Layout research DPS

My Designs

When looking into research I made my own designs on what I thought my double page spread should look like. As you can see they are all rather similar to the real music magazines. I made sure to include a large statement image of my model and also her name in bold writing. 

My choice 

This is my choice for my double page spread layout. I decided to copy the layout from the Rihanna feature, this is because she is a strong empowered women that is well known. This is the message I also want to portray for my model. As well as this I liked the page furniture at the top of the page and the three columns as opposed to two. 

Photo research DPS

Photo Research

Initial Magazine Research

As you can see from the photos, there is no main common concept for what type of image is used. There is a variety, from 1 larger photo, or a collage of a few photos. I think that what I am going to do is incorporate 2 larger images. These will be on separate pages, they will link however they will be different shots and my model will look different, this is because I feel that the reader needs to get a feel of the models capability and in most magazines that I have researched if they have 2 larger images in the double page spread the model tends to have changed clothes and look different. I may also include smaller pictures in the page, however these may not be on the model, just things that relate to the story, for example a picture of a festival she has recently played at. I am going to have my model in headphones with her DJ decks, this is because I feel it is something that will make her easily identifiable and this is something that you can see in the bottom left image.

Photos That I Want to Copy

As you can see all of these models are doing similar poses. All of them have DJ decks in the picture, I like this as there is no doubting what they are doing. As well as this they all have the headphones on, both of these things are something I am going to make sure I have in at least one of my pictures. I prefer the darker backgrounds, this is because there is more focus on the model than what is going on in the background. Most of them are wearing revealing clothes, this is also something that I want to use in my image, this is because my target market is for 18 and over, therefore it is suitable, as well as this it is evident that sex sells, especially to the age group I am focussing on, I am not going to have her in something too revealing as that is inappropriate, however just something that look suitable to the genre.

Detailed research DPS

Detailed DPS

1) 'NME' MAGAZINE

2) 'Q' MAGAZINE

Initial research for DPS

Generic Research

The page is evenly split. This draws attention to the image first as it is on the left and our eye naturally travels from left to right. The prop in his hand is orange, this matches the same orange in the writing. The clothes he is working make him blend into the brick layer background. There is an insight into the story under the title of the article 'in good health'. It also includes a big 'a' to start off the writing, this colour matches the beer and the writing in the title. Another image is also brought in to change the dynamics of the page. A quote is also used. Their logo also features.

 This page is evenly split. The picture creates a fun effect with the costumes used. The title of the article begins on the second page-this instantly draws attention as we read from left to right, The red on white contrasts well and makes it stand out. Lots of rectangular shapes are used to change the dynamics of the page. A big letter is used to start up the article, it is the same colour as the quotes. More pictures are also used in the page to make the double page spread have more life to it. 3 columns of writing are used. The picture is a group picture, no close ups.

The page is evenly split. The picture is a close up of the rapper, however the glasses make him show no emotion. The red in the background is the same as the letter 'j'. The letter j covering all of the writing adds dynamic to the page. The quote is on the left page with the picture. The magazines logo is also on the page. Bigger letters are used to start off the paragraphs.The page is split into two columns.  The page also has lines at the top this is symmetrical to the columns.

 The picture spreads across both pages. The 'usa' is big enough to draw attention to it yet because the model has bright red hair and red props you instantly are drawn to her first. The model herself only takes up one third of the page. The writing is very small and in 3 columns and it is not the main feature of the page. The big letter that starts off the article is the same font as the slogan 'got the love'. The quote also feature on the page. The image is the model with a flag, this links in with the 'usa'. She has a stern expression.

Final contents page

FINAL CONTENTS PAGE

Editing of my contents page

The Tools I Used To Edit My Contents Page

As you can see here I have inserted a line. This is to break up the page and also make the magazine contents page look 'good' I feel that adding different shapes over the page will make it look like a good design and not so boring. As you can see here I am using the colour tool, the pink that I want to use is already in my swatches as it is something I use often. As well as this I have changed the weight on the line to 5, this is just to make it wider.

As you can see here I am changing the effects on my header. I have chosen 'inner bevel' for my header. (See contents page font research for more information)

As you can see here I am choosing the font for the rest of my contents page. I have chosen to go with the same on as the header as I feel it creates continuity throughout the page, however it is pink as I want to incorporate small bursts of pink throughout the pages as it is part of my house style.

As you can see here I have drawn a rectangle, this is made to be part of the background. I have made it black, this is to contrast with the white background and pink lines over the page. This is where the features for the magazine are going to be listed. I have not put an effect on it as I feel it will make the page look messy and it does not need to stand out massively when it has writing on it.

As you can see here I have added an emboss effect to my square, this gives it the effect of a button and makes it stand out more. The white font contrasts well with the black background and it creates continuity throughout my magazine as they are within my house style.

Feedback and conclusions

Contents page photo shoot

First Set

These are the pictures that I took for my contents page. I chose to do them on a graffiti background and dress my model in neutral colours this is so that the main focus is the background and the iconography as opposed to the models expression. 

   

Second set

The second set of photos I took were from a festival that I attended last year. They were not originally meant for my magazine but I decided to input them as they fitted in with my genre of music and I feel pulled my whole magazine together.