Final Music Magazine

Magazine photos before editing process.

Feedback from teachers and classmates

I found the feedback that I received from my teachers and classmates helped me undertsnad clearly what I needed to improve over the easter half term. The lesson was very helpful and it was so much more easier for me to know what to improve on as it was written out for me. The positive aspects to my project were my photographs,stories on front cover, colour scheme and conventions. The positive feedback I was given gave me confidence in my ability on photoshop which helped progress me through improving my negative aspects of work.

For my front cover I was told to use the eraser when cutting out images. I later on did this and also used a lower opacity to make smoother edges. I was also told that my barcode was too large so I resized it. I was also told to have more variety in my models because at that point I only had photographs of Abbi so I found more models to take photographs of.

For my contents page I was told to polish it up by making my columns more smoother. I was also told to have more variety in my photographs by not using the same camera angles. Since then I have had a re-photoshoot and I covered more camera angles.

For my double page spread I was told to change my font to microsoft sans serif and that my article needed to be bigger.I have since then increased the size of the article. I was also told to remember the rule of thirds columns on each page and since then I have changed it to the columns. I was also told to change the title and make a more bolder title inwhich I have done.

Music Magazine Diary

Week 1
This week I started my preliminary task to make a contents page and front cover for a school magazine. I spent Friday sketching out my rough piece of work. I did this to have ideas to start from so that I have something to develop further when I start the magazine on Photoshop. I made sure I included a lot of text on the front cover and a basic plan for the contents page to improve. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I spent time making the contents and front page on Photoshop after taking photographs around the school.


Week 2
This was the first week for my new project to create my own music magazine. The magazine has to have a certain genre and needs to be based on by a style model. This week I analysed front covers, contents pages and double page spreads from different types of music magazines. I researched into the layout, images, text and content. There was obvious styles to each of the magazines linking to the different genres. The way that colour schemes and the text were set out were all very individual. I learned alot about what styles to follow by making my magazine. I chosen my style model as 'Vibe' which is an R&B and hip hop genre.

Week 3
This week I started to plan my magazine by sketching out rough drafts of what I wanted to be included. I decided on a name for my magazine which is Limelight. I chose this name because the type of artists shown in my magazine are going to be the established types that appear in the limelight. I have chosen a colour scheme linking to my title by using green and also by using grey and black to link to my style model.

Week 4.
This week I received feedback from my teachers and classmates from my rough sketches and all seems to be very positive and the biggest advice I have been given is to keep going back to my style model and to follow the layout.

Week 5
I have started my magazine on photoshop and I have almost completed a brief front cover and contents page. Although the images used are ones of the artists of the internet. I have planned a day to take photographs with my model, Abbi Fasuan for next Monday. I have decided that I am going to use her as Beyonce for my double page spread and front cover image. I have made a diary of when, where, what pose and make up for my model.

Week 6
I took my photographs today for my magazine and I am generally pleased with them. I tried to use every camera angle in the photoshoot and I instructed my model with what to do and where. I chose to take my photographs behind a blank and a black wall. I thought the simple background would make her stand out more. I began editing the photographs on photoshop and I am very pleased with how they have turned out. I also added an image of her to my front cover and contents page and it looks great.


Week 7
This week I started my double page spread and kept in mind the three columns on each page and also set out my photographs on the pages. I completed my text for the double page spread and I constantly went back to my style model for inspiration. The colour scheme is working well as I have made three of the images in black and white just as my style model has. I also took photographs this week of my sister, Hannah and my friend Kathryn. I needed singluar photogrpahs for my contents page and I helped them both with their costume and mise en scene. I also had to set out the room for the photographs and use a light. The artists they were interpriting were, Ciara and Esmee Denters.

Week 8
This week I concentrated on polishing my magazine. I have edited the images more and the text in the double page spread. I also sorted out the columns in my contents page and used the rubber tool to clean up the cut out images. Overall I feel I have learned alot through this project and I understand all the different ways of displaying the different genres of the magazines through the layout, images and text.
My skills on photoshop have progressed thurully and I feel alot more confident using photoshop.

Questionaire research

1.) The first question is just there to display the equal different in sex making it a fair amount.
2.) This question is a very basic question but it discovers how many different music magazines appeal to people. The majority of people chose my genre of magazine which shows how popular the style model is with modern day teens.
3.)The results shown for this question shows that the majority of people prefer more image dominated magazines which is also what I aim to interpret in my music magazine. I feel that the more appealing it is to the eye the more it grabs the readers attention.
4.)I decided to ask this question to see what people find more intresting out of finding new artists or learning more about more established artists. The results clearly state that the majority of people prefer to see more about the established artists although there is not a big difference between the amount of people who enjoy seeing new artists. This was important for my decision weather to publisize new and upcoming artists or well known artists in my magazine.
5.)This question shows that the majority of people prefer more image dominated magazines opose to the more blocky magazine with alot of text. Although a small percentage of people prefer the more blocky magazine because of the amount of information displayed.
6.)The way that music is purchased is very important in the music magazine industry by the way that CD's can be sold with the magazines but the results clearly state that the majority of people download music.
7.)By showing my interviewees a wide variety of artists who match different genres of music it links to the type of magazines they buy because if their favourite artist is featured it may promote them to buy the magazine. The highest voted was Jay Z who is based around the hip hop/r&b genre.
8.)By listing out a selection of different types of music magazines this helped the people chose out of other magazines which one they would prefer to buy. This helped my research suibstantially as the majority of people chosen VIBE magazine which is my style model.
9.)By asking the people hwy they chose the magazine this gives them a way to describe a valid reason for their purchase. The majority of the people chose the artists featured which is a major aspect to buying magazines.

Research into questionaire

For my questionaire I decided to interview an equal amount of males and female.
I interviewed 10 females and 10 males. I decided that this would be an even choice by using an equal amount of each sex. I did not base my questionaire around a certain age group. Although every person I interviewed were in their late teens. My style model for my magazine has a target audience to this age group. I made sure my questions had a variety in the answers and also made sure they related to important facts needed to produce a magazine. My genre for my magazine is R&b and although not all my interviewees favourited this genre it was a good way to show variety.

Questionaire results

1.) Are you male or female?
Male - 10
Female - 10







2.) What kind of magazines do you buy?
Rock -2
Pop - 5
Indie - 3
R&B - 10






3.) What do you like most about front covers?
Bright colours - 5
Good photographs - 13
Alot of text - 2





4.) What do you want to read about in magazines?
New up and coming artists - 7
Established artists - 13



5.) What do you not like to see in a magazine?
Too much text - 17
Too many photographs - 3




6.) Do you buy CD's or download music online?
CD - 3
Download - 17




7.) Which artist/would attract you to buy a magazine?
Jay Z - 7
Arctic monkeys - 2
Sugababes -6
Kings of Leon - 5






8.) Which of the following magazines would you buy?
• VIBE 8
• Q - 5
• Kerrang - 2
• Rolling Stones - 5

9.)What makes you buy this magazine over the other magazines?
The layout - 4
Artists featured - 7
Content - 4
photographs - 5

Rough Draft

Magazine sketches

Initial Ideas

Magazine Diary

This week I started my preliminary task to make a contents page and front cover for a school magazine. I spent Friday sketching out my rough piece of work. I did this to have ideas to start from so that I have something to develop further when I start the magazine on Photoshop. I made sure I included a lot of text on the front cover and a basic plan for the contents page to improve. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I spent time making the contents and front page on Photoshop after taking photographs around the school.

Music Magazine - Front Cover Analysis

Vibe Magazine Busta Rhymes Front Cover Analysis

The rapper in the image is Busta Rhymes dressed in a black vest. The shot is a close up shot of him in a portrait view. His head is covering the Magazine title although the magazine took this risk becuase they felt that their magazine was established enough to pull it off. The main healdine of the magazine is bold, sans serif, block capitals and black. It states BUSTA: THE UNTOLD STORY! The name busta is red and above the headline says 'exclusive' in black font behind a yellow background. The whole layout and setting of the page automatically grabs the readers attention because of the bold colours, titles and image. The headline matches the image in this front cover as he has tape around his mouth. Linking to the untold story. The style of this magazine is very hip hop and Busta Rhyme's clothing matches this persona with his diamond earings and his neclace stating the first letter of his name, B. The colour scheme used for the font is red and black. At the right side there is a bold heading stating Rihanna and underneath shows in black font 'lathers up' There is few headlines on this magazine making it alot more clear for the reader. On the left side there is a bold heading in red font stating,'Images of hate.'and in black smaller font the text states,'The photos you werent meant to see.' This caption makes the reader want to read on because they think there is information inside the magazine that they are not allowed to be aware of. There is also a list of other artists at the side in red and black font,'ICECUBE,CHERI DENNIS,MIKE JONES,SCARFACE,8BALL AND MUG,HOOPZ. These established hip hop artists will apply to the target audience who buy these types of magazines.



Vibe Magazine Ciara front cover analysis

The colour of the background in this front cover is a dark blue. Although the middle section blends to a more lighter blue. Singer Ciara is standing at a side angle wearing a leather black dress and with big and styled hair. Her head is positioned towards the camera by looking over her left shoulder. The Magazine title is in yellow block capitals aswell as her name. There is a sentence scattered around the right side in light blue stating,'New music, New body, no Bow wow.' It states that she is a new and better person since her split up with rapper lil Bow wow. It then states underneath her name,'Dont you wish youre girlfriend was hot like me?' A lyric from another R&B group, The pussycat dolls song. This lyric links to situation that her and lil bow wow have split up and she is looking for a new partner.


Vibe Magazine T.I. Front cover analysis

The front cover shows rapper, T.I. who is grinning as if he is laughing at something. This links to the main headline stating 'T.I. HAS THE LAST LAUGH' He is dressed in a sophisticated manner wearing a white shirt with a white blazer and a black tie. His white blazer blends in with the blank background. The layout is very clear and the blank background makes it easier for the reader to concentrate on the image and text. All of the text is in block capitals and the headline is in red a s is the title of the magazine 'VIBE!' The black font showing his name contrasts with the colour of his tie, the red with the title and the blank background with his clothing. There is a text box on the right corner showing, 'The confessions of Ray Nagin' Showing more articles that the magazine is covering. On the left side there is a list of more links in the magazine. There is a dark yellow colour used on every over line of text. The colour is quite sophisticated and links to the genre of the magazine style.



XXL Magazine Lil Wayne Front Cover analysis

The front cover photograph shows rapper Lil Wayne at a high angle giving a thumbs up to the camera. He is dressed in a Black Baggy tee shirt which says, 'I AM HIP-HOP' Not only does the camera angle show authority but the text on his clothing also shows slight arrogance as well as dominance. The layout of the front cover is not veyr busy and is quite spacious. He is wearing a cap and has dreadlocks and also a very smug look on his face. The title o the magazine is in white text infront of a red background. The background colour is a sophisticated grey showing different tones and shades. The colour of the background brings out the boldness in the text and image. The text is all in block capitals and sans serif. Below his name shows the subtitle,'Bites his tongue for no one.' This quote describing how he is not afraid to say how he feels linking to his gangster and hip hop persona.



Kerrang Magazine Dir en grey front cover analysis

The main photograph is of a man from dir en grey. It automatically attracts the reader because of the facial expression and body language. His eyeline is looking down towards the camera. The low angle gives him dominance and power. His eyes are squinting and he is gazing down towards the camera. His clothing is very plain and dark and his collar is lifted up as if he is showing off. His posture gives of the steretype of the male dominance. He is wearing a black jacket wihtout any clothing underneath. The angle of his head is high showing off his tattoo on the left side of his neck. He has long hair just like an average lead singer of a rock band. The layout of the magazine front cover is very basic and the layout of the text is spread out which gives it a not too busy effect. The layout is very spacial and clear. The wall that the man is standing against is grey and it contrasts to the white text. The main headline across the middle of the page is the name of the band 'dir en grey' This automatically shows the reader who the magazine man story is about. Then listed underneath in black text against a bold brown background says, 'The untold story about the worlds biggest cult band.' This headline influences the reader to purchase as nothing is told on the front page about the band but it is listed that inside the magazine is an untold story.

Music Magazine - Contents Page Analysis

Vibe contents page analysis

The main colour tone to the contents page from ‘vibe’ magazine is cold and blue. The depth of field in the image makes the man at the front stand out and catches the reader’s attention. The two men in the background are both dressed in the same clothing and looking to the right. The rule of thirds has been used in this photograph. The light colour of the sky is a good place for the text to be placed because it is a lot clearer because of the contrasting with the dark coloured text. The setting is very rural and looks quite deserted. The text ‘contents’ is separated to give an edgy feel and is in block capitals. The other two titles are in a posh font which contrasts with the basic font of the contents title. The titles font is serif although the story is all in sans serif.


Kerrang Magazine contents page analysis


This contents page for the magazine Kerrang overall is veyr busy and there is alot of images along with text. The majority of the text is in small font and also is well written. The succesful rock magazine may do this because they have alot to live up to. There is page number on the top right corner of each image to make it more easier for the reader to acces and the font is sans serif. The text is all black and gives off a sophisticated look especially with the contrast of the light blue background. The title 'contents' is in yellow living up to the magazines main colours black and yellow. The vintage colours are easily recognisable to the link with the mainstream magazine. The top right corner shows a small image of the front cover along with an editors review. This added touch makes the magazine alot more personal to its readers. The caption this week at the left side is a quirky way of interpriting what is in the magazine instead of using a basic approach. Everything is set out in columns and the whole layout is very organised. The main image is of a mains face from a side angle. The man has a tatoo on his neck linking with the stereotype of a rock and roll star. Below are two images from gigs and concerts. One of a man with long hair singing and the other a contrast showing a man pkaying a recorder. This shows that the magazine is trying to cover many more types of usic to bring in more fans.


Vibe Magazine Ciara contents page analysis

The contents page shows singer Ciara dressed in a white boysuit lying at a sideways angle with her legs stretched out above her. The image itself is very arty and shows a great line of her body from her head to her toe. The body language she uses signals attitude which is also noticable in her cunning facial expression. She is wearing cloggy blue high heels aswell which blends nicely with the dark to light grey background. The photograph itself is very mysterious. On the left side there is two subheadings listed,'Features' and 'Fashion.' The subheadings link to her fashionable clothing. The text is black and is serif in font. The title 'CONTENTS' is spread in a lined order seperating the con from the nten and the ts. This is a very different and vintage style to give the page. The original outlook works with the vintage phorograph. The title is in sans serif white bold.


Q Magazine contents page analysis

The main colour scheme in this contents page for Q magazine is black, white and red. These colours which are very bland although signify blood and gore. This links to the type of magazine that this is. The main title is 'drummer' in black font sans serif and block capitals. The boldness in text shows how powerful the magazine is. The magazine Q is a well established rock music magazine that has progressed through many years to become of the greatest selling rock music magazines. The magazine layout is very busy and shows alot of content for one page. Filled with 5 medium sized images and one large it takes up alot of the space. This leaves less space for text although the layout of the magazine is clever by seperating the images to make it more even. The main image being of a drummer is in black and white. The action shot shows that the image was taken at a gig or concert and will promote the reader to read on to see more photographs from the performance. On the top right corner of each of the images shows a page number making it alot easier for the reader to acces what page the image links to. On the bottom right corner shows an image of a band standing outside one by one. This shows that the band are posing for a shot and they look to be a new and upcoming band. Hoping that they will soon be succesful in the future by having an article in this succesful magazine.



Flavour Magazine contents page analysis

The contents page for the music magazine flavour gives off a very basic look. The blank background and the listed pages shows a perfect example of a plain contents page. The title is in serif font block capitals and is a dark shade of yellow. The colour tone shows a sophisticated colour and makes the layout look alot more polished and established. On the right side shows three images. one being pixie lott, the new and upcoming singer and the other image a model. The two images are both behind a blank background adding to the basic background to the contents page. The backgorund blends it well with the images. The larger image underneath is a very colourful and arty photograph of a japanese woman. The image has many outbursts of colour including purple, blue and pink. Showing great contrast. The image is what looks to be a painting. The whole layout of this magazine is very organised and everything is put in place.

Music Magazine - Double page spread analysis

Black eyed peas vibe magazine double page spread analysis 1

The article shows the black eyed peas each standing one by one against a white background. The whole look is very simple and visually more complex for the reader. Although Wiliam is stood out by being edited more stronger. Contrast has been used to show his dominance whereas the remaining band members are almost ghosted away by lighting. This links to the headline, 'Will he?wont he?' Meaning will he leave the band or not. They have also cleverly chosen the word will as his name is wiliam. The mise en scene and clothing of the band is very vintage using colours such as beige, grey and black. The headline also being in beige and grey. The contrast is very easy to eye with the clothing linking to the text. Each of the band members are each posing and standing in different ways. This shows originality and personality. The text on page two is all in sans serif and clear that it is an interview because of the bold questions.

Pete Docherty NME Magazine double page spread analysis

One page shows the text in a small font whereas the other page shows a vintage photograph of Pete Docherty with both his hands touching his hat. The colour scheme is a white background with black text and the photograph has a sepia tone. There is a bold underlined title about the text saying, 'Pete Docherty.' The text is all sans serif although the block capital at the start of the text is serif. The style of this double page spread is indie. It is clear that the text is an interview because of the questions being in bold. There is a small amount of text underneath the title which has alot of words scribbled out. This giving out the rough and indie effect. Showing a very naturalistic look. The layout is very complex although there is alot of space on the side with text where the top half of the page is filled with nothing. Pete Dochertys pose on the photograph is very shy although dominant in the camera angle. He is dressed in a white shirt covered in a black jacket and a black hat. He has accessories on his neck showing fashion. There is white text over his black shirt showing contrast in colours making it clear for the reader. Yet again the text has alot of words crossed out and Scribbled. The text is a quote from the interview which is a clever way to influence the reader to read on after a small taster.



JLS VIBE Magazine double page spread analysis

The magazine I have analysed is flavour magazine. I am analysing a page about the newly formed boy group ‘JLS’. They are up and coming group so the photograph is important to setting their style. The main group member is standing in front of the other members showing his authority and that he is the lead role in the group. They are all dressed in simple clothing with a white background. The white background contrasts with the dark clothing and skin tone. This has been done very well during the editing process making the band stand and look more appealing to the eye. The man colour scheme is black and gold. The blank expressions on their faces also shows the reader less personality which makes the reader create an opinion of them through the mise en scene. The text on the first page is all in white and is serif. There is also a bold gold sextion in the middle of the text which is a quote taken out of the interview. The overall look is very sophisticated matching the bands persona.



Shakira Q Magazine double page spread analysis

The artist in this double page spread from Q magazine is Shakira. It shows her sitting in a studio with a pen and paper looking forward as if she is songwriting. She is dressed very normal compared to her glamourous image when performing. Her casual clothing shows another side to her voluptious minimal clothing on stage. The photogrpah is a long shot showing a depth of field with the out of focus on her feet which are close up. The Phtoograph overlaps onto both pages moving the readers attention to both pages. On the second page is a small photograph of Shakira looking very natural with a darkbackground. There is a small part of text underneath saying 'wouldnt you believe it her clothes fell off' Which shows that the magazine isnt afraid to use humour and gives a laid back attitude. There is text over the photograph on page one saying, 'Danger! Shakira at work!' The title is very grabbing with the opening line 'Danger!' It alerts the reader because of its meaning. The text is all infront of a white background imaging paper as if shakira wrote out the article. Based on the photograph showing her holding a pen and paper. There is also a headline at the topright corner saying 'In the studio' The text is in black and white behind a red background. All of the text is in sans serif and the colour red is used to unerline some of the words. The first line of the article is in bold saying,'The columbian pop' This tells the reader what origin she is and her occupation. The block letter of the text is S obviosuly being her name a good letter to start the article with.



Pete Docherty NME Magazine analysis


One page shows the text in a small font whereas the other page shows a vintage photograph of Pete Docherty with both his hands touching his hat. The colour scheme is a white background with black text and the photograph has a sepia tone. There is a bold underlined title about the text saying, 'Pete Docherty.' The text is all sans serif although the block capital at the start of the text is serif. The style of this double page spread is indie. It is clear that the text is an interview because of the questions being in bold. There is a small amount of text underneath the title which has alot of words scribbled out. This giving out the rough and indie effect. Showing a very naturalistic look. The layout is very complex although there is alot of space on the side with text where the top half of the page is filled with nothing. Pete Dochertys pose on the photograph is very shy although domainant in the camera angle. He is dressed in a white shirt covered ina blakc jacket and a black hat. He has accessories on his neck showing fashion. There is white text over his black shirt showing contrast in colours making it clear for the reader. Yet again the text has alot of words crossed out and Scribbled. The text is a quote from the interview which is a clever way to influence the reader to read on after a small taster.

Magazine Front Cover and Contents!

My Magazine Front Cover And Contents Page Evaluation

Since sketching out my rough images for my magazine contents and main page I have transformed my ideas and put it together for my proper version. I decided to have a modern and sofisticated look for the contents with a world globe in the background representing my magazine name, 'Whitley World'. I also made sure the font of my text on the contents page was a dark colour to contrast through the light background. I also placed each of the pictures which represented the pages in the magazine beside which page they were on. For exaple for the Whitley Come Dancing Report I placed a photo taken of people dancing. This hopefully made it clearer for the reader and gave them an image to relate to whilst reading the report.
For my front page I made sure I had a bold photograph with a clear white background to grab the readers attention and also to make the text clearer. I also made sure the photographs blended into the background with the babe of the bay. My front cover story and title was, 'The best revision tips!' showing an image of a girl with an encyclopaedia. Showing the stereotypical representation of a clever schoolgirl. My other titles across the page are in different fonts and different shapes and angles to add more intrest and appeal to the reader. Overall I feel that I have improved in my skills of photoshop and also developed in my ideas for a magazine design.

Callums 2nd Magazine analysis

I also analysed the magazine for a school called Top Terrence. There appears to only be a front cover with no contents page but on the other hand there is alot of text and on the front page. The significent amount of text on the front cover can be a major disadvantage because it is not a very appealing for the reader. The main colour scheme is yellow and it makes it alot of easier for the reader because of the light background. The photographs on the front cover are bold and clear.

School Magazine Analysis

The magazine I analysed was Chill Chapel High in Long Lane. I found the choice of the colour of the writing in white good as it was bold and stood out behind the red and black background. The way that the two colours were split down the middle also shown good contrast and made the writing clearer. The photos were slightly blurry which didn’t help if they were seen from a distance close to the eye. This was down to resizing the photographs without pressing the shift key. The whole design is also very funky and retro with the way that the borders around the words are all star designed. The bright colours can make it hard for the reader to read the writing in the font which is white. This is because it almost blends into the background.

There is also a lot of writing positioned at different angles for example the sign saying ‘connecting classrooms from all around the world.’ Although this is an original way to write the language it can make it difficult for the reader to see the text. There is also text in small boxes although the text is small and difficult to read. The images on the main page each represent the text which is beside the images but on the other hand the image on the contents doesn’t link to anything.