The Main image features a medium shot of a primary school aged boy, seemingly happy to be returning to education. The image connotes feelings of nostalgia, particularly through the use of a somewhat old fashioned backpack, yet also relaxation, denoted through the males’ facial expression, mouth positioning and stance. This could appeal to mothers of young children, specifically those who struggle with their kids education related happiness as the tagline reads ‘Parents’ guide to primary school. This suggests that the magazine relates to the education aspect of the Blumler and Katz theory, providing a hierarchy of knowledge to the audience.

The magazine is clearly attempting to relate to a mass audience, with cover lines being diverse and each seemingly appealing to a different aspect of the audience. An example of this is the contrast between lines ‘What Is Dyslexia’ and ‘A,B,C Of Clever Food’; this shows that although the product has a specific primary target audience of parents, it appeals to all sub audiences within. The magazine also has no brand identity, and is an example of a magazine genre rarely published, this is significant as it allows members of the audience who may only buy one particular brand and genre of magazine a chance to branch out, trying something new.

The colour scheme features contrasting colours yellow and raspberry pink. This is extremely effective as the colours are bright and therefore aesthetically pleasing, standing out to children and mothers alike when placed on a shelf, yet also diverge stereotypes of a typical product from the genre as this may feature primary colours, or patterns associated with education for primary school aged children. An example of colour association, is ‘pink and a lighter blue’ having connotations of a women’s gossip magazine, or black with a males technology magazine. The product has seemingly tried to include elements from different genres: gossip, food, education and children; subsequently making it a hybrid and appealing to a much wider target audience.

The primary target audience demographic for the product could be mothers of a C-B class aged between 20 and 40, whose focus is on their child. The predominant colour of the text is pink, a stereotypically feminine colour, possibly creating a female skew, whilst the typeface hints at a slightly lower class audience, with more relaxed conversational font and language. Graphology suggests age also, with the child featured in the main image slightly older, and serif font not necessarily as aesthetically appealing to younger mothers as the simplistic sans serif.

Direct address is used in regard to the main image, with the child seemingly looking at readers and potential buyers. This is effective, as the image engages with the reader, also hinting at the child’s level of confidence and subsequent persona. The convention is stereotypically used as a way of luring buyers into purchasing the product, although in this instance the predominant reason for use is visible, as the boy appears an admirable representative for primary school aged children; it also presents his dominance and hierarchal position in terms of educating other children who don’t display such characteristics.

Puff: A puff is a shape placed on the cover of a magazine in order to make an incentive stand out. In this instance, a puff is used to highlight a competition, a chance to win gifts. This relates to one of the reasons why audiences would purchase the product, as it seems as if they have a chance of gaining something materialistic in return for spending money on the magazine. The text reads ‘Win free stuff for the kids’, with the verb ‘win’ placed in a more predominant colour, alerting the readers attention. Research suggests that coloured ads generate substantially more noting than those in black and white, highlighting the importance of the bold colours used.

Masthead: The masthead has been split, with the first two words ‘back to’ placed above the larger ‘school’. Not only are the words different in size, yet also font and colour. ‘Back to’ is denoted in a sans serif font, white in colour and capitalize, suggesting its lesser importance to the larger, serif ‘school. This is also recognised as a more prominent colour, which it one of the two main tones in the scheme. This suggests that although the product is promoting the return to education, its content is consistently relevant, and its tips can be used at any time.

Sub image: The sub image is of Annabel Karmel, a well known figure. Her status and recognisability relates to a purpose of the product, educating parents, hence her featured place on the cover. In some aspects, the image of Annabel could relate to Richard Dyers star theory, with her status potentially boosting sales, as the target audience could see her as the hierarchy of well known family chefs, They would therefore be more likely to purchase the product, as it appears more likely to offer exclusive information, separating itself from other similar products. What appears to be the image caption reads ‘Download these moreish morsels for mini-masterminds’. The use of alliteration here attracts the attention of the primary target audience, as lexis appears to be aimed at young children, adding to the relatability of the product and what it seemingly offers.

Pug: A pug has been placed on the left third of the cover, a mainstream convention used in all genres of magazine. This is significant, as when stacked on a shelf, magazines are often placed overlapping from the right, suggesting that the content is crucial information for potential buyers, as it will be the first thing visible. In this instance, the sell lines show progression in age and ability, with ‘first days’ marking the beginning of education, followed by discovery of a child’s ability, finally leading to enhancement in learning. This suggests that the magazine is beneficial, particularly for first time parents who may need additional support and information in regard to their child’s cognative development. The feature hints at a more specific target audience.

Slogan: The slogan reads ‘parents guide to primary school’, visually displaying a specific primary target audience, who the product would be most beneficial for. The text has been placed slightly to the left of the cover, in a small size, suggesting its insignificance. This could be because the company selling the product want to make its purpose known, without limiting audience.

House Style: The style conveys youthfulness, with colloquialisms such as ‘Nuff Said’ used. The abbreviation of ‘enough’ suggests that the magazine is trying to attract a younger target audience, or relating to the recognition aspect of the Blumler and Katz theory, attempting to appeal to those of a College age group. The nature of the feature- a tagline, hints at the house style for one of the products feature articles, as the purpose of this line is to give insight into content featured inside the magazine. Sans serif font has been used for all written devices visible on the cover, effective as the use of only one text style shows consistency, with the font being modern and somewhat ‘ontrend’ hinting at target audience

Colour Scheme: The colour scheme is niche in the context, as the contrasting colours ‘yellow and light blue’ have connotations of the season summer, yet the magazine is a winter, or ‘fall’ edition. This suggests that the colours have been used for alternate reasons, perhaps to motivate students, as the colour scheme is light and uplifting. This is effective, as the autumn term is the first of the year for students and motivation is the key to success .

Main Image: The eyes of the model used for the main image are complimentary to the colour scheme, having connotations of health and happiness. This suggests that the magazine is focusing solely upon study, and emotion associated with education, not relating colour scheme to season or any other aspects of college; for example sport. The image promotes college life also, with the model appearing radiant … Ambiguously, the model appears slightly promiscuous too. This is effective as it relates to the tagline ‘Think about sex all day?’, stereotyping all college aged students (primary target audience) as naïve and in need of consultation regarding intimate topics. This links to the somewhat uplifting colour scheme, as it connotes feelings of happiness and relief, suggesting that audience will gain from the product, feeling uplifted by the information it provides.

Masthead: The masthead reads in a sans serif font, underneath the model of the main image. This is significant as it suggests the product is well known, and recognizable, even with half of the masthead covered. The colour os a darker, warmer shade of yellow, connoting warmth, yet also happiness; relating to the expression of the model below. The noun ‘college’ also directly tells potential buyers exactly who the magazine is aimed at, making the decision to purchase the product as simple as possible.

Barcode: The use of a barcode in this instance, provides a sense of security for the audience, that the product is professional and certified. This is essential as many products from the subgenre are student produced, offering less reliable information, and content of a lower standard. The placing of the feature is also significant, as it has been overlaid onto a dark area of the main image, creating prominence.

Rule of thirds- The use of the rule of thirds is extremely significant here, as all lures and sell lines are either placed in the first or last third of the cover. This suggests that written content visible is among some of the most significant features presented. This potentially relates to characteristics and ability of the primary target audience, as students are more than likely to purchase a magazine with an engaging front cover. lure ‘Interviews with MODERN FAMILY, GOSSIP GIRL & 90210’ is an example of engagement, as use of well know shows relates to both recognition and escapism aspects of the Blumler and Katz theory. This is because audience will recognise the well known names, yet this will simultaneously divert attention from study, and to an escapist activity. The product also suggests it offers insight into other potential enjoyable luxuries, with the sell line ‘campus to catwalk’ suggesting it can offer help in regard to a significant transformation.

Primary target audience- demographic and psychographic: The primary target audience for this particular product appears to be predominantly female, American College students between ages 17 and 21, of an E to C class, due to their education prohibiting significant earning. According to Rubican and Young’s audience profile theory, These would seemingly be achievers and aspirers, due to their decision to continue with optional education. This suggests that although these students will have little to no budget for luxury items, the few treats they do buy will more than likely have purpose, or offer something unique.

Colour scheme

Sell lines

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Brand identity

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Layout

Hybridisation

Main image/ cropping

Tagline: A tagline relating to the image reads ‘INSPIRATIONAL PRINCIPLES- Two of the best’. This is effective as the purpose of the main image is seemingly to show conversation between two secondary school pupils of a leadership standard. This is effective, as it informs readers and the potential audience that the image is not staged, and focuses upon real emotion. It also adds to the idea that the product only promotes the highest standard of students. In some sense, this aspect relates to Gramsci’s reception theory. It is a possibility that the specific audience the product relates to are more likely to take interest in this particular edition, as it features a greater example of student attitude.

Main image: The main image denotes a high school aged girl, presumably between ages 14 and 16, significant as she more than likely would have been receiving education from the same school for more than a few years, and therefore attitude and apparent persona would have been affected by the schooling environment. The shot type is an over the shoulder- medium close up, much like the shot of the main image for the preliminary material required to be produced. Shot type is significant here, as it allows the reader to view the student’s smart attire, yet also clearly denotes facial expression. The image is taken from a slight low angle, suggesting that the education the female has is allowing her to succeed, more than most. The shot places her in a position of power which when paired with her enlightening facial expressions promotes the school, persuading the reader to purchase the product, suggesting it only features the best schools in the area. 

 The magazines stylistic features suggest it has a minority audience, with language and imagery also conveying specifics. The tagline reads ‘For your child New South Wales.’ This alone only allows for a specific group of people, with both location and relevance taken into consideration.

 

Production

Props

Header and footer

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Barcode