For my main task I created a Front page, Contents page and a Double page spread for a music magazine idea of my choice. I followed this brief: create a front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text used must be original, produced by you - minimum of four images.
The first aspect of my magazine that challenged typical conventions of existing products would be the layout of the front cover. The image takes up the entire of the page, an aspect you would not usually see in pre-existing products as it restricts the colour and amount of text you can use around it. Another variation of typical conventions is the masthead. Most magazines, especially ones I based my final idea around, have their masthead as an acronym with a bold colour block behind it so it can be repeated when the next issue is out. My masthead does not have a colour block behind it, however it does have a red border around it which can be repeated or changed to fit with a specific issue, the font of the masthead would remain the same if it were to be published.
After researching the conventions of magazine house styles. I kept my colour schemes and font styling’s consistent throughout my front cover, contents and double page spread. I also kept the images consistent. I made sure the images used on my double page spread were from the same shoot used on my front cover
I took an image that would be more likely seen in an issue of Vogue as my model looked very fashionable and “classy”. The image would not be usually be seen on the cover of a music magazine as it doesn’t fit typical conventions of having a full body shot of an artist incorporating something to do with music e.g. microphones or instruments. I believe the image to be very eye catching as the model is positioned in the centre and looking straight forward at the camera.
I used Adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit my images and compile my front cover, contents and double page spread. My first idea for my front cover was thought together using digital and hand drawn layouts, and was the pieced together using Photoshop. Although my first idea involved a lot of precise editing and manipulation, it did not work well as a magazine cover. I believe the main reason it did not work was because of the boldness of the colour schemes and the fonts used.
My second and final idea was not as complex but still required the use of Photoshop. The image didn’t need cropping and compiling like my first idea but did need a small amount of tweaks e.g. airbrushing, sharpening and adjustment in overall colour to black and white. After struggling with my first idea, I wanted to keep my new idea as simple but effective as possible.
The images I used for my first front cover idea were photos I took at a concert. I thought they would be effective because they were original and of a real existing artist. However, when looking over key conventions of music magazines I realised a front cover image is usually taken in a studio and not from an actual concert unless is image of very high quality. So when changing my idea, I decided to re-shoot photos of a model in a proper studio. My final image used on my new front cover idea still challenges music magazines conventions despite being more effective than my first idea, because it uses an extreme close up of my model instead of a full body shot which is usually used in music magazines and has no background unlike most cover images.
I believe by it challenging conventions it adds more to its appeal by standing out from the rest of magazines but not being too different to be seen as a different genre of magazine.
The colour scheme on my new idea is a lot simpler and less bold as my first idea. The colours are consistent throughout the entire magazine and the same font is used for my contents page and my article.
Because of the size of my magazine title, I did not want to repeat it on the contents page despite it usually being done in existing magazines, so I thought that seeing as the title is “Arrow” I could create an arrow shaped border in order for the audience to see the continuity of the title and see that the contents page belonged to the magazine.
From looking back at my preliminary task and my first idea for my music magazine I feel I have learnt to not go with an idea if it only demonstrates examples of good digital manipulation because it will most likely challenge the conventions of creating a successful product.
