College Magazine - Contents Page

AO3: Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

I used Quark to create a contents page for my college magazine.

College Magazine - Front Cover

AO3: Demonstrate the ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills.

I used Photoshop to create a front cover for a new college magazine.

Semiotic Analysis - Contents Page

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analyzing media products and evaluating their own practical work.
AO4: Demonstrate the ability to undertake and apply appropriate research.

Kerrang! 22nd September 2007
Contents Page

The contents page of Kerrang! magazine has a house style. The word ‘contents’ on a black background with yellow writing is used in every issue of Kerrang! The font used on the contents page is simple and bold so it is easy to read and the balck and yellow are contrasting colours so that the writing stands out. It also has the information about the issue number and cover date. The pictures on the contents page have anchorage to show the reader what and who the article will be about. This is all part of the house style of Kerrang! magazine. There is also a small picture of the front cover at the top of the page next to a piece from the editor, in the piece from the editor he mentions about Charlie from Fightstar who is the main image on the front cover. The layout of the contents page is part of the house style as it is set out this way in every issue of Kerrang!, with a big picture and then eight smaller pictures surrounding it, all the pictures are in boxes with a drop shadow on them, they are equally spaced out from each other so that they are clear for the reader to understand. In the ‘this week’ section it has split the articles into different catergories to help the reader to find what they want to look at in the magazine. At the bottom of the page there is an advertisement to get Kerrang! delivered ‘to your door’, this is so regular readers don’t have to go out to the sop and buy it as it is cheaper to subscribe and get a discount.

Semiotic Analysis - Double Page Spread

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to show how meanings are created when analyzing media products and evaluating their own practical work.
AO4: Demonstrate the ability to undertake and apply appropriate research.

Kerrang! 22nd September 2007
Double Page Spread

The double page spread has used the same colour theme as on the front of the magazine. The picture covers both pages, the right hand page is just the picture and the left hand page is the picture which has some of it covered by the article. The most important member of the band has been placed in the middle and at the front of the picture; this is because the article is mainly about him. He is also the most famous member of the band and most recognised among readers. The heading ‘Break ups….finally on the road to success?’ explains to the audience what the article will be about. This will also help attract the audience and make them want to read the article. The pink is used to attract a female audience. All the members of the band are looking straight at the camera, so that they connect with the audience and the audience feel like the band is looking at them whilst they are reading, they don’t have any expressions on their face, this connotes thinking. The band members are also dressed in black, this connotes death and sadness. The picture also conforms to the ‘rule of thirds’ as the main member of the band is in the middle of the double page spread. The arrow at the bottom of the page shows that the article continues on the next page. The background of the picture is mostly dark with some light, this shows the type of music that Fightstar produce, rock. The first letter of the first word is much larger than the rest of the article.