Preliminary Task

For the preliminary task we have to create a magazine front cover and contents page. We looked at some examples from previous years to help us get an idea of how we should complete own magazine and gained good knowledge of what it should contain.

I chose to look at a previous magazine called : Squash

I was able to recognise it as a magazine cover because the main masthead or title was written at the top of the magazine and had coverlines and reverse lines all over it. Also, it had the barcode, issue number, price, website and date written. Lastly it had a large headshot of a student behind the text, which is a typical feature of a magazine cover.

The audience for this magazine was male and female students aged 16-19. The psychographic profile was acheivers and aspirers and the demographic classification was probably E. However, the demographic classification is not a very good representation of the audience to this magazine, it suggests that students are a lower group in society and are at the bottom of the pile. The contents of this magazine is 'student finance' and how to create 'personal statements'. This shows that the age range is not at the bottom of the jicnar scale because they are concerned about the maturer issues.

This magazine targeted its audience very well by using calming mature unisex colours, a comical photo and also academic articles inside. It used shortened text language to communicate with the younger readers and make it slightly more relaxed, despite it being an academic magazine. It also gives help on what students find most difficult, which obviously appeals to most because they need the advice.