Front Cover- School Magazine Codes & Conventions

Preliminary Task Part 1...

For my preliminary task I've researched the codes and conventions of a school magazine front cover and then discussed what impact they have on the audience and how they are effective. 

Front Cover: Codes & Conventions
Hazeleys Sixth Form Magazine 

Bold Magazine Title -  A common feature used in all magazines, nearly always placed at the top of the magazine and in bold font. This is to grab the audiences attention and it also allows the audience to know what the magazine is called. I will uses this when creating my magazine as it makes it look professional and informs the audience. 

Main Image-  There is always a main centre image located on the front cover of a magazine. It takes up around 70/80 % of your page and is generally a medium close up. It allows the audience to often know who the target audience is and what the magazine will be about this. I will use this within my magazine as it's a common convention used in all magazine.  
3 Colours- All magazines tend to stick to colours, in this case it's green, yellow and white. They do this as it makes the magazine look less confusing and more focused. It helps create a common theme and sophistication throughout your magazine. When I create my piece I shall stick to 3 colours to create a common theme. 
Inside Stories- Magazines aim is to make profit and persuade the audience to purchase their product therefore, they need to sell what they have got. By doing this they need to show off what stories are going on this week therefore on their front cover magazines always show inside stories to allow the audience an insight into their magazine. This is a feature i will be using in my magazine as it's a good convention to enable interest from my audience. 
Clothes & Camera- The main image within the front cover is specially designed for a specific target audience. In this case it's college students therefore you need to enable that the image matches the audience required. In this case it's a young women who is dressed smartly and is directly addressing the camera and smiling this create a friendly atmosphere between the audience and the magazine. I will do this when creating my magazine as it's essential that the audience is constantly in mind when creating a magazine.
Language- The words used is essential when creating a magazine, they need to match your topic and audience. In this case the audience is students therefore the language is informal and relate able. Words such as "fiance" show that it's a school magazine. When creating my magazine I will focus on language and audience and enable the words I use are appropriate for my specific audience. 
Background- Although it's not in the foreground, it's still a big part when it comes to creating a magazine. Everything needs to add up together to create a brand not just a magazine. The background needs to match the foreground. In this case the background sticks with the 3 colour rule. In my magazine I will make sure everything matches to create a sophisticated well thought out magazine. 

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