Final Magazine Pages - Double Page Spread

This is my double page spread. After having listened to the advice my target audience members gave, I have made some slight alterations to the page. I have added a final note at the lower right hand side of the spread to ensure that all space is filled without leaving an empty space. 

Final Magazine Pages - Contents Page

Here is the finalised contents page of my magazine. After having listened to what my target audience had to say within their feedback, I have made appropriate alterations to the image colour. I believe the addition of more colour to this page creates a more striking composition.

Final Magazine Pages - Front Cover

This is my front cover. I have made some alterations after having collected my audience feedback. My target audience advised that I could add another cover line due to having a substantial amount of free space on my cover. I decided to add some information in the lower left of the cover - primarily stating the content of this issue: "Inside: Rattata, Soulwave and Foals exclusives", as well as a summary of what to expect in every issue of Phonic magazine; "Reviews, news, interviews and more... Inside your essential Indie magazine"

Time Management

16th December 2013

Subsequently, I have made alterations to each page of my magazine through the suggestions made by my target audience members in their feedback last week. I spent some time altering each page, with the aim of meeting the requirements of my target audience whilst continuing to ensure the alterations fit well with my magazine's house style. 

Audience Feedback - Double Page Spread

Finally, this is the audience feedback video regarding my double page spread. I have asked two people within my target audience age bracket for their opinions on the following questions:

Q: Describe the layout of my double page spread - how is it effective?
A: The central image really stands out, it hits you in the face. / The way that the text wraps around the model works really well. 

Q: What details of this page enable you to recognise it as a double page spread?
A: The big "J" (dropcap) on the left hand side. / The pull-quotes, which are a nice feature. 

Q: How could this page be improved?
A: The space at the bottom could be filled more / Other than that, not much to improve. 

Audience Feedback - Contents Page

Here is my audience feedback video regarding the front cover of my magazine. I have asked two people within my target audience age bracket for their opinions on the following questions:

Q: My contents page is basic when it comes to the colour scheme - is this effective or not?

A: I think it's good because it follows on from the front cover - it has the same style. / The photos being in greyscale sort of make it look too dull. It could do with some more colour on the page.

Q: What enables you to recognise this as a contents page?

A: It clearly states "Contents" at the top of the page / the contents of the magazine are all listed, it looks very much like a typical contents page.

Q: Do the headlines appeal to you, and grab your attention?

A: They blend in with the rest of the page a little bit, it could be brighter.

Audience Feedback - Front Cover

Here is my audience feedback video regarding the front cover of my magazine. I have asked two people within my target audience age bracket for their opinions on the following questions:

Q: What features enable you to recognise my front cover as a magazine?
A: masthead, barcode, headlines. central image

Q: My front cover is minimalistic. Should I take advantage of the extra space available?
A: There is plenty of space to put more, but I think it's better if you don't / It looks good as it is. You could add another cover line. 

Q: What do you think of the colour scheme?
A: It's a bit (monocolour) - plain, but I think it works.

Construction: Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread: Image

This is the photograph I will use for my double page spread: an interview with Joshua. I think this photograph is most suitable as it has an interesting angle, in which the body of text can be placed around. This is also a flattering image which includes a clear picture of the guitar, as well as having a backdrop which appears very grunge/indie in appearance. This connotes the rough yet natural sound of music which I am including in my magazine.

This is the edited image. I have darked and blurred the background, so that the text will stand out much more effectively. The "Lens Blur" which I have applied to the background also brings the model forwards and accentuates him. 

Construction: Contents Page

Contents Page: Images

Image Selections

Jamie and Georgia

I have chosen these images of Jamie and Georgia to feature in my contents page. I think these images show a clear sense of chemistry, as well as natural poses. The image on the right is effective as I plan on featuring a story on Georgia, and in this image, the focus is on her. The image on the left is in fact an out-take, yet I think it represents the natural friendship between the two models well.

Joshua

These are the photos of Joshua which I have chosen to include within my contents page. I have chosen these primarily for the textures included in the background, as they enhance the model. The first image; with the blue wall, brings out Joshua's face, as the blue wall and sweatshirt seem to frame his face. In the second image, the brick wall seems to blend with the colours in Joshua's hair and skin. This accentuates the contrasting dark colours of the guitar. 

Editing the images: Jamie and Georgia

I began by using the 'Quick Selection' tool to select the subject matter. I then softened the edge of the image.

I then selected the inverse, which effectively selects the background of the image more precisely. I then went into Filter > Blur > Lens Blur.

From here, I increased the radius of the blur to slightly blur the background. This brings out the models, emphasising them.

Finally, I applied the "Greyscale" filter to the image. This gives the image a stereotypical indie-rock appearance, and is much like the image inspirations which I took from photos of indie bands such as Franz Ferdinand. 

When editing this image, I used the "Quick Selection Tool" and selected the area around Georgia's eyes before going to Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.

I increased the brightness and contrast of the eye area. This contrast draws the readers attention to Georgia's face.

I have put this image in greyscale for continuity purposes, this emphasises Georgia further as her eye make-up seems to contrast her face dramatically. 

Editing the images: Joshua

When editing this photograph, I went to Adjustments > Black & White. I think keeping many of my contents page images in greyscale enhances my simple colour scheme.

With this image, I firstly went to Adjustments > Hue/Saturation, and lowered the saturation of the image. This makes the image fit better with my colour scheme. I then used the "Red Eye" tool to get rid of the red eye from the flash.

Construction: Front Cover

Masthead Design

In InDesign, I created some alterations of my masthead by changing the kerning (the space between each glyph), making changes to the baseline, as well as the increasing/decreasing horizontal scale of the letters.

I have chosen to use the second alteration, in which I have applied a wider kerning to the text. The letters being further away from eachother gives the impression of boldness, which emphasises the masthead. This aspect will also ensure that my masthead covers at least over 50% of the width of my magazine.

This is my final masthead design. When designing this in relation to a plain background (grey here) I decided that the use of white for the design fits well with my colour scheme, also connoting ideas relating to fresh, new music much better than black would have.

I have also added the magazine name and website address below, as this is a common convention used in magazine design to help in promoting the magazine. 

I have added the masthead to the front cover image. I think it is more effective when it overlaps the central image, without a plain background colour such as those used in NME and Q magazine. I have increased the weight of each letter slightly, as to create a more bold impact. I have also added the date (December 2013) to make it clear to the reader which issue they are purchasing. 

Front Cover: Editing the Central Image

Original image

 This is the original image which I am going to use for my front cover. To unify this image with the colour scheme I have chosen, I am going to edit it in PhotoShop.












1) Altering the saturation

 I selected "Hue/Saturations" in the drop down menu from "Adjustments" in the "Image" tab in PhotoShop.

I lowered the saturation of the image until I thought the outcome was most similar to images I'd studied, and was in-keeping with my colour palette.

2) Touch Ups

Using the "Patch" tool, I got rid of any imperfections on the image - specks of dirt on the jacket, and smoothing the skin tone. It seems it is almost mandatory that magazine images are digitally edited to add more of a "desire" aspect to the image.

Using the "Red Eye" tool, I selected the iris to alter them to black.

3. Composition

I then repeated the same process with a similar image of Joshua which I thought may be a possible cover image.

       Original image

 I applied the same PhotoShop editing tools to this image, and flipped the image.

Using the "Quick Select" tool, I selected Joshua's figure.

I then dragged the selection into the other image file and placed it according to where it looked best. 

After a few more alterations to make the image look realistic, I have decided that this edit will be more effective on the front cover than the original. Similarly to the front cover of NME, it creates a statement as an image. This edit also fills a portrait much better, as there is no negative space.

Front Cover: Central Image Options

I think these photographs are the most suitable for my front cover. I was influenced by Q magazine's front cover to use the flash to create a shadow. This gives the image a better sense of depth. I have not decided which image will look best on my front cover as of yet, so my next step is to edit them in PhotoShop and make a decision.

Time Management

12th November 2013

At this point, I have compiled the images from my photo shoots with Joshua, Jamie and Georgia - which I shot over the weekend. Having already included a choice of colour on my blog, I can now begin to edit my images in relation to my colour scheme.

Photoshoot: Jamie and Georgia

Contact Sheet

Below is the contact sheet of my photoshoot with Jamie and Georgia. I took a range of photos; some more artistic angles and some more basic shots. I think the best photos are those where Jamie and Georgia are together as they look very natural. These photos were not forced and therefore make the two look like they have good chemistry as a band. 

Photoshoot - Joshua

Contact Sheet

Below is the contact sheet of the photographs I took of Joshua. I used three different yet similar settings in Ludlow. Firstly, the blue brick wall on the high-street and next a plain brick wall further from the road, meaning I could take full body shots. I tried shooting in an alleyway, but the images have not come out very clearly.

Planning for Production: Photoshoot

Setting

Joshua:

For photographing Joshua, I have chosen a certain wall on the high-street of Ludlow. The wall is a cyan blue which will compliment my colour scheme. A man-made scenery goes hand in hand with the fact that indie/indie rock features electric guitars. I will contrast the blue background with a setting with a brick background, as I do not want to overuse one colour.

Jamie and Georgia:

I have decided to photograph Jamie and Georgia in a woodland setting near my house. There is a shed here which is made from slightly rusted corrugated steel. This setting connotes the sub-genre of music which my magazine will be based around, as I think the rusted metal looks quite "grungy" and rock like. It seems to visually represent the sound of indie/indie rock, with an almost scratchy sound. This setting will also compliment the colour scheme I have chosen to go ahead with - turquoise blue and grey tones.


Clothing and Props

Joshua:

Joshua will be wearing a blue hoodie underneath a dark grey/navy-ish jacket with grey skinny jeans with a worn look. This follows my sub-genre's typical look. The blue hoodie is a similar colour to the wall I intend to photograph him in front of. I am hoping that this will unify the image. Joshua will be using my Westfield electric guitar as a prop. I have chosen to include the guitar as this is included in the photograph of Jake Bugg, which works effectively and tells the reader directly who and what the image is portraying.

Georgia:

Georgia will be wearing a black vest top with a blue and grey logo (which goes hand in hand with my colour scheme) and ripped skinny jeans with cyan blue tights underneath. This outfit has both bright and grungy aspects which connotes the type of clothing I have found indie/indie rock artists wear.

Jamie:

Jamie will be wearing a blue t-shirt and grey hoodie. He will be wearing dark grey denim jeans. This casual style is typical of what both Jamie and the target audience for my magazine would typically wear. Indie/indie rock artists tend to appear much more casually dressed than artists within other more stereotypically "glamorous" genres of music. The colours of the hoodie and t-shirt fit perfectly against what Georgia will be wearing, as well as the photo shoot setting and the magazine's colour scheme. Jamie will be the guitarist in the band, and is using his own guitar as a prop in my photoshoot. I have decided to include the instrument to make the genre of music obvious from the outset.