Research into similar projects: Potential colour schemes

For my own magazine, I need to think of potential colour schemes. One of my first ideas was using blue and white as it would like bright and eye-catching. Personally, I think of youth and freedom when I see these colours, so using these colours would help reach my target audience. The front cover of NME with Lana Del Rey (http://cf.oesquema.com.br/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2012/01/lana-del-rey-nme.jpg)  uses these colours in an effective way and inspired me to use it for my own front cover. However, I also think that using green and black would like nice as it would look natural and fresh and depending on what shade of green I use, it would look very bright too. I like the green I used for the front cover for my preliminary task so I might use it again as it complemented the photograph that I used and looked slick.

Preliminary Task: Front Cover

Research into similar projects: Double page spread anaylsis

I have been looking at double page spreads from various magazine to investigate what I like about different spreads and what would be interesting to include on my own double page spread for my music magazine.

 

 

Drafting and planning: NME creative task

To create this magazine cover, I used paint.net to create the basic layout of my cover. I used the magic wand to bring Reznor's face in front of the masthead, without any excess white bits. I then used publisher to add the cover lines and other conventions of a magazine cover and to browse through the variety of possible fonts that I could use to make it look professional. I used my research to place each convention in the best way possible and to know which conventions are generally used in all magazines. By using various software's, I am practicing how to use different tools and advancing my skills so that when I make my final product, I will be able to effectively use each software well and know which is easier and most effective to use for each part of my magazine. 

Research into similar projects: Contents pages

I have been looking at some contents pages from magazines such as Q and Spin, to get an idea of what I should do for my own contents page and what basic feautures I need to include in it.

 

Reseach into similar projects: Conventions of a magazine

I have analysed 3 magazine covers for the conventions of a magazine cover, so I can become familiar with the conventions and use them in my own music magazine. 

Preliminary Task: Photo for my sixth form magazine cover

Here is a medium close up that i am going to use as the front cover of my magazine for my preliminary task.

Research Into Similar Products: Understanding the conventions of a magazine

This exercise is showing my understanding of the conventions of a magazine and is helping me see what conventions I need to include in my own magazine.  

 

Research into similar projects

I have also looked at Q magazine for inspiration for my own magazine. This cover stood out to me as it is also different from the rest of Q's covers. This is because they have included lyrics and song titles from Arctic Monkey's music and put them around Alex's head. They have also used the usual Q colour theme to make it look professional. I would like to do something similar to what Q have done with the lyrics as I think it looks unique and is very specific to the cover story. It also looks like someone has wrote the lyrics making it look even more unique.

Research into similar projects

I have decided I would like to make an indie music magazine. For inspiration, magazines such as this will help me get the ideas I need to make my magazine. I have chosen to look at this one as there are a number of factors I like about it. For example, I like how the text on the left is at an angle so it fits around Lana Del Reys face. I would like to do something like this as I think it looks different to what most magazines would have (text that is not at an angle). I also like the colour scheme of blue and white, as it matches with the American flag in the background and makes the magazine look brighter. I think I would like to use light blue and white and it looks fresh and pristine.

Preliminary Task: 1st draft of sixth form magazine

Here is my first draft of my sixth form magazine. I have used red white and black as the colour scheme throughout, as suggested by my questionaire, so it ties in with the school.

Research and Planning: Spin analysis

I analysed another magazine cover but of an indie magazine that I have never heard of before.

Research and Planning: NME analysis

I analysed one of my favourite magazines that writes articles about indie music and would help me to make my own magazine.

Preliminary Task: Questionnaire Analysis