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.  

Music Magazine: Moodboard



My mood board features the type of music I am aiming for my magazine to include. I want my magazine to follow the same audience as magazines such as 'BILLBOARD' which is known to feature all different types of music along with a news 'gossip' element. I am planning on my magazine issue to focus on live acoustic music, which would be present in festivals and concerts. I am very focused on the idea of shooting in a concert scenario hence the use of stage sets and 'live' images in my mood board  I have also included a vague picture of what I want my DPS model to achieve. 

Music Magazine: Brief

I have decided to base my music magazine loosely on the theme of  authentic live music combined with a gossip feel of a chart magazine. I have named my magazine "Inside" for this reason. I am going to use a different model on the front page to that of the double page spread. I am going to use a male model on the front page and try to incorporate a musical instrument or band feature to ensure the page fits the "music mag" stereotype. I am going into a slightly different direction for the double page spread as I will use a female model and this will have a more "gossip" element to this. I will try to shoot in concert scenarios to achieve this. I am aiming to recreate a magazine, such as 'Q' or 'BILLBOARD' which aims to cover all aspects of music yet base each issue on a certain theme. For this reason, I will not have a specific target audience, such as Indie or R'n'B and will instead aim to target people who actively take in interest in music as these music magazines have done. 

School Magazine: Finalised Contents Page

This is my finished Contents page which follows the theme set from my brief, ICT suite, along with other features of a school magazine such as the Science element featured in the magazine.

 For my contents page I used a total of two images as my contents research all had more than one image, bar one which was particularly effective although not suitable for a school magazine. Most of the research had around three images plus, however I did not want the contents page overcrowded, which I feared would happen if I added more images. I used images related to the feature of science as although my brief was about the ICT suite, I felt I needed to showcase other features of the magazine otherwise the images would have been too similar. I used the same blue colour as the logo and the front page for the titles and numbers along with the same maroon which was used in the logo and front page. I also used the black border, to correspond with the front page, which was in black and white. I used the same font as I used in the front page and ensured all the text lined up as this is considered good design. I used white font colour on the title as it not only showed up on the black border, but also matches the white lab coats which the students are wearing in the main picture. This is also considered good design. The numbers have also been outlined in bold to ensure they can be read. I am sure this corresponds to my brief and fits in with the school front cover.  

School Magazine: Contents Page Implementation

I designed my Contents page using the same software, InDesign, as I had previously used to create my Front cover.



I first inserted a border at the top of the page, this prevents the main image becoming too heavy, which would occur if the image was placed at the top of the page.

I then inserted the title, using the same font, Trajon Pro, size 60 as the front page to ensure the design element is consistent and professional. I also hung the black border slightly over the edge to ensure there was no white borders.

I then began to insert the logo by using the "place" function.

 I then selected the logo and moved it into position, by the title.

I then begain to create the actual contents page by inserting the page numbers and the page details on the left hand side. I used the same font and the sky blue that had previously been used on the front cover and in the logo. I aligned the features box with the logo for design purposes.

I then used the same blue for the number, although i used a sans serif font as this is considered good design. I used this colour to add some colour tot he contents page as the front cover is in black and white and coloud be considered boring if too dull.

I used two different fonts for the page title and then the details to add some interest to the contents page.

I continued on with this until all the page numbers and details were positioned on the contents page.





I then inserted the images from my second photoshoot and moved the layout around to fit both images in. 

School Magazine: Contents Page General Research

I have decided to research contents pages of various different magazines which I hope will help me when designing my own contents page for the school magazine. I have chosen several contents pages, each with differing layouts and main features.

This contents page is rather good as it clearly shows the magazine features down the left hand side of the page as well as a image, which corresponds to one of the features, which are coded with page numbers. A review is also shown at the bottom of the page which insures the magazine has an additional feature. the layout is very simple, yet effective, with the colour scheme being mainly sliver and black, with a slight hint of red which stops the colour scheme from being too boring and uninteresting. I think I would probably use this layout for a school magazine as it is clear and concise, although I would have to make the colour scheme more interesting to grab pupils attention.

 This contents page is rather similar to the first one, however, the page is busier, and has the features, which are likewise page and colour coded, down the right hand side, not the left, which I prefer. There are also numerous images which correspond to some of the features and make the magazine look fuller and more interesting. The colour scheme still involves the grey, which I like, but I think the busier look will probably be more appropriate for the school magazine and more appealing to the target audience.  

This contents page, unlike the other two, have much more colour, which is apt considering it is actually for a fashion magazine. This contents page has the main image at the top of the page and a introductory column on the left hand side, which although I think is a nice touch, I do not think suitable for a school magazine. The features are much smaller on this contents page and although under clearer headings, I do not think are as clear. I do actually like this contents page as the images add a splash of colour to the otherwise dull colour scheme but I do not think it is as suitable for a school magazine, although I will keep it in mind when creating my contents page.

This contents page is extremely effective with the dark colour scheme and rather strong image which grabs the readers attention. The features, which are on the right hand side, are pretty small and slightly difficult to read. I do, however, like the idea that unlike the other contents pages, an image is the main focus which is extremely interesting and eye catching. This then means the magazine is interesting and also allows the contents page to show the main focus of the magazine. I think this is obviously an excellent technique for a fashion or music magazine, but I doubt this would be as effective with a school magazine, although I still like the minimalistic colour scheme that seems to be shown throughout my research.

 This contents page is probably my least favourite as although it looks professional, the white background is very uninspiring and leaves the page looking slightly bland. There is also unused space, such as in the left hand corner, which unlike the previous contents page, does not add to the overall effect. The features are still coded by page numbers which makes the features easy to find. I think this layout, however, would not suit a school magazine as it would not capture the pupils attention, it needs to have either an effective image or a brighter colour scheme.