Working with page plus: Designing a front page, contents page and double page spread for a new music magazine

Front cover:

I decided to create a layout my own issue of Q magazine in order to secure my knowledge of the codes and conventions of magazine as well as learn how to use the programme page plus.

My main cover star was Florence from 'Florence and the machine' which was also useful as she is a similar music genre and style to the one I want to create for my band.

Q magazine covers a wide range of music genres and adapts it's style to fit that of the artist or band. In this case, Florence's music genre is indie pop/rock so I decided to make the cover sophisticated through the simplicity of the image and style, meaning no over crowding. In the photography Florence looks relaxed but thoughtful, different from her usual quirky self, intriguing the reader to discover why. Although Florence isn't engaging in direct address, her obvious vulnerability allows the audience to empathise with her anyway. 

Being in black and white, the photo has a mysterious element along with emphasising Florence's class, implying a maturity which would hint to her fans she has been on some sort of personal journey, later revealed in the double page spread.

The masthead of Q is emphasised due to the minimal colour on the rest of the cover, important for the magazines personal image, and the colour scheme of red black and white is continued throughout the issue. With Q's house colour of red being the one to inject the life into the magazine, it not only keeps with the style of Q but connotes the passion Florence has for music.

Contents:

On the contents page, I create a collage of artists, whose pictures are all in black and white to sustain the elegance of the issue. I feel the collage works well due to giving a quirky and unique look to the page whilst also informing of the main features inside. This idea is one I hope to carry through in my own magazine as I feel it would be suited to the genre and is a good way to present the features

However to accompany this, I have a 'features' section in the top left to allow any others to be drawn to attention, such as those not specific to artists or a band, such as chart news. 

Colour scheme

Contents page analysis

Duffy, the main cover star of the issue, is also dominating here as the main image. Her playful persona suggest the lighthearted nature of the magazine whilst her pose gives the idea she is tackling an issue and fighting on.

There are other features on the magazine cover, with the page numbers being prominent to allow readers to find any features they are looking for specifically.

The contents page for Q magazine follows the bold and simplistic style seen on the front cover. The main stories within the magazine are listed as the 'features' with some of the more important incorporating images. The lack of colour creates a sophisticated look and also provides emphasis on the small amount of colour that is there.

Magazine cover - WE LOVE POP

Band name research

I decided to research some band name ideas, that i felt would be relevant to the genre and style I plan to make my magazine. From my previous research, I decided I would like to create a band that included a main singer with an iconic style who were supported by a band. Therefore, from the band name research i've carried out so far I like the idea of having a name with 'and the' in. However, memorable and meaningful band names have also been attractive to me, so I have written down a list of the ones I like most so far.

Marina and the Genre-Artist research

The second artist i chose to do research on was Marina from Marina and the Diamonds.

I am starting to like the idea of having a main singer with their own style and fashion sense, who are part of a band such as Marina and the diamonds or Florence and the machine.

Preliminary task

     

This is my front cover for my preliminary task.

I have included some of the features of a magazine such as: 

. The masthead - the masthead is relevant to the type of magazine and I chose the font I did as it gives the impression of being handwritten. As this 

magazine is 'for the students by the students' it creates ability to relate.

. The web address-  due to the rise in online media use, most magazines are now also available on a website 

. The left third - usually the majority of cover lines are in the left third of the magazine as this is where most attention is paid

. Cover star- the cover star draw immediate focus and is also making direct address with the reader which encourages them to buy and read the magazine

. Barcode- all magazines have to have a barcode as this is necessary for purchase

However, some of the features of a magazine haven't been included in my magazine, for example the date. Also many of my font choices are not corresponding with the style of the magazine, especially the one used on the main cover line, as it appears to fierce and harsh.

The preliminary task cemented my knowledge of the features of a magazine so will help in my final product as anything I have left out this time I will remember next time. 

Also, I like the idea of a 'handwritten' style font, so I may carry this through to use a similar style in my final magazine.