Music Magazine: General DPS Research

I have researched into double page spreads to influence my own magazine ideas. I have looked into various different layouts. I looked into using multiple images of one model, using multiple images with different focuses and just using one image on one page. I came to the conclusion that I must incorporate the following into my double page spread: 

• A main image to draw the focus 
• A clear column layout with an 'alley' in between them to show definition
• Pull Quotes  
• Blurb introducing the artist/article
• A stand out title

Music Magazine: Contents Page Finalised

Music Magazine: Contents Page Draft

I was unsure on which design I preferred so I decided to upload both and see which I preferred. After placing both drafts side by side, I decided to use the black contents page as I felt this one fitted in with my theme more. I also felt that the white contents page was a little too bland and didn't have the impact needed for this type of contents page.  The black section of the contents page on the left also appeared to be part of the main image which I liked. 

I then looked at the draft of the contents page in much larger detail. I especially liked the top section of the page, the magazine title, contents page title and slogan as I thought this was rather striking, as I intended. I believed the images were consistent and the bright red, present in the main image, went well with the theme of red, white and black. I think the fonts, Egyptian and Adventurer, worked well and I would keep these. 

I do not, however, think the numbering works well as the fact the red numbers are above the text gives the impression of 'hanging' which is not attractive. I would change this feature to improve the overall appearance of the contents page. The numbering and the text is also not straight, I would have to line this up to insure the design element is precise and does not look sloppy. Additionally, the gap between the numbering and the text needs to be widened as there is too much conflict between the numbering and the text which makes the text hard to read and therefore not efficient as the key feature of a contents page is to inform and navigate.
The main issue with this contents page is weight. The page is extremely heavy on the right hand side, with the images, text and colours compared to the left hand side which gets lost due to the large amount of black text, despite the numbering being in colour. I am going to have to balance out the page, possibly by changing the font of the article names to a different, bolder font, such as Adventurer. If this fails, or does not provide the impact needed to balance the page, I may also have to consider adding another smaller image, as shown in my forth design, in the bottom left hand corner. This would certainly improve the overall look of the page. 

Music Magazine: Contents Page Implementation

Music Magazine: Contents Page Layout Designs

After researching into various different music magazine contents pages and creating my contents page title, I decided to experiment with different layouts that I could potentially use for a template for the contents page. I used the research I had previously done, focusing primarily on the 'BILLBOARD' layout, I began designing a few layouts.

This design idea is the only design not to have the contents page bar on the left hand side. This design goes against my specific research but I decided to experiment in case I preferred this type of design as all the key features are still present. This design includes the magazine title, which is positioned next to the contents page title and the slogan, which is placed above the title. This design only has two images, a main, larger image and a smaller one. I believe that more images are needed for the contents page, especially considering all my research has three or more images. This is my least favourite design as I feel it is rather clumsy and not particularly efficient  I would prefer the design to obey the rule of thirds, which this design obviously does not.

 This second design has the contents title once again at the top of the page, along with the magazine title, slogan and the issue number. The contents bar is positioned on the right hand side, as my research had shown and runs the whole way down the page. I like this feature as I feel that it creates a full looking page and is easy to read as situated away from the images. This design has three images, two smaller ones positioned under the title, similar to the layout of 'BILLBOARD', with two columns of text underneath. This creates a feeling of symmetry which is a good design feature. This page, unlike the first design, obeys the rule of thirds. I think the page may be too heavy with the main image positioned at the bottom of the page, causing it to hang, especially as it is spread across the majority of the page. The title also needs to be bigger to balance out the features. I do however like the idea of having two images under the title and would consider using this in other designs as this is supported by my research.

This design is by far my favourite as I feel that this clearly shows the key features which a contents page needs and conforms to my research well. This design still has the contents page title positioned at the top of the page, slightly to the right, yet it is slightly larger than that of the previous design which balances out the page. The slogan and the issue number is in the same position as the previous layouts. I particularly like the use of the two smaller images under the title, with the two columns underneath, showing symmetry. The columns are, however, placed over the top of the image, similar to that of my research. I would use a bright colour, such as a white, to insure the text can easily be seen. I have also used the rule of thirds in this design, segregating each section. I would continue to use the theme of red, white and black in this page to ensure there is a clear consistency throughout each page.



This design is possibly the most simplistic out of the designs and does not really follow the set template of the 'BILLBOARD' magazine. I have still used the three images in this design and the contents bar yet the design itself is rather simple. The title is rather large compared to the other designs, partly due to the smaller amount of text in this design. I still find the large image placed at the bottom of the page to be too heavy, and hang, especially when placed next to the smaller image. I will however, keep in mind the use of the extra smaller image under the contents bar as this breaks up the otherwise very wordy left hand side. 





OVERALL, I HAVE DECIDED TO USE THE THIRD DESIGN AS I FEEL THIS CONFORMS TO MY SPECIFIC RESEARCH BY INCORPORATING THE FEATURES OF A GENERIC MAGAZINE. I ALSO FEEL THIS DESIGN ACHIEVES THE LOOK WHICH I AM AIMING FOR.  

Music Magazine: Contents Page Photo Shoot

I continued my concert theme, taking images whilst at another concert. This time, however, I focused primarily on the set, as my research had instructed, and the stage as I had already used a full shot of an artist on stage for my front cover. I took multiple shots and then selected the best ones which I would consider using as an image on the contents page.

I took multiple shots of the stage and various acts yet narrowed the selection down to the shots which I feel would be best suited to a contents page. I am using two small images along with one main image for the contents page as this follows my research. 

Music Magazine: Contents Page Detailed Research

I have decided to base my photoshoot on the staging of concerts. I believe this links well to my front page image of a performer on stage. I am planning to capture the colours and the audience in a concert scenario.

 I am going to use this image for inspiration as I like the more romantic look of the blue and the smoke. I am considering using smoke for my DPS so I will keep this in mind for that shoot even if I do not use that effect on my contents page. I also like the full shot of the lights which are positioned at the bottom of the stage. I will try and incorporate this into the shoot.

I like this image as it clearly shows the audience and the lights of the stage. I would have to angle the shot differently to try and capture this. I like the confetti which is falling into the crowd but I would not personally use this in my photoshoot as I feel it would be difficult to capture this moment. I am going to aim to capture some of the audience in the shoot to show that there is a live element to the shoot.

I am aiming to try and recreate this image with the artist on stage yet not the main focus which is instead on the bright lighting and stage. I like the purple and red strobe lighting which I think adds colour to the image. The effect of the audience at the bottom of the page is also something which I am trying to achieve. I would, however, try and capture the use of red light to ensure it corresponded to my colour theme which is red, white and black.

This image is a zoomed out shot of the whole set. I like the idea of using a wide shot with all the set shown as I think it will add colour to the contents page. I also like the fact that there are big screens on either side of this image which I beleive creates strong symmetry.