College Magazine Analysis #1

College Magazine Analysis #1

Firstly, on this college magazine the main image has been used for the background. It’s a mid-shot photograph featuring a young, healthy, presentable woman who appears happy. The audience would immediately be drawn in because her smile represents her feelings towards the college. However the connotations of this image could also be that she is smiling to represent her achievements the college has assisted her with; again this would attract the audience because it makes the college appear successful. She is directly addressing the audience with her eyes to share intimacy, inviting them to read what’s inside. Her clothing is suitable and subtle-coloured to represent a smart outlook of CTK to the audience.

 

The masthead of the magazine is the largest font on the cover. It’s bold and pink; possibly to attract a female population or to portray the elegance of the college; although, the font is crisp, simple and sharp, representing intelligence and significance.  Underneath the title is a slogan stating “Your magazine. Your choices,” the use of the word “your” makes the audience feel superior and important, as if the magazine was made for them, which influences them to purchase it. The slogan repeats the font style and colour of the masthead which makes the magazine seem organized, reflecting on the college. Although there’s a disadvantage, as to another audience the slogan may seem less prominent and is therefore monotonous.

Moreover, underneath the title are a website address and the date of the issue. It’s the smallest and less obvious text featured on the cover. Both these are made to seem less important, as the font colour is blended with the background, making it hard to read for the audience.  However it’s also additional information offered to the audience, therefore again making it seem more educational.

At the bottom left, the magazine uses a puff; A bright yellow bubble which emphasizes the promotional price offer presented in it. It doesn’t match the rest of the colour scheme or layout for the magazine, since it’s a different font, style and size. However, it highlights the fact that the “Christmas issue only” is £1.50, which alerts the audience it’s cheaper than it normally is signalling that it’s worth the buy. 

Furthermore, along the left hand side of the magazine cover are sell lines. In this case, the font is nearly as big and as bold as the title in 3 different colours, pink black and gray.  The reasons for this is to aim specific topics at a certain audience, in this case, “fashionistas” or people who care about their appearance, possibly fashion students. The line “This seasons latest trends” immediately draws attention to this specific audience because it makes the magazine appear to have all the up-to-date, cool clothing. Also, extra exclamation marks are used at the end to give it even more emphasis. 

Lastly, the main audience this magazine is attempting to appeal to is young (17-25), aspiring students, possibly female because of the pink colour scheme and style articles. A secondary audience for this magazine would be female teachers or younger teenagers who are planning their future.