University Link is a campus magazine, which is ‘For college students by college students.’ On first look
the American magazine is modern, professional and informative. This magazine front cover denotes a photograph of a man with a plain white background, looking confident and holding a model-like stance. The Front cover also includes several coverlines either side of him, ranging in size and significance to the man on the front who is known as ‘Joel McHale’ which is shown by the main coverline.
When looking only at the main image on the front cover, it is of a middle-aged man dressed in a suit and looking very competent. However the one strange thing about him is that he is wearing white trainers. ‘John McHale’ is an American actor who is staring in a show called ‘Community’ which is indicated with the coverlines. The fact that they have an American actor on the front cover of their magazine proves that this American magazine is successful and that they have the money for rights to use the photograph of him at least which is significant to the College Students.
When considering mise-en-scene, especially costume, it seems that the trainers are significant in some way because it doesn’t follow suit of the smart attire. When focusing on lighting in reference to the photograph of the man, high-key lighting is used which makes the photograph very clear. With the setting as plain white background, disregarding the line in which the wall meets the floor and a slight shadow is made, there is no intentional settings, its solely to make you look elsewhere and not focus on the setting itself, however the overall look is very bright.The fact that the photograph is very bright is also very effective of his Non-verbal communication as it lights up his face and body completely which means we are able to see the stern look on the mans face, he comes across as very determined but also relaxed which the gesture if his hands in his pockets perceives. He is also looking directly at the camera which means that he is definitely aware of the camera and the look is intentional.
The masthead of this college magazine front cover is in a sans serif front, is pink and is situated boldly at the top of the front cover. The logo is very plain considering it is intended to be recognisable; however the simplicity is very effective and is easy for people to remember. The Main coverline on this front cover is ‘Joel McHale’ which indicates towards the actor which is presented on the front of the magazine. It is situated underneath the masthead with a sans serif font also; however the contrast between this font and the masthead font is defined.
All of the coverlines use this font and a bright blue with the kicker being a in the same font despite being smaller than the main Coverline and also in black. This composition is very different from normal as there is six coverlines all having kickers but with only a slight significance of which is the main one would be the small increase in size and the positioning of it. All of the Anchorage include a very likable colour scheme of black, blue and Pink all contrasting on the white background which again adds to how it’s made professional.
The Selling line is positioned on top of the front cover, and interestingly includes only music related information, which is a good way of addressing the students because most students are interested in music and seeing this could improve the chances of buying the magazine, However the tastes of music vary from student to student making it a vital choice of who to include on the selling line, as you wouldn't like to stereotype the magazine into falling into a certain category. The barcode also isn't evident on the front page which suggest that it is situated on the spine of the magazine or back cover. Underneath all of the Coverlines, it seems that a Puff has been added but without the surrounding shape as it only says 'Fashion on 40 Dollars' with the 40 Bold and big taking up a lot of room which could easily be made into a puff by adding a shape around it. The information is different from the rest of the front cover and would be suitable to fit in the puff, however by choosing not to also adds to the professionalism and sticking to the colour scheme throughout. This Text is above the Dateline, which states the date and price very small but again keeping within range of the colour scheme of being written in black. The controversial front cover has a very good and edgy composition which makes me notice it and like it.
