College Magazine Evaluation

My product is challenging forms and conventions of real media products, though it is uncommon that cover images have a medium close-up with the subject facing away from the camera, it does occur in most magazines on more than just a few occasions. This is where my product challenges forms and conventions of real media products. My cover image is of a medium close-up facing away from camera whereas, it is very common for the subject/person to be staring at the camera. The image below shows proof that other magazines do have this occurence of subject facing away from camera.

My media product's cover text uses forms and conventions of real media products, this is shown by the masthead being in the usual position for a magazine and also by using text size for my headlines to show exclusive stories/content. My magazine shows which contents are more important by use of text size by using larger text for exclusive and important content and smaller text for the other stories within the rest of the magazine. not all contents are shown on the cover though. Real magazine covers do not have all stories on their cover headlines, I have used the same form for my magazine.

My contents page title is very unusual due to the fact that it is in a white box and looks separate to the rest of the page which is purple. My contents page is not as busy as most real magazine content pages are but still shows all content with folio numbers. My editors note takes up a large quantity of space on my page because i think it is important for readers to get a feel of who the creator(s) of the magazine really are. I have used simple images for my page because it does not give too much information about the story therefore, readers get an interest in wanting to know how the image relates and makes then want to know more. My social media sites are very bold and easy to see because in this day and age most people like to go online to find out more about products and like to get a proper inside view on the product. '56% of Americans have a profile on a social networking sites in 2010 alone. numbers have increased since' When producing my College students survey research I noticed a running theme for people who are into a certain type of music, interest/hobbies and subjects studied at college. through this i discovered that a large amount of students who did the survey listen to rock/metal music and have interest in art, music and photography. this is why my magazine is designed the way I have chosen it to be, so that it appeals to this type of student. For example my cover image and exclusive headline are for a interview with a vocalist who's genre is rock. By using the information given by my surveys I have managed to attract students with these qualities. In my editors note I have wrote the way one would speak to another person as a friend, so that as a student is does not seem too formal and speaks to them the way they would want to be spoken to. One of my magazines goals is to give students a escape from the challenges of course work and gives then a healthy balance between their everyday life and college.

Cover Research

 Whilst looking at other magazine covers, I have discovered that well known magazines of other genres sometimes do not have a need to put the masthead over the focus image. Although, this cannot always be used because people who do not previously know of the magazine may need to see the full masthead, this is why magazines are published more often than not with a full view of the masthead.

 Though certain magazines make exceptions and more often than not will produce mastheads that are hidden behind the focus image. This may be to show readers that the producers of the magazine are very confident with the items and content that they are producing

Final Cover

Original image


Image after paint tool was used to get rid of the background and make it white and add shading and a some colour in the top corner to break up the image and make it less plain.


Masthead has been added


Masthead has been adjusted with a blood splatter to add some more colour and to create a masthead that would be used on every issue if this was a real magazine to create recognition.


Vignette has been added to make the image look more composed.


A slight editing around the face to give a smoother edge.


Text, bar code, date, issue number, puff and buzz have been added to create the final cover.