NOTEmusic
Design
Before I wanted to try and start my actual magazine, I decided to do a first design that I could base off. With this, I would design a basic layout with the features that real magazines include such as masthead, the main image, etc. By doing this, I am giving myself an idea of how I could present the different features on a magazine and give myself a basic but detailed plan. To make it easier further along in the process, I decided to create a block plan for the front cover of the magazine, the contents page as well as my double page spread.
The image to the left is a block layout of what the front cover of my magazine should be looking like, or a general basic idea of it.
As I am aiming to have the background on the front cover to be the main artist in the magazine, I decided to leave that area blank. By doing this, I am making sure not to include the text too close to the centre as you wouldn't be able to see the girl fully. When someone will look at the front cover, the main artist/the girl who my article is about, the focus will be primarily on her at first glance.
Next is the magazine title. I wanted to include the masthead at the very top but also so it would take up majority of the room in its area. In these early stages, I am not sure if the model will cover over the title or vice versa, it depends on how the image of her turns out when I start the actual design. By having the text at the top, it is an easy way to enlarge the text so that becomes one of the first eye catching features on the front cover.
There will be a different selection of text on the front cover. I want to add a competition or offer as a feature for my magazine as it will attract more people if they are able to win trips or items, or even get a discount on certain items. My target audience are teenagers, which means they don't necessarily have a lot of money so opportunities like these will appeal to them. The other text on the front cover will be articles or pages that are shown inside. By presenting certain stories or things relating with the magazine that is likely to be appealing, people would prefer to pick a magazine up that includes things that interest them.
Another feature that I will include on my front cover is the bar code and the price of the magazine. I decided to put this in the left hand corner instead of the right unlike most magazines as it adds a small quirky feature to the whole indie vibe I wanted to create.
The final feature that I will need to include in my magazine is the date. By having the date or an issue number clear on the front cover, it makes it easier for people to see if they have it in their collection. I am thinking to place the date or issue number under the title as the masthead will be quite high up on the page, there would be no room above.
The next image to the left will be the basic, but generalised layout for my contents page. Instead of being more creative or unique with my layout, I wanted to keep the page quite structured but also allowing my own design on it.
The first aspect I wanted to think about was the left hand side of the contents page. This is my magazine name will be placed again, but also the images that are included with a story or competition alongside it. The magazine name will be placed at the top left of the contents page, still quite large but not as big as the front cover sizing. Underneath this section, will be one large image. The image will show the girl who my main story is focusing on. Under this will be the caption which tells you a little about the picture above, as well as the picture below left. That said picture will be of another girl who is also featured in the magazine, but not quite the big story. To the right of this image, there will be two smaller images. These will be showing two famous areas in Los Angeles; Santa Monica Pier as well as the Hollywood sign. In-between both of these images is a separate caption which informs readers about the two said images. All of the images also include a page number so people can turn to the specific page they desire to.
The right hand side of the page is more text based than images. Starting off with the top right of the page. At the very top of the page is where the date is placed, with 'In this issue' just below it. Underneath this once more, is where the main list of content is placed. There will be a long list of the different pages in numerical order which have details at the side of it.
Right at the bottom of the contents page is where I placed a small social media section. As the target audience is older teenagers, I want to include features that they relate to, social media being one. Readers can follow the magazine on various accounts which include updates and news which all relate to the magazine. On the basic block design, I used a small block which would replicate the icon logos.
The final block layout will be of my double page spread. This page will be the main story of the girl that I decided to focus on; the girl on my front cover and the largest image on my contents page.
On the whole first page, the left hand side, it will be all text. This is because I decided I wanted my layout to be one side mainly text, the other a large image of the story. The text page will be split between three large blocks. The first block at the top will include a quote from the article. I want to include this but I would need an interesting quote which would attract readers who are flipping through the pages. The next two blocks will be the two columns down the length of the page of the actual article I will be writing later on in the process. I decided to have two set columns as it has numerous benefits. The first one being that it would look more towards a real life product, rather than one large paragraph across the whole page. Another benefit would be that it would suit the interview style more as the questions and answers will be broken up into sections too.
On the opposite right hand side, this page will be primarily just for the image of the main girl. By doing this, it attracts people to the page but having a large image there which will be eye catching if you just flick through the pages. I wanted my layout to be simple as I wanted the interview to be the main focus on this page. This matches well with my chosen music genre as Indie music is all about the music, not the image.