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.