My College Magazine Cover

My magazine front cover uses real media products as it has a very similar layout to a real magazine front cover. This is shown by its masthead, main image and by its layout. This therefore would use real magazine layout and would connote that it is a properly retailed magazine.

My front cover develops conventions of real media products as the Bodmin College logo is used to promote that it is a Bodmin College branded product. This can be developed as if I add more Bodmin College branded products onto my magazine cover then I am therefore able to broaden the size of the Bodmin College branding and attract a wider audience of people who are fans of other various College branded products.

My front cover challenges forms and conventions of real media products as it has a broad and direct front cover. This would therefore challenge other magazines as if you saw this magazine front cover compared to a laid back relaxed front cover then you would feel intimidated and attracted to my front cover. It is also contributed by the fact that the main title has both a bold font and a sharp outline on it. Everyone looks for a bold title and if this magazine did not have one then its appeal would be completely different.

My media product represents the social groups of college students as it shows what is happening with college students in terms of their activities and lifestyle choices. This has been done because my target audience is college students aged between 11-18 so they will want to know what people of their age are doing and may see this magazine as either influential or a guideline about teenage fashion. Everyone compares themselves to people on the front of magazine covers so it is important to represent the target audience with relatable people on the front cover.

The institution of colleges and small shop retailers would stock my magazine based on its front cover. This would be apparent as the magazine is aimed at college students so people would only distribute this magazine if they were actually colleges or local retailers to the colleges, as people within communities are also interested in what is happening at their local colleges. They keep communities excited and interested about their local college, otherwise they will grasp a stereotypical negative perception upon teenage youths.

My media product represents my target audience of college students between the ages of 11-18 as the articles on the front of the magazine are relatable for college students. This has been done as the target audience want to see articles and stories that they relate to so by talking about the latest student boy band as well as the latest construction works going on around the students. Students will therefore be able to get to know the students from the boy band better and learn more about the construction works.

My media product addresses my target audience as I’ve used punchy and broad articles and photos.  This has been done because if your magazine has no appeal then no one will want to either reader it nor buy it. Therefore by making my front cover look attractive and appealing it will give readers the impression that I have made an effort to appeal to them and also that it will be equally as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside.

From the process of this construction, I have gained a slightly broader knowledge in regards to magazine layout and expectations. I have also learnt how to appeal to a variety of target audiences after doing different magazines at GCSE level. By learning these key elements, I am now able to add more ability of knowledge to my front cover. I am also able to appeal to a wider range of audiences, classes and social groups.