Feedback on cover and contents

Evidently, through my audience feedback, the genre of music I was expressing was not instantly recognizable. The purpose of my magazine was to inform people of this genre of music a lot more so it is understandable if it is not widely known.

Double Page Spread

By using a very useful and effective programme on the Mac computers, an application called 'pages', I have managed to create my own double page spread similar to those found in typical magazines.

Stage 1

This is the first draft of my double page spread. Its a very simple layout and all in black and white. I think this gives it a classier, easier to read look. I am going to now edit this as the top masthead is not fully shown and some of the images appear randomly placed.

Stage 2

This second draft is still simple, but the dense amount of text has been broken up by the green outline on the images and a small 'Top 5 Artists' to give a friendly vibe to the audience. Personal information is important as it makes the artists appear down to earth and also inspires fans. I changed the Image in the bottom left hand corner due to the fact I had already used the image on the contents page.

Stage 3

I have further edited my double page spread by enlarging certain quotes for effect, making the boarders of the images smaller, creating a shadow around each image and changing the colours to ensure continuity with the look of my whole magazine. This now ties in with my font cover and contents page and is still simple without appearing too bland.

Screen grab images from Front Cover and Contents page Analysis

This image is typical of a contents page in a magazine. This picture gives a sneak preview into what is actually inside the magazine and who is being interviewed and the surroundings. The page number at the top of this image breaks up the contents page to make it appear more exciting and to draw your attention to the main feature.

The reduced image if the Front Cover is a typical convention in a contents page. This just refreshes your mind and also reinforces the continuity between the two pages. The phrase 'subscribe to the monthly Lowdown and save £25' is a lure and instantly would grab the audiences attention to saving money and to read your magazine consistently.

The barcode here and the menu strip at the bottom make the production seem professional. They give a sneak preview into the features within the magazine in a quirky and eye catching way. The barcode reveals price which needs to be suited to the target audience social class and age group.

Cover and Contents

Front Cover

By analyzing my images and thinking about what best target my audience in representation of social groups I have designed my Front cover following typical conventions i noticed from existing music magazines that follow a similar Genre, mainly mixmag. The Front cover is very vibrant and eye catching specifically related to my teen/young adult target audience. It is fun and sexy attracting the male gaze and female audiences who would be inspired by the make-up and feminine jewellery. The red font colour is consitent in the Masthead, main coverline and menu strip. One other colour is used so not to look to over crowded, white. This is only used on the strapline and other coverlines to draw your eye to the main points on the page. A typical barcode is positioned in the corner.

The magazine Title reflects my chosen Reggaeton genre relating to the information you will find within the magazine and how 'Low Down' females dance when listening to this type of music. I have ensured continuity between cover and contents as this makes it appear professional and that they look like they are from the same magazine.

Contents

The contents page still has the same red colour and font to ensure continuity. The black background makes the white font stand out instantly. The specific contents are spread in sections around the page, they are not alligned to reflect the radical and rebellious nature of my audience. The sections are there for easier and quicker access to specific areas of the magazine which may be a favourite of my audience and also gives a breakdown of every new and main article within. The main feature is at the top with an image and page number to make it easier for audiences who specifically want to read about the artist. A lure is at the bottom, a free mixtape of a typical artist, this breaks the page up and also would encourage my audience to purchace this magazine again if they realise freebies are frequent. A reduced image of the front cover is at the top which is another typical convention, this reminds my reader and also would persuade them to subscribe when reinforcing the saving of '£25'.

Representation of Social Groups

I have created a slideshow in slideshare.com which reveals my chosen images used for my cover, contents and double page spread. I have analysed the impact they could have on the audience and if they promote a positive/negative image of specific social groups and sterotypes.

Slide show of images

View more presentations from jcrossan.

Inspiration

When thinking about the design on my front cover, I wanted a slightly 'out of this world' look. I want the Image on the cover to appear enchanting, almost cartoon-like. A type of image which has always intruiged me has been Hed Kandi girls who are girls used to advertise dance music on CD's. posters and T.V adverts. I have collected a selection of specifically enchanting images of these girls which will then go on to inspire my own images.

Analyzing Photography

All if these photos were taken on the black and white colour mode on my camera. I feel the effect creates a more professional look to the images and celebrify the model I used even more. The colour makes the images appear as if from old memories which give an authentic feel and will be very appealing to my Target Audience.



I decided to take a range of images from all different angles and poses to show the singer in a complex light. To express her personality in various ways to make the reader more relaxed and
comfortable.

For my double page spread article I have chosen to use an interveiw technique which is a typical format in a lot of music magazines. A simple question and answer layout. I belive these images appear as if in a casual location, just messing around having fun with a photographer which is a technique I see often in Music magazines. Only a few are very posed, most just as if caught off guard which is more realistic and makes the singer appear as if down to earth.

In my Interview I have tried to reflect the way her personality comes across through the questions in these photos. This is more genuine and fits the style of the magazine perfectly. Some images are irrelevant and just for fun such as this with the dog on the left and will not be used for my final production.