Comparison of Two College Magazine Covers

In this PowerPoint I will be analysing two college magazine front covers then concluding my findings to reveal which magazine

cover is most successful. To do this I will look at the techniques used on the cover, their overall effects and whether or not the

magazine is effective in its purpose.

Text is very close to magazine edge making it difficult to read

Pun: Two words used in the masthead.

Poor contrast between background and text colour

Photoshop is too blunt and rough

Use of a pull-quote

Barcode

Background looks unprofessional

The topic content isn’t split into different headings; it looks continuous.

Photo is slightly blurred

Lack of punctuation

‘Rambler’ magazine uses a play on words in the masthead which is clever and memorable. There is a barcode, pull quote and information of the left third of the cover which follows a magazine’s form. The picture of someone smiling is relevant to the pull quote “Parkwood makes us happy”, however the lack of punctuation makes the magazine look unprofessional. The colour scheme isn’t well thought out because the red text is hard to see on the background. The colours are quite bold and with a solid colour as the background, I think it looks too childish and garish. The Photoshop picture is rough and looks as though it has been cut out and stuck to the cover, adding to the …. Of the magazine. Overall this doesn't look like a magazine that will appear in shops, especially due to lack of punctuation and the fact that it doesn't look very interesting to college students, parents or teachers.

Bold, concise and appropriate masthead.

Issue number

Date

Barcode and price

Difficult to read the Strapline

Bold topic headings and subheadings

Busy and irrelevant background.

Clear image.

The magazine ‘Focus’ uses a bold font and colour to contrast the background and stand out to the viewer. ‘Focus’ is also memorable and succinct, making it a good heading. There is a date, strapline, issue number, price and barcode, all relevant information needed on a successful magazine. The image is clear and in focus, without any obvious Photoshop. The image also suits the target audience of college students due to it being set in school with the head girl on the cover. The left third also contains interesting and relevant topics, which can be viewed clearly on a magazine rack due to their position and contrasting font. The magazine follows the same colour scheme throughout the front cover and consists of complementary colours that appeal to all genders and ages, as well as remaining professional. However, the corridor in the background of the front cover is quite busy and can distract from the text. Also the strapline and date are quite difficult to see on the background due to the dark, small and thick font. I also think the magazine would look more exciting if a pull quote was used so the audience can get a sense of the content.

Indented sub heading looks messy.

Conclusion

Vs.

Both these magazines have good qualities as well as improvements, however the best college magazine front cover is clearly the ‘Focus’ magazine. Overall it looks a lot more professional and suitable for the target audience. There is more relevant, appealing and clear content topics down the left hand side, which means that on a magazine rack the ‘Focus’ will be the most attractive. From the two magazines I have learnt that its important to have a bold and catchy masthead as well as a focussed and appropriate image that has a plain background. There should be correct

punctuation as well as including the main features of a magazine cover and a unique feature that makes the magazine stand out.