Cover Page
Masthead - I have deliberately designed my masthead to reflect most music magazines. As I have been looking at Billboard I have adapted the lower casing method for my masthead design as I feel it creates a bold and interesting statement in contrast to my house style and without going the usual way of initialism or all blocked capitals. The letters are curved and embossed which I created on InDesign itself, I have embossed the letters to create more depth to my masthead as it is a short name and is plain white I felt adding something like an emboss would just help it stand out as a dominant feature for my magazine; it also ensures my masthead will be easily recognized and unique.Main Image - To make sure I am making the most of the main feature on my blog I made sure I addressed my audience. I have chosen a medium long shot with direct eye contact. As my music magazine is eclectic I have chosen plain clothes that can relate to a number of audiences regardless of music taste. In comparison to one of my style models I used while conducting my music magazine research I've used the same angled image but swapped the positioning around as the pose my model is modelling is more laid back as her back arch goes into the right third of the magazine. In order to keep in the conventional rule of thirds grid I've used this pose to balance the magazine when conducting my layout.
Headline - Both headlines are very similar. I wanted to challenge myself to replicate the beauty of the style model's headline. Both big and bold writing across the main feature image with the anchorage in between the text; I felt the style was very unique and I knew it would be a challenge for me to do which is why I was determined to do it! I have used the artists name as the headline, this way the fans are more likely to purchase the magazine.
Anchorage - Below the main headline is the traditional position for the anchorage. I wanted to challenge this and position it in between the headline. The main focus of the anchorage is to deliver a snippet of what the article will cover for the benefit of the readers. I have also added a flash above the entire headline to interest the audience further making them aware the interview featured in the magazine will not be like any other and is indeed an exclusive. This not only persuades purchasing but also creates loyalty with the readers as the articles feature exclusive information that wouldn't be read anywhere else.
Flash - Throughout the entire cover page I have included flashes as a way of attracting different members of my audience. I have used a wide range of flashes and ones I feel would encourage the audience to pick up the magazine, browse through and purchase. The purpose of the bright yellow flashes are for them to easily stand out on the black and white background; to make a visable contrast and to maintain my house style. As flashes are usually bright and bold I made mine the same as it is obviously a successful way to attract the audience.
Kickers and Cover Lines - For the kickers I have jumped to and from my bold house style colours - excluding the yellow as I have used those for the plugs. I have used bold black writing to announce the kickers and alternated from red and blue for the cover lines. The titles are basic and in most cases the artists name as it is important for all the readers to feel that each artist addresses their musical interest and the cover lines are delivering a summary of the feature above.
Menu Strip - The menu strip is another selling point of my magazine. I am portraying numerous amounts of varied artists much like a festival headline including a mixed genre to attract a wide audience I have done this through my music magazine's menu strip. A menu strip is usually used throughout but I have sectioned it off to keep it more noticeable to my audience by separating it from the house style and the black and white background of the cover.
Contents Page
Contents Logo - Usually, contents pages feature a few images relating to the contents of the magazine. For the logo they are usually featured as a headline covering all three thirds of the page. I have stuck to the more traditional logo layout due to the rest of my design. I have kept it big and bold with an outline to create a sense of dominance on the page and also to keep the contrast and solid fixtures throughout my contents page.
Front Cover Copy/Editorial/Subscription Box - I have combined three features to finalise and finish off my contents page. I have produced the subscription box as a menu strip to attract attention and keep it separate from my contents information. Hopefully this will encourage subscription as I have stated a 30 saving will be made using a flash and the bright yellow keeping to my house style. This is also encouraging as it is a clear discount which delivers persuasive power that is subtly in the audiences hands. Most contents pages encourage a welcoming box for their audience explaining a bit about the magazine and welcoming the readers. This creates a sense of personality to the magazine and making it a familiar read which allows a connection to be made with the readers. This can create a high following and dedication from the readers which is why I wanted to include the editorial with an image of myself and signed wishing everyone a Happy New Year as it is a December issue.
Insert Shots - Down the centre column I have included some shots which highlight some of the main articles of the issue. They range from direct mode of address to action shots and live shots. I believe the variety I have used shows character throughout the magazine and shows the difference between each article which will be obvious in each issue. A different range of shots also attracts the audience and keeps an interest.
Main Feature - I have included section headlines throughout my contents page. The first section headline reads 'On the Cover' which allows a fast source of information for the new readers that have been interested by the cover page. As the initial attraction would of been the kickers I have made sure the first headline has included the main feature. The main feature subtly dominates the page by having two images down the centre column, one at the top and one at the bottom. This is to make sure that everything in that issue of the magazine all ties together and is strategically positioned - one next to the kicker and one next to the subscription and editorial section - to gently bring attention to the subscription offer without being too forceful.
Page Numbers - Page numbers are an obvious feature with the upmost importance. They are usually featured after the cover lines and on insert images. I have used both of these conventions to appeal to different audiences. It makes the reader feel more at ease with the navigation of the magazine which in turn makes the magazine more user friendly. Whether the reader has picked up the magazine as a monthly favourite or recognized a title or artist they can easily find what they are looking for. The numbers stand out against the images as they are a bright and bold against the background.
Section Headers - I have included four section headers within the itemized list and also in aid of directing my readers to their interests in the magazine. Almost all magazines do this and I have maintained my general house style of black and white background with the bright and bold colours. I have also layed out the cover lines and anchorages the way I have layed out the kickers and cover lines on my front cover. This allows me to structure the contents page neatly and accurately while abiding by the traditional rule of thirds grid system.
Double Page Spread
Feature Article Image - I think this shot is so real and powerful. I love how it is an accurate representation of the article and ties in with the pull quote. As the image is of a recording studio session it is more relatable than a glamourous photoshoot - keeping in mind I'm producing a music magazine I wanted to include vital parts of music production which I feel I have captured. I have again kept with my house style with the black and white images to create a bold contrast between the pull quote to make it look more eye-catching and interesting. As it is conventional for the featured image to take up half of the double page spread I have composed it accordingly allowing space for my article on the right hand page.
Section Header - In the top left hand corner I have used my magazine masthead with the word 'features' underneath. Keeping with my house style to make sure the colours don't clash and my magazine looks professional I have made this subtle but bold indicating the article is the main feature and to help readers find what they are looking for. Most magazines use this and I feel it 'finishes' off the double page spread and looks really professional keeping the pages interesting and realistic.
Headline and Pull Quote - I found the font of www.dafont.co.uk and felt that it is a very relaxed but professional way of using the headline as a pull quote - combining the two features. It stands out from the rest of the text and ties in very well with the context of the article.
Introductory Text - This is a part of the article introducing the artist and leads onto the main feature, I have sectioned this to go across two thirds of the grid system to dominate the right hand side of the double page spread and to slightly section it from the article. This also usually has slightly bigger text but uses similar language to entice the readers persuading them to read further.
Article Columns - Usually on a double page spread, two or three columns are used, so I have kept my layout conventional to tradition. I have also used a drop capital to start my article to give it a professional finish. I really like the layout as I feel it uses white space and image to text ratio effectively.
Page Numbers - At the top of the page I have included a page number to help with navigation. All magazines usually have them at the bottom of the page but I feel as though it works better at the top for my layout. I think it looks really professional and works effectively with the overall production of my double page spread.
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