Music Magazine: Front Page Layout Designs Revisited

After my last front page designs, where I used my chosen image to experiment with different layouts of the key features of the magazine. Although I have kept my chosen design, with the title positioned at the bottom of the page and the banner at the top, I have decided to look at the text layout to gain a clearer understanding of how I want my final front page to appear.  

This design clearly shows the banner positioned along the top, as decided in my previous designs. I have used a symbol to show the ending of the banner as I have previously seen this done in other music magazines which is an effective design feature and an easy way to create symmetry. I will have text running along the top of the banner, such as possible competitions as I have also seen this in other music magazines such as 'KERRANG' where this is a prominent feature as shown in my general research. I am going to position the date, issue number and price as I previously stated in the top right hand corner as although the price is normally placed by the bar code, I felt this made the bottom left hand corner too cramped. The use of one single line of text is used in all four of my designs and is something I am certain of. In this design the text on the left hand side is positioned down the side of the artist although I am unsure whether I like the idea of the text cutting into the artist's head, as intended here. The slogan is positioned under the title, and is something all the design have, again suggesting I will be certainly be positioning this here. The text by the top right hand corner is box like and I do not particularly like this as I feel it is too regimented and chunky. The main heading, which I plan on positioning above the title is shown to be in one long line, which is simple, yet I am not sure if this will attract the readers attention and simply fade into the other text. Due to this I will not be using this design of text as I feel this, along with the chunky positioning of the text in the upper right will look too 'boxy' and not as fluent as text positioned around the artist's body.

This design, unlike the others, uses the idea of a sticker, as shown in other music magazines in my general research. Although I like this feature and think it is an effective way of showing information, I am unsure whether I would want to use this on my own magazine. The use of the sticker overlapping the artist distracts from the image and the primary focus of the guitar and the idea of live music, which my magazine is trying to portray. I do not believe the sticker is suited here and I am unsure where else I could position it with this image without appearing to distract from the music element. Seeing as I am trying to achieve a 'full' looking page, I believe the position of the text in the upper right corner, shown in two lines, does not fill the space enough and instead would be better suited wrapped around the artist's head, therefore making use of the space. Due to this, and the use of the sticker, I will not be using this design although I do like the idea of the subheading text, which is placed above the title, being positioned in two sections. Although this is not necessarily clear on this design I will consider using this in my other designs.

This design uses the same design with the banner, issue, date and price and title position as my previous designs showed. The text on the upper right hand side is wrapped more around the artist's head and does not look as rigid as the other design and therefore chunky. This design uses the same design idea with the subheading, where the text is placed in two sections which is adds interest. I like this design the best as all the text is wrapped somewhat around the picture and does not overlap. There is also nothing obstructing or distracting the image, which I am trying to ensure is the main focus with the musical instrument and the microphone, therefore fitting the 'music' requirement for the magazine.

In conclusion, I will most probably use the final design idea when creating my music magazine front cover as I feel that this design represents the professional looking layout which each magazine needs and this template will hopefully appeal to my target audience.

Music Magazine: Front Page Layout Designs

Using my image, I have experimented with different layouts for my front page. I have used the features I will use on my front cover to design the layout of the front page.  

I have decided to use the second design as a basis of my front cover as I feel this is slightly more interesting with the title placed at the bottom, although this is not supported by my research, and the banner placed at the bottom of the page, providing symmetry. 

Music Magazine: Front Page Model Research

The artist used in my first images are front man, Andy Brown from the Pop/Rock band, Lawson. They are a new, up and coming band, which reflects the feeling of my magazine. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawson_(band)

Music Magazine: Front Page Font Research

I have decided to name my magazine "Inside" to reflect the gossip element of the magazine. I have been researching some fonts to help influence my final design of the magazine font. 

This font has a simplistic approach which I like and would try and incorporate into the title of the music magazine. I like the vibrant colour of the title as well. I will keep this simplistic idea in mind when designing my own title.

This title is probably better matched to the type of title I want to achieve. I like the thick black line around the text which makes it stand out. Again, I like the red center although I am unsure whether I would keep this in the center when designing the title of the music magazine. 

Music Magazine: Magazine Title

For my magazine name I want something which will incorporate my magazine genre as well as appeal to my target audience. As I am trying to imitate the 'BILLBOARD' magazine, which revolves around the 'gossip/news' element I need a name which will reflect this. I want the name to be memorable, meaning the magazine will attract the reader which will hopefully influence the sale for the magazine.

Whilst looking at other names of publishing magazines which follow this genre I came up with a few ideas.

• V (inspiration taken from the magazine 'Q')
• MBS (inspiration taken from NME-News, Music, Entertainment)
• Inside
• Pulse
• Shout

I came to the conclusion that 'Inside' would be the best representation of my music magazine as this name is individual, as it has not yet been used before, and mirrors the 'news' element of the magazine, as in 'inside scoop'. I will be using this name when designing my music magazine font design.

Music Magazine: Front Page Black and White Images

I am now looking a black and white guitars although I am sure this will be the feature I ensure is in colour as I would like the guitar to be the main feature of the front cover, highlighting the music element. 

Although these images have nothing to do with a music magazine, or my photoshoot, I am hoping for my front cover to have this same sort of effect as each both these images have one main colour feature. I would achieve this by editing my image after shooting it. 

Music Magazine: Front Page Specific Research

Music Magazine: Front Page Specific Research from HGASMedia

Music Magazine: Front Page General Research

I have decided to use a male model for my front cover although I will use a different model, most likely female, for my double page spread. I have looked at a couple of front covers where male models feature. 

I like this image as the model is the main feature of the magazine and the grey tinge mirrors the grey off the model's blazer and the grey/blue of the sky. I am considering shooting my model in a concert scenario to try and incorporated the music element to the magazine. I like the layout of this magazine with the sub titles placed around the outside of the image and the barcode positioned at the bottom of the page. I do not, however, like the idea of having the model's name over the top of the image although in this instance it works. I like the white font and would consider using this colour font on the front page, providing it was visible. 

I like this magazine cover the best out of all three of the magazine covers as the image is something I am aiming for. I am trying to incorporate a musical instrument into the front cover and I believe this cover achieves this well. Furthermore, I like the idea of a darker background which the image is placed on, making the white font draw the reader in. I would try to use this in my magazine front cover. Another feature I would try to use in my own cover would be the dark thin banner along the top as I feel this gives the magazine an edge and adds to the overall finished product. I do not, however, like the idea of another image on top of the main image as I think it draws focus. This image deals with space extremely well and I hope to try and mirror this success.

This magazine front cover also uses a music instrument in the front cover which I like as the model appears to be 'in the moment' and also reflects the idea of a music magazine. This magazine also has a banner running along the top although I prefer the other one which is in black. I still am unsure about the use of multiple images on the front cover as I think this would be better suited to the contents page. I am also unsure about the main title being placed over the main image, although providing the image suits this layout, such as the one above, I would consider trying this out.