Prelim Evaluation

Prelim Evaluation 

For my prelim task I decided to create a college magazine front cover and contents page. Going into this project I had only done various research tasks on these pages on their layouts, and conventional features that are expected. Throughout my own front cover and contents page I have tried to incorporate all the information I gathered to create a front cover and contents page which follows the typical codes and conventions. 

As a summary I believe my college magazine prelim went well. I began with my front cover. Fortunately, this was not my first time on photoshop; therefore I had a brief understanding of the programme and some of its features and tools. From looking at other front covers I understood roughly the typical layout and what features are to be shown e.g. cover lines and offers. Therefore when creating my own front cover I also included these; by taking a portrait photo it allowed me to place my various cover lines surrounding the subjects evenly. I tried to pick a colour scheme which would appeal to both boys and girls at the college and which went with the colours on the image. I decided on red and white as they are unisex colours and came up against the background image. When it comes to my real shoot for my music magazine, I will insure that I leave enough room around the subject of a certain, block colour so that my cover lines will show up against it in a different, bold colour to draw in the readers.

I decided to give my magazine the brand name of 'College Life'; I chose this name because I believe that all the students can relate and appeal to it. I gave the title a drop back shadow to make it stand out against the other pieces of text and the background and also to draw the readers focus onto the brand. As an overall, I left the front cover uncluttered and spacious as to make it look more professional and clean cut. 

For my contents page I also incorporated the research I had done previous on typical contents pages. From my research, the main feature I noticed is that they frequently include is the column method. So, for this prelim task I also used a column to layout all my magazine pages in an orderly way in which the reader is then able to direct themselves around. The image I chose to have as the background is fairly busy as to fill the space and to not make the image too plain and boring. However, to insure that the text is the main feature I have placed it in a solid block text box to separate it from the image. The colour scheme throughout the contents page is the same as the front cover. I decided to do this to give the pages a more professional look and to keep a continuous design.

For both my front cover and contents page I used a clear, simple typography. I kept the same font throughout as to keep it looking professional and not too busy. This allows the reader to not be taken back by masses of text in complex fonts and colours but to be drawn in by the smart, simplicity of the pages. 

Throughout this prelim task it has helped me understand the process of creating a magazine front cover and contents page and I now have a better understanding of the features that need to be included. As a 'test run' I now know how to photograph my subjects in a way which allows enough room for the text to be written overtop but so it is still clear and follows the same colour scheme. Throughout this task I now understand how important a colour scheme is as this is the first thing in which draws in the readers, then the image, then the text. 

By doing this task I feel more confident about creating my Alternative music magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread. I believe I have learnt a lot more about their typical codes and conventions and can use that information to make my music magazine pages the best it can be.                       

Textual Analysis, Double Page Spread 5

Textual Analysis, Double Page Spread 4

Textual Analysis, Double Page Spread 3

Textual Analysis, Double Page Spread 2

Textual Analysis, Double Page Spread 1

Questionnaire Graphs and Analysis

Finished Prelim College Magazine Contents Page

Prelim Contents Page

Today i began placing together my images and text to create my Prelim contents page. I chose to use a photograph which has a lot to focus on but i can still place text boxes over top. Whilst on photoshop i changed the design of the textbox, as i changed the colour and gave it a slight back shadow to separate it from the background image and to make it stand out more to the reader. 

I chose the colour scheme of white and red as this is Farnham College's identity colours. I plan to continue this colour scheme throughout the magazine to give it order and continuity.

Finally, i brightened up my background image so that the subjects face would be clearer and more visible to the reader. You are then able to see her facial expression as she is out of the dark.  

I believe that during this prelim task of creating a contents page i have learnt a lot more about photoshop and i can make my way round all the tools with confidence. This will help me in the near future when it comes to creating my music magazine contents page as i will have a better idea of how to lay it out and which tools i need to do so.          

Music Magazine Questionnaire

Thoughts on prelim front cover

I think my prelim front cover went well. However, the picture i had taken did not leave enough room for my cover articles. Keeping this in mind, i will try and remember to leave enough space around the subject when it comes to my photo shoot for my music magazine cover. I will also try and make some articles stand out a little more. 

Prelim Finished College Magazine Front Cover

Textual Analysis, Contents Page 5

Textual Analysis, Contents Page 4

Textual Analysis, Contents Page 3

Textual Analysis, Contents Page 2

Textual Analysis, Contents Page 1

Photoshop Experimenting!

Today i began piecing together my college magazine front cover. I used photoshops various tools to help achieve the look and design i wanted. Even though i take photography as well as media which involves a lot of photoshop work, i still learnt about new tools; for example how to change two different text box colours to exact same shade of colour, to give a title a drop back shadow and to enlarge a photo without distorting the image. 

I think my College magazine is coming together well, however when i take my photos for my music magazine i will think about the spacing around the subject. A problem i found with this photo is that it was hard to find a colour which showed up against both the red, white and blue backgrounds. So, when it comes to my real shoot i will leave enough space around the subject so i am able to place my cover lines with the same colour scheme overtop.

Music Inspiration

To gain more knowledge and inspiration for my alternative music magazine i have been listening to a lot more artists who fit this genre. Bands and artists such as Lana Del Rey, The XX and The Vaccines have allowed me to think more about their styling and how their music comes together. All three artists use different methods of putting their images across and i will hopefully be able to reflect all of them throughout my music magazine. 

Mood Board 2, Alternative Fashion styles/looks

Mood Board 1, Alternative Artists

Textual Analysis, Front Cover 5, Q

Textual Analysis 5 Front Cover 

This Q issue 316 published for November 2012 features the rock artist Noel Gallagher former lead singer of the band Oasis. 

The positioning of the main subject, Noel Gallagher has been placed in such a way to make a bold statement. His posture oozes confidence, pride and manliness. His direct gaze downwards towards the camera makes the reader feel intimidated and dominated by his presence to make the audience feel small in comparison. His folded arms makes a hard rocker image as it shows he doesn't let anyone in; That he devotes himself to his music, not love. 

His clothing also gives off a rock image, with the leather jacket and jeans. Even though this is casual wear, it has a hard edge to it which makes him get on the same level as his audience but to still have a sense of superiority. 

The choice of washed out grey background allows for the subject and other features to stand out and catch the readers eye. However, the colouring slightly becomes lighter towards the subject, Noel Gallagher to focus the audience's eyes to him without noticing. A more colourful background would clutter the cover and make text harder to read. A plain, commonly grey background has been a feature of almost all my chosen magazines for my textual analysis's. As mentioned previously in my introduction and aims, the alternative genre itself continuously uses washed out nude colours as part of its own style to allow overlapping colours and subjects to become the main focus and feature. 

This front cover of Q uses the colour scheme of black, red, gold and white for its typography. These rich colours connotes the idea of rock and royalty. They create a bold statement, as apposed to pinks and blues which are typically found on a pop music magazine. 

Another main feature of this front cover is the music speaker in which Noel Gallagher is leaning against. This image connotes the thought that he is all about the music and concerts rather than the fame  side of his celebrity life. He leans against the object in respect as if the speaker itself is a member and friend of his band. 

This particular front cover decided to use up the majority of the space for text to feature as many articles on the front cover as possible; even writing over top the image of the speaker. Laid out in columns is common in most magazines, as it makes the cover more tidy and legible. All the typography made in the columns is written in capital letters as if shouting at the reader to buy this issue. The brief quotes and cover lines may be seen as controversial; for example, 'Genre Benders',  'They're national treasure! How did that happen?' and "Get Oasis back together? Not even for starving children..". These brief quotations are what gets their readers buying their magazines. They keep the industry interesting and create debates on what is right and wrong; this is often done in the rock genre. They push the boundaries to get people talking about their magazine and the bands featured. 

This music magazine is more aimed at the rock genre, however, it does present some alternative qualities. For example, the choice of colours, posture and pose from the subject and the conventional layout and design. 

Textual Analysis, Front Cover 4, Mojo

Textual Analysis 4 Front Cover 

For this Mojo issue from October 2012 features the cover article of the band 'The Jam'. This particular issue  chose to reminisce older, previous rock and alternative bands to celebrate their music and what they did for the genre. 

The band 'The Jam' were the height of their fame in the late 1970's, early 1980's. As previously mentioned, many alliterative artists and magazines idolise past trends and try to recreate their sounds and styles. This issue would particularly appeal to the alternative readers and older rock lovers. 

The main feature article of 'The Jam' shows the band in the pyramid positioning; the most important member the higher up than the others to show a sense of superiority. You can tell this image was taken from one of their younger years from their styling and haircuts. Their imperfect skin proves this was taken from a time previous to photoshop as todays artists are touched up to have perfect skin to make others desire them. 

The brand name 'Mojo' is written in an off white colour and its font has been designed to give it a 3D effect. The choice by doing this makes the reader feel as if they are reading more than a magazine and that is more realistic. The typography for the feature article 'The Jam' is written in blood red and becomes pixilated towards it edges. This is the bands branded identity; so when this type is used it connotes the automatic thought of the band 'The Jam'. 

This magazine cover for Mojo is very cluttered compared to other alternative music magazines on the market. It uses up all the space on the cover for both text and images. Another eye catcher for possible readers is the free CD taped to the cover. This CD of past rock and alternative bands is used to increase sales of the magazine. Readers are lured in to reminisce their past favourite bands and to discover new ones from the similar genre. 

By having a vintage issue of Mojo for this month means they are able to speak to artists who have long gone away from the fame who can then come back for the last time and speak about the truth of their time as an alternative/rock artist. The quote from a member of 'The Jam' says "Rock music was rubbish". This connotes the idea that 'The Jam' created the first pieces of rock music. That they should be remembered as legends who reinvented rock music to what it is today. It is these exclusive interviews which make readers want to buy the magazine to know more about these forgotten bands and who they really are. 

This issue of Mojo, although is different from its usual style still aims at the alternative/rock listeners. It focuses on the good of music and uses only a basic formation, a lot like other alternative music magazines. 

Textual Analysis, Front Cover 3, Q

Textual Analysis 3 Front Cover 

For the front cover of the music magazine, 'Q' issue 315, published in October 2012 they chose to have the 'Alternative' band Muse as their feature article. 

The biggest most visual part of this front cover is the 3 members of the band Muse; with lead singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy featured the largest in the foreground. Matthew Bellamy's direct gaze downwards towards the camera gives him a sense of superiority to others he may be looking down on. Direct gazes often attracts readers as it catches their eyes in a powerful statement. The positioning of the members sets them out in a pyramid shape, with the lead singer and guitarist, Matthew Bellamy on top as the more skill full and respected one. 

However, all of the men have two common features; their unshaven, stubbled facial hair and their black clothing. The unshaven look is to appeal to their female audience to give the rockstar, 'bad boy' image. The black clothes also gives their style a more rock, serious feel. The main focus of this front cover, Matthew Bellamy, is wearing a black shoulder padded jacket with a sewn pattern to each shoulder. This image is frequently referred to the army and their solders. In this case, it is hinting to the readers that Matthew Bellamy is their higher superior commanding you with his direct gaze and strong powerful pose.  

The background for this band is a space setting, like nebular. This connotes the fact that the band 'Muse' is out of this world and better than any other. This is also reflected in the fact that Christopher Wolstenholme (far left member) is placed overtop of the 'Q' slogan. As if he is more important and a main focus than the 'Q' brand. The specific brighter lights around each member and Blur in the left corner, hints the fact that they are greater than anyone else. They are the best that music can give, and give hope to their listeners. In addition to this, the design of nebular/ space theme is very common in the 'Alternative' genre. It gives out the thought that there is more to life than just earth, something else to admire. 

The typography throughout the front cover is clear capital letter text. Even the headline 'Muse' which colour fades out towards the 'E' is still easily visible. The idea of the colour fading gives the illusion that someone is shouting the word and becomes quieter towards the end. 

This music magazine, although is 'Alternative', it also gives out a rock image. The dark colour scheme and serious facial expressions gives this cover a more rock edge rather an extreme 'Alternative'. 

Textual Analysis Front Cover 2, Artrocker

Textual Analysis 2 Front Cover

Artrocker, issue 114 published in October 2011, features the band 'Bombay Bicycle Club' on their front cover.  

Lead singer of the Bombay Bicycle Club, Jack Steadman, is being made the main focus on the cover. He has specifically been placed in the foreground in front of the other members and is more in focus than the other, blurry background members. By laying out the band members this way, shows who's the most and least important.

 However, something in which they all have in common is their drained skin colour, emotionless facial expression and plain casual wear. The clothing choice of the buttoned up shirt and jacket gives the impression to their viewers that they care more about their music than their image and styling. Their pale faces, blend into the background of the nude colour, washed out grey. As previously mentioned in my introduction and aims, the 'Alternative' music genre tends to use a lot of simple, nude colours with vibrant, eye catching colours over top. The drained backgrounds allow to make the other parts of the cover the main focus and to stand out e.g Jack Steadman and the text. This Artrocker issue, follows this trend by using the washed out grey background with the vibrant pink and yellow typography over top. The use of the colours pink, yellow and white for the text are bold, clashing colours which draw your eye to that exact part of the cover. The colour scheme of the drained, nude and then vibrant neon colours gives a modern style. 'Alternative' artists and music magazines often put a modern twist on vintage ideas and trends. 

The layout of this Artocker is unique to other music magazines. It shows a lot of space and its only cover lines are placed in a column style towards the right hand side. Traditionally, cover lines are placed on the left side of the cover so that when on a shop stand the cover lines can attract readers even though they are unable to see the entire cover. However, this issue chooses not to have article cover lines but, a list of featured artists instead. Throughout this front cover layout it proves to be an alternative music magazine. From the columned cover lines, to the quirky placement of the headline 'Bombay Bicycle Club'. Altogether, it presents an alternative style which fittingly represents its chosen artists.