Double page spread final outcome

This is the final outcome of my double page spread. I decided to use a large photo for the background as it defied convection from my format research, I wanted to do something different in order for my magazine to stand out. Moreover, I have continued to use the same colours form both the front cover and contents, this is so that a branding starts to be created, making my magazine more recognisable. I decided to use the same font for the masthead to also create the link and use similar styles on the page which are included on the contents. I feel that the layout of the text works well around the image, making sure that the face in not cover up so that the direct mode of address is not hidden. Furthermore, I included another smaller image by the tittle to give readers another idea of the artist and the image that she wants to portray, it also conforms that the interview is of her. 

Double page spread mock ups

The following are mock ups that I have created as possible designs for my double page spread. I will refer back to these when I start to create my double page spread but I am likely to change or use a mixture of them all. However, making these are a good guide for what I want to create and an idea of how to include all the feactures.

Type up of double page spread interview

The following is the interview that I have written up for my double page spread. I decided to go with cover story of wanting to break the divide in the rock music industry between men and women. I chose this as I felt it would appeal to the readers more than just having the artist excited about releasing their new album.

This is my draft of the interview before I place it into indesign.

“NOTHING will stop me from living my rock dream”

Legacy! Investigates the truth being Billie Moore’s battle to fame.

Not even the harsh critics will stop Billie from releasing her new album and securing her place in the rock industry.  The young, wild and free Billie is ready to burst her talents into the music business and is not afraid to stand up to critics. Billie has been signed to ‘Steel’ label and they have supported her progress with her first album ‘Impression’, with Danny Rodgers playing an important part in the creation of songs.

The endlessly talented hot rock chick has fought to achieve her place and we have been blessed to have had the chance to catch up with this rising rock star.  

How long has it taken you to get noticed?

It has taken me all my teenage years to prepare for this moment in my life! Finally it has come! I have never been interested in anything else so it feels like I have been working toward this forever and only now am getting noticed for my music.

Do you feel there is a divide in the industry between genders?

There is a massive divide! I’m surprised more people haven’t made a fuss about it with the supposed idea that we’re living in an equal society and all. When I first performed I had so many comments of how I was treading on male territory but who are they to judge, it’s a free country!

Do you think that you could be that person to breech the divide?

[Hesitates] Umm, yes I believe that I can be the person that brings both genders together. I really want to show that girls can rock just as well as men!

What is your album about?

My album is full of what I believe to be ‘head bangers’ yet they are relatable, my first song on the album, “Boundary”, is all about how not everything goes to plan and that there are always mistakes in order for us to achieve. Other songs are about society, what we might face and over come. Also, other singles about living everyday like your last, family, love and memories.

What’s the release date?

It is getting released next year, in January. I really hope people like it! If they don’t I think I might just hide away and cry [Laughs] I’m joking, I’m not like that, I’m a strong women!

Have you had any negative feedback?

Of course I have! You never hear of anyone who doesn’t! But I am as hard as nails, so any negative feedback that I do get, I refuse to let it affect me. I must admit it is not easy to receive but you have to get on with it if you want to be a musician. I say if you want to be a rock star then you better act like one!

How do you deal with publicity?

[Laughs] Well... I don’t really deal with it; I live each day as it comes. To be honest I will never get used to this lifestyle, I’m still amazed at the support I’ve got so early in my career and thank every one of fans. But I always have my family around me to keep me grounded.

What are your plans for the future?

My plan for the future is obviously to tour, rock at festivals and write more songs. Performing is my passion and I plan to continue to put my heart and soul into my music!

Legacy hopes to hear from Billie later in the year with some success from her set to release album next year. We hope that you support this rising rock star fulfil her life dream.

Contents 1 from ellisputnam

These are my two possible contents pages that I created, the background colour of them has been selected from the cover image so that branding starts to be created and that they can be related together. The original contents page that I begun with was the image of the first slide, however I was slightly unsure about the layout so decided to copy and paste the contents onto another page and play around with the layout of all the text and images. As a result of me experimenting I decided to use the second content design as I feel that the spread of the images on either sides of the page works better. I asked my peers to see if they felt the same and all agreed. Overall, I think that the contents page is a successful reflection on the genre, it is not too crowded and busy yet still links to rock. I am still have my contents page to create so there is still a chance that little changes may be made to this design in the process.

Contents page mock ups

The following are my mock ups of possible contents pages for my magazine. I have used different layouts to see what looks and works best. These are just ideas and I will only know what layout I will use when I start creating, however I think that I am most likely to use a combination of the firts and thrid mock up.

Front Cover

This is my final outcome for my front cover, I wanted to fill the space but not make it too over crowded or cover up some of the main image. As you can see I have used a colour scheme throughout, which is red and white and black, I hope to stick to using these colours when creating the rest of my magazine.  I have included some of the main features that I discovered from my format research, I decided to use a pull quote for my  main cover line in the hope to engage the readers by relating the audience to the artist, however after writing up my double page spread this may change. The flasher that I have used advertises a competition to be won, I feel that it stands out well using a bold red circle. 

    In addition I used twitter and Facebook icons to give the magazine a modern representation and so that readers know that they can find the magazine on theses sites. I kept the second image of another artists to the side of the page so that it is  still seen but not taking attention away from the main image. As not all my work is finished on the magazine it is likely that there will be some changes but this is it completed so far.  

Front cover mastheads

Masthead choices for front cover from ellisputnam

Contact sheets of all my female rock artist images

Contact sheets of first photoshot from ellisputnam

These are all the images that I have taken of my main rock artist that will feature in my magazine. I will use some of them for my front cover, contents and double page spread once they have been edited.

Second artist images

These are some more images that I have taken of a second artist, I used a male model this time to vary the magazine so that it's more suited to both genders.  Moreover, in the hope to stick to the rock theme I searched up the typical poses used by real rock artists. I will edit the images and use them for both my front cover and contents. 

Feedback about whats expected to feature in my rock magazine

The following displays feedback that I received from asking a series of questions to a range of different people. I carried out this task in order to get a better idea about people want from music magazines, ultimately to make sure my magazine is realistic and appeals to my audience.

Front cover mock ups

The following are three mock ups that I could possibly use as the design for my front cover. I have tried to use three completely different layouts so that I am able to identify what might work well and what would be unsuccessful. I feel that the first mock up will be most successful, however when I actually start to create my cover I may incorporate features from all three or change my mind completely.

These are some more photos that I have taken which I may include in my music magazine.

Rock photos from ellisputnam

Questionnaire feedback and possible photo for my rock magazine

In order to get a better idea of who reads music magazines, what they expect to see and what appeal's to them to make my music magazine stand out, I created a questionnaire for people to answer over the internet. It includes some basic questions which will hopefully give me a better idea of where to start on my magazine. The following are some graphs which display some of the answers gathered from participant's who answered the questionnaire and what conclusion I am able to make from them.

Media questionnaire one from ellisputnam

After much consideration I have decided on rock for my music magazine genre, I will have to look over  my format research so that I portray this genre well.  During half term I took some photos which I could possibly use for my magazine with the rock genre in mind. I think that the above image would be successful and is one of my favourites.    



Evaluation of Double page spreads

Double page spreads were the final part to my format research, other key features could be added to the analysis and the earlier research help me with this. As a result of looking at the front covers, contents and then the double page spreads the branding of the magazines became clearer to me as I could see the development. Furthermore, it meant that I would see how the main story identified on the cover was then listed on the contents and finally all written up over the two pages. I could see the flow of information form each of the pages. Similarly colour from the front cover is again used for the masthead of the double page spreads; likewise the same font is used, all supporting the creation of branding.

One immediate similarity identified between the three double page spreads is that the images all used rule of thirds, this is effective at making the image more visually appealing and also resulting in the title being seen clearly as the main focus is based towards one side.  I would like to incorporate, yet challenge this convention, as I want my magazine to be unique, I could do this by using rule of thirds but including more than one image. Moreover a drop cap is another feature that appears in two of the magazines, I think this is successful because it clearly shows the start of the article, I want to include this in my own magazine as I feel it works well where it has been used.

In addition I have learnt from my format research that the music magazines try to reinforce their brand through repetition, in this case they have used the same colour for the titles throughout the front cover, contents and double page spreads. The colour used not only reflects on the genre of music but is also evidence of the repetition. I will consider this in the creation of my own magazine, sticking to colour scheme and house style that I decide on. Another norm that I have found is that the lexis used throughout the magazine articles found on the double page spreads reflect on the genre of music and who is reading it. Although they are all written in columns and paragraphs, unusual words and informal language can be identified in both the NME magazine and Keerang. This may be aimed to appeal to the younger target audiences.

After all this research I now have a better idea of what genre I would like to base my music magazine on, that being either rock or alternative/indie music. I need to take into consideration features such as anchors, photo captions, drop caps, colour, font and layout that I will use for my double page. Furthermore the content of the article, making it appeal to readers and being relevant to the subject. All of the format research has demonstrated to me that everything found on the front cover, contents and double pages contributes to the branding of the magazine and that I need to do this to ensure my magazine stands out from the others.