School Magazine front cover analysis(2)

 

The masthead of the magazine is 'academy magazine'. The title automatically makes the magazine sound sophisticated and smart. The cover shows no by-line or name of publisher and at first glance the cover shows no signs of a clue to where the magazine is distributed. The magazine does not have a price either but judging by the date on the skyline of the magazine I think it is safe to say this is not their only magazine because it says 'volume 1'. Secondly the magazine was published in Autumn; this either means it is published monthly or seasonally. I got the magazine cover from their website but in terms of other media platforms the magazine and its website doesn’t go very far. I think this magazine has a niche audience because it isn’t very popular.

 

Considering the name of the magazine I think its target audience is for a more experienced reader. Also the magazine states at the bottom centre ' What’s going on in academies and free schools' so this means its target audience is more teens at school or maybe even young adults at university. The main image has no cover lines etc. but that maybe due to the fact that the image used tells it all. Two older intelligent men seemly having a debate, probably academic related issues. I can tell they are debating or resolving conflict due to their hand gestures and facial expressions. Based on other covers from the same magazine I have looked at its clear there is a consistent design and colour, blue and white. There is a tear down the middle of the image; to me this suggests what’s inside the cover with the two men is what’s inside, content page. 

 

This magazine looks simply but quite expensive looking, their isn’t too much effort put in to the style or representation it is lacking in a lot of aspects but does still come on as expensive. I choose this one out of the bunch because it looked the best. It wasn’t too full on but at the same time had no puff and especially no slogan to sell the idea. The magazine addresses its reader with the line ' What’s going on in academies and free schools'. This is their mode of address and they do it straight forwardly no connotations. The cover shows only men, no women. This may be because the contents are men related but other magazines of this type had only men or boys on the cover which means there is a chance they only represent men. There are no girls or baby’s shown either which means it is ranged from teen boys to men only no adolescents, although that doesn’t mean they don’t read it.

 

I think this is an average magazine because it lacks in a lot of stuff; no banner, no advertorials, and not even brand identity. These to me are vital parts of selling your magazine and making it your own. Not to put the magazine down in negative way but they don’t offer much to their readers either, they so lack of connection with audiences. One thing I have not included is the mid centre directly on the main image a short piece saying ‘is autonomy safe in their hands’ that tells us that this magazine is Government Issue related.