Using Prezi

I have now started my evaluation and for the 1st question I will be using multi-media in the form of Prezi. I have never used Prezi before so it will need some getting used to however I feel confident that I will be able to write and present the important points of my magazine pages using this visually exciting and creative way.

Large Pull Quotes

Here is the process of my pull quote which is at the top of the left hand page of my double page spread and acts as the mast head/ title. 

I chose a quote which was most intriguing and one that I believed would pull the audience in to wanting to read the article. However, it was too long and crowded the page. Because of this, it did not do its job of attractive the reader and is was not simplistic or punchy enough . 

Too fix this, first of all I added a ellipsis and made the typography bold and slightly larger for the last sentence of the pull quote, this is now the most eye catching part of the quote and also part that has the most impact and shock on the reader. 

Next, I decided to cut out most of the quote so that it looks more simplistic, more visually appealing and easier to read. 

Double Page Spread Further Development

'Exclusive' box

I decided that I wanted a caption and introduction to the double page spread on the right hand page under the large photograph titles 'Exclusive' as it would draw attention from the reader. However, the typography was not very readable in contrast with the background as I chose simplistic text to suit the alternative genre's forms and conventions  Therefore, I inserted two white boxes, similarly to the one on my front cover. I created this shape which was inspired by a double page spread in a Q magazine issue. I also made the box transparent to again  suit the forms and conventions of the genre and to match the page. However, I still need to change the colour of the 'Exclusive' to a pale blue to match the pull quotes on the following page. 

Title / Masthead

I have now replaced my photographs which were at the top of the page with a masthead as I think it fits the ideologies and conventional layout of a music magazine article 

Article Photograph

As I no longer have the original layout of three photographs at the top of the page I still needed to fins somewhere in my article layout to fit a photograph. I decided I now only wanted one photograph of the band member in the interview and fitted it into the third column of my article and also added a caption.

                                                     

Article Pull Quotes 

I have now added two pull quotes to my double page spread article. I made the typography of these quotes pale blue as it is a typical conventional alternative colour. It also anchors the pale blue in one of the band members shirt. I have also altered the positioning of the quotes to be placed in between two columns to give to article and overall page more of an alternative 'look'.

Layout Of Double Page Spread Article

 I have now completed setting out my double page spread article on my right hand page. I have set it out in three columns and this follows the forms and conventions and the ideologies of a music magazine articles layout. I have also inserted a mast head replacing the photographs at the top of the page; I did this because I feel this layout suits my double page spread better. I have also inserted a pull quote, however I am not sure on the colour as I want it to suit my genre slightly better and to be different from the reds that I have used in my other magazine pages; I also want to insert another pull quote somewhere in one of these columns. 

I have also leave a space for a photograph of the band being interviews which will add to the 'exclusive' content of this page. I will also add a caption under this photograph once it is inserted. 

Further development on my double page spread

I have now began inserting my article into three columns on my double page spread. 

Starting to insert and create my double page spread

I have inserted the first part of my article. It still need editing and changing however I think I will be inserting my headline at the top of this page so I may alter where my photographs will be placed on this page.

Inserting text and my article

I have now inserted the columns on my double page spread

Now I have inserted my main photographs I want to start working on my text. I have written most of my article have still have ideas of what to add to it. I will also use pull quotes that grabs the readers attention and makes them want to read the whole interview in this double page spread article. 

To add my article to my right hand page I have inserted three columns. However, I need to remove the columns from the left hand page and shorten the length of the three columns I will soon be inserting my article into as I want the text to start beneath the three photographs at the top of the page. 

The left hand page will be for the main title and a large pull quote which will be the main focus point and will reflect the large main photograph I have taken and have chosen to use. 

Double page spread

To start my layout I have started with inserting photoshop edited photographs on to my double page spread. I started by selecting an appropriate photograph to go on the first page of the double page spread. Next I selected three photographs to go on the top of the second double page spread of the band being interviewed. This layout was inspired by  magazines issue with the double page spread interview with Noel Gallagher. 

Next I will add more photographs to the right hand side of the double page spread. I will also insert the title and pull quotes around the pictures. The article will be placed within three columns of the second page of my doble page spread with pull quotes and photographs. 

Starting Double Page Spread

Today I have started to create my double page spread in a software which I have not used before called InDesign; I am looking forward to developing new skills in this software.

Class peer review on blog so far

Today we did a class review, from my review the feedback I reviewed was mostly positive which I am pleased about. My strongest areas are my final contents page, front cover and amount of blog posts I have made about the construction of my final magazine pages. However, the improvement I need to make is write about screen shots on my blog that have no information about them yet. To prevent this from happening again I will be writing about my screen shot on my blog posts as soon as I upload them. 

Progess

I am in the process of filling out my left hand column of my contents page. I am using rulers to ensure my text is equally spaced. 

I have now finished typing up everything on my contents page so I am in the process of spell checking all of my text to make sure my contents page as no repeating of words or incorrect spelling. 

Cover story and subscription box

I wanted to add something to my contents page to make it look more professional looking and real. I therefore decided to add a 'subscribe' box which is a conventional feature on music magazine content pages. I created this subscribe box by inserting a rectangle shape on my page and then typing over the shape. I also added a screen shot of my completed front cover music magazine because this is often the layout music magazines use for their subscribe box. 



I have now completed my 'featured' column which is on the right hand side of my contents page. I now have finished the cover story part of the contents page by using large typography for the band and 'The Hand Picked' I also used a pull quote from the article. 

I have also removed the 'pg' before the page number in the right hand corner of the pictures on my contents page as it look more alternative and professional. 

completed photograph contents page grid

Here you can see I have completed my four part grid of photographs. The photographs show an insight of what is featured inside my music magazine. I have also added page numbers on the right hand corners of each photograph to inform the reader what article and page each photograph has been taken from.

I have edited and drained each of the photographs colours to compliment and reflect on my music genre of alternative. I also like the fact I have photographs with musical features in such as the records, headphones and speaker. This as a result makes the contents page look more like its from a music magazine. 

Editing Images

I want to continue the conventional way of editing images in alternative music magazines, draining the flesh colours from the models and making the overall appearance of the photos to be drained, pale, neutral and pastel. In the same way in which I editing my front cover main photo. 

In order to achieve this conventional neutral and dull 'look' of the pictures, I used Photoshop's tools such as colour balance, exposure, brightness, saturation  lightness and exposure to gain the correct colouring of the photographs. 

Beginning My Contents Page

I have started to create my contents page, and as a starting point I started to plan and make the layout of the page. This is the process so far. 

First I typed the title on the top left hand side of this page, and the title 'contents on the right hand side. I wanted to make the typography font colour 'sleek' and professional looking as featured in   almost all alternative music magazines, therefore I have made the main colours black and dark grey. 

I then created a section where interactive information such as my magazines social networking sites; twitter, facebook and myspace. And also the magazines official website.A phone scan code is also placed in this section so that readers can access exclusive features with their phone.I have also decided to use red typography to highlight important information on this page, it also links back to the red 'brand' colour associated with Interzone music magazine.I then inserted the title on the left hand corner and the title 'contents' on the top right. I also used grey rectangle shapes to create and plan the layout of my four part grid where photographs will go. I also placed a larger grey box where the cover story photograph will be, this box is placed in the 'featured' column of this contents page. 

Next I dragged a number of lines from the rulers on Photoshop to make sure my contents page will be in line. I also added the subheading 'featured' in red typography on the right hand column of this contents page. This is wear all the exclusive sections and information in my magazine will be mentioned.

I have also selected a photograph from my double page spread photo shoot of my created band being interviewed. This gives insight of what is featured in this cover story and engages the reader to read the article. 

Chosen Images

First Photograph chosen from first contents page shoot

These images will be edited and featured on my contents pages' four part grid layout of photographs.

Second Photograph chosen from first contents page shoot

Photograph chosen from second contents page shoot

Photograph Chosen from third contents page shoot

Contents Page Photo Shoots - Contact Sheets

Final Contents Page Photo Shoot

I have just taken the last photo shoot of two models who feature as a band on my contents page, the photographs were inspired by that of an alternative band called 'The Drums'. The models I decided to use for this photo shoot include David, aged 16, and Shah, aged 16, I thought that the contrasting appearance of the two boys created an interesting 'look' to the band. The dress code they were wearing was 'casual blue' to connote that they belong to the same band. They also posed in a casual body language to suggest that they both have a carefree outlook on life and the music industry and therefore showing that they have the same attitudes and interests. I feel that this photo shoot, like the others, was successful. 

I will soon be uploading a full contact sheet of the photographs I have taken today as well as my previous content page photo shoots.

Starting Contents Page Photo Shoot

Josie Hearn- Model for contents page
music artist (Nadine Coopen).

I am just about to begin my content page photo shoot, the model will be my friend Josephine Hearn. 

Starting Second Contents Page Photo Shoot

Jess Harman-Smith- model
for contents page.

I will now be taking a photo shoot of a Jessica who will be
modelling musical equipment and gadgets which will be
included in a competition in Interzone Music magazine.

Fourth Contents Page Photo Plans and Ideas

For this fourth photograph for my four part grid on my contents page I want to use a photograph which look like it belongs in an alternative music magazine by using a speaker and headphones as props for my model. I have been inspired by this photograph, left, of Noel Gallagher leaning against a speaker. This photograph was featured both on the front cover and contents page of Q magazine's November 2012 issue. I will therefore create a similar image to this using the same type of composition. The model  I will be using is my younger sister Jessica as I feel she has a young face alternative look. She have an alternative dress code and will be wearing heavy make-up as this is often a convention in female alternative 'look'. She will not, however, be an artist. Instead she will be modeling some of the technology and musical items you can win in a competitions exclusive to my magazines. 

Third Contents Page Photo - Plans and Ideas

Band members from 'The Drums'

For this shoot I want to feature two boys as which will make up a band and will be featured in the four part grid on my contents page. I want the photograph to be simplistic and alternative looking, therefore they will be wearing similar coloured simple clothing and have emotionless facial expressions looking at a direct eye contact at the camera.

I have taken inspiration from these pictures of two members of the alternative band 'The Drums' I have chosen to take photographs similar to this photograph as it is visually similar to what I want to achieve.  I will be using the location of a mirrored room as it acts as a plain background but will also reflect the back of the models and will therefore add more depth and interest to the photograph, therefore giving it a very new and alternative look to the photograph. I also have decided to use a different background as all of the photographs I have taken so far of models have been taken in front of a plain white background, I therefore want to add something slightly different to my contents page, but still keeping to the alternative theme.

                                                                    

Second Contents Page Photo Plans and Ideas

For this photograph I will be taking, it will be featured on my contents page in a part of a four part grid layout. I have decided I want to feature an article which would be within my magazine called the 'golden oldies'. I have decided to take pictures of someone looking through a bunch of records as this will appeal to alternative music fans who like the classics. It will also bring a more musical look to my contents page to make it look more like a music magazine. It will look similar to this photograph on the left. 

First Contents Page Photo Plan and Ideas

Introduction to the shoot and Ideas

For this shoot I will be taking photographs of my chosen model, Josephine Hearn. I chose this model because she is blonde and attractive, I believe this model as an artist will appeal to both males and females which is my target audience. 

For this shoot, I want to create a popular alternative female artist to feature on my contents page. I will be using images of the existing most current alternative female artist, Lana Del Rey, as inspiration. 

Lana Del Rey with a cat

I have chosen to create a photograph similar to this of Lana Del Rey. I will be using features from this photograph such as the cat and her facial expression. 


The reason I have chosen to take the feature of the artist holding a cat is because cats are very much associated with the indie and alternative 'look' and style.

Lana Del Rey wearing a fur coat

The dress code my model will be wearing is an MTV music top which connotes the music industry and the 'artists' passion for music. And also a fur coat, for a more glamorous feminine and old fashioned alternative style also inspired by the artist Lana Del Rey, as seen in this photograph to the left. I will be combining the three features from these photographs, these include; moody alternative facial expression, the use of a cat as a prop and also the dress code of a fur coat.
Once I have completed this shoot I will make a contact sheet with all the images of which I have taken. 

Masthead colour

I have decided to slightly alter my masthead colour on my front cover now I have inserted my edited photograph. I have made it a slightly deeper and paler red. I then changed the colour of the rectangle box and subheading so that the colour scheme matched. 

Headline Process

I have now inserted my headline on my front cover, I have selected the colour to be an off-white so that it fits with alternative music magazine conventions and 'style'. I also wanted to make the letters of the word 'picked' spaced equally in line with the above text 'The Hand'. This adds a customised look and brand to the the typography and so it is recognisable with the bands fans and this layout of the typography is associated with the band.

However I needed to add a stroke around the typography in order for it to stand out from the background and to look more professional  However I kept the line thin as I wanted it to be subtle and unnoticeable in order to fit in the alternative music magazine genre 'look' and appearance. 

Process

The recent process of my front cover has included decided how to align my cover lines. I personally prefer them being aligned in the middle however a majority of my target audience have said that they think it looks more professional aligned to the left, therefore I think that I will align it that way. 

I have also decided to put the subheading on my front cover in front of a white rectangle shape. However, I have increased the transparency of the box to make it more alternative looking and subtle. This shape has allowed the subheading to be more visible and readable against the background. 

Cover line choices - Peer review

Middle

Which position should I place my cover lines on my front cover? 

To the left