Textual Analysis of Quad and Newman

In todays media lesson, We were given two front covers of university prospectus as well as our own schools prospectus. We were asked to analyse all three of them, talking about the colour schemes, texts, images and how they targeted their audience. There were a number of differences and similarities in both the Queen Mary University and Newsman University.

St. Marks Catholic School

My first impression of the St Marks prospectus is that its a multi cultural and catholic school. This is shown through the different images on enthic groups. The large logo also has a cross in the middle to represent the catholic side.  The images attract the readers eye through the use of bright colours and large font sizes. I also find that the images blend very well with the text. The prospectus is aimed at Parents adn students.

Newman University

With this University there were a lot of informative language, good use of images and text. The front cover also included the issue date and Logo. Although the images seems confusing, they link to the text somehow. For example the image of the little boy playing a game links to the rhetorical question at the bottom of the page. The bold White Mast head, helps attract the attention of the reader as well as inform its audience of the name of the University. Some of the Advantages in this prospectus includes the good use of images, texts and also the use of the issue date as this informs the reader of when the prospectus came out. However some of the Disadvantages includes the use of dull colours. I also think that the the front cover looks too busy with images. This takes the attention away from the text information. For an improvement, it could do with brighter colours and less images. The images also needs to be linked to the texts more effectively. The logo on the top right  hand side of the page could also be enlarged.

QUAD University

With this prospectus, the first image that catches the eye is the large logo. Underneath the logo is the issue date and the name of the magazine. The first impression that you get from this front cover is that its a multicultural university. This is due to the images of the different ethnic graduates that are used. There is also some text information next to some of the images. This informs the reader of some of the courses that are available.

Another key point is the image of Queen Mary. As this links to the name of the university, " Queen Mary University of London".  There is also the use of an olden day picture and a modern day picture. This helps show the contrast between the two and shows how the University has changed over the years. A disadvantage would be lack of text. There isnt enough text on the page to inform its reader of what is in the prospectus. The images also look too untidy and easily made. It looks like its been made by a 5 year old as the images dont blend together very well but instead looks like a copy and paste. However I do like the good use of colours. As an improvement, I think the name of the university should be a lot larger.

Overall, I find the QUAD University more attractic and eye catching. I find it less confusing and appeals to its targeted audience a lot better than the Queen Mary University. The Queen Mary prospectus looks too messsy and not well laid out.

Preliminary task introduction

In todays lesson, we were told what our preliminary tast was going to be. Our task was to design the front cover and contents page of a schools prospectus.

We were asked to focus on ideas such as:

• The target audience- Aimed at parents and students.
• Images- Maybe images of perfectly dressed smiling students
• Language- The use of Formal or Informal language or the use of persuasive and informative language.
• Contents
• Logos and colour schemes- The use of bright attractive colours.
• And finally means of attracting the targeted audience- through the mention of rewards schemes such as school trips.

We also looked at things that may help improve our front cover such as the use of different camera angles, the use of persuasive phrases and many more. We also looked at  front covers of past pupils. I found this lesson very helpful as it gave me ideas on what i might include in my own front cover and also what worked and what didnt.

Editing Photo

In todays media lesson, we had to edit our nature pictures that we took earlier using photoshop. On the left is one of the original pictures that i took using a camera. In this blog i will be showing a step to step guide on how I edited my picture. 

To start with my editing, I decided that my picture needed a more brighter natural colour to it. I decided to go for a brighter green to brighten the atmosphere. To do this, First i clicked on the enhance button at the top of the page and then adjust colour. Then colour variations. This allowed me to choose from a range of colours for my picture.

I also added a fish to my image so that it didnt look empty. To do this, first i had use the magnetic lasso tool to crop the picture of a fish out of it original image.

 

After doing this, I was now able to move the croped section to my nature background.

 I also added text to my front cover. This text informed my viewers of what the name of my magazine was and also informed them of what was inside. To add add text, First I click on the text button. After I did this, I could then manipulate the direction on my text. For example, icould make it curvy or vertical.

Finished front cover

AUDIENCE PROFILE FOR NATURE MAGAZINE

My nature magazine is mostly aimed at nature lovers of all ages. The front cover makes this very clear through the image of a small water fall, a fish and an overall nature looking background. This is also shown in the bold heading "NATURE LIFE". This magazine can be targeted at both adults and young adutls as the text is easy to read and understand. People of all classes can also buy this magazine as the price is quite reasonable. This allows more readers to buy my magazine without hesitation. The sub headings on the front cover is what i used to attract the readers attention. For example, I used an exageration on words such as " Battle for life". This makes the reader want to know more about this battlle for life. The bright green scenary in the front cover also attracts the readers eye. The stories inside is are related to daily nature experiences and this is a strong point as it allows the reader to get hooked on the daily stories that might take place in the magazine.

COMPARISON

I can see some similarities in my nature magazine compared to this one. For example, The image of trees in the background giving this magazine a nature look. Just like mine, this magazine hooks its readers through its subheadings and bold text. Looking at this front cover also helps show me what my front cover is missing. For example as an improvement to my front cover, I would add the price on the front cover to make the readers aware. I would also make the subheadings much bolder with brighter colours. further more, I will include the dates of when the magazine is issued. I might also move my heading from the middle of the page to the top of the page. This will hopefully allow my viewers to see the whole beauty nature.

Overall, I think this magazine will be more succesful with the help of tiny changes to the front cover. This will hopefully appeal to its targeted audience more effectively.

Photoshop lesson

I Learnt how to use Photoshop today :) Some amazing technology there. I found this session very helpful as I learnt to feather a picture, as well as edit its colours and texture.