The document provides feedback on magazine front cover drafts created by Evie Theodore. For the first draft, the feedback notes that the use of primary colors is appropriate and the model positioning shows thought. However, the feedback recommends considering the model's costume and specifying the background image. For the second draft, the feedback praises the font and color scheme choices but suggests improving the eye flow by moving the coverlines. Additional recommendations include making the main image larger and including the date and price. The document concludes by outlining changes Evie made in response to the feedback, such as modifying graphic elements and repositioning text blocks to better guide the eye across the cover.
3. First Draft Feedback- By Ezreen
• You have used the appropriate A4 dimensions for the front cover.
You have clearly begun to think about your colour schemes. The use of the two primary colours will
help the magazine be bright as you stated that in your survey that people wanted a mix of a light
and dark colour scheme. Through the use of the colour black, you have also provided the dark
colour that is neutral and should appease to the majority of you audience.
Camera angles have also been used to show you have thought about the models possible
position/pose.
• The use of the electric guitar as a prop conveys the genre of the magazine is rock.
• However you should start to think about the costume of the model. E.g. what colours they are
wearing, what type of clothing (shorts or jeans? A jumper or a t-shirt? Etc.) You have said that the
background of the front cover will be the background of the Main Image. You will need to begin to
think about what the background of the Main Image is as you have not specified on the draft. Think
about the location or the background if you are establishing a scene.
• You have included the key elements relevant to the construction of the front cover. For example the
use of the Plug to promote the magazine for a special event such as the ‘20th Anniversary’.
• The eye flow is natural as the reader will look from left to right and top to bottom as your images
and texts are conventionally placed with a large Masthead at the top with the colour of silver which
is bright and attractive, and the cover lines, pull quote and barcode on the left which makes them
stand out and easy to find the price etc. as that is where the reader will naturally look.
• Based on the colours and sizes chosen for the texts, the fonts should be legible and eye catching to
the audience.
4. Changes I made
• I made changes to most of my texts. I did this because I felt that the texts on
Photoshop were not suitable as they were too plain, and I wanted something
bold and more original. For example I changed the Masthead from Papyrus in
Photoshop to Masterplan from 1001fonts.com
• I moved the position of the plug from the right to the left in order to conforms
to the Eye Flow Theory, that the human eye naturally reads from left to right
and top to bottom. The position of the plug is now in the top left hand side,
which makes it easier to see
• The image no longer overlaps the masthead. I decided to incoporate two of
my images together: The picture of the model posing with a graffiti wall
background, to create on main image on the front cover. Now it dominates the
whole page.
• Also the position of the Main cover Line and Pull quote have moved to the
right hand side.
• I included a kicker
• I included a banner
6. Second Draft Feedback- By Ezreen
• The fonts you have chosen are easy to read and stand out well. There is not an overwhelming variety of styles which makes it
easier to focus on the content rather than the font itself. Your Masthead is effective as the colour is of a different shade in
comparison to the blacks and whites used as it appears more silver with a black outline and eroded design. The title ‘Metallix’
is good as you have explained that it connotes the band Metallica and it also brings to mind the rock genre of heavy metal
music which is linked to your magazine. Therefore the choice of font was a good choice as it looks like the metal is scratched
and faded.
• The colour scheme you have chosen is clear. The use of the colours yellow and red are effective as they are harmonious
primary colours as you have explained, and the white gives the page a sense of space or ‘breath’, while the black is dark and
bold, standing out against the other lighter colours. The colour scheme has met your goal of providing the audience with a
blend of both a light and a dark colour scheme, as requested by your test group.
• Your eye flow needs to be improved. While key features such as the plug and the barcode are positioned on the left hand
side, as the natural eye flow is from left to right, however, your Coverlines are all positioned at the bottom. It would be better
if you put them on the left.
• You have placed the image in a suitable location on the front cover. It is easily seen, however you may want to think about
making it bigger. Even though the way the image must be placed to make it seem as though the model is leaning against the
background, it should be made slightly larger so that it is more striking to the target audience.
• Mise en scene:
• The costume the model is wearing is suitable as it is all black as you said in your plan would be used to reflect the rock genre
of the magazine. As genre has many sub genres, black is neutral enough to appeal to an individual within the target audience.
• Although the background has been removed and replaced, the graffiti backdrop is suitable as it gives the magazine an urban
sense. It can also appeal to the ‘Indie’ genre and audience in contrast with the black costume of the model which may appeal
to a ‘Goth’ audience. Additionally the colours of the graffiti wall also help to bring more colour to the front cover. As the main
colours are red, blue and white and they are not too overwhelming, particularly as they are slightly faded. They are also not
too light and not too dark; therefore appeal to the test groups request of both a light and dark colour scheme.
• The model’s pose is particularly good , as she her leg is kicking out like she is playing the guitar at a performance. This is
supported with the use of the electric guitar prop. Her facial expression is also very serious, with her mouth shaped as though
she is singing/ screaming, also reinforcing the idea that this is a music magazine.
• There are no spelling mistakes.
• To improve you should include the date and price.
7. Changes I made
• I changed the Footbar to a Skyline to make it easier to see, conform
with the Eye Flow Theory and so that it did not obstruct my image
as it overlapped the models foot
• I changed the style of the second plug offering a chance to win free
tickets. I made the shape of the box into a triangle and places it in
the right hand corner to make it seem as though the reader has
curled up the corner of the page.
• I changed the position of the coverlines to the left hand side of the
magazine to conform to the Eye Flow Theory so that the audience
would be able to see it better, read and take and interest in the
content of the magazine.
• The barcode’s position has been changed. I also used it to include
the price and issue number so that they are locatable on the
magazine without taking up too much space.