Evaluation

I believe the layout of my cover page is it’s main strength – a clearly visible masthead at the top of the page is only dominated by the conventional large mid-close up shot of a student. The student is portrayed smiling while with hands on keyboard at a computer desk, thus clearly connoting a happy while hard at work imagery. Throughout the front page is a clear theme running through of very few colours – purple used for the masthead lettering and strap line directly beneath – and then a black and white approach, maximised by the subjects hair and clothing. The only diversion being a red circle located bottom right showing an offer to students – thus the need for a change of colour to connote its importance.
On the other hand, the primary weakness in my piece is undoubtedly the mock up of my contents page, while I have many of the conventions of a modern day page of this kind – including date, page number and web address, it is below par in terms of layout and imagination. In addition one weakness with regards to my finished front cover piece is the props used in the image – I found a real battle with keeping the shot as close to a close up as possible whilst including props. This latter point indicating why the corner of a blue work folder can be seen on the bottom left of the image and only half of a keyboard in shot.
With regards to the ‘College’ magazine production which I took a keen interest in whilst researching I believe there is very little distance between the quality and quantity of their pieces and my own. Moreover conventionally they are remarkably similar.
I also believe my completed article caters to my target audience with contents featured on the front cover such as ‘How to plan for exams’ and College sports results’ clearly labelling the importance of the two and appealing to students at our very own Wyke College.
I think my research was a key factor in completing an accomplished front cover, one choice I am glad I made was to hold a focus group with current students invited to implement their ideas for what should be included in the magazine and a debate on cost in particular providing help. Infact chosen in the finished piece was a featured headline on ‘College sports results’. The alliteration in the name ‘Wyke weekly’ was also a deliberate factor relating back to research – a humouress name was recommended and seen in my examples of other college production, and this without doubted provided me with an ideology when deciding upon naming my magazine.I believe these failings stem from poor time management with regards to my blog – nearing towards the end of my task I found I had far too much to do in such a short space of time. This is a clear weakness and an important factor I will look to rectify when it comes to tackling the music magazine task.