Construction

(click on the images to open as a PDF)

This is my first front cover I have constructed using Microsoft Publisher. I used different secondary images as I wanted to show a variety of models as real publications do. This also stops my work from looking repetitive and plain.

However there are a number of changes I need to make with this page; the skyline is not arranged properly, too short on the right. Also, there is a blank space at the top of my main image, and the star puff does not look professional, despite conventions of a rock magazine. As a result, I will try changing the shape and placement of the coverlines. This way I can fit in another.

Finally, having a general re-shape of the elements should make my work look more professional. For example changing the shape of the secondary images and coverline text will adapt the whole look.

Here is my first draft for the contents page. I think the gutters are too far apart and the text too large. I also intended to use more secondary images, so will make these changes.

From peer assessing, feedback also highlighted that there are too many stars, and that the page has the look of a pop magazine rather than a rock magazine. I can solve this by changing the colour of the diagonal banner in the middle to perhaps black, and eliminating a few of the stars.

Finally, as well as a few general 'tidy up,' I need to reduce the number of different fonts I've used, as real publications seldom use more than three on the contents page, my research has shown.

Finally, this is my double (A3) page spread. I feel it is the most successful of the three, even though it doesn't resemble much of the plan. One change I will need to make is the addition of a page number on at least one bottom outer corners.

Feedback from a peer also suggested that I change the beginning of the pull-out quote, "this" to have a capital 'T,' but closer research shows that usually all letters are capitals. Having said that, the feminine font and lower case lettering was a conscious decision to appeal to a female audience, and so I believe it would be less effective to have a bold and loud looking text, despite the genre.

Second Drafts

I have filled the blank space of my front cover by rearranging the secondary images. I have also changed the puff to the more conventional shape of a circle, meaning the text is easier to read and the look more is professional.

I have also added more coverlines in the same house style and colours. When doing this I used language appropriate to my TA; as 16-24 year olds may be interested in "music courses at UK universities" or starting a band.

Another change is the masthead; I eliminated the uneven edge as it didn't achieve a 'rough' look I intended it to. Above this, the skyline also changed as I wanted my TA to be clear, and my magazine to stand out from others.

As a whole page I think its strength lies with the main coverline which breaks the straight, formal layout, making it clear what genre magazine this is. I don't regret choosing orange as a house colour instead of red as I think it gives the page(s) a positive tone, especially as it compliments the blue.

I changed quite a lot on my contents page, fitting in more secondary images and another column as well as changing some text. I also removed some stars as there were too many and gave the page a ‘pop’ look. Furthermore, I changed the number of fonts used so that fewer varieties gave a more consistent look. However I ensured the band names were in a bolder/larger font as they have the most appeal.

Whilst making essential changes like the addition of missing page numbers, I experimented with other aspects of the page. For example the title, "this month" is now in italics as I think it could represent how rock music is not straight and formal, but fast paced and exciting.

The main change perhaps is the simple colour swap from orange-yellow to black of the divider in the middle. I much prefer this as again it provides more consistency to the page. When compared to one of Kerrang!'s contents pages, my page clearly follows the codes and conventions; a four-column, top heavy layout, but also breaks some; the middle strip is not tilted in Kerrang! for example, though it suits the genre.

The first change I made to my DPS was the placement of the pull-out quote, moving it up to make the gap between it and the blue strip smaller. This allowed me to follow another convention of rock music magazines as I titled the stand first text.

I then added another pull-out quote at the end of the article to fill another space, and emphasise the personal content. Another addition was that of the page number in the bottom right corner, matching the one on the contents page to maintain the house style.

I did change the title text to capital letters, but the font I chose meant it wasn’t clear in caps. As a result I have kept all the lettering in lower case, which I think appears more feminine anyway.

Third Drafts

To the left is my third front cover production, different to the last in the way that the fictional artists' names now stand out much more by the blocks behind. This was a convention used by Kerrang! to focus on the appeal of the musician's name.

I focused on the structure of my contents page, aiming to make the layout more consistent and easy to navigate. I therefore added more blue to the content text, meaning every first few words are now the same colour. I changed the angle of the sub-titles so that they were straight. As a result, the page now looks more like a real publication and more formal:

Also, as we read from left to right, the stars with the page numbers seemed more appropriate to the left, and used three times in the same way adds consistancy. A few other, small changes include the change in tone of the "welcome" and "enjoy!" text to the more commonly used blue tone. In addition to the reduction of the page number on the black strip, as it looked out of place - especially sideways - and was repeated in the contents below anyway. Not having it may encourage my audience to scan the contents to find it, engaging them in the process.

Below is my third double page spread which now has page numbers on both sides, and all three pull-out quotes at the same angle. This again adds to consistancy, making the page look professional. I also looked back on previous changes to my DPS, and concluded that the page looked more organised and professional with the pull-out quote being straight. I therefore changed it back to sit horizontally as before.

I have followed the style of certain issues of Kerrang! magazine throughout my production, and paid particular attention to the conventions used in the double page spreads.

Further Changes

The two images to the left show some minimal changes I made a while later. The contents page now shows a logo, filling blank space, and the front cover's main image is now larger in coordination with music magazine conventions.

AS Media

Alice Gledhill