Research and Planning

1. By James Taggar
Magazine Inspiration

2. Title Inspiration
As soon as I noticed the layout of the ‘Dazed &
Confused’ title, I knew that I wanted to mimic the same
style. I really liked the individuality of the title as
‘Dazed & Confused’ are the only magazine that has
adjusted the tile in such a way that some of the fonts
have been positioned in a vertical layout. This title is
especially useful as my title is longer than the average
titles such as – Huck, Fader, NME and various others.
The word positioning will allow my title to look
sophisticated just as ‘Dazed & Confused’ does.
I have used the same width of the ‘Loud and Quiet’ font in my
magazine (3.5cm), this is primarily due to my personal
preference in addition to my magazine size.

3. Boarder Inspiration
I think that the use of the boarder that ‘Loud and Quiet’
have used is very effective. I personally believe that the
boarder makes the entire magazine cover look extremely
professional and well crafted. I also especially like the use
of the boarder as it minimises the intensity of the cover
photo. With a boarder, the cover page isn't overwhelming
as it would be if the cover photo reached the edges of the
magazine like it does in other magazines such as ‘Clash’
magazine. (As seen below) After completing my mock up I
can see that my cover photo requires a boarder as without
it, I feel that the image would be too visually overpowering
and would look unattractive and poorly designed which is
what I am aiming to avoid.

4. Dimension Inspiration
My original design was to go for the ‘Dazed and Confused’ magazine
size of 23cm in width and 30cm in height. These dimensions seemed like
the most appropriate until I considered a more so square magazine. After
completing my mock-ups I was proven right to choose a magazine that
was similar to Juxtapoz as it has an unusual shape that is closer to a
square rather than a rectangle. I noticed when drawing the mock up for
the magazine with the dimensions of ‘Dazed and Confused’ that there
was too much open space in the 2nd third of the magazine. I didn’t like
this. I considered filling the space with text however the cover
background photo that I chose prevented me from doing so.

5. Dimension Inspiration
After creating my mock ups I realise that the ‘Juxtapoz’ magazine
dimension which is 26.6cm in length by 23cm in width are the
most suited to my cover design. I have also used the same
barcode dimensions which was is 1.45cm in length by 3.25cm in
width.

6. Cover Star Inspiration
I have noticed a pattern of the cover stars that are featured within
i-D magazine. All front page cover starts have one of their eyes
closed or not visible (The models right eye is most commonly
hidden) I have designed a similar feature within my magazine
where on half of the cover models face is seen. I would use this
design as a continuous pattern throughout all of my magazines
covers as I find it very unique. The continuous pattern could also
be what the audience recognises which would inevitably create a
brand recognition for the magazine company. This is why I have
decided to incorporate this element of the i-D magazine within my
own magazine.

7. Contents Page Inspiration
I created three different mock ups that have been inspired by
my favourite three music contents pages that relate to my
genre. I condensed the sizing to the degree that I will be able
alterations when creating the final draft for my magazine. The
extent that I have done this by will allow me to possibly add
further details. I have done this to be sure that my contents
page designs will fit on the allocated size paper that I have
chosen. This is my favourite of the three magazines as a whole.
The general style is very visual and pleasant to read.
DIY music magazine

8. Contents Page Inspiration
I like the use of the visual elements of this contents page,
however I feel believe that it looks untidy. The
reoccurring colours of the blue and the black make the
magazine look professional and well structured. Initially I
didn’t consider using the models clothing to link with the
colour scheme. If I am struggling to have a consistent
colour scheme I may use this technique when creating
my final magazine
Under The Radar music magazine

9. Contents Page Inspiration
After creating a mock up for this particular magazine, I soon
realised that the layout is a lot more unappealing than I originally
expected. I find this style of contents page uninteresting due to
the lack of colour and the lack of images. On the other hand the
simplistic style does contrast the busy cover page. Following this
style would prevent the reader from becoming overwhelmed
which would be the likely result if the same intensity of each page
was consistent throughout the magazine.
Loud and Quiet music magazine Cover photo for
this contents
page

10. Double Page Spread Inspiration
Similar to my contents pages. I applied a similar principle when creating the drafts for
my double page spreads. I really like the design of this double page spread especially
the feature that adds rays of colour to the photo. I think this is affective and is a
feature that I am most likely going to incorporate for my final magazine. I personally
feel that using the rays of colour is a very intelligent way of having a consistent colour
palette through the magazines main pages (Cover page; Contents page and the
double page spread) This will apply to my designs especially as my cover includes a
variety of colours just as the cover from this magazine did.
DIY music magazine

11. Double Page Spread Inspiration
Loud and Quiet music magazine
I have based a large proportions of my designs around features of the Loud and
Quiet music magazines. I feel that amount of text on double page spread for this
magazine is too much and many readers wont be interested. I want my
magazine to focus more so on the visual elements therefore I wont include as
much text as this magazine. If need be I will continue my article on another
page in order to avoid a busy double page spread.

12. My Favourite Mock Up