I have recently had the spare time to be able to go back to my front cover and adjust some of the features of the cover, for example the background, colour scheme and fonts. By using the specific brush tools I was able to give my background a subtle hint of texture. I believe this has made the overall appearance more interesting, compared to a solid plain colour. To go along with the change of colour for the background, I also changed the colour scheme for some of the text. By altering it from a shade of purple to red makes the headlines standout against the cover lines. It gives the overall front cover more diversity and interesting appearance.
I may still want to adjust a few more features in the near future, but as a whole I am happy with the end result of my front cover. I believe it reflects my alternative genre with its simplicity and with the specific text choices e.g the artists and bands features as well as the style of writing.
After adding and adjusting some of my features I am hoping I am finished. My recent changes include, adding the date next to the page number, changing my fonts and spacing out some of my text. As a whole, I am pleased with the end result of my double page spread. I tried to keep it as simple as possible, as to not clutter to the two pages. The main change I made was changing my font again. By using the font website 'da font' I was able to choose from a huge variety. I chose this specific font as I it is clear, simple, but still stands out against the other pieces of text. Often within alternative music magazines they will use a thin typography. This presents a modern take against the dated clothing and style. Adding the date and the brand name, revolution to the bottom of the double page spread is an idea to keep continuity. On a lot of magazines they keep certain features the same on every page, for the magazine I have created, this will be shown on every page. Finally, in order to improve my layout of the double page spread I did some finishing touches by adjusting the spacing of some of my text. This was to improve the initial view and appearance of the pages. I have uncluttered some areas, and filled in the empty spaces; as an end result the spacing is now even and more appealing to the eye.
To add more colour to my double page spread, and for a chance from purple, I have altered the colour of both my pull quotes and subheading to a blue. I chose this shade of blue as I believe it goes over top the neutral grey background well and still stands out. I chose not to go any brighter as I think that would would go against the conventions of my alternative music genre.
As most pages of a magazine feature numbering at the corner of the page, I have also followed this convention. I chose to follow my purple colour scheme to relate to my front cover and contents as my magazines brand identity. I wrote 'Revolution' next to the numbering as to follow my brand throughout. I want my name to recognisable and to become a well known brand.
At this stage, shown from the screenshot to the left I believe I am almost finished! I have now added all my interview text, a second pull quote and a short sentence beneath my headline! As a whole I am happy with the near enough finished result!
I recently changed my font size from 10 to 9.5. I chose to do this because I thought that 9 was too small, but I had more text than size 10 could cater for. So, as a result I added the size 9.5. As a general, in magazines they often use font sizes in order to fit more onto the pages.
Another feature I have added to my double page spread is the brief description beneath my headline. I decided to chose a purple font for this text as to give the page some more colour and to follow my purple colour scheme as my brand.
After spending some more time on my double page spread I eventually have made some progress! I have now added more text to my interview, a title and a pull quote. I am hoping now my double page spread is starting to look more real and by adding in the features is starting to come together.
The pull quote on the left hand side of the page is a particular line I have pulled out as to intrigue the readers. I am also hoping that it also relates to the subjects mood and the headline of 'Delilah. Britain's more controversial artist?'. At the moment, I am undecided on whether to call my artist Delilah or Ruby. Fortunately, I still have time before I need to make a definite decision.
The screenshot to the left shows the progress I have made to my double page spread. So far, I have added my background image and change the direction in which the subject is facing. And I have now started to add my text. A problem I have recently come across is trying to wrap the text around the subject so it fills all the free space without going over the image. This proved to be a problem and took several attempts to achieve! However, I am happy with the results as text wrapping is often used within magazines so I am hoping that this makes my double page spread look more professional.
For my double page spread I have decided to follow the 'question and answer' method. The reason for this is that I believe it is the easiest and simplest form to follow and that for the reader, it is clear and understandable. This also allows me to include some of the controversial quotes I mentioned on my front cover and contents page.
Today I begun the production of my double page spread. So far I have placed in my image and reflected it so she is now facing the opposite way. I chose to do this so that I am able to have my columns of text over the right hand side of the page. I am planning to then place a pull quote to the left hand side of her head.
This is my chosen image for my double page spread. I took this photograph when taking my front cover pictures so I have already done a contact sheet previously.
I chose this particular picture because I am hoping to place my columns of text on top of the background of the picture and so that it flows around the subject.
I have recently replaced the image of 16 yr old Emma with an image of a concert. I am hoping this will make my contents page relate more to my music genre and to the project.
As previously mentioned, I believe I have finished my contents page now, except the minor finishing touches which may need to be made if the ideas become apparent. However, from now I am focusing on my double page spread.
This is the contact sheet for the photos in which I took prior to this project.
I chose to include photos from a concert/ festival in order to make my magazine relate more to music. As previously it was confusing on whether it was obvious that I was producing just a magazine or a music magazine.
Although these images were not taken recently, they were still taken by me from the last few years.
Today we paired up and reviewed each others blog on our research and planning, plus front cover and contents page. The feedback I received from Kate as an overall was very positive. The strengths she mentioned was that my choice of colour scheme reflected and complemented my target audience well and that she liked my front cover!
A target I have to improve on is to try and make my photographs relate more to the music genre. I will try and meet this target by using pictures I have previously taken from a gig or from a concert. I am hoping this will be my final finishing touch so I will have completed my contents page.
