Music Magazine: Contents Page Titles

I have created my contents page front with my front cover font in mind. I used InDesign again and used similar fonts to my front cover. I used a selection of fonts which all had a similar look: the thick font with a more modern look to compliment my front page title.

I chose to use the same font which I used on the front cover. I decided to use the same colour scheme which I had used on the front cover. I experimented with the red, black and white. I liked the look of the red but this, along with my title, used too much red. 

I decided to use a thick white outline, instead of the red which had been previously used, for my contents page title. Just for design purposes, placed a black fill behind the font to see what the title would look like. I filled the inner font in black to make it appear to be just a white outline as I had previously done with the front page title.  

 I decided on the a black font with a thick white line. When this is placed on my black background of the page, this will appear very striking. 

Music Magazine: Contents Page Specific Research

I have decided I am going to use the "BILLBOARD" magazine layout for the contents page. Due to this, I have chosen more focused images using the same layout for the contents page and I will use these specific images as my template for my own design. 

This is the original layout which I analysed and decided I would like to use to inspire my own design. I have also found other similar "BILLBOARD" contents page layouts which all follow the same design pattern.

All of these layouts have the contents page bar running down the left hand side of the page. To avoid the pages appearing too similar as I am only using this design for inspiration as I will not be using the multiple coloured numbers although I do like this feature but I am sticking to my rule of three colours to keep the page fluent and co-ordinated. All of these designs have kept the key images with one main image placed underneath. Although some of these pages also have additional images, I will still be sticking to the three images on the left hand side, one large one spread over the page and two smaller ones above and therefore will not be having three columns of writing as I will not be using three images. Instead I will only have two, to create symmetry as I am only using two images. I like the last image as there is a dark section of the page, where the main picture stretches out over three quarters of the page which obeys the rule of thirds. I am planning to use this in my own contents page. I am planning on using the red and white font, as I had previously done on my front page, on this section to add some colour which has been done in the last image with the yellow and white. I also like the idea of using a section underneath the main image, here they have titled the section 'Home Front'. I will instead use this section to add a 'Review' and 'In Every Issue' section as I have previously seen in my general research. This layout also has their magazine title/logo featured on the contents page and I will also be using this feature and placing it above the contents page bar. I am also planning on using a coloured line to seperate the contents page bar and the images as the BILLBOARD magazine has done as I believe this ensures the page looks clear and concise, especially with the large amount of text which can appear messy.

Music Magazine: Contents Page General Research

I have looked at a few music magazine contents pages to try and gain an insight into what my contents page may look like. I am going to use similar layouts to these contents pages and then use more specific research in order for my shoot to go ahead. 

Music Magazine: Finalised Front Page

Music Magazine: Front Page Draft

I decided to use the chosen image as I feel it corresponded to my research well and by featuring the guitar and the microphone ring in colour on a black and white image allows the music element to stand out. I was adamant that I wanted there to be this feature on the front page instead of a 'posed' model which did not necessarily reflect the music element of the magazine. I decided to use a red, black and white colour scheme in my front page which I will continue to use on my contents page and double page spread. I used the same font throughout the page and stuck to only two fonts, not including the title. I will continue to use these fonts throughout the music magazine.  I like the overall look of the page, however, I need to edit the page so that there are no 'orphans', where single words are alone, to ensure good design is achieved.

Music Magazine: Front Page Implementation

Music magazine implementation front page from HGASMedia

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.