Evaluation of Contents page and double page spread

I am happy with my final design. I feel I included many of the suggested issues that came up in my questionnaire and targeted the right audience for my magazine. On reflection I have re visited some vital components of my magazine that needed to be touched upon including colour scheme, wording and overall design precision. I think the variation in text font increased the desirability to read the page and I think that both fonts complement each other with alternate but comparative textures. Both fonts 3rd Man and a bold form of Arial, create a rough, weathered look, which I intended for the design. I feel this is interesting and mature with a subtle emphasis on the theme and genre of the magazine creating an organised feel, something I found was vital in magazines aimed at older generations but also a contrast of “mellow rock”. Although in my final design I incorporated my original colour scheme I tried to involve other colours into the page infusing blues, creams and vibrant reds into the sequence. This was an important feature of my magazine to change as a common criticism received was the over powering effect the block colouring had on the one look of the magazine. Another change I made to improve the structure of the page was including the word ‘content’s on the page as I feel before it was unclear and lacked definition. I feel the overall editing I applied to the magazine increased its potential if in reality. Both the questionnaire and the target research aided me to create my final piece which I feel is suitable for my genre and audience. In hindsight improvements I would of made would be to have previously done more market research, attempted to understand In Design programmes and Photoshop to increase both the precision and detail included in my work.

Completed double page spread

Completed Contents page

Planned adjustments to double page spread

The first thing I will edit is the consistent text use. I will resolve this be incorporating a variety of text styles on to the page and select pages a new text for the body of my article as some of the feedback dictated it began to get unreadable as the text developed. I will then enforce subsections and bordered off sections of text to make the appearance of the text more appealing to the eye. I will highlight sections of the text to show a planned emphasis on particular sections. I am going to keep my header as I think the layered effect it proceeds to have on the page interests the reader to follow the page downward, where the article actually begins. Although I want to keep my trademark colours of yellow and red on the page I will bring in more colour and image. I have also re-evaluated the strategic placement of my photos and will adjust this in my final designs.

Planned adjustments for contents page

After a decrease the volume of block colouring I will introduce more photos to introduce the reader to what is featured in the listed pages, I will use a consistent font or style to create an acknowledgement of the contents page rather than just using the title of the magazine as a header. I will create common links to the music world that can be associated with my audience therefore creating more interest to the reader and the audience. I will commence with an increase in colour and a broader range of artists listed. After researching many relevant music magazines I have noticed how many of them offer reviews, tour dates and upcoming concerts that may be of interest. As my magazine is not intentionally directly for young people, similar to others I have looked at I will offer information like reviews on the contents page in a brief general format, however I will express some further information in to the artists themselves by giving page references to other points in the magazine where the artist can be found. Apart from the visual editing I will also incorporate more text and body tp the page as I feel older readers would want a generous amount of reading material. I will use terminology that is specific to the particular age group I am aiming to design my magazine for: I intend for one page to be about Freddie Mercury and have created the headline,
‘DON’T STOP ME NOW’... From Zoroaster to Zeus: Freddie Mercury and all he was.’
I have decided to use puns like this as a succinct description of what to expect in each page. I think this would appeal to my target audience particularly.

Questionaire about my initial magazine.

Questionnaire

I will use the answers to help deduce the changes I need to make to my designs. I have chosen to use my questionnaire on somebody who I know read MOJO, one of the magazines I analysed and based my own designs around.

What do you think of the overall design of my magazine?

I think the idea’s and themes of the magazine are both well used and well expressed, however I think the design and precision of the magazine could be worked on.

Do you think the target audience is catered for adequately?

In some places, I think that there could be more research and depth in to the content of the magazine. I think the majority of the language used is used well and this transmits into a easy and enjoyable read for the target audience.

What do you think about the colour scheme? Do you think it should be altered in any way?

The use of colour is suitable and I think both the yellow and red work well together. However, I think they have been used too much and that this is not typical of a real magazine. I think this could be a vital change needed to create a better looking magazine.

Do you think the text reflects the target audience appropriately?

Yes, I think the use of text and language is good. The mix of both colloquial and standard English is a good representation of the audience and are both used effectively. I think a more in-depth approach to other artists suitable to the magazine and audience would be a good idea.

Are the photos recognisable in representing a young and up-coming artist?

Yes, I think the image suggests an indie feel and expresses traits of a young busker looking for fame. I think this is a good aspect to build on as many of the readers of magazines such as Q and MOJO are also interested in new music.

Overall is there any other improvements you feel my magazine would significantly benefit from?

I think that a breach in the current styles would advantage the design and the font in the double page is slightly unreadable and packed into a small area, if both these issues were addressed I feel the magazine would have more potential.