Peer Evaluation.

From the comments and feedback I have received on my posts in relation to my mock ups, I think there are some elements that I need to take into consideration when creating my magazine. My first comments are on my front cover mock ups, where the minimalist look was liked, but I hadn't got my proportions correct, so this is something I must pay attention to when creating my magazine. Using more colour, rather than just having black and white, was also suggested in relation to my first cover mock up, so I will have to add another colour to my colour palette to make my magazine look interesting.


My choice of artist was also praised, they were considered to fit my magazine's music genre well. I am pleased with this because my model was my first choice to be my artist, and my target audience also like the image she presents.


My double page spread article was good, but needed more information as it wasn't very long. Therefore for my final magazine I will have to write more in for my article to make it look realistic, as it needs to fill the whole page to look convincing. To do this I should include more questions in the interview, add extra information to my introduction and make my artists responses to the questions longer. I could also give more information on the places that my artist went whilst on tour.


My first contents mock up received mixed reviews. The photo I had used contained a different model to the one I was planning to use, and they were not right for the genre of music. In my magazine I will have to refrain from using that person, or take another picture of them that will fit the genre of music my magazine features. However, my colour scheme, blue, white and black, was liked by my peers, and they thought it looked effective. It was suggested that I could use another colour, as the page looked quite bare, plus the blue element was liked, so I won't be getting rid of that colour, more just adding an extra one to my palette. It was also suggested that I add some more text to the page, as the lack of writing made the page look unrealistic, so in my final contents page I will include more text to make my magazine look more professional.

Artist Photos.

These are the photo's I took for my draft magazine, where all the photos, bar one, are of my artist. The first two photos are photos that I took to create an album cover, and the rest of the images are for my front cover, contents and double page spread.

Front Cover - Draft.

Front Cover Mock Up.

The magazine cover shown here uses my chosen colour palette, I think the three colours compliment each other well, and the blue really stands out on the page, which was what I was aiming for. The font use for my coverlines is a little too thin, and consequently it makes it harder for people to read, so I will have to stick to more thicker fonts. The image fits the page nicely, having the mid shot allows more detail to be shown, and the more of the outfits that the model is wearing will be seen, which will help to advertise the genre of music the magazine features. The coverlines are in what I consider to be a good place, at the bottom of the top third of the page, meaning that people will be able to see some of what the magazine offers when it is sitting on a shelf.

This magazine cover is minimalistic in the amount of information it displays on the front cover, which is an aspect I want to use in my magazine, however I don't know whether it would work for a first issue. The greyscale photo stands out against the white background and looks professional, and this allows me to use white font as well as a brightly coloured font. It would also allow me to have brightly coloured drawings, which was an element I wanted to include in my magazine front cover. The price I have placed in the top right corner in a red front, but I don't think it is visible enough so I would have to change the colour of font or move the price to a different part on the cover. I like the white font on the image because it stands out, but combined with the red font I think it makes the magazine look as if it concentrates on a rock genre of music, which is not the impression I want to give.

 This front cover shows the minimalistic look again, only having the basic information and one image. The image on this mock up is a close shot of a face, however the image doesn't interact with the masthead which is a reoccurring theme in every magazine, as it makes the whole page look more 'together'. The mock up is also missing the issue number, and I need to include this on my final product. The text on the design is also in the wrong place in context to the masthead and image, so I will have to think more carefully about where I am to put my coverlines and advertisements. The cover also looks quite plain due to the lack of colour used, however the reason I didn't include colour is that I wished to see how the image would look if it were the only colourful thing on the page. I have decided that I am going to include other colours on my front cover though, as over all it makes the magazine look more professional, and also more interesting.

The Golden Spiral.

The Golden Spiral was in fact something that was first discovered by Pythagoras. In geometry, the golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral whose growth factor b is related to φ (the golden spiral ratio). The Golden Spiral was firstly derived from the 'golden rectangle'; a unique rectangle with a golden ratio. When you connect a curve through the corners of these rectangles, that is when the golden spiral is created.  To be specific the golden spiral gets wider by a factor of φ for every quarter turn that it is making.

Therefore, this means that the spiral shows us where the eyes are drawn first and the place that people automatically find most pleasing. If the theory was to be put in relation to photography it would seem that the centre of the spiral is where the main focus of the image is. As the spiral moves away from the centre, this is moving away from the point of focus to smaller details that people do not notice as much. I will have to test this out on several of my tests shot to ensure that the golden spiral theory works with my photographs and consequently make them more aesthetically pleasing.

Main Image.

For my main image I am thinking of using a medium shot of just the top half of my 'celebrities' body, and also changing the photo into black and white. From the photo I would then pick out a recurring colour, maybe the red hair colour and then the red lipstick for example, which would stand out against the rest of the image. I want the style of clothing to be a late 1950's American, but with modern aspects. For example, the model for my main image would wear a jacket like so:

 The hair and makeup would also reflect the 50's era, which I would link to the main article, therefore this means my main article/double page spread is going to be about 50's music. For the photo I want the model to be looking into the camera, therefore when on the front page it gives the impression that the photo is looking at potential buyers and would pique their interest.

Magazine Masthead Fonts.

Media Fonts

The first font, Alpha Echo, is a font that I like due to it's round edges. I think it makes the font look quite playful, which is a look I want for my font cover so that it would appeal to a younger audience. The font also looks professional, as it has a neat outline, and all the letters are the same size. I don't want to use this font in my magazine, as I think it looks to professional when I want a more playful style.

The second font, Jiczyn, is a more square font, but very similar in regard to the first font. The font also looks like it has been hand drawn, and makes it easier to relate to as than a professional looking font. I like this font but I think that the sharp edges look too harsh, so I wouldn't use it for my masthead, as it could look quite cold and uninviting to my target audience.

Euphoric is the third font that I looked at due to the 3D element. It is also another font that is designed to look like it has been drawn onto the page, rather than typed. Making the font look 3D seems to lift it slightly off the page, and therefore stand out more to peoples attention. This is the type/actual font I would like to use for my magazine masthead, as the style not only coincides with Indie music, but the font is also 'childish' enough to relate to my target audience.

The final font, Diesel, looks more professional than the other three fonts, and is the type of font I would use if I wanted my magazine to look more serious, or if my target audience was an older generation. The font is designed to look as if it has been typed on a type writer, and this is something older generations could relate to. I added this font to compare how much of an impact fonts can have on changing the tone of a magazine, but I would not consider using in my magazine, as I don't like the look, and it isn't the right style for what I want.

My Magazine Style.

From this magazine I like the use of colours, they have used red, black and white mainly, but there is a big selection of colours used in the left hand side of the front cover. It contrasts well to the black and white image, and the use of cartoon drawings makes the cover look more interesting, but could be deemed as childish. The drawings also interact with the title, which is something that I would like to include on my front cover, this technique looks like a better way to make the title look more vibrant and original, and it also allows the title to still be readable, which is an important factor. As my magazine will be my first edition to be published the magazine title still needs to be visible and easy to read, otherwise people may not be able to remember the name clearly. The main image on the front cover is black and white, which is not something I want to include on my front cover, but it would have to be used if I wanted to add brightly coloured drawings otherwise the front cover would be too colourful and confusing.

This front cover is also an example of how drawings can be used on a front cover. Out of the two I have shown I prefer the use of coloured drawings, although this is also very effective. I like the pose that the model in the main image is pulling, it adds some fun to the style of the magazine, and makes it seem more appropriate for a younger audience, a similar audience to which I will be aiming for. I would use a similar shot for the person I am putting on my front cover, and will consider having my main image in black and white, with maybe certain aspects from the image in colour.

This magazine has gone for a minimalistic look, which I think works really well with the neutral colours and older style of clothing that the model is wearing. On the other hand, the use of all neutral colours could be seen as boring, so this is not an element I would be including in my magazine. I will be including the use of a blank neutral coloured background however, so that if I do decide to use the technique of brightly coloured drawings, my front cover won't look overcrowded and messy.

The font that has been used for this magazines title is an element of the front cover that I like, I think that the font is really unusual, and not something that most magazines would use for their own text. The font is big, rounded and what could be described as 'chunky', which makes it easy for people to read, as well as grabbing their attention next to other magazines, who generally seem to go for similar fonts for their mastheads. I want to use a bold, rounded font for my masthead, as this magazine has done, as I think it would stand out and grab my audiences attention, as well as fitting in with my genre and style of my magazine.

This magazine uses individual boxes containing the letters that make up the masthead, and different colours for each letter. I like the use of the different colours for the masthead, I think it looks effective and adds a streak of vibrancy to the front cover, which wouldn't have been there without the extra colours. I would consider using this for my masthead but I think it would make my front cover look too busy with a vibrant photo as well. However, if I decide to have a black and white main image then there would be a bigger possibility of me using it.

This is a magazine that I really like, I like the font that they have used for their masthead and I like how every issue has a different colour palette, and seems to revolve around one colour. I also like the random and quirky images they have used, and the accessories that don't seem to fit in with the magazine as I think it makes it stand out. This magazines style is something I really want to include in my magazine, and it is the magazine that will influence my magazines look the most.

NME Magazine, Front Cover Analysis.

NME Front Cover Analysis

Cost
NME magazine costs £2.20 for each issue, which is cheaper than the other two music magazines I have analysed. Because the cost of NME is much lower than other music magazines, it would encourage more people to buy the magazine and therefore if more people buy the magazine than the bigger profit the company makes. The price would help it to sell as people are more willing to buy something that is as good quality as the more expensive music magazines, but compared to the other magazines, is much cheaper.

Coverlines
The use of hyperbole on the front cover of NME magazine makes potential readers think that NME has the best music, and interviews with the bands that are at the top of the music industry at the moment 'Top 25 bands making America cool again'. This makes NME seem like it has information about 25 bands which are fashionable at the time and the British music industry is greatly influenced by American artists, and therefore the bands that are making America 'cool again' would be more interesting to a younger audience than other types of music, such as classical. However the likelihood that these bands, on their own, are making America cool is very unlikely, and therefore the magazine has exaggerated, and made their content sound much more exciting and interesting than it probably is. The front cover doesn't use direct address in their coverlines, but one of the artists in the main image is looking directly into the camera, and this gives the impression that he is looking right at you. This would draw the readers to look at the magazine as the photo is an invitational photo, there is a lot of emphasis on their eyes, which are looking into the camera and they are half turned towards the camera with a small smile. It invites potential buyers to look more closely at the magazine, because when someone is caught looking at you it generates interest, and this factor is relied on for the front cover.

Target Audience
NME's main audience for this issue would be teenage girls, as the colour palette and style indicates something that would appeal more to teenage girls than boys. The main image is also a close up of two young male artists, which when on a shelf would attract girls attention more than guys because they would be more interested, as generally it is thought that girls listen to male artists rather than female artists. The 'We love USA' element is more fashionable rather than music orientated, which would appeal to teenage girls because they would be more interested as it involves what is in fashion, which is something teenage girls are stereotypically 'obsessed' with.

From NME's front cover I like the idea of using the font for the title and nothing else, as I think it makes the magazines name stand out from all other text, and this is important for a magazine as it helps people to remember the name, and therefore able to buy it again. But this idea could make the front cover look slightly bland as only two texts would be used for the rest of the text and this could make it looking boring, as there isn't much diversity.

Kerrang Magazine, Front Cover Analysis.

Kerrang Front Cover Analysis

Cost
The usual cost of Kerrang is around £3.20, which is slightly cheaper than other music magazines I have looked at, and therefore that on it's own may incline more people to buy it, just because they have to spend a little less money, but gain around the same amount of information. Considering that Kerrang also gives out posters in every edition the price is quite reasonable as you'd spend about the same amount on just one poster from stores.

Language
The language used on the front cover is also quite informal, but the front cover relies more on images than words to sell themselves, and the writing they do use is mainly just artists names that are featured in the magazine. Because there is not much writing on the front could appeal to teenagers, as they'd rather not buy something that was very 'wordy' and the informal language makes people feel like they can relate to the magazine, and consequently making them more prone to buying the magazine.

Font
There are three different fonts used on the front cover of Kerrang, but each font seems to have also been assigned to a colour as well. All the green text is in the same font, all the white text (including the title) is in the same font, as is the red text. I think that all the white text is written in the same colour font as the title to highlight the things that are always included on the magazine, for example, the advertisement of '5 Free Posters!' is in the same font as the title, and as the title is on every edition of Kerrang, it would indicate that there are also always free posters in Kerrang as well. This would make people more likely to but Kerrang because they would be willing to gain the free posters, and would probably therefore continue buying the magazine for the posters. The font in which 'Green Day' is written in draws attention to it, as the rest of the writing in that font is relatively small, and therefore this jumps out because you don't see the other font straight away. It promotes the fact that the main feature is the article about Green Day, as not only is it in a different colour but also in a different font. The font makes the article stand out and when on the shelves people would notice it quickly and fans of Green Day would be interested in the article.

On the front cover of Kerrang I like how the magazine has linked the colour palette to the main image, the band members of Green Day, and used this to it's full effect. On my front cover I would have to use colours that compliment my main image, and that also can be associated with my genre of music. The magazine's name is another aspect that I like, as it really stands out, not only because it is onomatopoeic. I think the title is another good way of advertising the genre of music featured in the magazine, and I would consider using this in my magazine.

Q Magazine, Front Cover Analysis.

Q Front Cover Analysis.

Cost
Q magazine costs £3.99 normally, sometimes more depending on the content in each edition. Compared to other magazines this can be seen as quite a high price, but the magazine front cover, in a sense, tries to justify the price by advertising the amount of articles they include, all the different genres of music and the amount of 'exclusive' interviews. By putting so much information on the front cover, it shows people that they are getting good information, and good quality for the price which they're paying, making them more willing to buy the magazine.

Coverlines
The coverlines used on the front cover of Q use direct address '...you didn't know...', which draws people in as the magazine seems to be talking directly to them, and in this case, they therefore feel that because they don't know these things, they have to buy the magazine educate themselves in that topic. Q's coverlines also include a hyperbole 'Rock's Greatest Nutjobs'. They make it seem like the magazine has information on who is officially the greatest nutjobs in rock, whereas in reality it's probably just artists who are considered to be nutjobs. It makes the information seem more important than it actually is, and in effect, makes the magazine more important because they seem to have the 'best of the best' information.

Target Audience
The look of the magazine and the style of clothing that the artist wears in the main image, suggests that the magazine focuses on the rock genre as the colours and style are linked to rock. Also the fact that the magazine has quite a few interviews with well known rock bands, and boasts about knowing 'Rock's Greatest Nutjobs' adds to the idea that the magazine associates itself with rock more than any other genre of music. This could symbolise that the magazines main target audience is rock fans as it includes many articles and styles that would interest a person who enjoyed reading about rock music, but also rock music which would interest different ages, giving the magazine a wider target audience.

Out of this front cover I like the main image of Matt Bellamy using a guitar to smash the magazine title, as I think it looks really effective, and represents the genre of music the magazine features well. However, as I am thinking of using 'indie' music for the genre of my magazine, this type of image wouldn't conform to the genre of music, but I could consider having the main image interacting with the magazine title in some way. I also like the use of banners shown on Q's front cover and this is definitely an element I will be adding to my front cover, as not only does it look sophisicated, but it also helps to draw attention to the front cover and certain articles.