As the front cover represents the magazine as a whole, I needed to create distinctive, attractive and stylish looking cover which would appeal to my audience. As my audience interacts with this product and are influenced by its values i had to ensure the images portrayed a realistic environment representative of musical artists. Using the studio available I used a friend to model as my Main Image. I used the brollies to ensure even light distribution to achieve the highest quality image possible.I took in all around 30 photos using a Nikon digital camera; making certain my model stood in different poses and positions guaranteeing a selection of quality images.
Above is the final image i chose to use. It shows my model standing in an up-right position looking with a serious tone into the camera; this creates a professional and authoritative representation. I used a cigarette as a prop.
Using Photoshop CS3 Extended i zoomed into the face of my model and added 'brush' effect - this created much more of an impact when on the cover of my magazine, i also coloured the glasses and cigarette - making them stand out. I finally added a gradient from around 45' on the image before converting it to black and white.
When choosing a costume I decided to dress the model in a long, black indie coat. This was representative of the indie fashion. I then unbuttoned the shirt allowing the t-shirt underneath to show through. The model tilted his head back ensuring all his face was visible, additionally this showed off the large collar attached to the rear of the coat.
Using Photoshop CS3 Extended i zoomed into the face of my model and added 'brush' effect - this created much more of an impact when on the cover of my magazine, i also coloured the glasses and cigarette - making them stand out. I finally added a gradient from around 45' on the image before converting it to black and white.
When choosing a costume I decided to dress the model in a long, black indie coat. This was representative of the indie fashion. I then unbuttoned the shirt allowing the t-shirt underneath to show through. The model tilted his head back ensuring all his face was visible, additionally this showed off the large collar attached to the rear of the coat.
I believe that this picture conveys that of a genuine media product.
The next step was to start to design the layout of the magazine cover. I decided (with research) that using bright, distinctive colours was vital to achieve interest. I also noticed that other music magazines such as the popular NME used constant and flowing colour schemes.
The next step was to start to design the layout of the magazine cover. I decided (with research) that using bright, distinctive colours was vital to achieve interest. I also noticed that other music magazines such as the popular NME used constant and flowing colour schemes.
Here you can see the first stage in the completion of my magazine cover. The top left hand corner reads ‘INLAY’. This is the chosen name for my magazine. I believe it’s an effective name for my magazine as it represents the neck of a guitar which has numerous inlays down the fret board. However with much consideration I chose not to produce a guitar based magazine – with the name already designed and made I think it would’ve been totally inefficient to create a whole new name.
The logo (title) has a stencil effect around it and the pink lines allow me to separate the logo from the rest of the magazine. Moreover this allows the Logo to stand out and become recognised by the audience. However I was never really satisfied with the logo – I wasn’t entirely sure it achieved the impact I wanted it too.
The next step was to amalgamate the borders and the picture, before adding text to the cover. The image underneath is different to the final image I used; I changed my mind after seeing the results of the questionnaire. The image (designed in Photoshop CS3 Extended) was opened in Photoshop where the magazine started to be constructed. This stage was simple. I had to ensure the picture was positioned correctly on the page in context to the title. Looking at other magazines I gained an idea on how large the logo should be in relation to other items on the page. After adding the pictures to the main page I ensured all the text was clear and could be easily understood by the audience.
The logo (title) has a stencil effect around it and the pink lines allow me to separate the logo from the rest of the magazine. Moreover this allows the Logo to stand out and become recognised by the audience. However I was never really satisfied with the logo – I wasn’t entirely sure it achieved the impact I wanted it too.
The next step was to amalgamate the borders and the picture, before adding text to the cover. The image underneath is different to the final image I used; I changed my mind after seeing the results of the questionnaire. The image (designed in Photoshop CS3 Extended) was opened in Photoshop where the magazine started to be constructed. This stage was simple. I had to ensure the picture was positioned correctly on the page in context to the title. Looking at other magazines I gained an idea on how large the logo should be in relation to other items on the page. After adding the pictures to the main page I ensured all the text was clear and could be easily understood by the audience.
Above you can see the image has changed from the one described earlier. I thought it would be more effective if I zoomed out a little to show more of the costume, however, I changed back to the original later on in the construction process. I initially decided to call the main band on the front page ‘The Blazzers’, I then separately cut and rotated every letter to create the effect. I finished the name with a red stroke. However I decided afterwards that the text looked too unrealistic and doesn’t represent that of a typical Music Magazine. The next image illustrates the change once I had conducted my second questionnaire.
Above is the magazine cover once I had removed the text which gained negative feedback. I then replaced it with text reading ‘THE PUDS’, this text achieved a much more positive feedback.
Using the results from the questionnaire I also believed I could create greater impact with the large image of the model. I zoomed into the face, ensuring the quality of the image stayed the same. I then added a gradient on the image going from darker (on the left) to brighter (on the right).
You can also see that the design of the magazine had changed immensely since my last attempt. I added pink borders on the bottom of the page – which can hold text and pictures. Other pictures include one I took at a local band practice shown at the top right of the page.
The largest change of all is the title. I always believed I could create more of an impact and so chose a more minimalistic design. The text is now larger and the background colours were deleted to leave the background running straight through the title. I was now much happier with this and achieved the look I’d always wanted.
The magazine now started to take shape.
Here you can see the magazine with an added border. I wanted the magazine to stand out and appeal to the audience when on the shelf competing with other music magazines. I experimented with different colours including orange and green. However I decided to colour the vast majority of the cover in pink – using only a little bit of dark green. I also found some Photoshop brushes that were downloadable from the internet. I checked with a teacher to ensure I could use brushes on my magazine and he ensured me it was fine. I then downloaded a selection of brushes including Splatter Brushes, Army oriented Brushes and general images.
I added these brushes around the edge of the magazine to create a distinctive, dirty magazine look. The border running down the left hand side of the magazine was later removed as I was not satisfied with the result. I felt I could instead add images to compensate for the loss.
The cover above has now had the downloadable brushes added. Behind the logo is a large bullet, along with a clock added in the left hand corner, the syringe in the neck of the model and the satellite above the ‘Free CD’ text. I believe this design would now attract the intended teenage audience as it created more of a ‘dirty’ theme.
I added these brushes around the edge of the magazine to create a distinctive, dirty magazine look. The border running down the left hand side of the magazine was later removed as I was not satisfied with the result. I felt I could instead add images to compensate for the loss.
The cover above has now had the downloadable brushes added. Behind the logo is a large bullet, along with a clock added in the left hand corner, the syringe in the neck of the model and the satellite above the ‘Free CD’ text. I believe this design would now attract the intended teenage audience as it created more of a ‘dirty’ theme.
Finally I added more pictures down the left side of the cover. The image which illustrates the drummer was taken at a local band practice and the image displaying the band ‘Sampras’ was taken under a bridge with the graffiti name shown above the band members. The Sampras image was moved from the bottom right of the page to the left where it fitted better – I then added a bar code to replace the image, this also allowed me to add more text which I thought my magazine lacked. Around the images I added more brush effects and attractive text. I also brought in a new colour (Camouflage green), which I dotted around the page.
Over the process of constructing my magazine I used as much feedback as possible from friends and teachers. This was so I could produce a more effective and appealing cover, it also supported efficiency, as, if I would’ve made all the changes at the end of the construction, it’s more possible I would’ve ran out of time as I often attempt to perfect my work.