Vessy School Magazine

To prepare myself for the preliminary task I have analysed the front cover of an independent school magazine which is shown on the left. I have looked at two main aspects of the front cover- denotation which is the literal meaning of media texts and connotation which are all the association that are made when interpreting a media text. I have then suggests a number of improvement which could make the front cover more appealing to the viewer. 

Denotational meaning:    

Harrow Tammil School magazine.The cover looks interesting and attractive because of the variety of warm colours in it. There are a lot of music instruments in the picture. There is a writting in another language (probably Arabic).There is a religious picture on the top of the cover.

The target audience are both parents and students who have interest in music and art related subjects . The general mise-en-scene of the cover is carefully created using a lot of music instruments and art objects .This suggests that the school is a music or creative art school. The writing in Arabic suggests that this is an Arabic school which is more welcoming to Arabic Muslim people.The image underneath the writting suggests this is a religious and traditional school.The warm colours emit positive energy and create a positive and happy image of the school which attracts people's interest. The carefully selected mise-en-scene makes association with oranisation and succession.The border works especially well in giving a final touch to the image, structuring and balancing the poster. Most of the objects are of similar sizes which balances the overall picture.

More effective image can be achieved by:

• avoiding the use of orange. Most of the objects are coloured in orange and this makes he image too monotonous and a bit boring. Even when orange is a warm colour it also creates negative association such as danger and fire. If different positive colours are used e.g.pink and yellow, the image will be varied and interesting. Objects will stand out and attract more attention.
• The image can be improved by not having foreign language writings and pictures because this restricts the target audience. Even if the school wants to attract Muslim people mainly, including a writing in different language might seem a little rude to other people who will not understand it.
• Overall the front cover is successful in meeting its aim to attract (potential)students' and their parents' attention. The poster is interesting and attractive and skillfully done.