Design BriefThe preliminary design brief for our course work was to produce a school magazine which included a front cover and a contents page. To create the school magazine the use of Photoshop was needed to manipulate images and detail to a school magazine.

1. The first objective was to research into existing school magazines to identify different conventions that can be transferred to my own.

2. The second objective was to produce a plan for my own school magazine including detailed notes and sketches.

3. The next stage was to produce the school magazine on Photoshop.

4. Finally feedback and analysis of the school magazine.

This preliminary task is good as a starting task towards the bigger music magazine task as I am able to understand the process and the mechanics behind a project but on a smaller scale.

Use of the Preston manor logo so that students and teachers and the public can easily recognise the school and will promotethe company.

The use of the image promoting the Olympics links in with the summer Olympics as well as the values of the Olympics which the school was promoting.

The appearance of the diary dates gives key information for the students so they know when to return and enrol.

The use of colours follow the conventions of the school as the colours include purple on the writing

The use of the colour aqua makes the newsletter seem welcoming as the colour aqua is conventionally used for greeting people and making people feel calm.

Does not give a lot of information and detail about the school thus the consumer will not understand the leaflet fully. Artistic shot and layering of the school to make it

look appealing to students as well it being the main building thus making it recognisable.

“Real Text” Research

The use of the logo makes you identify with this chosen school and promotes the school. In many logo’s it either promotes a theme that can be a focus of the school.

The simple use of colours and banners that follow with the logo colours and theme and generally the colours of the school as apparent in the school tie.

The images of happy students that promotes the school that it is a good school as well as it concedes with the text topic of “top marks in exams”.

The large amount of text gives a detailed account of what has happened at the school and information for the students as well as the parents. However for some there might be too much text.

Clear headings that separate the large amount of text.

Link to website making the school seem technological and up to date also the website can give you even more information about the school.

Section showing the clear achievements of the school promoting their excellence over other schools.

“Real Text” Research

Target audience: (age range, interests)Although it is a school newsletter you still have to think about your audience and how to appeal to them.

• Focus on GCSE students- importance of GCSE work• Discussion on the outstanding results of GCSE and A-level

results

Possible title ideas: (masthead / title block)What is your magazine going to be called?

• Manor Press

Main image:What will be the focal point of your front page, remember, your work “must include a photograph of a student in a medium close-up”

• Include photographs of a GCSE students in a medium close up shot

• Focus on the happiness of the student, good results emphasised

Main cover line:What will be the main story?

• 100% pass rate on GCSE’s- Out standing results

Additional key images:What other images will be on your front cover?Remember, it is a school magazine.

• Prefects of either A-levels or GCSE• Head teacher on the contents so people recognise the head

teacher.• A promotion of a special project going on at school

Additional cover lines:Other features, stories or selling points which will be inside the magazine, these need to be audience appropriate.

• Interview with prefects/head girl and head boy• Interview with head teacher• Pass rate of students around the school• Academy VS comprehensive high school

Typography: (style, size, colour of copy)Think about the writing and the style of the writing on your front page.

• Up to date and modern typography• Use gradient banner• Silver, grey and black colours• Aspects of blue and purple (Schools colour scheme)• Small banners that interest the readers on the front covers

Background colour/image:What will be in the background, remember you don’t want to take the focus away from the main image.

• Silver and grey colours, plain backgrounds so that the images are more focused on such as the happiness of the students

• Add soft effects on the secondary images so that they are less focused on then the main images

• Contemporary colours and integrate the school colour scheme

Technical considerations:(equipment, setting, props, costume, lighting)Be realistic and creative, think about what you have access to and how you could use it.

• The main picture will be well light and have no special effects as it needs to focus on the happiness of the student.

School Magazine

Front Page Proposal Form

Front cover plan Contents cover plan

Front Cover Contents Page

Original image

Manipulated image

I choose to use this picture as it followed with my main story in my front cover which was that GCSE students rebelled against uniform. As well has having a GCSE student link in with another story of having excellent grades in GCSE. The changes from the original to the modified is that the person was cropped out of the green background with the use of the magic wand, magnetic lasso tool and the rubber tool. Once the image was cropped from the green background I removed some sections of her hair so that it looked neater portraying the school as a professional school. Then a faint blur was added to the edges of the image so that the edges look softer and more appealing. The one problem with this image was that their was a green glow on parts of her body so it was difficult to remove from her face and body.

What have I learned?This preliminary task helped me with producing a simple prototype magazine cover. As the objectives in creating this magazine was simple I was able to understand the software used to manipulate and create a magazine cover and content page. Furthermore, the task was helpful to understand a layout of a school magazine and

what to do in each: stage, research, planning, production and review. Once the production of the music magazine starts, it will be an easier process as I am already quite experienced with the tools

and the processes. As this is a preliminary task, the music magazine will now look more professional as I am more confident

and the work will improve dramatically.