6. Convention: Masthead
After conducting my competitor research I had a greater understanding of what makes a
conventional masthead. Gathering my inspiration from Q magazine here is how I embodied a
conventional masthead.
This demonstrates how I used my
inspiration from Q and used the red, white
The choice of colours is important. Q have
and black colour scheme as I too wanted
used the classic colour scheme of
to create this conventional eye catching
contrasting colours that make the
feature.
masthead effectively stand out to the
reader.
My masthead implies
ALT is ‘the’ music
mag, separating it out
from the rest as being the
best.
Q’s puff inflicts superiority on
the magazine by stating it’s
incomparable to other music
magazines worldwide. This is a
clever way of adding to the
attractiveness of your
magazine.
So again I incorporated a puff to increase the value of
my magazine and adds to the appeal of my magazine.
My masthead implies ALT is ‘the’ music
mag, separating it out from the rest as being the best.
The reason why the colour scheme is effective is
because the white contrasts against the red, proceeding
the text to the front of the image, making it legible.
7. Convention: Cover line
It was apparent that a cover line was needed for any conventional magazine and the
positioning of which generally ran along the bottom end of the cover. However ….
Q have effectively used up
negative space by slanting
the cover line and having
it overlap the masthead.
This could be seen
unconventional, theref
ore I have challenged
the convention
however, practically I
feel it was justifiable
and still works
effectively and
introduces the reader
to the artist.
As I faced the same negative
space problem due to the
nature of my design, I too
slanted my cover line and ran
along the top end of the page.
8. Convention: Plugs
What I learnt from my competitor research was each magazine has their own unique
style and therefore way displaying there plugs.
Flushed left
Flushed right
Flushed right
However, I did find a general trend
regarding their alignment. They either
were formatted ‘flush left’ or ‘flush
right’.
Yet….
9. Convention: Plugs
I challenged the convention like Q, and evenly distributed my plugs
horizontally across the page.
The slanted element
compliments the distorted cover
line and therefore creates a
sense of consistency making for
a professional finish on my
magazine.
I decided to use the same colour of
silver here because it’s associated
with value and worth, therefore
enhancing the importance I wished
to place on these articles.
10. Convention: Feature Photo
Here are some of the conventions from real media products that inspired
my own work.
The mid shot allows you
to see an efficient
amount of the band
without leading to
incorrect assumptions.
The Feature article photograph
overlaps the masthead, allowing
the photograph to become the
domineering feature, throwing
further emphasis on its
importance.
The close proximity of
the band connotes a
friendly and positive
suggestion making them
likeable. Their
approachability you
then feel towards them
makes the band more
appealing.
The band member is leading into the
camera to establish eye contact without
being intimidating despite the loud
connotations associated with him yelling
into a megaphone. This convention is a
effective way of grabbing the attention
from your reader and enticing them in
further.
11. Convention: Feature Photo
This is how I put those conventions into use.
I decided to use a mid shot
(similar to NME and Q)
because it creates a sense of
intimacy between the
audience and the band unlike
a long shot, where you feel
very distant. It also has a
quality to be able to engage
the reader without being to
forceful as a close-up
photograph would connote.
I liked how the lead singer on
Kerrang’s front cover was
leaning into the shot as I found
it drew me in. As I too wanted
to achieve this sensation on my
audience, I had the boys lean
into the shot. The impression
that they appear to jump out of
the page demands the
audience’s eye and the
intenseness creating through
the strong eye contact, makes
the reader feel as though the
band is engaging with them
personally, therefore having a
greater effect on the audience.
I wanted to ensure a close
proximity between each
band member (as seen on
Q’s cover) to connote the
unison and harmony of the
band which automatically
makes them more
endearing and
approachable. I wanted
these types of connotation
because I aimed to portray
them as three everyday
lads that can be seen as a
aspirational figure for the
ordinary person.
Therefore leading my
magazine to became a
bridge between the
‘famous’ and the everyday
people.
I too overlapped my masthead with my photograph because practically it
allowed me centralise the rest of the image, throwing emphasis on it and
making it a more focalised feature on my cover.
12. Convention: Running head
A running head is a conventional feature to a feature article that embodies the
magazine’s house style and provides a brief introduction to the type of article.
It is also quite large in relation to Kerrang’s
and dominants a fair area of the page.
However this is Q’s way of emphasising the
importance of this article by justifying it
we a efficient overall introduction. This
particular language emphasising the
worth of the article further.
Kerrang’s is more subdued as it is
over lapped by the photograph yet it
still understandable that this article
will be knowledgeable (’news’) to
the reader. This makes the article
more appealing to read.
Q’s running head follows through with this
classic colour scheme that connotes that
the article is going to be a classic and
typical article you’d expect from Q.
13. Convention: Running head
Black and white
colours, cognitive for the
gothic style music and
audience.
Furthermore we can see how
Kerrang’s running head matches
the contents page title creating a
house style that runs consistently
throughout the magazine that
represents both the magazine and
the audience.
Here we are presented with
similarities that contribute to a
strong sense of house style. Such as
the tail flick and the use of the same
fonts.
The warn out effect
compliments the loud and
shattered connotations
associated with the
masthead.
14. Convention: Running head
When I came to make my running head I tried to make it as conventional as possible.
It informs the reader of who the
article is about.
I incorporated my masthead to
enhance my house style like Q:
Used the same colour scheme: red, white and black
that is present throughout my magazine to maintain
my house style (as Kerrang and Q did).
Yet….
15. Convention: Running head
I challenged the
convention as this
does not mirror
this.
My original design was more
conventional in the sense it was
aesthetically more consistent
with my house style for ALT
magazine.
However, I felt use of
red on both the
running head and the
insert didn’t look
visually appealing on
the page as it looked
as they look too
similar.
Therefore the reason I challenged the
convention was based purely on a
creative decision. I felt the finally
product was overall more
aesthetically pleasing.
I tried to
maintain my
house style by
keeping the
classic colour
scheme, just
inverted the
colours. I also
included the
masthead so the
reader will
clearly identify
the article with
ALT magazine.
16. Convention: headline
The visual aspect of the headline is just as important as the content. An effective headline should
catch the eye of the reader as it’s the first introduction to the article. I feel Q achieves this.
The classic black font is extremely eye
catching as the boldness of the colour
makes it the most prominent text on the
page.
Despite it’s size in relation to the running head it’s still the
first thing that your eye get drawn to due to the nature of
the colour.
I too wanted to achieve this effect, therefore I used
a black, bold font that contrasted the colour in the
picture . To add further emphasis to the headline
and highlight the play on the words (Laika), I
italicised this part.
Overall I feel I have
achieved an effective
headline. Despite the
fairly small font, the
domineering quality
black font has
demands the readers
attention.
17. Convention: Drop Cap
A drop cap is an extremely conventional feature for an article of this type of media, this was
made apparent to me during my competitor research.
NME
Predominately a drop cap is simply
a letter that is formatted to a larger
size than the main body of text, that
can be filled in a different colour
that indents the beginning of the
text (i.e. Kerrang)
However due to the fact Q and ALT have similar house
styles and a comparable demographic, I used Q’s drop cap
as inspiration for my own.
Q
ALT
Kerrang
I have devised a effective
convention because it
efficiently indents the main
body of text and embodies
characteristic that add the
my overall house style.
i.e.
Same colours: red and
white
Aesthetically similar to
masthead
18. Convention: Page References
Q used bold black
numbering for the page
references that contrast the
white/cream backgrounds
making a prominent
feature on the contents
page that the readers eyes
are drawn to.
I took a similar approach
and made the page
numbers the largest font.
This was to allow a reader
fast and efficient navigation
through my magazine.
19. Convention: Column structure
During my competitor research process, the organised element created through grids and
columns of the contents page was brought to my attention.
Q have made good use of this convention and have created invisible columns of
information that promotes positive connotations of a well organised serious
magazine.
However simply by slanting this image and
positioning the copped out image running off
the page, relaxes the convention and connotes a
more sensualistic tone.
NME has a highly functional contents page and is assembled and divided
up using a visually lines that make up a grid. It also focuses more on the
visual aspect to advertise the articles as the page is predominately covered
in images.
20. Convention: Column structure
I took my inspiration from both Q and NME as I wanted to follow through with this strong
sense of organisation and structure, yet portray a nous of quirkiness. I achieved this by….
Using thick lines/boards (like
NME) that group certain
articles with one another i.e.
these articles are separated
from the ‘extra’ section that is
present on each addition of the
magazine. This creates a
organised impression to the
reader.
But also incorporating a cut out
image (similar to Q), that would have
originally chaotic connotations
because of the way it runs into the
text and over the bottom of the
page, defining the rules of the
columns. However, once establish
within the entire page, the reader
realises it’s simply a quirky
approach. ALT’s audience would
appreciate this because they’ll relate
with ALT challenging the use of
columns conventions the with the
way they attempt to challenge the
‘norm’ in everyday life.
21.
22. Class
I attempted to represent those individuals in society that are not quite working class but are
regarded as original and ambitious figures, who turn to creative outlets in life rather than
working a stereotypical, mundane 9-5 job.
Here the clothing reflects those aspiring
individuals in society as it’s something they
themselves would find fashionable. The
buttoned up shirt with the white spotted pattern
is a typical example. The shirt connotes a level of
sophistication that these people appreciate, as
they don’t regard themselves and low brow
figure of society, just alternative. However the
pattern suggests they wish to be taken less
seriously as they are creative, arty and
furthermore ‘indie’.
23. Age
I have represent the youthful age in music, by my photographs having
artists in their late teens to mid 20’s in them.
I have challenged some conventional
aspects associated with the youth of this
generation as there is no hoodie or
jogging bottoms in sight.
Looking at the photograph of Abby in
particular, it’s cognitive that despite her age
she is serious about her music. This is
communicated through strong, thoughtful
facial expression.
Nevertheless, I’m not connoting that all the young
artists that feature in my magazine are aspiring
serious businessmen. This is demonstrated in the
photograph of Died In Orbit. They’re leaning back,
with their hands in their pockets connoting they are
laid back. Further connotations from the member in
mid laugh represents how being young they’re
enjoying life and up for a laugh.
24. Gender
I have represented both genders throughout my magazine in order to reflect my entire
demographic consisting of both males and females.
I have represented males as
carefree, up for a laugh, lightheart, and most importantly not
intimidating type of people. I’ve
achieved this by the bands
physical posture. Their relax
stances and smiling facial
expressions allows males to be
seen as light-heart, relatable and
approachable. The band become
identifiable to the audience and
the fact ‘that they could be one of
your friends’ makes them
aspirational to the audience as it
suggests that if they’ve made
it, then why can’t they?
I have represent the female
demographic
positively, connoting that they are
strong and aspirational figures.
The image of Abby embodies and
exudes these qualities. She is not
just the only solo artist
represented, (that conveys
independence which is seen as a
aspirational quality) but the
image of her has been cut away
from the background which
conveys a sense of dominance
that connotes power. In further
analysis of this, along with her
basic clothing and beany hat
challenges a conventional
stereotypical female that cares
more about her appearance. Here
we are presented with a
statement saying she as a music
artist cares of nothing but her
music. This is a fresh open
interpretation of a female that my
audience would find more
relevant and aspirational .
25.
26. International Publishing Company
They produce over 60 iconic
media brands.
Print copies alone reach
approximately 26 million adults
in the UK
IPC distribute their magazines
in various places such as
shops, online
supermarkets, online websites.
IPC have a large portfolio and
sell over 350 million copies
every year.
Their worldwide distribution is
fairly big, with approximately
90 countries and a team of
international specialises at their
disposal.
27. What music magazine’s do they
already publish?
IPC is not known for publishing music magazine however it does publish
one in particular that is very successful in the media business….
It has been said that NME is one of the longest and most respective
music weekly in the world.
28. So Why IPC?
IPC have excellent publicity and efficient resources that can support and nurture the
integrity of my media product. Deciding with IPC as ALT’s publisher, there is a chance
for worldwide distribution which could lead to more copies being sold and evidently
making ALT magazine more successful.
IPC might wish to publish ALT magazine because they achieve such a success
with NME and they are looking to extending their market.
One could argue that due to the
similarities such as music genre
between NME and ALT, IPC would
be knowledgeable at marketing my
product. Perhaps across different
media such as apps and online
contents to reflex the trend of the
younger generation downloading
content onto their portable devises
29.
30. Genre and Target Audience
What is my music genre for my magazine?
Indie/Alternative
Who is my target audience?
My target audience was predominately male orientated, stretching from the ages
of 15-30. However, I didn’t single out the female demographic because I wanted
my magazine to appeal to all those who are interested in Indie style music and
who go against the ‘normal’ or popular fashion and style.
31. Getting To Know My Audience
I constructed a questionnaire to help me determine just who my audience were.
These results reflect how my audience favour with Q’s and
dislike being bombarded with information at first glance (on
front cover) but expect just enough to entice them and make
it worth their while to read the magazine, connoting how
they take music seriously.
Here the majority’s favour conveyed to
me how they regard themselves as a
collective of sophisticated readers that
avoid bright colours (i.e. blue) that have a
childish appeal and appreciate quality. the
colour yellow (and gold colours) is
regarded as a sophisticated colour that
connotes wealth and treasures which
leads me to associate my audience as
being refined characters that have ‘good
taste’.
32. Getting To Know My Audience
The majority demonstrated here how they appreciate the classic and formal
approach, as they decided on a conventional newspaper print style font that
has serious, newsworthy connotations that is seen in other media products.
However they don’t favour the obvious or ‘mainstream’ choice of ‘Times New
Roman’ but ‘Cambria (Headings)’ therefore achieving their ‘alternative’ status
yet following a media convention.
This informs me that my
audience
appreciate when things
work and instead of
discarding a idea because
it’s too ‘mainstream’, they
adjust it, adding a quirky
touch that still separates
them from the ordinary
person.
33. Getting To Know My Audience
Despite the fact they have already clarified themselves as
a sophisticated audience, I was originally surprised to see
how they prefer visual images over masses amounts of
text. However, at further thought, ‘2/3 pictures, 1/3
pictures’ is cognitive for how independent my audience
are. This suggests they are free minded a enjoy the ability
to deceiver their own interpretation and understanding
which I feel images encourage in relation to text.
These result clearly demonstrate that my
audience like to feel engaged with and not
just spoken to. I already know how
passionate they are about music, this
therefore highlights that just don’t want to
read about music, they want to feel involved.
Perhaps they feel ridiculed and
uncomfortable with a serious mode of
address and formalities because of the
condescending impression it connotes.
34. My Audience
After researching deeper into how my target
audience I can clarify my original synopsis
successfully outlines my demographic. My
audience does consist of both male and
females, ranging from 15-30 years old that like
alternative music. However, I now know that
they’re open minded characters that like to feel
that they have some control in situations along
with being passionate people that find their genre
of music aspirational. A typical ALT reader may
live in the up and coming parts of London that live
a fairly busy life, nonetheless make the time to
appreciate things that matter to them. This is key
for my audience, they are alternative and
challenge the norm and do what’s right for them
not what is conformed by the majority. Many will
probably have creative outlets and jobs, some in
the music industry itself.
35.
36. How did I attract my audience?
1. A recognisable
branded logo
masthead
3. A feature article
photograph of three
young lads
2. A puff
advertising a
‘special’ article
4. A array of plugs
informing the
reader of
additional
content.
37. How did I attract my audience?
The masthead is a classic statement of red, white and black which are the colours
my audience find appealing.
The colours contrast each other
wonderfully, making it a prominent feature that
demand the attention from the reader. It’s
important to catch the readers eye so then it
increases the possibility of them going onto reader
the rest of the magazine.
The moulding of the individual lettering
creates one branded image that separates
my magazine from others. This allows my
audience to go into a shop and be able to
recognise ALT magazine amongst the
others, even from a distance.
The language itself ‘ALT’ has
alternative connotations that would
be appealing to those with a selfimage of being alternative, thus
appealing my audience.
38. How did I attract my audience?
The word ‘Special’ has connotations of something unusual, extra ordinary and
something that exceeds the norm. Here I was suggesting to my audience that if
they go on to read my magazine, they would be reading other worldly material
that couldn’t possibly be seen as a waste of their time. Therefore this puff
creates intrigue, strengthen the attention from my reader and compels them to
read more.
I emphasised this further by
adding the yellow lines that
echo the burst of light that we
associate with stardom and
success.
The way the rays of light
intertwine with the plug/puff
connotes that ‘Died In Orbit’ are
successful and the article is a
valued read. This makes the
article attractive to the audience
so they are more likely to read
the magazine.
39. How did I attract my audience?
The close proximity of the photo
connotes a sense of harmony
and unison between the band
member, further connoting their
friendship, portraying them as
three average lads that work
together to make music.
The way they are leaning into the camera establishes
eye contact with the reader in an unintimidating
manner. This portrays the band as approachable and
friendly because the reader is brought to their level.
This leads to an intimate connection between the
reader and the lads as the audience can relate to their
ordinariness, as though they could be one of their
friends.
The fact that they are relatable makes them approachable and aspirational. My audience will be
drawn to my feature article photograph, furthermore my magazine for this very reason.
40. How did I attract my audience?
Their quizzical facial expressions accommodated with leaning into the camera, inverts the
sensation of curiosity that conventionally a reader would feel. This quirkiness generates
more intrigue, henceforth increasing the appeal of the feature article photograph and the
overall magazine.
The band’s clothing have further quirky connotations that would appeal to my audience i.e.
Sam (left) is dressed in an ironic batman shirt that my audience would find endearing. This is
because dressing ironically appeals to alternative groups as it allows them mock mainstream
views.
41. How did I attract my audience?
These bands that are present on the front page as plugs are bands in
which my audience like. Therefore to see that ALT has articles about
them would make the magazine appealing to my audience.
The silver colour has connotations of worth and value as it’s usually associated
with things such as jewellery. So the decision to use silver here was so the
reader would identify the plugs (the articles) as good quality, forth their while
reads that therefore entices them and henceforth making the overall magazine
appealing to them.
42. How did I attract my audience?
I made ALT appealing to its demographic by using
multiple images on the contents page that embodies
all the qualities of which alternative people (i.e. my
audience) appropriate about music. Looking
particularly at these photographs:
43. How did I attract my audience?
This band photograph connotes a
carefree and laid back approach to
music by their casual clothing and
their position within the shot.
Despite this band member has his arms
crossed that usually has serious connotations
that can even been seen as
intimidating, actually connotes their carefree
and relaxed approach to their music. This is
because they are not making eye contact with
the camera, therefore not intimidating the
reader but the rest of the members follow suit
with this connotations.
My audience would find these
connotations aspirational and
enticing that makes this band and
furthermore, ALT magazine
attractive to them.
i.e. this member is slightly slumped with his
hand over his mouth laughing which has
further connotations of their fun side.
44. How did I attract my audience?
This photograph reflects the main thing that alternative people appreciate about
music. They relish in the ability for bands to not only play their own instruments but
be able to play live. Here this action shot demonstrates this band doing both these
things.
Not only is are they
playing instruments
but what could be
refereed to as
‘alternative’
instruments i.e. the
double base.
Therefore the composition of
this photograph represents
alternative music that my
audience would appreciate and
therefore want to read about.
45. How did I attract my audience?
I have provided my
reader with a range
of good quality
articles containing
numerous calibre
artist that my
audience would
want to reader
about.
I have also included multiple
images throughout the
magazine, including the contents
page as my audience themselves
notified that they like images via
my audience survey.
The reason my audience like visuals is because photographs and pictures give them some kind
of creative control. It is already established that they are creative individuals and images have
more open interpretations that allow them to play on their creativity. So despite my intentional
connotations associated with my photographs, the reader is free to think for themselves and
isn’t undermined and therefore turned off by the magazine.
46. How did I attract my audience?
I have attracted my audience by using a
catchy, play on words headline that introduces
the audience into an article that they would
enjoy to reader (based on my survey results).
I ensured the
double page
spread to be
highly visual in
order to appeal
to my audience
who may feel
intimidated by
large quantities
of text. I did this
by using
multiple images
and an insert
and pull-out
quote to break
up the sections
of texts.
I have also
included an
insert, providing
the audience
with trivial
knowledge of the
about the band.
This is appealing
because the
reader would
read it and
establish a more
intimate
relationship with
the band.
47. How did I address my audience?
I addressed my audience by using a combination of sophisticated language
with the appropriate integration of quirky colloquialism.
Here is an example of my use of quirky colloquialism: “grab a
cup” that addresses my audience’s alternative nature and
interpretation
Why did I use this mode of address?
My audience like to feel intellectually stimulated by
reading sophisticated material however not
overwhelmed by the refined language could be seen
as patronising.
They expressed to me directly that they prefer to be
communicated to in a less informal approach.
48.
49. Making the Masthead
Using the
colour pad, I
selected the
appropriate
colour.
Then select the rectangle tool and
contract a rectangle shape on a
plain document.
50. Making the Masthead
Next, I selected the
textbox tool that
allowed me to add
next to the
masthead.
Using the toolbar, I
edited the size/font
and colour of the text.
51. Making the Masthead
I created four separate
text boxes:
Why? The individual
text boxes allowed me
to manipulate the
positioning of the text
to create the brand-like
image:
rather than this:
52. Adding a shadow to text
I wanted to add an effect to this particular text to visually make it stand out more so
more emphasis it draw to this particular plug.
Select the text and right
click, then select: Edit
Layer Style
This window will
then open.
I added a ‘Drop
Shadow’ effect and I
adjusted the distance
to ‘6’ to achieve this
finish.
I feel the depth that is created by the
shadowing effectively makes the font
standout, therefore achieving my
purpose.
53. Cutting the feature photograph
I needed to cut this image so I
could manipulate its positioning
on the front cover.
Then using the magic
wand tool, I select an
area I wished to delete.
I started by opening
the image into
Photoshop. I filled
the background in
temporarily so I had
a better judgement
at what I was
cutting.
These dotted line
represents the
board of which
content will be
deleted.
54. Cutting the feature photograph
Here you can see which
areas have been cut
away and which
haven’t.
Continuing to use the magic wand tool, I
proceeded remove other parts of the
background.
By adjusting the tolerance
meant I could cut around
smaller areas of
background neatly.
55. Cutting the feature photograph
For greater detail of
cutting, I then used
the eraser tool to rub
or ‘smooth out’ the
hard edges.
Finally, once I had finished cutting
out the image I need to reposition it
so it laid in front of the masthead in
order to centralise the image.
I did this by moving the image
layer above the masthead on
the layer window
The layers that make up the
masthead.
56. Adjusting the feature photograph
I felt the lighting of the photo was too light which
creates a wash-out effect. Nevertheless it’s doesn’t
have the desired, standout effect that I wanted in
order to attract my audience.
Therefore I adjusted the brightness and
contrast of the image using Photoshop
facilities
57. Adjusting the feature photograph
Once this window opened, I adjusted
the scale bars which allowed me to
manipulate the visual appearance of
the image.
I feel that now I have
adjusted the brightness
and contrast of the
image, (the on the
right) is more vibrant,
eye catching and
aesthetically pleasing.
Therefore it’s now
more effective in the
sense it attracts the
reader more efficiently
than the original image
(left).
This became this
58. Adding a glow to text
I needed to add an effect to the text here because I feel my original design (image on left) looked too messy as the oval
shape contrasted the rectangle shape contain text. However, the text became illegible without the shape (the image on
right).
59. Adding a glow to text
By editing the layer
style, this option
window allowed me
to add various effect
but I went with a
glow.
Using the scrolling bar, I was able
to adjust the size and opacity.
I selected the colour white as it contrast
against the colour of the text (black) and
the colours in the photograph.
60. Adding a glow to text
In comparison to
the image
above, the added
glow made the
area of text that
overlaps the
photograph
legible and
standout.
61. Creating a drop cap
Why did I bother creating a drop cap in the first place? Because they’re a conventional feature to a
double page spread used to indent the beginning text.
Usually a drop
cap is just a
letter
However I
wanted my
drop cap to
reflex my
masthead
and
therefore
contribute
to the house
stlye.
This involved me
constructing a
square, filled in red
(the same as the
masthead) using the
rectangle tool.
I then draw out
the shape.
62. Creating a drop cap
I then had to add the letter that is the first
letter to appear on my article (O). I did this
by using the text box tool.
Here is the tool bar that demonstrates the
formatting of the text ‘O’.
By ensuring that the
text (letter O) layer is
‘above’ the square
shape (shape 10), I
achieved this my drop
cap.
63.
64. What have I learned?
I have learned the importance of continuity and creating a sense of house style within this media
product. I learnt this through conducting competitor research.
The inconsistent use of colours on my
school magazine makes for an
unprofessional finish.
Whereas the constant colour scheme of red, white
and black that is present on my front cover,
contents page and double spread, not only has
‘classic’ connotations that my audience specifically
find appealing but it also contributes to my overall
house style.
65. What have I learned?
By using Photoshop (i.e. the magic wand tool) I learnt to cut out a photographic
image from its (unnecessary) background in order to manipulate the positioning of
the image on the page in relation to other features such as the mast head.
Masthead is not in line with the top of the page
(unconventional).
On my school magazine, the
masthead overlaps James’ head
and is not positioned in an
appropriate place on the cover.
However after my research I know it’s
conventional to either have the masthead in
the top left hand corner or spread across the
entire width of the page (depending on the
size). I also have positioned the image in front
of the masthead head, achieving an overall
professional finish.
66. What have I learned?
I have learnt that deciding on the colour of the fonts is highly important. The text (i.e.
plugs) cant just be legible, it needs to act as eye catching feature on the cover in order
to draw the attention of the reader.
The plugs are drab and plain and are no means
eye catching. The legibility of my plugs on my
school magazine is poor as the black font does not
contrast effectively against the dark background
and all the colours in his shirt. Therefore my
school magazine is of poor quality and is
unconventional.
Whereas, on my music magazine I used bold,
contrasting colours, large font and I even added
a shadow effect to the text so instantly the plugs
became an appealing feature of the front cover.
67. What have I learned?
Contents pages
conventionally make use
of a grid/column
structure. It also should
incorporate lots of
different images to
reference article instead
of one.
Also I learnt that
they tend to use
more than one
type of font (as
seen on NME’s
contents page)
whereas I
previously only
used one.
After conducting my
competitor research, it
became apparent that my
prior contents page was
unconventional and
menu like.
Therefore…
68. What have I learned?
I learnt about the
conventional from my
competitor research in
order to improve my school
magazine and achieve this..
