo.

School Magazine: Front Page Photo Shoot

For my first photo shoot, I decided to use my specific school research and focus on shooting pupils focusing on ICT. I used a range of models, however, I believe the overall shoot was unsuccessful and will need to be re-shot in the future, with improved lighting and angles which will, ultimately, improve the quality of the photos.

This image is far too light at the back which makes the image look washed out. Additionally the model's faces are too dark which means the image is unsuccessful.

This image is a little better as it is not as bright however, the model's face is still too dark and is therefore still unsuccessful.

This image is too dark and does not look professional enough for a magazine front cover. The lighting here needs to be improved considerably.

Out of all the images, this is probably the most successful, especially when edited and if I was to use any of these images this would be the one which I would choose.

School Magazine: Front Page Design Sketches

I am going to use one of the following to design the school front cover of the magazine. I have incorporated the title, image, logo, slogan and text into each design although the actual designs vary.



This is my first hand drawn design for the front cover. Although it is extremely basic, the design shows that there will be a coloured block at the top of the page, much like the general research suggested. This block will correspond to the colour scheme of the school. In this design, the logo will be positioned at the top of the page, with the slogan underneath. Additionally, in this design, the text will be in the bottom left of the page. I have tried to design this with my research in mind as the image will also incorporate the main feature, which is introducing the new ICT suite. 

This is the second hand drawn design. This design,. however, does not have the block at the top of the page, although the title is in a similar place to design one although the logo has been moved to under the title with the slogan just under that. The bar code in this design has been placed in the top right hand corner, along with the price and issue number. The text in this design is at the top of the page. The image is the same design as that of design number 1.

This is the final hand drawn design. Unlike the other two designs, this has a different image with three pupils using ICT equipment, all facing towards the camera. The logo is positoned in the top right hand corner in this design, with the slogan above the logo. In this design, the barcode is to the left and the text to the bottom right. The title is still in the same position.

Overall, I would most likely use the first hand drawn design as I like the idea of a coloured block where the logo and title can be positoned. I also like the logo in the top right hand corner with the slogan positioned underneath. I also like the idea of using two models, instead of three, as I beleieve this will be easier to shoot yet also provide a better front cover as this could otherwise be slightly crowded. I also like the idea of the text in the bottom left hand corner. 

School Magazine: Titles

I used InDesign to create my school magazine logo. I used a range of fonts to try and find one which i liked and related to my general research. I couldnt not decide on a singular font so i decided to incorperate two fonts, much like one of my magzines from the general research.

I then changed the background and the font to multiple different colours to try and find a combination that looked appealing and fit into the colour scheme of the school. I decided on sky blue, maroon and white. I then changed the alignment of text and decided to have "The Wilmington Girls" on the left and "messenger" to the right. This is my final logo.

School Magazine: Front Page Specific Research

I have decided to focus on students using ICT equipment for my magazine which is to welcome students to the newly refurbished ICT suite. 

This image is of a young girl using the ICT equipment. This shot only includes one model using the ICT and is mainly focuses on the student, not neccessarily of the ICT equipement. 

This image is of a selection of pupils and shows them engaged in the ict equipement. Unlike the previous picture, this image shows a long stretch of pupils which i beleive is more effective.



School Magazine: Front Page General Research

I have researched into school magazines and found a range which I think are appropriate. I will then use this research to inform my specific research when designing my own school magazine.