Music Magazine: DPS Finalised

Music Magazine: DPS Draft

I particularly like the image used on my double page spread, especially the way the muscial element, the microphone, is one of the main focuses of the image, much like my research. The image is placed over two thirds of the page, like my specific research instructed and I am pleased with this outcome. I like the title here, however, the 'the new rock and role' section of the title is too close to the 'Queen' section, creating conflict. I may have to reduce the size of the Q in the title to prevent this conflict. I need to make the pull quote bigger and increse the size of the quote marks. I may also change the pull quote font to Accord Light to match part of the title as I feel there is too much of the same font type which is making the page look too wordy.  I feel that the actual main body of the artcile is a success and I would keep this in my final piece. I do, however, need to change the layout of the blurb, just under the title, to make sure there is a clear definition between the main body of the article, the blurb and the title as they are all very close. The one main feature which I do not like is the border. I added this to try and incorperate more coloured features yet I feel this is not working and instead cuts the image. The distance between the border and the edge of the page also varies, suggesting careless design. I would remove the border over the image, maybe just placing half a border on the text side. To ensure there are more red coloured features I will increase the size of the right hand page number, as this will also ensure the page does not look as regimented.  

Music Magazine: DPS Implementation

Following my had drawn designs, I constructed my Double Page Spread using my selected design as a template. Before this, I wrote my magazine article which I will place into the double page. I manipulated my image before placing it in InDesign, evening the model's skin tone as well as increasing the levels and curves, adding some colour before changing the image to black and white. 

I selected my edited image and placed it into the blank document. I positioned the image so it was spread over three quarters of the page yet cut the image so the model's face was still in frame yet part of her right arm was missing. This was to prevent the guttering of the page, where the two pages meet, from impacting the image too much as originally this image was completely symmetrical. This would have meant the guttering would have been placed right down the middle of the model's face, therefore loosing the model's expression due to the fold. I arranged the image so the facial expression was still strong and the prop, the musical element of the shoot was still visible whilst also conforming to my specific research. The guttering is still placed over the model's elbow, however, this less of a problem and my research also have used this, suggesting that this can be done in a publishing magazine.  

I added a red border and page numbers along the bottom of the pages. I the created the title. I decided to use Imperial for the 'QUEEN' and continued to use Egyptian for the 'THE NEW ROCK AND ROLL' as I had previously used this font on both my front page and contents page. I  changed the outline of the Q to red, the same red that had previously been used, to ensure my colour scheme was consistent. I upped the weight of the outline to 3pt to make the red outline really stand out from the white background. Although this was not used in my specific research, I felt that this would introduce the colour scheme and prevent the whole look becoming too bland due to the black and white.  

 

 I placed the text together so the smaller text fitted well into the space between the Q and the ?. I particularly liked this feature. 

I then placed the blurb of the article just under the title as my research had shown. I used imperial for this to distinguish the difference between the main article body. I then selected the starting letter of the first paragraph to implement the 'initial caps'. I changed the letter font to red and the letter size by using a feature on the top toolbar. I changed the size from 0 to 3 which increased the size. This was then repeated for each starting letter of each paragraph.
       

Music Magazine: DPS Photo Manipulation

Before I begin to create my double page spread I need to edit my image to remove the model's uneven skin tone.  After the specific research I also decided to change the image to black and white whilst also adding some different colour to add texture to the image and prevent it from looking washed out.

Firstly, I selected the 'healing' tool on the left hand side tool bar. This allowed me to select the model's skin tone which I wanted to smooth out. I zoomed in on the model's face and applied this tool which then removed the uneven skin tone making the overall appearance smoother. 

I then changed the image to black and white by creating a new layer and selecting the 'black/white' tool. I found this made the image very bland meaning some of the impact of the image was lost. This was not what I wanted especially considering the striking image.  

To reduce this 'whitewash' effect, I changed the levels of the image whilst also changing the curves.I played around with the colour, decreasing the blue which clashes with the red of my colour scheme, and increasing the red and green. The green complements the red well and creates mysterious feel which I wanted to achieve by the smoke.

 

 

Music Magazine: DPS Layout Designs

Following on from my research I decided to plan my double page spread, incorporating the design features from the specific research, allowing me to gain some sort of idea of how I want my dps to look like. I will use these designs as a basis for my double page spread. 

In conclusion, I will be using the third design as I feel this idea best conforms to my research which will hopefully help it attract the target audience, and with a slight bit improvement, making it a successful design. 

Music Magazine: DPS Photo shoot (Reshoot)

This photo shoot was much more of a success as the bright light allowed the model's features to be clearly highlighted. I still used the smoke, dark clothing and long dark hair yet focused on head shots instead of full body shots. I believed this was more successful. In some shots I used less smoke as I felt this sometimes added additional conflict in the last photo shoot which actually worked against the model. I felt this photo shoot was more focused and due to the ability to now use the smoke machine and lights more smoothly, added to the sleeker images. 

Music Magazine: DPS Photo Shoot

This photoshoot was the first I had conducted with a smoke machine and therefore was not as sleek and professional as I had liked. I took numerous images using the different coloured lights and smoke to create a mysterious look. However, the colour was too harsh on the model's face which was lost due to this effect along with the black sheet and clothing. The overall look of the model, with the dark clothing and long hair I liked and believed worked and would therefore use this again when I reshoot. The long shots of the model also are not intimate enough for a dps, and I think would be more beneficial if the images focused primarily on the model's face. Although I initially thought the coloured smoke would work to my advantage, on reflection I believe a brighter, whiter light would be better as the model's features would not be lost. I did particularly like the use of the microphone prop and would use this in my reshoot. 

Although not necessarily as success in terms of picture quality, this photoshoot has allowed me to decided on ways to improve my images for my next photoshoot. I will still be using the smoke machine, although I will be angling this less on her face, which I believe was too harsh. My next photoshoot will include: 

• bright white light used instead of colour 
• closer head shots 
• use of the microphone prop 
• same model with dark clothing and makeup 

Music Magazine: Detailed DPS Research

The detailed research includes more specific aspects of my double page spread, such as the model's appearance and pose. I am planning on using a smoke effect for the double page spread, which will be used with the help of a smoke machine and lights. I am going to experiment with multiple poses and props, which will show the music element of the magazine. 

I want the overall look to appear mysterious and dark, as my chosen model with be also wearing dark clothing to ensure the smoke and lights can be easily seen. I am to include: 

• Include a musical prop, most probably a microphone
• Use a smoke machine to create a mysterious effect
• Model to be in dark clothing. 

These images include the use of the smoke machine which I am trying to aim for. The model is wearing dark clothing, something I want to imitate to ensure the smoke and lights are clear. I will also use a black sheet, instead of white to ensure the smoke is used to the maximum. The model also has long dark hair, which mirrors the dark and mysterious feel which I want to portray. The dark hair and makeup of the model is rather striking and I think when used in a range of poses, will provide a strong image for the double page spread. These images are obviously taken outside, which is not something I want to recreate, instead shooting inside although these are a strong inspiration for my own shoot. 

Music Magazine: Specific DPS Research

This specific research will allow me to have a clearer idea of what I want my double page spread to look like. All these articles include artists who represent the genre of music I am aiming for in my double page spread, which more gossip based as my magazine, much like BILLBOARD, covers all areas of music. I am looking further into the use of images positioned 3/4 over the page as this was the layout I liked the best in my general research. 

IN CONCLUSION, MY DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD WILL INCLUDE:

• One main image, spread across 3/4 of the double page
• The image to be in black and white
• Hints of red to be included throughout
• Pull quotes 
• Initial caps at the start of paragraphs 
• Column layout with substantial guttering