The main image used Greenfields School front cover is generally happy with smiling kids. The three children use the rule of thirds as it draws your eyes to the centre of the magazine. This convention is common in front pages as they add symmetry to the page as the focal point is in the middle. This creative technique is effective within the school magazine as the three children suggest teamwork and good communication within the school. The mix of genders also suggests diversity which I will be mimicking in my future.
Another effective photo positioning that is commonly used in my research is a medium close up drawing attention again. I will be using this technique in my front cover as it shows the face clearly as they are smiley and giving off a positive vibe. It also works well to distinguish body language and therefore can show that the school is very welcoming and friendly from the upright posture at which the medium close up is shot.
Another key convention of school magazines is the colour scheme. This exaggerates the school colours and makes it stand out depending on the choice of colours used. For example in most magazine front covers they tend to stick to 3 basic colours one of which being white. This is effective as there is not too much distractions on the page making it confusing. The type of font also is very similar not switching too often thus causing confusion. I will stick to a maximum of 3 colours and 3 fonts in my interpretation as I believe it is simple yet effective and not too busy.
In the example magazines there are also other images filling the page adding some content to the front cover which I think adds character and provides something else to look out without pulling the focus away from the main image as they will be smaller and towards the bottom of the page underneath the text. Also remembering that too many images can cause confusion and a busy situation, I will limit my images to a maximum of 2.
The date and issue number tends to be at the top of the page around the title which is bold and eye catching. The title is always at the top of the [age on every magazine and can sometimes use imposition to add a little extra to the image. This may involve the top of the head being cut from the student and sent over the top of the text to pull the face away from the background. This could be considered more interactive with the audience and is also a technique of many well known brand names of magazines. Reflecting back on my project I will be using this technique to its full potential to suggest that the magazine is very experienced and well known.
One of the language conventions involved in school magazines and other magazines is a band of text normally placed above the title in smaller writing and stands out by a different colour band. This is also very eye-catching and give the magazine another dash of colour which adds substance to the front cover. I will most definitely be repeating this method as it gets a catchy message across in a way different to the normal text underneath and around the image. This sense of importance means that the text written inside needs to show some importance to the target audience. For example in the magazine Hazeleys sixth form the banner at the top of the page reads ‘The number 1 source for sixth form news’ persuading the target audience to not read other magazines before this.
The school logo is also a main feature of two of the example magazines. This shows the audience clearly what the magazine is about and adds a touch of professionalism to the title and the top of the page. I think I will try this technique by using the similar colours and maybe the logo in my work to feature the school spirit.
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