Download magazine

Final Cover, Contents page and DPS.

I've taken away the strap line on the cover because i felt it didn't look quite right and there were to many colours. I've also got a new barcode that matches the barcodes that music magazines use. The masthead on the previous cover was to large. Therefore i found a new font using 'Da font' and reduced the size to fir the page accordingly.

As for the contents page I’ve included more information for reader, purely to entice them more. My previous contents page was far to vague and wouldn't interest my target audience. Including bands of the electro/indie genre has also benefited the contents page because readers will recognise the bands/artists they enjoy listening to.

 I've made a view changes to the double page spread. The sizing of the lettering was different in each text box so I have had to adjust the text. I've also added a drop capital (D) to highlight the beginning of the interview. The 'D' also resembles the 'Download' title.

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. 

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'.

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.

Music Magazine Questionnaire

1. How much would you spend on a weekly music magazine?
 Anonymous: £3,£2.50,£2.00,£2.50 

2. How often do you buy a music magazine?


Anonymous: 
Never. 
once a week.
Two or three times a week on the way to work. 
As much as i can.

3. What attracts you to a music magazine?


Anonymous: 
The cover image.
 The price.
Who's on the cover. 
The colour scheme and language used. 




4. What colours would you like to see on the cover of an electro/ indie music magazine?

Anonymous: 
Green/yellow/blue.
 something bold and eye-catching.
Colours that work well together. 
Pastel colours or just black, white and red. 

5. What kind of artists do you listen to?


Anonymous:
Coldplay, The script, courtney pine.
Warpaint, Arctic Monkeys, The Maccabees. 
Blood red shoes, Band of skulls.
SBTRKT, U&I.
James Blake, The Weeknd. 

6. Do you visit gigs/festivals if so, which ones?


Anonymous: 
Yes... Rihanna,Coldplay and Tina Turner.
Glastonbury, Reading and leeds, Benicassim. (x3)
Download festival (x2), summer sundae (local). 

7. What music magazines do you currently buy?


Anonymous: 
Idon't but any.
NME, Q.
I love fakeI-D and Indie magazine. (X2)

8. Do you prefer male or female artists to be on the cover?


Anonymous:
 I don't mind if they are male of female. it's about the music. (x2) 
 I prefer strong female artists on the cover.
 I like to see male bands on the cover of good music magazines. 

9. Do you prefer to look at pictures or read articles?


Anonymous:
 Pictures  are more interesting but articles are also informative. 
I would rather look at pictures. (X2)
 I like reading about the artists but i also think pictures are important. (x2)

Cover image Ideas

My music magazine 'Download' will feature a 4 piece girl band on the cover. I have studied girl bands that are current in the music scene to help me work out what kind of image/costume and poses i want to have with my band. I like the idea of having over dramatic poses, to make the image more interesting to look at. It also portrays the bands personalities. The high angled shot of the band below make them seem less significant and the reader get an overview of the subject being photographed. However i would prefer to use a eye-line/mid-shot that conventional magazines use and that i know work well. Or  a side angle shot to create more dimensions in the cover image. Costume wise i would have the band dress in casual/smart edgy clothes and it's vital that the costumes my band wear  co-ordinate with the pastel colour scheme for the magazine. 

  

Band names

I will be featuring a girl band on the cover of my magazine. The girl band have to represent the indie/electro theme of my magazine so the name of them needs to fit this idea.

Possible names..

- Vex
- Outcasts
- Basement chicks
- The Chunky Torpedo
- Junk Pit

Inspiration for my music magazine.

Here's a few magazine covers that i think best suit the style and theme that i'm trying to created in my music magazine 'Download'.

Pitch Feedback

The theme of my magazine was shown well through the short animoto clip and people seemed to like the concept of having a electro/indie magazine for young people aged 16-25.  Some other things i needed to have included in my pitch; The idea of 'Download' being a weekly magazine. The cost being around £2.50 and the colour scheme.

 
Colour Schemes




I have come up with a few ideas about the colours i want to use in my magazine. I have only created pallets using three different colours like real music/fashion magazines do to simply save money printing. Therefore it's important i get the right colour scheme.

The first colour pallet consists of a dark maroon colour that could be used for a border around an image, text or coverlines. The second colour is fairly neutral, i like this colour and think it could work well as background. Then finally the grey. This would work best if it was used for font. The colour scheme all together blends well and would make my magazine look different to others who use conventional black, white and red.
The second colour pallet uses balck, which would work well for text against the white or red backgroumnd. The black, white and red colours scheme matches the conventional music magazines, such as NME and Q. Therefore i have evidence that the colours work well and sell issues. However i wouldn't want to take a 'safe' option.
I like the pastel colours here in the third pallet, i think they would fit the theme of my music magazine being 'electronica and indie' and show a bit more character about the magazine opposed to again using black and whites. This colours scheme would make the magazine interesting to look at, it also fits my young target audience of 16-25.

Audience Profile

Freddie is a 20 year old student living in the centre of Nottingham at university. He is studying music production and enjoys electro and indie music. Freddie shares a flat with two of his friends who are also on the same course. The three of them all play an instrument weather it’s a mini Casio keyboard, drums or guitar. On weekends Freddie and his friends enjoy going to a local club/bar in Nottingham that plays all their favourite music such as SBTRKT, The XX, James Blake e.t.c. As well as socialising in bars with his friends, Freddie also uses websites such as twitter, Facebook and music sites like Soundcloud to discover new artists and upload some of his own 'homemade' music. Freddie and a few of his friends are hoping to go to Benicassim this year to enjoy live music. Another way that Freddie keeps up to date with all his favourite bands is buying music magazines such as Paste magazine (indie/rock), Wire and I-D. 

Short Animoto clip to go alongside my pitch.

Possible Titles:

The name 'Download' would suit the young target audience of my magazine that now download music off sites such as iTunes. The mock up mastheads have a rough printed texture that also fit in with the feisty and outspoken theme for my music magazine. 

There are two different directions i can take with my magazine. The first group of mock up mastheads would represent a rock/punk theme of the magazine. Whereas the two second approaches would be more subtle and could represent a wider range of music.

Magazine analysis

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Mood Board:

Music magazine 

I've created this mood board by taking various images, magazine covers (NME, I-D and Spin), music artists that i like and fashion images that i would want my magazine's style to portray. I'd like to use similar brightly coloured images in my music magazine. The women included in my mood board are strong female acts that have a feisty rock and roll side. Facial expressions/poses are a bit quirky 'in your face' and make the magazine eye-catching. I have also including a few ideas on what i would like to include in my magazine:

- Interviews
- Mix-tapes
- Festival information/ survival guides
- Reviews
- Free downloads