Final Design of Double Page Spread

From my 'Facebook Focus Group feedback', one person found that I had asked the same question twice in my 'Top Five Randoms' interview. I changed question two from 'Do you like Simon Cowell?' to 'Which animal would you be?' I have also changed the position of the CD, added another drop cap and have put in a quote.

Final Design of Contents Page

For my Final Design I decided to add my magazine's masthead in the bottom right hand corner, this helps to create a continuity with my double page spread as well.

Final Design of Front Cover

Creating a Colour Swatch

Using InDesign

Time Management Update

This week I am working on my double page spread and will gain audience feedback from a focus group around the same age as my target audience for my music magazine. This week I will need to have finished all the pages of my magazine and make sure that all my screen shots have been analysed and posted. I am up to date with my magazine but need to finish my screenshots for my contents page and double page spread. I haven't done this as I have been focusing on gaining all my audience feedback before the deadline.

Facebook Focus Group Feedback

Focus Group Feedback: Video

I got feedback from someone who would fall in my target audience age bracket. The person said that my images were suitable for my double page spread as they connoted the pop genre and they were interesting. Also she said that there was continuity within my magazine, due to the colour scheme resembling the other pages and the fonts. She also said that the image to text ratio was correct as there wasn't too much text to read. It makes it look less daunting. She said the target audience was teenagers but wasn't sure on an age bracket. Finally, she said that my image connoted a femininity and a pop genre. 

Double Page Spread So Far...

Creating My Double Page Spread

Research and Planning: Images for my Double Page Spread

This will be the main image of the girlband.

This image will be made smaller and I will photoshop it to change the colour and make it more bold.

Mock Up of Double Page Spread

This is a mock up of my double-page spread. It will feature a large central image of a new girl band and a smaller image which will relate to a small interview. There will be a small puff in the top right hand corner which will feature a free advertisement advertising a sneak peak at a new single. The main article will be a written article resembling an interview style but with no interview headings. Finally, in order to maintain continuity I will use the same font styles and colours as I have done on my front cover and contents page. 

Focus Group Feedback: Contents Page

The focus group for my contents page feedback were three girls, aged between 16-18 which represents the chosen target audience for my magazine. My first question asked if I needed any more stories, one person said I could just make the font larger in order to fill the space; however, one said I could add a couple more to fill the space. My second question involved asking if my magazine showed continuity-they all replied yes as the masthead was the same as my front cover, as well as the colour scheme remaining the same. They also said that my images connoted a fun and party-like effect which represents the pop genre. Also I asked if my masthead was suitable; one person said it was clear to read as the letters were spaced out. Finally, they said that they thought the target audience were teenagers, around 13-17. However I had chosen my target audience to be between 16 and 22. This is something that I will need to change.

Contents Page So Far...

Creating my Contents Page

Using InDesign

 

 

Research and Planning: Images for my Contents Page

 Image 1: I have chosen this image for my contents page as it connotes a youthful and exciting effect. It targets my chosen pop genre as the colours are young and vibrant and it also connotes a partying effect. The mise en scene is relatable to my audience as the facial expressions are happy and the clothing is fit for that age group.

 Image 2: I have chosen this image as it resembles an Andy Warhol effect which will fit in with my pop genre. It also shows a CD which is suitable for a music magazine.

Image 3: This image is of 'The Troublesome Tones' who are featured in my main story.

Focus Group Feedback on Front Cover

I asked my focus group five questions about the front cover of my magazine. I chose to ask three girls between the ages of 16-17 as they resemble my target audience. The first question referred to which genre my magazine represented. They all agreed that the genre of my magazine was pop and one said it was mainstream. They also said that the layout was busy which reflects a pop genre with the masthead reflecting a pop theme; the central image connotes a fun effect. The focus group also decided that I didn't need to add anything to the cover as it would become too overcrowded; however, one of the members said that my colour scheme was perhaps too young for an audience of 16-22 year olds. I could lower the age group so that the colour scheme will appeal to a specific age group who like the colour pink. 

Front Cover So Far...

Creating my Front Cover

Using InDesign:

The first step into creating my magazine was to create a masthead which would be the main form of brand identity for my magazine, it would also have to link in with the chosen genre of my magazine, which in this case is 'pop'. I chose my masthead from da font which is an online website that features a variety of different font styles. I chose calendar note and downloaded it into InDesign. I altered the colours by clicking on the colour box and selecting 'new colour swatch' the colours are pink, purple and black which coincides with my chosen colours scheme.

Calendar Note font from da font.





The main text for my magazine is 'KG Part of Me', I can change the size in the box to the right of the font style option.

The central image is an important componenant in the front cover of a magazine. I chose an image which would cover half the front cover as in my research Q magazine also did. The colours needed to be vibrant as the genre is pop, I also researched this in 'Top of the Pops' magazine. I had to create a new layer for my image and then paste it into place.

 

To input a barcode into my magazine I downloaded it from da font, created a text box and then chose the font. I also created 3 circles for my puff. I did this by selecting the circle shape tool from the toolbar on the far left.

Barcode font downloaded from da font.

 

 

Now my masthead, central image, puff and barcode are in place, I am ready to create my coverlines. I created a new layer for my coverlines and have drawn out the boxes ready for the input of text.

All the coverlines have been put in place. I have chosen to use pink, purple and black as it is my chosen colour scheme. The coverlines were inputted by adding a text box into each drawn out rectangle. The text tool is located on the left hand side beneath the two arrow tools. The coverlines will relate to my contents page in order to maintain a continuity within the house style.

 

 



I have inserted an image by pasting it into place just beneath my coverlines. I have also input text into my puff. The front cover is now complete and I will need to gain audience feedback before it is completely finished.



 

Research and Planning: Images for my Front Cover

This image will be my central image; however, I will photoshop one of the girls out as she has her eyes closed in the shot. I will therefore make the image larger, and it links in with my research of Q magazine as they had a similar one sided shot.

This image will be smaller and will be used to fill in the space, the image connotes a feminity and girliness due to the makeup and also the colour pink.

Time Management Update

I am currently up to date with my scheme of work. I have now completed my mock ups for both my front cover and my contents page. I have also completed my front cover and almost my contents page. Next I will be gaining feedback on my magazine cover and contents page and annotating screenshots of developing my music magazine. 

Contents Page: Mock Up

My contents page will show continuity as it has a house style. This can be shown by the masthead as it features the same font style and colours. I will feature more images on my contents page and they will be different to my front cover; this will add variety to my magazine. I've kept my coverlines in the same style so that it will reinforce the effect of continuity throughout my magazine. 

Research and Planning: Photoshoot

This is a possible image choice for my central image front cover.  The colours all create a pop effect as we have incorporated pink into the makeup and clothing. There are lips printed onto one of the models faces which connotes a fun but flirtatious effect which could also connote excitement. I had bubbles as a prop as it creates a friendly mode of address and appears fun. 

This is an image that could be used in either the contents page or in my double page spread. The colours and discs help to reinforce the brand identity due to the musical props and pop colour palette. The colours contrast onto the background which shows that they are the focus point of the image and therefore hide the faces of the models. The medium-close up shot allows the audience to focus onto the discs. In my previous magazine research medium-close ups were commonly used throughout the magazines. 

This is a possible central image for my front cover. It is a medium shot which the majority of magazines feature on their front cover. The use of the colours pink, green and yellow help to create a friendly mode of address as they connote a warmness which invites the audience in. The facial expression is smiling which connotes a happiness. The bubbles connote an excitement and freedom as they fly away. 

This is an image that could possibly be used for my contents page. It shows two people having fun and singing, which pop stars do. The lights create a club-like effect and with the discs in the background it reinforces the brand identity of the magazine. The shot again is a medium close up which is common in most music magazines. The colour yellow connotes a happiness and the red connotes a mystery and flirty effect, which is then transformed onto the pink. 

This image could be used for my contents page or on the front cover. However it appears more model-esque rather than pop star. I could use it to reflect one of my coverlines, which would be about fashion. The expression in the picture is relaxed but posed and it connotes flirtation. By using black and white it contrasts with my other images-although it could be used for 'old school' pop. 

This is image connotes friendship, happiness, girly and gossipy. It can be used to represent the teenage audience as well as the clothing and poise representing two young pop stars or fashionistas. The purple connotes mystery, luxury and wealth. 

This medium close up shot reinforces the brand identity of pop as it incorporates an Andy Warhol pop art theme. The disc stands out again as it is more luminous than the lower half of the photo.

I tried to be more creative with this photo by highlighting a certain section of the image. The colours pink and blue both connote a vibrance and pop art effect-which I took inspiration from the artist Andy Warhol. This image connotes a uniqueness and individuality.

This image is more relaxed and shows the model with a microphone. The chord has been wrapped around to create a more interesting and creative effect, rather than it just hanging down and not looking very professional. The models facial expression is fairly serious and sophisticated which may be unsuitable for a pop magazine as they are more informal.

Research and Planning: Locations

This loaction wasn't very practical as the background would reflect light very easily, which made certain patches very bright. Also the brown textures didn't link in with the pop genre and clashed with the clothing. It wouldn't have been very exciting and if I wanted to edit the background it wouldn't have been very flexible for me to do so.

This location was of a plain white wall which is beneficial for the photoshoot. The white wall would allow for easy editing and to manipulate the background colour. This would help to reinforce the brand identity of the magazine as the background can become any colour and have added effects. The wall would also provide a basic background; allowing clothes to contrast against the white and to make the models the main focal point.

This background isn't very practical as it isn't flattering or relatable to the images. The radiator would distract from the images and would cause the models to jut out from the background. This would not be seen in a professional photoshoot.

Research and Planning: Props and Preparation

I have used microphones as a prop in my photoshoot, The microphones represent someone singing and the life of the pop star. They will be used by my models who will pose with them singing or looking like they're having fun. To make the microphones more creative we decided to try and entwine the chords around each models body and use the microphone in different poses/positions.

I took this image to show the makeup that we used for preparation. We used foundation, blush, mascara and lip gloss for the main effect. We chose to use pink lipgloss and blush as it links in with the pop genre and feminist approach. Pink also connotes a fun and girly theme. 

This is an image of one of my models applying blush. I took this to show the preparation of getting ready and what photoshoots would look like before the final images have been taken.

This is an image of another model doing her hair. We chose to have a mix of up-dos and hair which was down and curly. The curliness would connote a free and girly approach whereas the buns are more controlled but also show off a pop star do. 

An image showing one of my models applying mascara. This also shows the nails have been done too. Pop stars are usually heavily made up so I wanted to show different aspects of this. 

Mock Up of Front Cover

This is a mock up of my front cover. The colours for my masthead are girly because my pop magazine is aimed towards a female teenage audience between the ages of around 16-22. Pink connotes an excitement and feminism so it links in well with the genre. Along with my central image I will include one or two more images from my photoshoot and feature a variety of coverlines. The puff will be located in a corner. 

Research and Planning: Coverlines

I will feature a variety of coverlines and articles in my magazine. My coverlines will be based on ones that I have reseacrhed in other music magazines and from my focus group. My focus group decided that chart music should be featured in my magazine as it is relatable to more people and is interesting . Also they said that I should have a mix of single and double page spreads so that it would break up the magazine.  

Some examples could include:

• This weeks top 40!
• Chart Topping Tunes!
• Lights, Camera, Action 
• How to get my style 

Colour Palette and Font Style Sheet

Research and Planning: Time Management

I am now up to date with all my work and will now start working on my font style and colour sheet. This will help me to decide which fonts I will use for my masthead and will help to develop my colour scheme. With the research I have already carried out on pop music magazines, I will find fonts of a similar style and colour. This will reflect the work that I have already carried out on researching pop magazines.

Style Sheet: Fonts and Images

These are some ideas for my pop magazine. The fonts need to be young and fresh due to my chosen genre and audience. The images in a pop magazine are also bright and bold, so I have searched for images which stand out and reflect the genre of pop.

Research and Planning: Time Management

 

Now that I have completed my pitch and have gained some audience feedback on my music magazine idea, this week I will continue developing and creating my magazine and consider techniques which make a successful magazine. I am currently up to date with my action plan as I have presented my pitch and have gained enough feedback for me to move on to the next step. Next week I will concentrate on photography and the types of images that I will include in my magazine.

Research and Planning Pop Magazines

Analysis of 'Top of the Pops' Magazine on Prezi

 There are a range of different fonts used for music magazines with a pop genre. They appear to be quite girly which suggests that the magazines appeal more to a female audience. The most common colours used for pop fonts or headings are pink and white. This connotes a fun, light and girly effect.

The images featured in pop magazine all appear to be bold and bright. This fits in with the genre of pop. Many of the central images are of girl pop stars, such as Avril Lavigne, Chery Lloyd and Jessie J. This may be because teenage girls look up to them as idols and it will persuade more people to buy the magazine. It is made unisex by featuring some boy pop stars and boy bands. The majority of images appear to be medium-close ups or close ups.