Contents page final draft

I wasn't very happy with any of my contents page drafts so at the last moment I've decided to change almost everything. This is my last draft of my music magazine contents page:

I've decided to use black and red colours for the text and in a way they echo the colours of the photos. Also I've left the photos in colour. The two images and the text are balanced on the page and the cover story stands out from everything else. I've used quite electronic font as my artist performs in genre of electro-pop. The unique look of my masthead is also present here and reminds the reader of a magazine constantly as well as the website at the bottom. 

Overall the page is bright, not too loaded with text and images and I like it, finally! 

Contents page draft 3

This is another draft of my contents page.

This page is completely in black-and-white. I've kept the frame and two-colour concept of the page. However now there are two images and "contents" is spread behind the model. I like the idea of colour blocking and it is hardly seen but for the headlines I've used white and light yellow colours. I've kept the same fonts but I still think the page needs more text and headlines. 

Contents page draft 2

This is the second draft of my contents page and I made it a lot different to the first one.

This page still has white background, but I've chosen a different picture and placed at the center of the top part of the page. There is a thin frame around the page and "Contents" and name of the magazine as well as the date is placed on top of it. I've put some information about the model and photographer under the image and separated it from the rest of the text by a line. The font of the headlines is quite big to be honest, and I might do another draft where there will be more headlines in smaller font. However I like the style of fonts as they are not very heavy and dense and are easy to read. I've used quite cold light colours - grey and blue - and I think they link to the cover page.

Contents page draft 1

I've finished my first draft of the contents page and this is it.

Just like I've planned I've used two pictures of my model in black-and-white and placed them at the top part of the page. I've decided to draw a red frame on the page however I didn't finish it because it interfered with the headline. The "Contents" overlays the picture and is written in tall elegant font that maches the photos. There is also a reference to the page at the bottom right and the date and the name of the magazine at the top left. For the headlines I've chosen black and red colours because they contrast and stand out very well. The font is tall and the letters are placed quite far apart from each other. This creates a less condensed text which is easy to read. Also, I have a section (divided by two lines) with information about the model and the photographer. I think overall this page looks quite professional and it matches my idea for the magazine, however, it has somewhat dull colours so next time I'll try to make it brighter. 

Cover page draft 4 (final)

After all the experiments and improvements I've managed to create my final draft of the cover page. This is it. I might go back to it and change little things, however, overall this is how it will look.

The latest improvements are:

• I left the picture at the center of the page and also left the colours of the masthead the same as in the second draft. However, I've twisted the first part of the heading and also moved the date in the masthead area so when people read the name of the magazine they also can see which issue is it. 

• I've changed the colour and font of the cover lines trying to make it stand out a lot but not to make them too "heavy" for the layout of the page. I've used a dark-cherry colour, which echoes the colour of my model's hair and pushed them as close to the sides of the page as possible. If I was doing my real magazine I would put the cover lines in a small font, all in one line with dashes or bullet points between each of the cover line and place it at the bottom of the page (on the black of Maria's jacket). This would leave the photo and the main cover line in focus and look, in my opinion, more professional an minimalistic. However, I need to show the skills and put the cover lines on the page and so I did. 


• I was very fond of the idea of putting my model's name in between the two lines that are crossing the page. However, the lines used to be white and were badly seen on the sides of the page. So I changed the colour of the lines into blue - the same colour I've used for the masthead background. 

• I've put the price over the barcode and made it quite big.  I've also put a QR code so that readers can scan it with their smartphones. This allows my magazine to be up to date with modern technologies and so attract more young readers.

Overall I've tried not to put too much of coverlines and colour on the page because I think it makes the magazine look cheap, which is fine for the younger audience. As I am aiming for the readers of 18+, (late teens), they would probably be more serious and interested not in gossips and pictures but in useful information, especially if they are planning to work or working in the music (or media) industry. I've chosen light pastel colours, because my model is a young gentle girl. However the coverlines are darker reflecting her hair and jacket. To be honest, I didn't even think of the colours and chose them instinctively and later on I've noticed the match. Generally I am happy with the cover page, however I will ask my friends and classmates their opinion and may add little changes. 

Cover page draft 3

I've created another draft of the cover page. 

I've used a similar idea as in the previous draft and made a blue textured background for the masthead. However, the masthead itself has a shadow now and is in black contrasting colour. I've also twisted the "vox" part of the masthead so it looks different. This time I've added the price over the barcode in a big black font so people can see it straight away. I didn't quite like the way the coverlines looked on my previous draft so I've tried to move the picture and place them on one side. I've also chosen a thinner and taller font in a dark grey colour so it looks more weightless. However I think now my magazine looks quite cheap and it looked better when the picture was at the centre. Also even though the masthead looks good on its own it doesn't look nice with the image so I'll make it lighter in my final draft. 

So before I do my final page, I need to think how to place the picture and cover lines, and also choose the right colour for the text. 

Cover page draft 2

This is my second draft of the cover page for my magazine. It is totally different to the previous one.

If the first draft was in quite agressive colours (red and black) this one has lighter and colder colours, such as light blue and white. I also used another picture of Maria, and to be honest I like this one more so I'll continue using it for my drafts and final page. I've decided to separate the picture and the masthead and created a blue textured background for the masthead, separated from the main image with a white line. I've used white colour for the masthead and the main coverline, mostly because it lookjs nicer and stands out from the background. I've put the date under the masthead and used quite an original barcode (it is long itself and numbers are grouped in the centre) however I forgot to put the price, so I have something to add to the next draft. Because the background of the picture is almost white I've decided to use simple black colour because it contrasts very good. I've also used quite a lot of lines in this cover page: I've underlined the main number or words of the cover lines and put the name of my model ("Marijuama") in between two lines. I think that makes the main information to stand out more and catches the eye of the potential audience. I really like how my model's hair and leather jacket contrast with overall colours of the page. I've used the same fonts for all the coverlines and changed the sizes. It looks quite newspapery (if you can say that),  so it looks more serious and it is good as I am aiming for an older teenage audience. Also, there is a tiny bright dot to this in a form of Maria's blue earring, which kind of links to the blue on the masthead. Her face is highlighted and she looks straight into the camera as if she's looking in the eyes of the reader and that definitely grabs attention. Also her hand brings the image to life because it feels like next moment she is going to fix her hair or do something - even though it is a medium close up image there is some movement captured in it and this makes the cover page quite lively.

Cover page draft 1

This is my first draft of the cover page for my music magazine. 

It is not perfect and it has a lot to work on. However, I like the picture as it has a warm background and the model is looking straight in the eyes. I've faded it a little bit but it still has bright white, black and red colours. Her hair and eyes also stand out a lot and contrast with the background. I've used black, white and red colours for coverlines as they reflect the colours of the model's clothes. I've decided to create a thin white frame because it looks interesting and shapes the cover. I've chosen to break up the masthead in two and rotate the "vox" part of it. It creates a unique look of masthead specific for this magazine. Ive used the same fonts for coverlines but changed the size of them as well as colours. Also the mane lines are underlined so that they stand out a lot on the light coloured background. I've placed the bar code in the bottom left and put the date above it. there is also a huge sticker in the corner advertising the price for the first issue. 

Chosen fonts

These are the two fonts I've chosen for my cover and contents page.

And these are pictures I've chosen for my cover

contents 

and double spread page

Double spread page layouts

These are my three double spread layouts. They are quite similar as it is hard to do much on the two pages however I've tried to vary the way they look.

This is my first layout. It is very simple and basic. It has a photo on one page and heading and three columns of text on another. It also has a page number and a sign "interview" in the right top corner to identify the section to the reader and make it easier to find in a thick magazine.

This was my second idea of how my double spread should look like. In this layout the picture bleeds from one page onto another and removes division between picture and text. It has a heading in big letters that stand out the most and also there is a dropcap in the beginning of the text. 

This one is the last layout for my double spread page. I based it on a picture of my model that I've taken an also bleeded it onto two pages. There is a page number and an 'interview" sign in the corner to identify the page. The heading is broken up in two and there is a standfirst with short information to interest the reader.  The text is placed in three columns and balances the page.

Contents page layouts

These are three of my ontents page layouts. 

This one has two pictures which are balancing the page with the text. They are almost mirrored. The "contents" is broken in three parts, I took the idea from the Vibe magazine and changed it a little bit.

This one has one photo and more text on it. It also has a subscription advert and the magazine web site. There is the name of the magazine beneath the Contents and this also works as an advert for the magazine.

It is most likely that I will use this layout for my actual contents page. I really like the font, as it is light and thin. I will use two black and white photos. This layout is also very simple and it divides the pictures from the text.

Cover page layouts

I've drawn 3 possible layouts of my cover page, bearing in mind the photos of Maria I've already taken.  

This is my first layout:

It is obviously hand drawn but still gives some idea of what I want to see on my cover page. This one has a close up picture of Maria, masthead placed in two lines, cover lines and an advert for subscription yo the online versiion of the Vox Populi magazine. It is very simple and was my first idea.

This is my second layout and it has a little bit more text on the page:

This one has a picture more to the left and some kind of dioganal banner with the name of the model accross the page. It also has a round sticker that advertises the model.

This one is the last layout and most likely the one that I will use for my music magazine.

This one has a photo in the centre and it overlays the masthead, which also has a little background. This layout allows me to place the cover lines on both sides of the page and balance it. There is also a sticker with advertising, which allows me to attract more possible readers. 

Ideas for pages

I haven't posted the possible layouts of the pages yet, however I found a cover page and a contents page of real magazines (not particularly music) layouts of which I like.

This one is the cover page:

I really like the white background and the way the masthead looks. The colours themselves are quite dull but because of the large amount of white the cover looks very bright. I also like the position of picture and the cover lines. I might do something similar for my cover.


















And this contents page gave me an idea of using two photos with Maria.

I like the idea of two photographs and the way the contents are placed - the neat columns and lines dividing the information. So I've decided to use these two pictures of Marijuama:

I'll probably make them black and white and crop them a little bit so they will look verry simmilar. 

Treatment sheet

The Magazine: Vox Populi

Target Readership: Vox Populi is a music magazine aimed for the audience of both genders and age of 18+. The reader of Vox Populi enjoys no particular genre of music, however, most commonly it is pop, indie, dance or house music, a lot of remixes and anything new and modern. The age group Vox Populi is aimed for will be able to earn money to buy it so the price for it will be between 3 and 3.50 pounds (there will be special offers time-to time). It is justified by many interviews and music and artist reviews that my audience will be interested in. My audience will be looking for more text than adverts or pictures. They are not looking for the role models, however they are looking for inspiration. Male readers will be looking for new gadgets and and news in the music industry, female audience will be looking for some fashion and style. As females becoming more independent and often are as successful in business as men, both genders will be looking for tricks and ways to become successful and learn how to overcome any problems. They will learn it from interviews with artists. The readers of the Vox Populi are confident and ambitious. They want to find their place in life and are interested in media and music. 

Form and Style: Vox populi is an A4 magazine, that is quite thick and heavy, with a lot of colours but not too much. It mostly contains interviews, music news and reviews, photoshoots etc. Each issue will feature a male or female artist on the cover and the contents page layout will remain quite the same, creating a unique page of the magazine. The fonts used in magazine will be bold and simple, so they stand out a lot and may be coloured in if needed. The coverlines will match the colours of the cover and have short and snappy information for the reader to be interested. 

Themes and Typical features: Each issue of the Vox Populi will have such features as short biography of the popular artists with an image (age, eye colour, hobbies, favourite music etc.), pictures from the cover model photoshoot and a list of upcoming events and festivals. This will give the readers a lot of ideas for their own lives and broaden their knowledge of music industry. This will allow them to share information with friends and colleagues and will definitely give some extra and unique information for people who work in music industry. The language will be quite simple but also will use some technical terms. In interviews the taboo language may be used and pictures may be sexy. Writers will make it interesting for both male and fe,ale and readable for a student as well as person who reads it for professional reasons. 

Potential advertisers: The Vox Populi will contain as little advert as possible, probably of the most popular an trending products at the moment. This will allow the magazine to be more serious and contain more useful information. 

Editorial Team: The team will be maid up of young and enthusiastic people, with creative ideas and some experience of working in magazines. They will be male and female and try to publish everything new and modern to keep the audience interested.