Images Used and Editing - Contents Page

This is the final image i decided to use for my contents page. I did not edit it/left the background in as previously i had used an image and cropped the background out and the image did not fit right with my contents page and did not seem to stand out as much as i would like. As the background is left in it makes the image stand out and draws the readers attention towards it. As the main colours of the contents page are black, red and grey it contributes to the idea that the image will stand out and look clear.

Before i decided to use the image above for my contents page i used this one. However as the model was not fully in frame/not all of the body was shown, i thought it made the image look messy and unprofessional. Similarly i did not feel the coloured background worked and therefore cropped it out and replaced it with a white background. Still, this looked messy and did not fit right with the look of my contents page. Therefore i chose a new image and replaced the white background with a light coloured one.

When constructing my contents page i also used this image. Similarly i initially did not feel that the coloured background worked and therefore cropped it out. However, i felt as though this looked even worse and so, discarded the image altogether as, like previously, i did not feel the image fit right with the look of my contents page.

This was my first idea that i had for my contents page, the image above featured in the bottom right corner. However, i felt that this looked too basic and unprofessional and the image was not being recognised as clear as it should be. Therefore i changed my ideas and came up with my final product, which featured a much more professional layout and images that stand out and are clearly noticed.

Images Used and Editing - Front Cover

Once I started to make my front cover I decided that this image would be the best to use as it is in a medium close up and gives strong eye contact with the reader, a typical convention of music magazines. I also chose this image as there is space around for cover lines, the masthead and a banner. This image also gives off the correct vibe that I am aiming for with my magazine. My front cover image is the only image that i original chose that ended up in my final product. As the model is dressed in something individual and something that everyday people would not normally wear it links with the ideology of my magazine; don't be afraid to be independent and break typical stereotypes.

Still, I had to decided on the colour scheme of my main image and so I edited the background in several colours which included a grey, blue and white. However, once the edited image had been put on the completed front cover I decided it did not look right and therefore decided to go with the original image which provides a blank background, ensuring no main attention is being taken away from the features. The background used also provides a link to the contents page image and also, despite the main colour's running through my magazine are black, grey, red and white i felt that putting either one of these colours as a background showed the splash to look messy, rushed and over the top.

Unused Images

When taking photo's for my magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread I had an idea that most of the images would be in a medium/long shot and so decided to take the majority of my images in that shot. However, I decided to take some in a medium close up and some in a long shot to vary the images and make sure I had a selection to chose from when it came to making my final product.

Also when taking my photos I ensured that they were taken with a variety of poses and facial expressions to make sure I had a wide enough selection to chose from. However all making the same link that the magazine is individual and different and the readers should be the same, not scared to break out of the typical stereotypes we see in everyday media. I also ensured that the model was featured in different outfits to connote different sides to their personality which was a big thing running through the theme of my main story; not everyone is how they are portrayed in the media spotlight and you shouldn't judge someone just because of the way they look, before you've met and got to know them. Similarly when taking my photo's I ensured that they were taken against a blank canvas so it was easier to edit and could be used without edits if needed.

The images above are the ones that I i did not think right or fitted well with my final product. Although some of the images used in the final construction are similar to the above I feel the ones chose have the right twist to fit well with my cover, contents and double page spread, whether it be the stance or facial expression etc.

Font Ideas

When planning my magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread I thought of a selection of fonts I could use to make my magazine as effective as it could be.

Although not all of the fonts planned will be used it has given me a good idea as to which will be the most effective, give good contrast when needed and make the featured needed, stand out the best.

For example, 'Arial for Autograph' is clear and easy to read, and therefore will be a good font to use on my front cover for cover lines. Similarly, 'Times New Roman' is classic and also easy to read, therefore would be a good font to use on my contents page.

'Valdimir Script' is a good font to use when planning to contrast something against another as it is different from most fonts and will catch the readers eye due to it being more different. Therefore it could be a good font to use on my front cover when trying to contrast the main cover line from the rest.

'Haettenschweiler', however, is not that easy to read as it is quite thick and the lettering is close together, therefore, would not be a suitable font to use when planning a feature that needs to stand out clearly and be easy to spot.

Double Page Spread Sketch Drafts

As done prebiously, when planning my double page spread I made a layout version and a more detailed version. When planning my layout I decided to place the title of my spread in the top right hand corner of the right hand page. Underneath this would be the caption of the article and under that the article, which will continue onto othe pages. The title of the page will be larger than the caption and article as it is important for it to catch the readers eye and make it clear that this is the page relating to the main image on the magazine cover.

To the left of the masthead/caption/article I chose to place a selection of different images which will fill the page. I chose to feature a selection as it will show the different sides of the person that is being interviewed and give a more clear view about who they are to the reader.

When planning my double page spread in more detail i decided to have the title of the page be a quote from the article as it engages the reader, making them want to read further and find out what and why it's being said. I chose to have the words "i'm just like you" as it shows that even music stars are normal and like everyone else, contributing to the idea that the story is relatable and the readers can feel more involved. I decided to keep the caption brief, not giving too much away but making it detailed enough to make the reader want to find out more in the interview.

The selection of images will all be different, connoting that there are different sides to everyone, showing that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and the person you see reflected in the media is not always who that person really is.

Contents Page Sketch Drafts

Similarly to the front cover, with my contents page I originally sketched up a layout I would use for my contents page. Within this layout I included the name of the page (contents)/masthead at the top, covering the whole width of the page. I then decided to place the list of pages and features that would be included in my magazine along the left hand side, covering the whole length of the page. An editors letter would then be placed opposite the navigation section. However, this would not take up the length of the page as under the editors letter would be a selection of images from the main feature.

I then planned my contents page in depth and drafted what my features would be called. I decided to include both features that were on the cover and also what would be regular in the magazine. The 'on the cover' section will be at the top of this column as it will be the first thing the readers will want to look at as the features on the cover would have been the main reason people have bought the magazine.

When deciding what to write about in the 'editors letter' section I chose to write about what this issue would feature and the reasoning for choosing these particular features this month. When planning what images I would feature on the contents page I decided to choose some from 'behind the scenes' of the main feature to give the reader more of an insight into the shoot and make them feel more involved in the magazine.

Front Cover Sketch Drafts

When planning my front cover I started by making a sketch draft of the layout I was going to use and then made a second sketch draft when included the masthead name, cover lines and image etc.

When planning my layout I decided to stick with the typical music magazine conventions and place the masthead in the top left of the splash. I then decided to place the main image along the right hand side, taking up the majority of the splash, ensuring it stands out and is the first thing people notice. The main cover line was placed on top of the main image to distance it away from the other covers lines and making sure it is linked with the main image/feature. The main image will be shown in a close up as it will make the reader feel engaged due to strong eye-contact, making them want to buy the magazine and read on further.

The caption to the main cover line will make the story featured seem as though this is breaking news and has never been seen anywhere else due to the use of words such as 'finally' and 'reveales'.

The masthead will be shown fully and will not be covered by the main image as my magazine is a new one and therefore the public will be unaware of it, meaning that if the main image covers the masthead the audience will not know what the magazine is called.

I then decided to place the remaining cover lines down the left hand side of the image and make them smaller than the main cover line and also in a different font and colour so it is clear to the reader that they are not linked and do not relate to the main image.

Finally I decided to include a banner along the top of the splash to relate the magazine to music completely and make the magazine seem more realistic as, when carrying out research, noticed most magazine covers included a banner along either the top of bottom.