Using DTP and an image manipulating program,produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of DTP.
Our task was to create and design a school/college magazine cover, that would engage viewers attention and appeal to my target audience. We were first to choose the type of school, for example, a music school or technology school. My partner and I decided we should do a sporting specialized college. So, we went out on the school grounds and spent the day photographing students who were getting involved with sport. We got some fantastic shots of hockey players and dancers in action, however we decided to choose this image of a dancer in midair. We thought that the pose she was pulling was strong and not too complicated to look at. I then cropped out the background to ensure it did not make the image appear over crowded. So, by keeping the figure on a plain solid background the eyes are naturally drawn towards the focal point, the dancer. The design of the cover is basic, but still manages to get the point across. My target audience is mainly the parents of the students who attend ‘Trinity Sporting College’, so an average age of about 35+.
I chose simple solid colours that would appeal to all ages and both genders. The pale blue background was a great colour to attract attention and to make the dancer ‘jump’ out to the audience, however, it was not a very good colour to choose to hide the bad quality of cropping, as the solid darker colours of the figure atop of the pale background really brings of the outlines and shape of the focal point.
As I am new to using Photoshop, I think this is evident through this particular piece of work because the cropping of the figure is not very accurate and looks rushed and messy. This was also partly because the background of the original image was very dark, making it very difficult to crop precisely around the legs. However, if I were to do it again I would definitely try and take more time and care using the cropping tool, and ensure the background and the subject are not too similar, so that cropping would be made easier.
The font used also is a nice and simple, yet eye catching size and style, suitable for my target audience. Ensuring that I kept to using just one font so that my magazine cover doesn’t become to confusing, overcrowded or messy. I also tried to stick to a maximum of three different colours for my text, matching them to the colours used on the dancer. (the deep green and black, of her clothing) again this is to keep the magazine cover looking structured and well though out.
There is also a lot of blank space, which makes the cover look unfinished, but at the same time, easy to read and not crammed full with informative text. So, I think that perhaps the use of a few more small images would be an effective way to fill up those blank, empty spaces.
I also included a large plus sign (+) to help break up this text, and make the magazine cover more appealing. This is also relative to the text, as it is used to symbolise that something is being offered. In this case its getting ‘25% off your enrolment fee’.
All of the elements used in this magazine cover are primary sources only.
Overall, I am quite pleased with how the final product has turned out. I have learnt new skills, which I will now be able to put to use if I ever need to create an effective magazine cover page.
