DAVE is a magazine for Southend East Essex College packed with features, interviews, reviews and the magazine is completely free. With an estimated readership of 15,000, distribution across Southend-on-Sea, and plenty of media coverage in the local press, DAVE is beginning to make a big impact on Southend. The magazine is available at Southend East Essex College, Southend Libararies, Sainsburys, Tescos, Asda, Waitrose and HMV. In general each page of DAVE comprises at least 50% photos, this represents the idea that the magazine is targetted at teenagers, as most teenagers prefer to look at photos rather than read the articles in magazines.
DAVE features upcoming events/films. A fun upbeat, inspiring and positive message, articles primarily of student interest whilst remembering the supermarket readership. A young voice i.e. non-patronising, however, bearing in mind DAVE's moral standpoint as DAVE reflects the college. It is informative (e.g. events, further reading, links)
DAVE is a magazine aimed at students however it is not based on college life it features articles on music/gig/film book reviews, articles on beauty and fashion and puzzle pages.
The layout of the magazine is very eye catching through the use of bright and bold fonts, contrasting onto a black background. The language that has been used on the front cover of the magazine is slang 'can you gig it?' this is suitable for a student life magazine as the reader will feel as if it is more related to them, rather than using formal language which would suggest to the reader more it is aimed at an older generation - perhaps parents. Out of the three school/college magazines I have researched into DAVE has given me the most inspiration in creating a successful school magazine as it is the type of magazine I aim to achieve. It is more for the students entertainment to read rather than a chore in reading a magazine solely based on school life. I aim to achieve what DAVE has in catering for a wide range of different needs and including a variety of articles so that there is something to benefit everyone.
