Drafting and Planning: Re-Make Re-Model

I created an NME inspired front cover. I chose NME because I love the tone it gives off and it's symbiosis towards the coverstar as well as the varied content.

I used the left-third NME logo which is red to harmonize with the house style and the colour scheme of the cover star. The cover star uses direct address like most of the NME magazines to initiate a relationship/interaction with the audience. I mainly used a bold, blocked font since mose NME covers use this sort of font to bluntly tell the audience what's inside, but they also use another, more elegant font to highlight important information; which I did too.

I used a anchorage text of the main cover line to give the reader a taste of what the article is about and I also used pugs and puffs to lure the audience in to buy this edition especially for the extra features. Skyline cover lines are common with NME magazines and I remembered to include the NME selling line too! On every magazine cover you need a barcode, price and date of the edition, so I made sure I included it! The generally darker colour scheme could relate to how NME is a smooth but edgy rock magazine, and I made sure there's cohesion throughout; the blue background matches the cover-star's eyes, the text colour links in with the cover stars clothes too.

For a first attempt at a music magazine front cover from scratch, it's very good but I'd say, personally, to improve, I should vary the fonts used as well as sizes, include more cover lines since there's a lot of negative space, and next time use a shot type in which I could squeeze in as many cover lines as I could and have the cover star's head overlapping the masthead. Also, the editing on the photo I used is quite obvious around the edging of the image, so when I get my official photos, any editing I do I ought to make it look as if it's part of the original because it's edited so well!
One thing I notice about NME is the variation of shot types used for their front covers. They're not all mid shots or medium close ups (like the picture on this front cover) but some are long shots or even wide shots. So I shouldn't be afraid in experimenting with different shot types throughout my magazine either!

Drafting and planning: Photoshop practise

With my cover star, I'm going to take photos of my sister as two different characters, but since she's the same person, I'll have to photoshop a photo so 'both' versions of her are on the same picture. So, I've done some practise with photoshopping an old photo of myself (with a complex background) to see how effective and realistic it looks. I used these two photos:

And I removed myself from the first image and placed myself onto the second image using the 'magic wand', eraser and some shadowing effects:

It's quite scary to see two of me on the same photo but that's what I'm going to do with the photos of my sister. Except, she'll be modified with wigs and make-up to differentiate her characters, so it wont be as creepy looking as this.

Drafting and Planning: Self-Assessment

From having looked at my class mate's comment on my 'Codes and Conventions' blog post: http://daniellepalmermedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/drafting-and-planning-codes-and.html
I found out that I'm going in the right direction, but I need to include the date and price onto the cover. But after having looked at his work, I saw many areas for improvement myself. He used quite a lot of smaller fonts and he tried to fill as much space as he could. This inspired me to not be afraid to use smaller fonts either in order to advertise the subtext of a cover-line. He varied the sizes of his fonts whereas I usually done the main cover line as the largest and then the secondary cover lines the same smaller font size. I could take inspiration from his adventurous font sizes but I'm glad how I used mainly bold, capitalized fonts to create a strong symbiosis between the cover star and magazine, and to obviously make the content stand out equally. I will take this feedback on board of what I'm doing right, what I'm doing wrong and endeavor to make my front covers as great as they can be!
But having done this task, I haven't just found out what I could've done better with the cover lines, but I analysed the pros and cons of the photos used (which I had no control over). Some of the photos were hard to work with, for example, the group photo for the 'M' magazine, the photo of 'Pitch' magazine and the 'Kings of Leon' image on SounD magazine. This helped me to understand what types of shots are best to work with for a magazine cover. I'd say mid-shots are the best to work with since you can get an equal distribution of cover star and room for masthead and cover lines etc.

Gathering research from Target audience: Survey Monkey link

I've posted a survey on my Survey Monkey account on how people would prefer a rock magazine to be:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WX88WVH

I'll ask a group of people between the ages of 15-21 since this is the age range of NME's target audience. I asked questions about the preferred look of front cover, the content and what personally attracts them to a magazine. For example, 'should it be a monthly or weekly magazine' the answer to this question could determine the amount of content inside and the quality of the content too. I'll take in mind their answers to these questions, but I'll trust my own creativity too if I find a particular idea doesn't work when put into practise.

Drafting and Planning: Codes and Conventions Task

Our task was to put the main codes and conventions onto these magazine cover images.

I wanted to incorporate some gold in the coverlines in relation to the gold necklace the coverstar is wearing. Since this magazine is based on R'n'B and Hip-Hop I thought of using some coverlines in relation to them genres. I created a selling line for this magazine using the masthead 'M' as a stimulus. This task has not only helped me with where I could place the cover lines, but what I could write for them and how to wrap them around the image as well as which words to highlight with a different colour, etc. I enjoyed the process of layering and arranging the cover lines on the front cover, and it's fun to look at the cover star, guess what their article could be about and let your creativity flourist. 

For this magazine, I had to make an identity for this band. 'Vis-a-Vis' means 'counterpart' or 'companion' and I thought, since this is a group, it suited well, especially with the saxophone and electric guitar in the image, suggesting this group being a unique blend of rock and jazz. This particular cover helped me to understand that with so many members of a band, especially with a long angle shot like this, it's hard to make the main cover line stand out, and it's harder to find a colour to suit it when they're all a range of colours. The large group seems a bit overwhelming in this shot, so I knew not to do that. Looking back on this, it's also easy to see lots of negative space; not that you should clutter every inch of a cover with text, but too much negative space makes the cover lines look rather lost. So they ought to be placed around the cover with purpose. 

For this magazine cover, I used the mysterious tone it gives off often suggesting secrets in the coverlines and 'exposure' in the selling line. I used white and red in the coverlines to relate to the masthead. The font used being 'Courier' also gave an eerie, distorted effect. I am especially pleased with this cover. I love the selling line an it's use of the 'X' and how I use the theme of X throughout. I also like the subtle variation of font sizes I used to make certain cover lines stand out more than others. I think this front cover is very successful, especially with linking the cover lines to the masthead and photo.

For this magazine cover, I kept the theme of the orange house style from the masthead. If I tried to use black or cyan blue, it'd just blend into the coverstar image. I related the main coverline to the zombie-like cover star. I found it hard to work with this front cover. The cover star is so close to the camera that you have no choice but to smother her with the cover lines. I know to make sure there's an even distribution of cover star and space for cover lines etc, or else the front cover will either be very limited in content, or too overwhelming and cluttered.

I found it quite hard to write many coverlines on this magazine cover since I didn't want to be covering up any of the coverstars too much. I didn't like the blocking of the cover stars since it didn't provide much room for the coverlines, so I'll take heed from this. I'll make sure I use a photo which I can do much with and can still use as many cover lines as I'd like to show the audience what my magazine is all about!

I found this task very helpful in terms of layout of a magazine cover, so I'll definitely use this post as inspiration when doing my own magazine cover.

I found this previous blog post very helpful in terms of how to lay out these codes and conventions too:
http://www.daniellepalmermedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/drafting-and-planning-nme-creative-task.html

Organisation of cover star and some Research into Target Audience.

I've had plenty of ideas on my coverstar; I thought of using my sister as the coverstars. Yes, I'll be having two coverstars, and she'll be both! I thought of this idea because it reflects on the plan of the band being reflections of each other-one with black hair, one with lighter hair, one happier than the other etc.
I have a few wigs I could put on my sister and I'll use different types of make-up and she'll pose differently to bring differentiation between the two characters. I'll use a white background when taking the photos so I could Photoshop the images to make it seem as if there's two people in the same shot.

This'll not only be an opportunity to show my skills in photography, but to also show my skills in crafting a physical character and my photoshop skills. I decided to use my sister for both characters because she has a very distinctive face and it'll relate to that NME cover with 'Gorillaz' which I was inspired by; http://daniellepalmermedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/research-into-similar-products-genre.html.

It'd be very interesting for the audience too to see two cover stars who look the same but are 'different' people. It could add that sense of mystery which teenagers are attracted to. For example, a group can give the music so many more dimensions and could give the audience more people to be a fan over!

I could do this by taking a photo selection of photos of her, each with two different looks, and then using Photoshop, I'll use the lasso tool to cut her out of one image and place her into another. I'll have to have her in poses which could compliment two people. But this could be a risky idea and may change due to it's complexity. And it may reduce my marks if I use too many photo editing features. But I'll give this idea a shot, and if it doesn't work, then at least it shows development of my ideas!

Research into Target Audience: genre research

Since NME and Q magazine is aimed at those interested in stylish, successful artists, they always make sure they bring out their cover stars in a unique and positive light. For example, this Gorillaz edition and the Arctic Monkeys edition both use different and interesting ways to attract their audience and never fail to disappoint them. 

Firstly, I love how the NME magazine incorporated the cover star characters of Gorillaz into a photograph of Damon who's interviewing them. The way they positioned Damon and 'photoshopped' the characters in the picture works so well, you really see their interaction as if they really exist. It also links to the main cover line 'reality blurs' as if to say he's now seeing cartoon characters in reality (as well as linking to the fact that the one who started Gorillaz used to be in Blur). I love the house style-of colours that compliment the characters as well as Damon-mainly of reds and browns. The rustic background reflects on the house style and on the impression Gorillaz usually gives off, rugged, cool and different.

The double page spread for this edition is also stunning in terms of it's simplicity but it's so unique and effective. The way Damon and the Gorillaz character, Murdoc, face each other on either side of the double page with the text in the centre gives a great sense of to and fro dialogue. I just love the charm and familiarity the two characters have with one another; their friendly nature towards each other welcomes the reader into the conversation as well. By there only being a simple white background shows how you don't need too much to set off whats most important; the coverstars and article.

The second magazine cover of 'Q' magazine is great in terms of the lighting and blocking of the Arctic Monkeys members, I love the simple colour scheme they all have and the layout of the cover lines reflect Arctic Monkeys' smooth sense of style. The fact that the main singer, Alex Turner gives direct address and other members don't can show how the audience tend to be more familiar with him than the rest of the band. It can also reflect on the mystery behind them (enhanced by the house style of black and white) and the mystery behind their main story.

I didn't go for the typical rock magazine KERRANG! because I'm not fond of their over the top style, though they do have some great qualities. I prefer the versatility of Q and NME; and rock is a very versatile genre too which stretches out to many different artist types.

I think my initial ideas for the layout of my magazine has been totally changed from having been inspired by these covers and the double page spread. Going along with the 'group' idea, I'll use Photoshop's lasso/magic wand to pull one 'character' out of one photo, and incorporate it into the other. The cover like with Q and NME, will be limited and purposefully places around the cover stars to wrap the whole magazine cover as a greater whole. With the double page spread, using a plain background will help keep the focus equally distributed between cover stars and text. The target audience of NME and Q would be used to this sense of simplicity, purposefulness and attention to detail; in order to attain the same audience attention, I ought to do the same. But I'll stay open and look at different areas to make sure my rock magazine is as effective and well thought out as possible.

Drafting and Planning: Front cover, contents page and double page spread layout ideas

I first thought of the idea of a duo rock group of two girls, one different from the other. If I was to take on this idea, I could play on the duo-personalities idea and use it to my advantage on the layout of the cover, contents and double page spread. But I'll think of more ideas too, since the running theme of two people may be distracting for the audience. I used the magazine title 'HARK' for the example ideas.

The top right double page spread idea has the cover stars greatly dominating the page. If I go with this idea, then I'll have to dim down the picture so the text would show through.
The second contents page idea with the two girls facing each other may be distracting, or it could be a very eye-catching, unique idea. As for the main cover, I thought of using blocking to show the relationship between the girls and perhaps with an individual girl and the audience; one being more friendly than the other. But this is just one idea, and I'll try to stay open for more.

Drafting and Planning: Investigating More Typography

With the help of my typography investigation post: http://www.daniellepalmermedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/drafting-and-planning-investigating.html I searched for different fonts which could fit my rock magazine. I chose to test my two favourite name ideas 'HARK' and 'QUAKE'


























Most magazines use bold, simple fonts and only one or two. So I tried to find simple yet dramatic font, and so far my two favourites have to be 'Narkisim' 'Nyala' and 'Gill Sans MT Condensed' one of them will be the logo, one for the cover lines and one for main body text within the magazine.
But I know there's better fonts out there which I can pursue to find to better embody the strength of these magazine titles! I'm very much leaning on the name HARK, since it's powerful and drives impact through to the audience. In order to bring the title to it's full potential, I must find a font which shows attitude, drama yet must be readable.
I good idea would be to use the features on Photoshop to develop the font once I found one. I could use a tool which squeezes in the individual letters together, pull them up or squash them down. Either way, using multiple effects will be a great aid for to help bring out the real message of HARK and own its target audience!

Drafting and Planning: Name ideas & Research into Target Audience: Name and meanings

Drafting and Planning:
The magazine genre I'll be aiming towards will be a rock magazine. This genre is very broad, consisting of rock 'n' roll, blues, electric, alternative and indie rock to name a few.

I won't want my rock magazine as 'in your face' like Kerrang! magazine. I find 'screamers' and the 'carnivalesque' approach to it too much for me. I prefer a tasteful, 'cool rock' magazine layout and attitude like NME. But my favourite music magazine has to be Q magazine, for it's symbiosis with the cover star and the way it invites the audience in. What fascinates me about 'Q' magazine, is that the name evolved from the word 'cue' supposing to mean the cueing of a record to be ready to play, but it can also mean to stimulate something to happen.

But as for names for a rock magazine, I've deduced my favourites to these:

THUNDER
QUAKE

PULSE
IMPACT
HARK

I prefer 'Hark' for now, it has a certain, sharp, blunt ring to it that most rock magazines would have, and means to 'listen' or to 'heed'. It also relates to 'finding your way back'. Music can be a cure to those who are losing who they are within themselves and can help them to find their way back (if I was to take it to a deeper level). I don't want the word to be too long since most magazine use a 'left-third' masthead to help them stand out when overlapped on a shelf. So a short, snappy word would both look good and sound good too!

Research into Target Audience:
In terms of the target audience being between 15-21 (like NME), sometimes the title of the magazine has to 'sound' catchy or appropriate, sometimes they don't take into notice the meaning of the word. For example, 'KERRANG!' Some may not understand what the word means but it's an onomatopoeic word describing the sound an electric guitar makes; the sound of the word is it's meaning, and the audience would understand this instead. With NME, the selling line 'National Music Express' defines what it means, but had to abbreviate it to make it more appealing to the younger audience. The very letters when said together 'NME' sounds dramatic and rhythmical. And finally, 'Q' could be the hardest to understand in terms of a music magazine's title. But it's abbreviated from the word 'cue' (cueing a record to play)--and again, the sound of the letter 'Q' sounds pleasing for a music magazine.
The audience of young people demand a title which appeals to their senses, so must sound right. HARK, as I said in the 'Drafting and Planning' section, sounds very blunt and would catch the attention of the attention of the audience from the quickness of the word. It also sounds like a shout, or a demand which gives it authority yet can appeal to the teenager's rebellious side. In this way, the magazine could become quite 'carnivalesque' from the way it shouts at the audience to steal their interest. Also, by making sure the masthead visually embodies this 'shout' like sound, I could attain the target audience's attention effortlessly, since people (of any age really) can learn a lot by the way something looks. 

Research into similar products: Publishing Companies

In order to get a deeper impression of a magazine, looking at the Publishing Company can tell you how well they're doing. For example, Q magazine used to be Published by EMAP (now known as Top Right Group) a British media company specialising in the production of business-to-business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences. EMAP publish mainly retail magazines such as 'Drapers' and 'Retail Week' along with other magazines like LGC (government magazine) and engineering magazines such as 'Construction news'. Their portfolio of work certainly doesn't attract me, so I don't blame 'Q' magazine for moving on. Now 'Q' magazine is published by Bauer Media Group; a German media company which manages a portfolio of magazines, digital products, radio and TV stations in local markets across the world.

The fact that 'Q' moved to a more appropriate publishing company and a foreign one proves how they've made a name for themselves and have become a global brand. Bauer also publishes Kerrang! magazine, so is popular with the more well-known music magazines, reinforcing their reliability as publishers. A lot of my favourite magazines come from Bauer, such as 'EMPIRE' magazine. The sort of magazines Bauer publishes appeal to me a lot in terms of their variation and loud yet sophisticated layout. Bauer uses lots of media forms to promote the work they publish, such as radio, internet, smart-phones, TV, and of course, their magazines. If, hypothetically, my magazine was published by Bauer, then it'd be going alongside some brilliant media products, and the audience for these products would be brought to my magazine too!

NME on the other hand has a much more interesting development, it used to be a music journalism publication, published since March 1952. It used to be a music newspaper, and gradually moved towards magazine format during the 1980's and 90's.  It was the first British paper to include a singles chart, in 14 November 1952 edition. An online version of NME, NME.com, was launched in 1996. It is now the world's biggest standalone music site, with over 7 million users per month. IPC Media (now known as Time Inc) publishes NME along with a wide range of other magazines such as 'Whats on TV' and Uncut. I like their magazines and they keep their audiences up to date on whats the latest in media, but I don't think they're the publishing company for me. I much prefer Bauer in their style and what they publish. 

Drafting and Planning: Investigating Typography

The font I found the most effective is font E because it's simple but effective with a dramatic edge, it isn't too overbearing and it's clear enough for the audience to read. I like the fact the font looks condensed so it wraps around the cover star well.

But I do like font B since the first letters of each word are in bold which gives it a bit of personality-reflecting on the idea of 'half' her face being a machine. But I don't think it frames the cover star that well.

Every font has it's purpose, but fonts C and D definitely does not fit in on the cover of a cool, urban music magazine like this one. Font D would fit better with perhaps, a historical magazine, and C for a children's magazine or a comic, but not at all appropriate for a music magazine more likely aimed at young adults.

Fonts A and F on the other hand are more likely used for the main body of text within the magazine rather than on the cover where you want to purposefully attract the attention of the audience-they're just not enough of a statement for a front cover.

This task was very helpful in terms of the do's and don't's of typography; now I know that every font has it's purpose and has given me ideas of what's important to me when it comes to the fonts and how it relates to the cover star and genre of magazine. For example, a music magazine would use more bold, easily read fonts. But if we reduced that down to a rock magazine like KERRANG! their fonts would have more attitude and be used in a carnivalesque way which 'screams' at the audience whats inside.
NME and Q would use three or four different types of font throughout the front cover, contents page and dps, but on the front cover, I think any different fonts would be for pugs or puffs. I'll definitely keep all that I've learnt in mind when I make my music magazine, especially how the fonts could correlate to the genres (especially from having experienced the limited number of fonts on Publisher when doing this task: http://daniellepalmermedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/drafting-and-planning-nme-creative-task.html ).