Magazine deconstruction

This is a sixth form magazine created by students of a British school that treats topics related to it.

• The title "aspire" suggests that the magazine will be about sixth form and how to get the best results.
• The masthead isn't in it's usual position and it's not used to describe the magazine, but it tells us one of the main articles in this magazine
• The left side thurd is simply a preview of the magazine contents
• In the sweet spot there is just an image and there is no price.
• date and issue are indicated under the title
• in this magazine the central image is a composition of multiple images.

Now , there are several reasons why this front cover wouldn't be appropriate for a normal magazine:

• the choice of colours connote that the magazine is for youngsters but because they are in contrast and do not mix well it denote inexperience.
• the top right picture is completely covered by the title so not very useful.
• there is no masthead that tells you why you should read this magazine instead of another
• the central images just distract the reader and gives us a sense of an amateur magazine. The bottom  right image would have been enough for the cover
• the puff would have been good if in the left hand thurd under the title

Of course they do not have to compete with other magazine being, probably, the only one in that school, but, nevertheless the mix of colours and the layout could be made a lot better.

Barnardo's campaign

During my media studies, I came across this picture from a Barnardo's campaign and I was asked for an opinion.

If the aim of this ad was to shock and horrify the viewer it surely worked for me, but because that is not the achievement that Barnardo's wants to reach I can't see its effectiveness.

Before I start explaining my statement I have to say that I've never heard of this association before this ad.

In this picture we see a baby, probably with just a few minutes on this world behind his back, with a bottle o pure alcohol in his mouth. The writings on the side of the image clearly explain the message of this image: in situation of poverty some children future is already written in alcohol, a destiny that will condemn them to a life of misery, if that can be called life.

We got the image, we got the explanation, so why do I think is ineffective?

Simply because this ad is missing something that all ads have: an order.

In this ad it's not clear what they want you to do: they do not  ask you to donate money and they do not ask you to go on their website.

So  after seeing this, what am I supposed to do?

I mean, the only result of this ad was confusing me.

I see a clearly exaggerated image, with an explanation of its meaning that doesn't name people or specific places that does not want anything from me apparently. It's confusing.

Of course after going on their website it was clear that they ask for donations, but I went on their website just because I had to do homework on this poster.

 I reckon that most of the middle/upper class fathers and mothers to whom this ad is for, will prefer to erase that image from their mind instead of doing research to understand what this ad wants from them. 

That's why I think it's ineffective.