Plans I Didnt Follow

Plans I didn't follow

The most obvious decision that I wasn't able to follow was the drawn up plans I had made as an over view of what my finished products would have looked at. The main reason that I think I didn't stick to these drawing is because of how simple they looked. I don’t think that I included nor had a clear idea of how much I would actually need to put into each of them.

For my front cover drawn plan I included quite a few conventions such as masthead, puff and selling lines. However when it came to actually producing it I wasn't able to include all of them, I was probably thinking that the front cover would look too informative on just one page and decrease its professionalism. Therefore I didn't include the puff and instead added more selling lines as that is key for a front cover page as well as a ‘plus’. The main reason for this was, because of the magazines that I had used for inspiration all had clean cut images. For this reason, I too wanted my magazine to have a clean cut image for its brand, which I also think is good for my target readers as they are young adults, I didn't think that a lot of information would be needed. As you get older I think that interpreting what the magazine is about comes easier. For example if Jay Z is on a magazine the magazine is more likely to also include his daughter or Beyoncé and therefore the selling  lines would need to be put on. However for if it’s a magazines for young children then more would need to be put on the front in order to keep them interested.

I would have to say that my contents page was the page that I had the most time struggling with. I knew from the beginning that once I couldn't find the right picture to use for my content page that I would be able to stick with the plan. At first I planned on on having one picture on the side with text all around it, but then afterwards I started finding it hard to choose a background color. Therefore I decided to do some research and found out that most pictures taken by professional as use the background they've been given and just edit it, to make it brighter or fit the concept, which is what I decided to do. This also meant that I couldn't stick to the planned schedule I had made either as I had to recall the model I had used and retake some pictures. Once I had decided to use the background from the picture, because of the position of my model in the photo I had to also change the position of the text I would later on include.

Producing the double page spread was the easiest part for me,  I think I was able to keep to the drawn plan I had and include some things here and there. For example sticking to the position of where to place the interview of my featuring artists as well as well image to go behind as the background as well, managed to fit fit perfectly together.

My Final Pages

My Final Pages

Front Cover Editing

Front Cover Editing

In order to make my front cover more appealing, all I had left to do was add some more selling lines towards the top side of the models face, this way the page will look more full and informative. I also researched and saw that on the front cover that I used as inspiration; most front covers had puffs or a plus. When it came to deciding where on my front cover the ‘Plus’ text was going to go; I firstly went with positioning it just above ‘AZALEA’. However the background was of my models body warmer was black and therefore clashed with the

actually plus sign. So I therefore decided to position it just to the right of my models face as the lighting was brighter making it easier for the readers to notice it.  I then decided to make the featuring sign ‘ Exclusive The Queen of Hip Hop AZALEA’ larger, since it is the main unique selling point that will attract my potential target audience. The selling lines on the right side of my front cover also needed to be tidied up; as the spaces between each line weren't even which I thought would not help my front cover’s professionalism. I also decided to add ‘Issue 10’ on top of the bar code, just to give it the edge.

Contents Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

In order for my contents page and cover page to flow I decided to add the similar background covers for my subheadings, and got rid of the black line at the bottom. After a while I didn't feel it was necessary that I had it, I think I was trying to make sure that both my content page and double page spread flowed together nicely, however later on I realised that my double page spread is the page which is supposed to stand out the most as it contains the featuring artists on it. I also decreased the size of my fonts, this way I can add more text onto the page and make it seem more informative. Although when it came

towards the bottom of my page the colors started to clash with my models clothing. Therefore I decided to add a small advertisement instead, in order to make it stand out compared to the rest of the text on the page I used a larger bold typeface to catch my readers eye. However I didn't want it to seem to different to the rest of the page and ruin the color scheme i had chosen, so I therefore used a similar typeface to the titles I've been using and a similar bold red.

Front Cover Editing

Front Cover Editing

The final things that I wanted to add to my front cover page were the saturated red around my headlines. This way it’ll be easier for the reader’s to identify what the main content of the magazine will be. I also edited ‘The Queen of Hip Hop’, giving it an outer glow; this was because the background of some of this was black due to the models cloths. So I thought

the glow would help readers to read it better. I also changed the date from the ‘4 July 2015’ to ‘July 2015. The reason for this is because when it came to asking people how often they thought my type of music magazine should be published, the majority of them picked monthly. I then went online and done some research finding out that magazines that are published monthly don’t include the date of the month on their magazine.

Contents Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

After adding in the advertisement text using InDesign, I decided to go back onto Photoshop and add a white box around the text. From some research I’ve done on content page advertisements they tend to make the text stand out from the rest, therefore I used a different typeface as well as the color. I also looked at some examples that VIBE had

previously published and realised hat they have always choose a different font for their featuring artist excluding the page number, or even sometimes change its position compared to all the other page numbers. For this reason I wanted to make the typefaces the same as the one i had chosen for the front cover this way, it helps the pages to flow. I also changed its position more towards the models image this way

Double Page Editing

Double Page Editing

After looking at my double page spread I realised that the black lines at the top and bottom were a bit too thick, so I therefore decided to make them smaller. However in order to do this I had to stretch the background picture which included the actual model. I also changed the size of my strap line at the top of both pages this way it would be more noticeable for the

readers. I was also thinking that the text on my double page spread was a bit small for the readers to see so I therefore went back on my InDesign and made the front 1 more size bigger. At the top of the page I also noticed that it was a bit plain, so I decided to go back on InDesign and include a small strap line. ‘Aimee Lee reveals her heart breaking story, page 21…’ This will also benefit the magazine as well once the readers finish reading the double page spread they can ten move onto reading another page that is advertised at eh top of the pages.

Contents Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

For my contents page I decided to add in a little advertisement at the bottom left corner to make the page look more realistic, with the help of InDesign. From some research I had done on what to advertise inside a magazine most website had written how some magazines done advertise other business products or service, but advertise an offer of their own for their readers, this way the magazine would still be gaining more attention. I decided

to go with ‘Subscribe Today for just £5.57 a Month’. The typeface I wanted this sentence to be was something that is completely different from the rest of the page this way it would stand out more from the reader’s perspective. I also decided to get rid of my ‘PLUS’ paragraph as there wasn't any more room for it and it looked a bit too random for this page. From looking at some researched contents pages, I realised that they always make the main featuring artists number page bolder or different in some way from the rest. So I therefore decided to go with the same typeface as my model’s name on the front cover page, this way it would be easily recognised from the readers that this page number will have her interview on it. At the bottom right hand side of my contents page, I included some social connections for my music magazine. Beside the social connections are the logos of the accounts I have created, this way if the red writing that I decided to type with, wouldn't catch their attention the logos will as they’re are well known companies. 

Cover Page Editing

Cover Page Editing

Looking at my magazine’s front cover I was thinking that it was looking a bit too simple so I therefore decided to add some more selling lines around my models picture. This way, the

 readers will have more of an idea of some the featuring artists in my magazine as well as some of the other magazine’s contents. I also decided to move the publishing date for my magazine to below to the masthead; this was so I could add in a strap line. The reason I decided to use a strapline is because straplines are known for being a type of catchphrase for your business. They are most commonly seen in adverts and on large signs; but can also be useful for promoting a business’ message. In Britain, straplines are md, and they are often called other names, including ‘slogans’ and ‘taglines’. Therefore the ‘slogan’ for my music magazine is: ‘SPECIAL EDITION   2015 MAXIMUM HOT 100’.

Cover Page Editing

Cover Editing

After getting the idea of how I wanted my magazine front cover to look I, was able to send the masthead of the page behind the main image. To do this I had to unlock the background in order to send the masthead behind the model in order to increase its underlying. However when I had done this there was a white line forming around my models head, making the image look less real. So I then was able to identify the exact color of her forehead and blend in the rest of her face without the white line forming. I also decided to do some research on whereabouts prices are located on pages and found out that it all depends on the actual price. Prices that are very low and cheap, are located on the page somewhere the reader can instantly see it, almost as if the magazine is also advertising the price. However since my magazine is £3.99, I decided to leave the price above the bar code in a smaller fonts size.

Contents Editing

Contents Editing

From this stage I added in the anchorage text for the image of Drake’s concert. Anchorage text allows readers to know the meaning behind the picture being in the magazine. As

known from some research done, readers tend to look at the images first especially for the age group my music magazine is aimed at. Therefore the readers can find out some extra information for the specific artists or gossip they are looking for from the image displayed.

I also changed the position of the anchorage text from my model’s image as I didn't want the page to look too constructed where everything is at an angle towards the corner of another. I also decreased the size of the ‘Plus’ page numbers, although I don’t know if I will be keeping it on the page as I can’t find the right position to put it on my contents page.

Contents Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

For my contents page it took me a while to get to this stage, even though I had already drawn up my plan and layout for every conventions I would use. After finding the layout best

for my magazine, I decided to add the anchorage text to my models image as well as the page number. I also moved the text containing the magazine’s social connections further to the left hand corner and made it a smaller size, this way all the text flow together and nothing looks out of place. I also wanted the masthead from my magazine cover to be on my contents page as a logo for the magazine, for this reason I decided to editing the typeface in order for it to look exactly like it did on the magazine cover. 

Content Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

Now that I have got the layout that I can actually work with, I managed to copy all the text and masthead as well as the small image i had on the side onto this page. I was finding it hard to make both contents page and cove page flow together at first, but once I managed to add a color gradient of grey to the background for some reason I thought it looked 100 times better. I also changed the color of my masthead from red to black but kept the TAKEOVER as red. This was because I wanted the masthead of the magazine to be represented as the logo for my contents page. Turning ‘CONTENTS’ from red to black would make it stand out more from the rest of the text so that the readers are able to instantly know what the page will be about. From some research that I had done on contents pages, I realized that almost all publishers tend to use guidelines in order for their numbers to stay in line with one another. Therefore I inserted some of my own so that the page would have more structure.

Content Editing

Contents Editing

In order for my pages to flow together I decided to change the color of my background and add a grey and white gradient, which also fit with my house style. After this I could see that the images were started to look better on the page but went fitting together still. I also decided to change the typeface of the TAKEOVER and CONTENTS to the same typeface of the magazine front cover, this way the pages are more likely to flow together with each other though appearance. When it came to the TAKEOVER I wanted to change its angle. This is because from research that I've done I've seen a few contents pages with this style and it seems to make them looks more professional. I also wanted to make the size of all the text on this page smaller to see if more text would be able to fit on the page.

Content Editing

Content Editing

For my contents page I was finding it hard to make all of the actual content fit the layout I had originally planned. So therefore, I wanted to use this Photoshop to put all the conventions and text will be using on the contents page just to see how everything looks on the page. Firstly I was struggling with the pictures that I wanted to put onto my contents page because I noticed that the colors were contrasting each other a lot. And for this reason I didn't know where my text would go either because I wanted to position my images first and the put the text in their place. 

Front Cover Editing

Front Cover Editing

For my cover page I decided to follow the house style I originally chose, which consisted of grey, red and black. Since red was the most powerful color in the group I thought it would be best to use it for the Masthead. This would make it easier for readers to notice my magazine from far as well as make it eye catching. For the text around my model I decided to type everything onto Microsoft Word first, that way all of my text is saved in one place until I’m ready to add them onto the pages needed. Since this is the first stage of me making the actual front cover I just wanted to see where everything would look best. Therefore I decided to add the featuring artists name around the lower centre, the bar code which is typically at the bottom as well as the selling lines to be surrounding the subject image. In order to stick to the house style I had picked out i wanted the artists who will be in the selling lines to be in a bold color so I suggested black and then the smaller text underneath them to be in red , giving the readers a little bit of information of what will be in the magazine.

My Concert Picture

My Concert Picture

 Since the pictures on my contents page have to take up most of the actual page I found it hard to find a second model to take a picture of, thankfully last year I was went one of Drake’s concerts. However I did delete a lot of my pictures from my album, so I had to go back onto my Instagram Account to find one my pictures taken. Once I had found the image I decided to ask some people if me taking a picture of someone close to me or using the picture of Drake’s concert would be better.

From the opinions I received from some people, they thought it would be better to use the image from his concert. Some of the obvious reason were that the image would clearly be a match for the genre of my magazine’s music. As Drake does do a lot of music in Hip Hop, I personally thought that this would help some people to gain more of the music genre through the pictures I will be putting on my contents page.

Double Page Spread Text

Double Page Spread Text

After putting my background together , I then decided to add my text in using InDesign. The reason for the double page spread to have a question and answer type of interview was because I found it easier to add in the colloquial language said by the ‘artist’. My double page spread contains columns, which are separated into 3. These are there to separate the main body text so that everything isn't clumped together. It also gives each paragraph and new sentence a bit of space to make it seem easier to read from the audience’s perspective. I believe the mise-en-scene in the background is able to reflect on the artists, telling the audience what genre the artist is along with the clothing and body language. The mise-en-scene is very important as the image will be related to the main body text. From some research done I found out that the color scheme for my double page spread can usually go both ways: it can either follow the colors that are used on the front cover or it can be completely different, as long as they’re reflecting the contents being reflected. I decided to stick with the color scheme from my front cover, and change the font typeface a little as this would make the reader’s attention stick in my opinion. The image I used for my double pager spread I was able to take a medium close up shot of my model with her more to the left side of my camera so that the actual picture would be able to take up the entire left hand side of the page.

Double Page Spread Background

Double Page Spread Background

Double page spreads are used to expand on some of the articles that were mentioned on the front cover of the magazine. They usually include a large image that covers most of the page and little text is used so that the attention is mainly on the image. These spreads can also be used for advertisements as readers will be able to look at the advertisement without getting distracted by any other pages. At this stage of my double page spread, I have only managed to add the background which is my model leaning against a brick wall with the masthead spread across the top. When it came to editing my double page spread image, I decided to use Cinerama edit. This allowed my picture to look more dusk and urban. I think this allowed my models expression to stand out more as artists who are in the Hip Hop industry always have on a serious facial expression, which would allow my target readers to hopefully denote the music genre. From this point of view I can see clearly where the text for my double page spread will be as well as the page numbers. Since the house style is red and black and white I wanted the pages to flow by making the masthead red as well as the questions that i'll be typing this page. 

Page Text

Page Text

When it came to the text on my double page spread I wanted to type it all up in one place first so I can save it as I went along, after this I will then use InDesingn to copy my text onto my pages. Even though the text on the double page spread isn't that important as the rest of magazine, I wanted to present it as a question and answer type of interview. For the grammar of my interview, after research based on magazine interview I found out that the writers keep the writing colloquial, this enabled the readers to feel more comfortable in reading the content on the double page spreads as well interested. I also managed to type up the text for my contents page, as every contents page has headings such as: Feature, News, Reviews, Beats, Lives and Plus.

Contents Page Editing

Contents Page Editing

For my contents page I because my music genre is Hip Hop, I research a lot of magazine contents page to see how they’re presented and organised. From the images I saw as well as the information I read, most contents page had one a background image of the main celebrity featuring in the magazine.

I thought that this would be a good idea, as the contents page would help give the readers more of the idea of Hip Hop if my cover page wasn't good enough. However due to the mark scheme as well as the layout plan I had already put together I thought I should stick to layouts similar to these.

For the contents image I decided to use one of the images I took of my model sitting down in a park near by. Since it was the contents page I didn't really want the image to stand out that much compared to by cover page and double page spread. I therefore used the online editing website on the internet called Pic Monkey. Since I aimed for my contents page to be slightly dark, I also wanted the picture to blend in, so I increased the contrasting light in the picture.