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Process of Recreating my Contents Page (Music Magazine)

Initially I decided that I wanted to use the simple background again as the effect worked really well on my front cover. Thus it would also continue the house style. I have an advantage for creating my contents page as certain text and articles can be used from previously created last year. I began editing the image by including a box shape on the left side of the page in which i would include the listed articles of the magazine. 

       I started to add the text onto the box but for some reason the concept just did not look realistic or                     professional. This is when I did extra research into contents pages individually and made detailed investigations into the correct conventions used in existing magazines. 

In conclusion I knew I had to delete the box shapes and make the image a smaller size. I then began to add the titles of the different article sections and make them stand out by including a black outline box shape. Also I found it was more conventional to have the articles situated on the right hand side of the page, instead of the left. 

The process of including the different text items onto my contents page was very lengthy as each line of text had to be made a separate layer in order for me to specifically place them on the page. After receiving feedback from members of my class I decided to change the sizes and selected font of the main headings and the text below to differentiate them. 

I then began to concentrate on constructing my subscription article at the bottom right of the page. I took influence from the KERRANG magazine when including this convention to use a red banner at the top and bottom of the black box making the article stand out. 

I obviously then had to include text situated below the banner to explain to the audience the purpose of the advertisement. I am happy with the construction of this subscription advertisement as it stand out and importantly continues the colour scheme. 

I knew the next adjustment to make to my contents page was to continue adding text to the articles on the right hand side of the page. I admit I did avoid completing this job as it is so time consuming however I am pleased with the outcome and making the previous decision to change the appearance of the text.

This print screen demonstrates the work on the text aspect continuing on the contents page. 

To ensure the grammar and spelling of my editorial note (placed at the bottom of the page) was correct I initially typed it up using word documents allowing me to simply copy and paste the text onto Photoshop. Although when pasting the writing did not have the same layout meaning I have to carefully select where each line of text would start and finish. 

After pasting the text onto Photoshop I had to enlarge the "hello readers" to make it clear to the audience the content of the following text was an editorial note. I did this by again using the personal favourite blending options tool giving the sub title more of a 3D effect. 

At this point I went to complete a photo-shoot of two separate models to take part as the character of the editor of my magazine. I chose this image as the background adds to the imagery of the working environment ,as well as further contrasting connotations of the image from the visible tattoo. I simply adjusted some of the lighting tools and used "spot heeler" to give me a good quality image.

To make the image of my editor model stand out on my contents page I used the shape tool to create a box effect around the outside of the image. I then simply put the shape layer behind the image to give the effect of it standing out. 

As a final touch I again used the shape tool to make a thin vertical and horizontal box around the main image separating the articles and editorial note to the image therefore enabling it to stand out on the page.

Improving my Contents Page (Music Magazine)

There are many improvements to be made on my contents page mainly involving completely re-organising the layout of the page. Although I did use many forms of conventions on the page, the layout is not effective making the page look unclear and un-organised. The quality of the images is not very good; the lighting shades at the location should have been altered to produce a better quality image. I am happy with the use of mise-en-scene in the photographs which promotes the ideology of rebellion and the rock genre through both the colour red and t-shirts which promote the bands themselves. The contents page would have appeared much more successful if I had only made the images larger providing a main article for the audience. The features section at the right of the page does look well organised with clear indications of the sub headings and the text below providing detail. I must also include an editorial note with a new image of the editor and finally make the contents page much more appealing for the audience. 

So things I need to change:

• Remove the unconventional images of music beats.
• Retake the images of the female model using effective lighting techniques.
• Make the improved images larger providing a main article.
• Ensure the contents page continues the house style from the front cover.
• Possibly make the title "contents" stand out more.
• Include an editorial note, this is very conventional of contents pages.
• Reorganize the whole layout of the page.

Analysis of my Contents page Drafts 1-3

Draft 1

 

·         I included the conventional phrases "regulars" and "features" as subheadings for the listed articles on my contents page making it clear for the audience to identify pages in the magazine. I am finding it difficult to allocate space on the page for both headings therefore I have temporarily simply included the exclusive articles on the contents page.

·         From research into existing magazines I also found a useful feature is to include lines to separate the articles under sub headings. I achieved this by using the shape tool on Photoshop and simply dragging the tool to the appropriate area on the page. This has certainly made the layout clearer to the audience.

·         Although a skyline is typically found on the front cover of a magazine I have included it on the contents page to remind the audience the fundamental important aspects of the magazine eg, date, issue number and the website address.

·         The phrase "Discover great music" gives a clear message to the audience that below is where the customer can find different and specific articles for the LEAD magazine. This first draft is only partially finished as I still need to include another image however show the colour scheme and layout I want to uses for my contents page.

·         I have used a continuous colour scheme on my contents page as it conventionally appropriate and follows the house style of the magazine. I have included a small feature at the bottom of the page which tells the reader the article number, date and the official website for the magazine. As a customer to Q magazine I found this feature very useful and a good way of promoting the magazine virally on the internet and thought it would be appropriate for my magazine. It is important in my next draft I include a page number as this is a very obvious convention of a contents page and referred to by the mass audience of my magazine. Also to improve my draft I should make the overall appearance of the magazine more realistic in the sense it looks like a professional magazine contents page which my customers would pay their money for.

Draft 2

• Further research into the conventions of music magazines has given me more knowledge on the appropriate layout of the listed articles on the contents page. I am happy with the improvements I have made regarding the features and monthy section as the articles directly relate to rock music and follow a conventional layout. I can further improve the quality and realistic aspect of the magazine by creating more sub headings and changing the text font for the sub headings and text below.

• I have also included a subscription advertisment to promote the popularity of the magazine influencing customers to sign up. I included a website address on the page to enhance the viral aspect of the magazine- this is important as the majority of customers use the internet creating a useful way to promote the magazine.
 
• To highlight certain information on my contents page I used the shape tool to create black boxes allowing the advert to stand out and catch the reader’s attention. This is great improvement to my previous draft as the previous layout of the advert in the top right hand corner was hidden away and not as noticable.
 
• Clwarly I have also included another image- a medium shot of 2 boys with appropriate mise-en-scene (band shirts). The inclusion of this image magazine promotes the ideology of the target audience- suitable for both males and females.
• The house style has been continued through to my contents page and is heavily emphasised in my contents page- the faded background colour of grey and continuous use of similar fonts.
 
• The overall appearence and layout of the contents page is definitely improving however not completely conventionally accurate therefore more changes need to be made.

Draft 3

• To further improve the articles section I used different text formats to make article titles stand out against the brief summary below. I also included page numbers for all the articles in the colour red (following my colour scheme) so the numbers are noticeable on the page. Again following this colour scheme I used a red line to highlight the 4 main headings chosen allowing me to differentiate them from the text below. I also included a quote on the page with the article as it is conventional and influences the reader to become interested in an important article advertised with the image. As well I have made the title which belongs with the article have various effects to make it stand out. In Initially I was going to position another image parallel to the one with the 2 lads however due to timing issues I had to change my idea and include text which could go with the image instead. I am happy with this version of my contents page as I feel it is conventionally acceptable, and demonstrates the indie/rock genre of the magazine that I aimed for. Also I think I have successfully used a continues colour scheme throughout my magazine and followed the house style well.  

Contents Page Draft 3 (Music magazine)

Contents Page Draft 2 (Music magazine)

Contents Page Draft 1 (Music magazine)