
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Monday, 15 December 2008
Evaluation.
After re-examining my final magazine with a variation of different people I have desided to edit my design using the critisism constructivly.
One point of view suggested that the design itself was too focased on the one particular colour scheme and that this was overwhelming and ruined the effect intended. I am looking to adjust this by possibly introdusing a more mixed colour scheme for my double paged spread and use the mustard yellow and red in a limited way for my contents page. I feel the colours I selected were an appropriate choise for my target audience, however I can see how they are used too much looking back at it now. Another point that was suggested was to create a more reader friendly double page spread. I have desided to redesign this page by introducing sub-headings and coloums of text relating to a particular section: Although I think the coloum breakers are well used in my spread but I think the use of splitting up and dividing text would be equally effective. Reassesing the double page spread I analised from Q I have noticed a few features that contribute to its smooth finish that I could encoupourate into my design, for example:
Analisis of double page spread.
Selected photos.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Photoshoot Two.




Photoshoot one.

Monday, 1 December 2008
Analisis of flat plans.
This is my final flat plan of my double page spread I think this is the best idea so far however if I change my ideas and thoughts on the page I will edit my designs later.
Analisis of contents page (Q magazine).
The text varies from large to a smaller front dependant on the role it plays in the description. A larger font is used to state the heading of the article and the smaller to give a brief description of the article underneath. Time is used on all the articles except the top article which is separated as it it an "on the cover feature."its text is shaded a light / pale blue in a slightly larger scale font to the other page headings. The header is in bold with the same arrows pointing toward an image that are later used in the double page spread. The title contents is used in an eloquent way suiting fluently above the elegantly designed Q. In the centre of the Q is the issue number in a rich looking font similar to times new roman.On the image is a pull out quote from Angus young. it is a white text for the first sentence a red for the next and white again, for the last. This looks quite controversial on the page, which reflects the persona being reflected by Angus Young. I think this was purposely done to create this type of feeling toward it.
Image.
There are three images on the page, all of featured articles showing the layouts of them. They are quite simplistic and seem to be set in that way for reference purposes. The image of Angus Young is important to the page however as It seems to be a issue based around him and the band ACDC.
Colour.
There is an eye catching margin used along the left side of the page in a black and white cheque. I think this Is mainly for intrest but is also trademark as looking through other Q magazines would reveal. The lack of colour surrounding the text suggests that the article layout is intended to be simplistic.
Brief Analysis of Mojo Contents Page.
The contents page begins with the title of the magazine proceeding at the top of the page. This striking feature creates a simplistic but striking boldness to the page. Underneath the heading is a sub heading- London-Memphus-Autlan, an indication of the magazines headquarters, coincided with the fact they are all prestigious destinations, thhe font which is the same as both the contents heading and the magazine heading is a sophisticated and tidy design. The font proceeds to be the same all the way through with a mix of both large and small text sizes indicating the change of subheading and description. The two coloured texts are the explanation of the quote and the word "features" heading. This is done purposefully as it is supposed to stand out so the reader can specify their intended reading.
Analisis of double page spread.
There are two consistent colours within this spread, a bold yellow and a clean white, these colour choices are suitable as the article is about 'Little miss dynamite' and the SANTIWHITE - SANTA GOLD transaction. the photograph is the under layer to the spread and this provides a wide spectrum of colours that compliment the striking text as they produce a subtle glow but a strong impact on the page.The yellow is used to bring out the more important text / or the leading text that dictates the following dialect and the white is used for the body of text. Both these compliment the overall appearance of the page following through with a cornered off white border and bold yellow additional text boxes.
Layout.
The layout of the page is very specific and this preciseness adds to the overall interest of the page. The page has no clear boundaries which also creates a false sense of direction around the page. The article heading is on the lower half of the left page with the 'Y' and 'E' of 'DYNAMITE' bleeding into the one corner border. Both these features together create a blocked off area within the page for a different sector of text. I think this has been done to provide clear boundaries between the feature article and the extra information. The majority of the left side page is used to hold the image relevant to the article as the picture is quite eye catching in it's self the reader is drawn to the page. There is at the top left side of the right page an open speared arrow which points to the text.I think the imagery on this spread was purposeful and this link was created so that the reader would automatically follow the page from left to right sub consciously.
Text.
The text size and style varies and contributes well to the overall appeal of the page. The leading text is bold and the body text is in a religious times new roman font. This provides a neat and tidy effect which appears vital as there is an imaginary margin alongside the article, this also helps create the fresh, zany appeal of the page. Underneath the article is a pull out quotation, the first part of it is in a medium yellow italic font and the latter is in a slightly larger white italic font. On reading the quote it is noticeable that it is a rhetorical question and the colour change is based on the question and answer. I think this is quite effective as it is still encouraging the reader to follow the article through. in the brief article description under the heading a different font is used completely however the coincided texts do not clash. all of the text in the subheading is in white however the word 'Santagold' is in a yellowish font this is used to establish the colour identity within the page.
Image.
The image of Little Miss Dynamite is the background of the spread as it is a striking and interesting image. the pose of the photo is quite abrupt and is structured in forceful, aggressive manor which replicas the image given through the text.The costume used is suitable to the design and the jewelery is used as a prop to reflect the background of sparkle and lights.The eye contact of the image is focused on the reader encouraging them to focus on the picture. Both the image and the text are designed to compliment each other, giving each other room to stand out. At the bottom of the page is a pull out bit of information by leading singer Mark Ronson. I think this image has been used to also entice readers that are not familiar with little miss dynamite to read it as they may know Mark Ronson.
Friday, 7 November 2008
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Name ideas.
The name I intend to select for my magazine will have to be a title that appeals to my target audience. I have done some research into the type of styles, wording and imagery the generation I am aiming at would find attractive.I want a name that means something to the readers of my magazine so I am going to look in song lyrics and album titles for inspiration:
"Moby Dick" is an instrumental tune and drum solo by English rock band Led Zeppelin, (http://www.wikepedia.com/) The name Moby Dick, is quite cheek and tongue and creates rebellion to the appearance of my magazine. It is also by a band that would be recognisable to my target audience. Rock was quite a statement genre of music and I think this name suits that statement well.
LIVE WIRE
(1975)(Young, Young, Scott)
Well if you're lookin' for trouble I'm the man to see If you're lookin' for satisfaction I'm satisfaction guaranteed I'm as cool as a body on ice Or hotter than a rollin' dice Send you to heaven Take you to hell I ain't foolin' Can't you tell. (http://members.tripod.com/acdcwillie/high.htm) I like that name Live Wire as It refers to a famous AC/DC song that's lyrics follow. I also think it sounds like a high voltage, up-all-night dancing sort of title. The word LIVE is like a comparison to 'live music' this is also essential to Rock n Roll.
When reading about Kings Of Leon, another appropriate band for my magazine, the word JUKEBOX came across a couple of times and I thought that it was an older familiarity associated with the 60's 70's and 80's. The referral to a commonly used item that was popular in past generations, could encourage the reader to buy my magazine.
My two favourite choise's of the three I have looked at are 'Moby Dick' and 'Jukebox' I think both of these have a finicky ring to them and endow with the impression I am trying to create.
1/12/08
After looking back at these name ideas when flat planing my magazine I decided that they weren't the most desirable names for my magazine, although initially they seemed to suit my style of magazine , I then realised I was structuring my magazine around a specific audience. I then came up with the name 'STRUMMER'. I think this is the ideal name for my magazine as it could be related to the strumming of a guitar, a relative connection to my style of music or the lead singer of the Clash's name which is a more specific title.
Monday, 3 November 2008
Analysis of Q.
The colour used on the cover of Q is minimal and simplistic, this use of dull and unenthusiastic colouring suggests that the target audience is sophisticated and of an older generation, however the bold use of the red squared corner that contains the masthead is a continuous trait of the magazine and a familiar recognizable logo that gives the brand it's identity. This magazine emblem is religious to the magazine, supplying regular readers with a familiarity. On the top right corner is a large font text section indicating the transformation of the magazine, "ALL NEW LOOK ISSUE" This text is in a metallic coloured silver, this sleek and lustrous effect incorporates a more modern approach toward the magazines original appearance. The photo is of Angus Young from the classic rock band Ac/DC in his trademark school boys uniform playing guitar, the colour scheme of the outfit is a mix of deep red, Burgundy and browns, these colours against the other featured colours is a strong irreconcilable clash, this however expands the idea that the focus is more on image rather then presentation this scatted appearance depicts that the magazine aimed at people that already are familiar of it and are just interested with the type of bands featured.Although the main sells are hidden by the image, the bold black colouring of the text gives the it a vivid effect that makes it come out the page and attract the readers attention, If the cover was presented to somebody who is partial to the style of music being represented, they would know what the words said without having to look to far into that detail and meaning of the words, for example AC/DC is concealed leaving only the A and ending C to be fully shown but the word is still recognisable to the target audience.
Text.
The text is minimal on this cover as does not need much to present its main focus. The text underneath the image is unfinished and curtailed, leaving only the predominant words to be determined i.e : AC/DC, ROCK, EXAMINING, ANGUS YOUNG . None of these words entail on creating or forming any style of sentence, however they all facilitate toward creating a certain incite into what the magazine involves. The font of Q is similar to a normal Times new Roman Font 'Q' however it is a little bit more mere and illusive, replicating the essence of a musical note, this is particularly relevant to the magazine.
Imagery.
The image suits the direction the magazine follows completely as AC/DC are a heavy rock band, and most of the magazine is focused on this style of music, however it also does editorials of a range of bands, this suggest that the reader of the magazine is intended to be regular and know what style of magazine it is.
Monday, 20 October 2008
Analysis of Mojo cover.
The colours used on the cover are strictly following a colour pallet of yellow, red, black and white these colours all suggest a rebellious and mutinous theme this is fundamental trait associated with classic rock and passed on through the magazine. The main flash, ' The Clash' is in a mustard yellow military font called stencil in roughly a text size of 72. The illumination of the yellow against the ruby red shirt in the background excels in predominance on the page. There is also an alternation of yellow and red down the left side of the page listing the main sells of the magazines. The brightness of the lower sector of the page clarifies the vital information included within the magazine and emphasises the musical orientation which is directly aimed at the key audience.There is a limited amount of white text across the page which is mainly allied with exclamations for example,
" The rucks! The Drugs! The Shocking Truth!"
The highlight this then proceeds to have on the expletives combines the purity and cleanliness associated with the colour white with the shock related to rucks and drugs. This maintains the disobedient, malfeasance proposal suggested throughout the magazine. The Majority of text is outlined with a light shadowing, unlike the main flash which has a more heavy tailing around it to increase boldness. The surveillance creates a dark effect that reflects well against rocker theme of the magazine. The masthead "MOJO" is pitch black San serif style font this is an irreplaceable trait continued through all Mojo magazines, it creates sense of familiarisation which attentive readers can remember, it also establishes the brands identity and promotes the magazine. In the top half of the cover, there is a musky white background which at the top is pure white and gradually descends into a dirty grey this suggests the magazines general inclination is not to ' clean happy music'.
Text.
As Mojo's main audience are men aged between 15-44 with a total of 204,000 readers and 199, 000 of them being male ( http://www.nrs.co.uk/ ) The language used is relative to this gender and age selection. Some of the language is quite laddish and used in a colloquial way. The term "The rucks!" would be shortened from Ruckus which would generally or more formally be associated with fighting. These subtle male influences increase the emphasis toward male interest and focus of the magazine.
Imagery.
The Clash (the band featured on the cover of the magazine) are dressed in retro clothing and styles that were popular within the 70's and 80's. This provides a connection with the target audience of the magazine , supplying familiar traits associated with their generation this promotes the audience the magazine has been designed for.The image is forced to replica the image the band had in the 70's so if somebody was looking at a selection of magazines, the distinction and audacity would encourage the reader to choose MOJO. In the left hand corner there is a sticker style image the text FREE CD within it, the sticker shape has a background colour of red and has had a injured shed technique to make it look like a ripped sticker. This reflects the depiction of the magazines focus as it increases the rustic, rebellious theme that continuously run throughout the magazine.
Freebies.
There is a free C.D supplied with the magazine the colour scheme on the compact disc also reiterates the colours that are presented on the cover. The sub heading on the C.D says, "songs of protest and insurrection." This wording suggests the theme that is received from the cover is the one that was intentional as the choice of the words 'protest' and 'insurrection' create an aura of aggression and passion toward rock music. Down the side of the C.D is a repetitive star in a circle symbol. This symbol is similar to the anarchists pictogram that is associated with insurgence and rebellion. This symbol is printed over the cover of the magazine without the circle surrounding it although the stars on the cover are red and still have a menacing effect.The progression of this on to the C.D as a main picture with a C.D player in the centre completes the effect and theme of rebellious music.


























