Research & Planning: Design Choices

This is an example of my progress and experimentation with fonts on InDesign for my front cover.

Time Management Post

Now that I have created my mock ups and have provided a detailed summary for each, I will start my progress and experimentation with photoshoot ideas, location ideas and also potential models for my magazine images.

Front Cover Design - Detailed

For my final magazine front cover design this is the layout I have decided on. My reasoning for this layout and positioning is derived from my pop music magazine research. I found out that conventional pop magazine appear to be fairly cluttered and crowded, this gives the idea that they are packed full of content, thus exuding the idea that this particular magazine is worth the buyers money. Many images are found on the front covers of pop magazines, often advertising posters and giveaways. 

The colour palette I will use will consist of very feminine and girly colours. The colours I am using will be white, pink and purple. I have chosen to use a white background as it connotes freshness and innocence. Also I think that a white background can also add simplicity to quite a busy magazine, a white background also looks professional and sophisticated.

CHANGE TO DESIGN:  Looking back at these posts, and when referring back to my designs and mock ups during the creation of my front cover, I have decided to change the position of the 3 coverlines and accompanying images to the left hand side as upon reflection to my research I believe this is where they are mostly placed. 

Mock Up Double Page Spread Draft

This is my mock up for my double page spread. From my research into the conventions of pop magazines I found that many double page spreads use one page dedicated to the artist/group, and the background colour bleeds onto the next page. I will use 3 columns of text as I found that the majority of interviews in pop magazines had this many columns and I will also show pull quotes from the article in bubbles around the interview, to draw the attention of the reader. The shot I will use for my image will be a medium long shot as I believe this is a nice angle and has been used many times before in other pop music magazines.

Mock Up Contents Page Draft

For my contents page I will feature the name of the magazine along the top, followed by the words 'in this issue..' I have include 3 more images along the right hand-side accompanied by the page number to make it easy for readers to locate that article. There will also be a repeat of the main image from the front cover. I have created a section for page numbers and a short heading. I have created a section for editors notes, as from my research I have found that many pop magazines have an informal and chatty 'note' from the editor of the magazine.

Mock Up Front Cover Draft

For my mock up design of my front cover, I have chosen to position the masthead to the left hand side, as from my research I have found that this is where they are typically placed on pop music magazines. I have made my front cover fairly cluttered and almost 'messy'. By this I mean that I have include many images, and will also include many cover lines. My reasoning for this is that from my research it is clear to see that pop magazines are typically crowded and almost represented as 'loud' and 'boisterous'. Along the bottom I have include a set of 4 free posters. I have included 3 coverlines along the right hand-side, which will be accompanied by cover lines to link the text to the image. I have also included a puff in the top right hand corner, I expect that this will be a giveaway. The main article heading, the 'Splash' takes centre stage of my magazine, and it will be on top of the central image.

Style Sheet