Contents Page: Deciding on the content and background

Articles/Pullquotes?
It is shown in my research of other magazines, mostly pull quotes and article headings have been used, obviously with a page number. Also, relavent images. I have chosen to have no specific images clearly shown. Hence, my article titles will have to be particularly interesting. It seems that the most intriguing articles tend to be comical. I think it will be more intrigueing to have subheadings, making it easier for the reader to navigate their way around the page. Showing, again, the titles of the articles will have to be intriguing.
I think it is better if I mainly feature article names, rather than pull quotes. Conseuqently, the reader will know almost immediatly what the article is about.

Spider Diagram of Article Ideas:

Final Article Choices for my contents page:
4. How to become famous in 20 days
5&6. Best new up and coming artist of 2012
8. Okay, seriously, where to be this year?
10. Really? Why do you guys like youtube?
11*12. [MY DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD]
13. How to write your own song
15. I'm a fan so you must be? Right?
18. Live, Love, Regret and tell us about it.
19. Horoscopes


Research on Backgrounds
My research shows that contents pages tend to either use minimalistic background with a range of smaller surrounding, relevant, thumbnail images. Or, they feature one large image as a form of background. I had decided, initially I wanted one large image, I had presumed that this would be of the artist. However, now in the designing stage it has become clear that one colourful image can also be just as appealing, rather than having an image of the artist.

Possible backgrounds:
1.

2.

3.

My choice: 3
For my background I will use an image of a flag, that fits my initail colour scheme (a union jack). This makes my magazine seem more edgy and original, I also think it won't deduct too much attention from the content of my content page. It also is more relevant, considering I am making a magazine based on an English target audience, and it may also interest audiences from other countries and may even attract them to the magazine. The flag is also both male and female, and makes the magazine seem rocky without seeming to oppressive and dark.

Front Page: My final layout

[A sample image has been used in the background]

Focus Group Responce

'I really like the masthead font, and the fact its at a jaunty angle is great for brand identity, and its uncoventional'

'The way the pullquote and content is also shown at an angle attracts attention'

'The minimalistic style is really appealing, it doesnt seem to forcefull'

'The masthead name is really clever'

'The font, and the dark colours really suit the genre'

'It'd be better if in your magazine the artist was smiling, and if the image wasnt so dark so it could really grip the audience'

Front Page: Deciding the type of articles I will include

Ideas for articles for types of articles:
- Exposing, gossip articles (Look who of  'The Machine' is Florence dating!)
- How-to articles (e.g. How to play coldplay on guitar)
- Opinion articles (Do you like 'Real Rock', no? Me neither)
- Personal articles (What you think about technology)
- Interview (Q and A)
- Historical articles (Alternative Rock: where did it come from!?)
- Reviews/events

Deciding three main types of Articles to be featured
Interview
My main article will be an interview with the artist, I think my article name will more than likely be the artists name with a humorous, outrageous pull quote my current ideas are: 'The bitch is back': 'No we don't go out, I heard he's got six toes': 'I can smell the cold': 'I stole a hamster once':
How to articles
I think my target audience will be interested in 'how to' articles, purely because they are a create, young people. They are also deeply interested in music, this subsequently will intrigue them. Also, it may inspire them. It may not suit every member of my audience however, it is a unique selling point and interest more people in buying the magazine.
Opinion articles/personal articles
I think its important for my magazine to feature at least one opinion article. First they tend to be more edgy and outrageous, this will interest the audience and intrigue them, possibly persuading them to buy the magazine. It also may interest the younger audience which may be stirred by the outrageous opinions. It may also communicate to the audience on a personal level. They may be able to relate or more interestingly disagree.
Reviews
Reviewing music events ect. I have chosen to feature a review on the front to interest the reader. Also, based on my target audience research reviews seem to interest them. With this I could also feature other content such as reviews of songs or up and coming bands.

Front Page: Deciding on placement, and layering

Image
The image will be the bottom layer of my front cover. This is conventional. The image however, will not over lap any other feature of the magazine cover. By using a plain background I will highlight clearly to the audience what is essentially important in terms of visual hierarchy. Firstly although the image is the bottom layer by using colour and other editing techniques, ect. I am able to focus all attention initially on the main image.

Masthead
Based on my research of other front covers, it is made evident that it is conventional for the name of the magazine -the masthead- to be at the top of the magazine. This leads me to believe that I shouldn't have my masthead at the top of the magazine and rather the bottom, or central. However, if the masthead it central it will be almost impossible to have a surrounding image that is suitable. Consequently I have decided the masthead will be at the top. In this sense the conventionality will be a form of familiarity for the reader; they will easily be able to locate the name of the magazine. Also, it is clear and bold and catches the attention of the reader. My masthead, may slightly overlap my image, and will be above the background and more obviously in the foreground. This is to ensure my masthead will gain visual hierarchy.

Lead Article
I will have my lead article taking up a prodiment space at the side of the image, merged with the cover lines. I will have some form of significant so it is made obvious to the audience who the artist is and the connecting articles subject.

Coverlines
Coverlines can be featured almost anywhere on the bottom half of the page, although they do tend to fit around the artist in the image. I have decided to only have coverlines on the left side. This does mean a limited amound of cover lines, however it also does mean there is more space for my image which I plan to take up the most part of the background, and gain visual hierarchy in order to attract the audience. It is important for the coverlines to be in front in order for them to be readable however, it is also important for the writing to not overlap the image. Hence, my coverline will be above the background, but not overlapping the image of the artist.

Pull Quotes
Again, pull quotes will be merged with the coverlines, however, there will be varying font to make it clearer to the audience. Although pull quotes are usually used to attract the audience, I have chosen for my pull quotes to mainly be used in order to highlight mainly simply, the subject of the article. It is possible, in terms of layering for the text of the pull quotes to possibly overlap the other text of coverlines.

Skyline
 I have chosen to not have a skyline on my magizine in order to keep attention on the main image and the magazine title. I also think it will make the magazine look less as clustered and tidier and more presentable on the page, this is appealing for my target audience.

Front Page: Planning the setting, positioning and lighting

Deciding on a setting
I have decided based on my magazine research and other contributing factors I have chose to have a synthetic background. I will do this by cropping around the artist during the editing process. Firstly, I think a plain background will make the artist stand out, I also think it will make it easier once I am adding my masthead and other surrounding text, as there will be more space. The question is what colour my background will be.
The first option is having white as my background colour. This being the most typical, it also obviously fits with my chosen colour scheme. White is also the plainest colour out my colour scheme, meaning it is the most suitable for a background as it will contrast with the brighter colours in my colour scheme.
The second option is having pale blue as my background colour. Again, this is a colour from my colour scheme. By using a pale blue I will be creating the same contrasting effect as the white and the darker blue fonts will match the background colour more. However, it may take attention away from the artist.
The third option is having red as my background colour. Red also fits with my colour scheme. One significant worry is the thought that red may take attention away from the featured artist, the masthead and any other text. It may also deduct from the professionalism. Red is also associated with seduction, as it seems it is a seductive colour, this could give the wrong message.
My final choice of the colour of background/setting for my image is going to be white.

Deciding on the models positioning
Direct/Indirect address?
It is more conventional to have the artist looking directly at the camera, this is interest the readers, it also makes the magazine seem more personal. An indirect address is usually used on a magazine cover, either because it is signature to the artist, or to convey the artist in a more impersonal arty way in order to communicate an indirect message or to make the cover look less as conventional. By having the artist look at the camera in my cover will make the artist look stronger, and again make the cover look more edgy. It will also be a more modern portrayal of women: having the artist looking almost intensely at the camera. I think by having the artist giving direct address with catch the readers eye and subsequently will be appealing to the target audience.  
Strait on or at an angle?
It is conventional for the artist to be looking directly in front of the camera, strait on, as appose to the artist being positioned towards the side, or at an angle. This is so you can see the artist clearly and from a natural position. This again enforces the personal theory. It also allows the audience to clearly see the artist, which will attract them to the magazine.

Deciding on the lighting within the image
Natural or Unnatural?
A natural light is familiar in terms that it makes the magazine look more down to earth everyday (which is fitting with the theme of my magazine) however, it may also make the magazine look relatively cheap. It would be more appealing to have the pictures taken using natural lighting, or only using the 'flash' on the camera when needed then later digitally editing them, making the lighting look less as natural.
It is common in other magazines for the lighting to be unnatural, and lights to be used to make the artist look brighter and to be shown more clearly. But I think it would be more convenient, if I use natural lighting. Also at times by using unnatural lighting a shadow can be made, considering that I have decided to picture my artist in a close up, I have decided that natural light would be better, in order to make any visible shadows less as accentuated. This again, creates a sense of naturalism and familiarity.

Front Page: Planning the costume, and shot type

   

Deciding on a model
Male or Female? The target audience of my music genre are predominantly female. Conventionally this would would mean it would be more appealing to the opposite sex to feature a male artist, subsequently convincing them to buy the magazine. However, I think it would make more of an impact and be stronger in persuading them if a female artist was featured on the front. If the artist is portrayed as less sexual but more strong and powerful, women may find this more inspiring. It will also appeal to the small proportion of male fans of Alternative Rock, it may even interest more males into the genre.

Costume
I think the artist's clothing should be seductive, but more playful. I also think it should be quite edgy, but normal, no designer in order to accentuate the fact she is normal. This will appeal to the audience as they will be reminded that the artist is just the same as them, which is again, inspiring. It is important the artists make up to not be too heavy that it deducts from the natural message I wish to convey, emphasising the artist as an everyday character.
Outfit choices:
Option one:


This outfit consists of leather shorts, a denim shirt, and branded Dr Marten boots, accompanied with an old fashioned telephone necklace. I am contemplating this outfit, as firstly, although it is quite modern and edgy its also very easily available, as all items of clothing are able to buy on the high street. This is appealing to the female audience, as they may be attracted to the clothes as they may have them, or may relate to the fashion sense. I other ways it  may inspire them and interest them in the magazine. The leather shorts and Dr Martens give a more edgy, rebellious representation, almost grungy and very young. Yet accompanied with the denim shirt create an almost 80's theme, it also clearly matches the colour scheme. However, the necklace makes the outfit seem less rebellious and more playful again making the artist seem consequentially more 'everyday' and normal.

Option Two:

This outfit is made up of high waisted shorts, a floral crop top, and nude heels. In this outfit I decided for the fashion to be less dingy and more high class, but still based on high street fashion. By user brighter clothing it means that the colours contrast with my colour scheme more, this could be unappealing yet, it may also make the picture stand out. This outfit may attract both a male and female audience. As, the heels make it more seductive yet, the fashion is up-to-date and appealing for females. The flower top gives a more playful theme, and catches the eye. The tailored shorts and heels seem more high fashion and formal. However, all the together it creates a semi-formal look, attractive to a young modern audience.

Option Three:

The third choice of outfit is a plain dress and brand Dr Marten shoes. The dress will attract the male audience as it is some what seductive. The shoes however, give the outfit a more rebellious, modern edge which is appealing to a younger demographic. The boots also make the outfit relatively manly, although, the dress counter acts that as it is very female, creating the idea of a mixed protagonist and princess in one. This represents the artist as a strong bold character, who knows her own mind. This is inspiring, especially to my young target audience as they naturally will be attracted to the subliminal message being presented through clothing.

My final choice of outfit: Option One


Discussing different shot type choices
Option One: Close up












Pros:
You can see the artist clearly
Its conventional to have on a front cover
It focus' all attention on the artist
It is relatively easy to take a close up an appealing unconventional way
Cons:
It makes it harder to fit other things around the image without fully covering it

Option Two: Mid Shot

Pros: 

It shows more of the artist

It makes it easier to put writing on the page (as a magazine would have)

It looks a little unprofessional 

Its unconventional

Cons:

It deducts attentions from the magazine

It may make the magazine look a little empty

Its unconventional 

Option Three: long shot

Pros:

You can see the whole of the model

Against a plain background the model will stand out

You will be able to see the artist full outfit

There will be a lot of room for surrounding writing         

Cons:

It may take attention away from the mode

The front cover may look slightly empty

My final choice of shot: Option One

Choosing a suitable setting 

House Style: First draft of magazine layouts

Front Cover:

Contents Page:

Double Page Spread: