Draft Feedback

Magazine evaluation task

'Rhythm n beatz'- Level one, 17


The cover seems a bit vague and the colour scheme isn't really identified. The mixture of four different colours and the placement of them makes the cover look messy and ammeture. However the title fits well with the genre of the magazine.
The angle of the model on the contents page doesn't really work and is slightly distracting. It's also clear that the image hasn't been cut out well, making the contents page just look unfinished and unprofessional. 'Rhythm n beatz' focuses on one specific act and the act fits with the genre, however i think there should be some smaller images on the contents page to appeal to a wider audience that are interested in that genre of music.
The double page spread layout looks very basic and not particularly creative and the images are of a poor quality. The article itself is written well but it lacks content and the fonts are also pretty basic.Making the magazine unappealing and uninteresting to read/look at.


'Voice' - Level 2, 26/60


Good conventional colour scheme of red, white and black. The layout of the magazine is good and the text is appropriate to for the magazine and artist featured inside. However, again the photo is not a good angle or framed very well but it's clear this person has good photoshop skills when cutting out the image.
The pictures on the contents page are slightly ammeter and the numbers on the contents aren't chronological, making it confusing for readers.
The double page spread has a good layout but the colour scheme hasn't really followed through, perhaps a black background would be better suited. images work well with the style of the magazine and look professional. It's clear this person has used conventions of actual magazines e.g the use of the stamp.

'Drowned in sound' Level 3, 47


This magazine has an informative and interesting layout on the cover. I would say that the colour scheme is also to varied in this magazine, however there is attention to detail with the blue stamp on the cover and the models blue hair. I like the use of the 'free' banner, this is a good marketing technique, looks intriging and would attract buyers.
The contents page is well detailed and there is a clear/appropriate colour scheme.
The spy hole on the double page spread isn't really relevant because it doesn't pick out an important feature in the text.


'Supremacy' Level 4, 50


Interesting and unique layout on the cover with conventional colour scheme that continues throughout the magazine. The only doubt about the cover would be that it looks more like a fashion magazine rather than a music magazine which shows a lack of understanding with the brief, but the magazine has been created well.
The images on the contents page are lacking in creativity and don't seem to be enhanced/edited. Making them look unprofessional. Although the contents page is well detailed and informative.
Again the double page spread is showing creativity e.g the huge drop capital. The text is layed out well and the colour scheme works.

Edited Photo's

 I edited the following images by using photoshop. I've edited this particular image by fading tool and then boosting the colour. This simply makes the image look clean and more professional. I didn't want to make this image look too edited because the pose of the models is fairly casual and relaxed.

For this quirky looking photo with the models looking suspicious, i decided to add a vignette effect that resembles a 'fish-eye' camera or a key hole effect that makes the photo look slightly eery. 

This was originally a test shot of one model that i used for the cover image of the magazine. This image has been enhanced through using different filters and then changed to tray scale that gives the image a smoothness and vintage quality. 

 

I wanted to do something a bit different with this image that i have also used for the cover of my magazine. I've made the photo look antique/vintage by boosting the colours, then saturating them and finally giving it an edge blur.

 

This photo could have been used for my double page spread, the framing of the image is suitable but i've added the vignette to this photo also. Enhancing the images brightness made it clearer and clean looking. As well as this i also boosted the contrast and faded some of the colour. 

Download Magazine Draft 1

Article Draft 1

The rowdiest girl band you’ll come across. Their music had been descried as a ‘Thought provoking mind field.’

The three-piece girl band ‘Vex’ are ready to take the music industry by storm with their debut album ‘Undercover’.

 Before we start can we just clear a view things up…Is it true that one of you has an alter ego and will they be joining us?

Sarah: Yes, Mickey is my alter ego and before you think I’m a complete weirdo let me just explain that my alter ego was created on stage recently when I just wanted to explore another side of me, Mickey’s pretty aggressive and will definitely be with us.

How do you feel about your debut album that's about to be released? 

We’ve worked really hard on our debut album and we want it to represent us in the right way. We all thoroughly enjoyed created it and writing Undercover and hope to just get it out to as many people as humanly possible.  

How did the band come about and where did the name ‘Vex’ come from?

We’ve known each other for about five years now, we used to go to the same college mind you none of us actually studied music or music production. Making music was just something we did in our spare time. To start of with we all had a mixture of music taste, from indie to electro to rock. So when music became more than just a ‘thing to do on a Friday night when we’re all skint’ we decided to combine our musical interest and that’s how Vex came about. 

As for the name ‘Vex’,  it pretty much represents us and our music.

Who would you compare yourselves to?

We have huge respect for SBTRKT, The xx and have newly become fans of The Weeknd. But we wouldn’t compare ourselves to any of them, although our music does have a similar feel.  We think our music is something people haven’t really heard of before, ‘vex’ are expecting big things in 2012. Be prepared for a new era of music.

Got any gigs lined up, or festivals this summer?

Yeah, we’re hoping to do a few local festivals and then who knows. Hopefully Vex can break into major festivals like Glastonbury. That would be amazing.

How are you enjoying touring the UK?

Steph: I always thought touring just wouldn’t be for me. I’ve always been a family orientated person. So when I’m on tour I miss my mum and get pretty home sick but we’re always at the other end of the phone. That’s the only down side of touring. The rest is just incredible; I love the feeling of playing to an audience, you get such a buzz. An audience that has never heard of you before is even better. Most people are just like ‘Who are these chicks? Their pretty decent.’ And that always makes us happy.

Chloe: Touring is just amazing, who wouldn’t enjoy traveling the country, see all your fans and having a great time with your mates? We had some crazy times on tour last summer. I think one of us even ate a sea urchin…that was pretty crazy.  laughs to herself

Sarah: Being such a new band that only a few know about means we don’t have the pressures of not being able to go where we want, or do what we want to do.

Images for Magazine

 Here are a few photo's that i am considering to use on either the double page spread, cover or contents page.
Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.

Draft Cover

Test-shots

These are the models that i will be using on the cover of my magazine. They will make up the girl band 'vex'.

This is my front cover mock up for my music magazine. The cover will include  mid-shot of the band, barcode (located in the bottom corner), Strapline and cover lines advertising what will be in the magazine. The title will be either blue, green or pink (pastel colours). I haven't yet decided on the final colour of the title because it all depends on the cover image and what the band are wearing and if the colours clash e.t.c. 

I've decided to keep my contents page pretty minimal making it easy for readers to identify acts they are interested in by having the large page numbers. I will have some images of the main featured band (on a double page spread), a single artist and then maybe a pretend live gig, to match the conventions of music magazines such as NME and Q.

The double page spread needs to have an interesting appearance to match the electro/indie theme. Therefore i will have the left page focused on the band with a large image of them taking up most of the page (could be used as a poster). The background of the image will continue to the right page where there will be an article and another small image of the artists because form looking at my questionnaire i've gathered people seem to like looking at pictures as opposed to reading through a lengthy article.

Band Profile

Name: Vex

Short Bio: Five piece girl band 'Vex'  are a group of friends currently making music in Brighton.  The girls consider themselves as strong and independent. Vex have a unique style in music but also in their dress sense. If you have the chance to see Vex live at one of their exclusive gigs you will most likely see them sporting a jazzy pair of leggings with a tee-shirt thrown on and ‘keeping things casual’. The five piece have been together for two years now and their music is only getting better. Aspirations for the girls would be to have a number one album sometime in the near future.
Music style: Indie/electro

Inspiration: The xx, SBTRKT, Warpaint and U&I.