The document describes the process the author took to create a mock magazine cover and double page spread as an experiment. For the cover, the author did research on magazine conventions, chose an image from Google, added a masthead and headlines using bold fonts and colors. For the double page spread, the author struggled with the new design software but was able to include a large artist image, headline quoting the artist, and article about the artist's career pulled from another magazine. The author reflected on including consistent layouts, conventions, and a musician image in the final product.

1. Experiments
Your Name

2. Front Cover Process
• This is an experiment of a music magazine I made. To do this magazine
cover I firstly had to do a lot of research on existing covers. This was then
so I would know the conventions of music magazine covers. I also needed
to analyse existing covers so that I would have some more ideas about
what I was going to include. Before I started to create this magazine I had
some ideas about the colours and the fonts I was going to include. To
make this magazine I firstly had to make a Photoshop document with the
size a4 , this was because magazines are typically this size. I then gathered
an image straight from Google images. When I come to create my main
magazine I will probably use my own images. The image had to be of a
musician due to this being a music magazine. This would alert the
audience before picking up this magazine that it is music related. I then
added a masthead in this case being ‘rap daily’ , I chose this name because
it was simple and honestly I couldn't’t think of anything else. The
masthead its self stands out on the blue background and this time gives
the audience a bit more information indicating that it is a rap magazine. To
edit the masthead made it large and bold as that is one of the
conventions of a magazine cover. I then added a drop shadow to it , this
was because I felt that it would make the masthead stand out more , in my
opinion it does. To add this I selected blending options and then selected
drop shadow and sized it to my liking. I then added some headlines which
were inspired b exiting magazine covers. I included these headlines as
they are one of the conventions of a magazine cover. The headlines also
use words such as ‘exclusive’ and ‘free’ , these two words both grab the
audiences attention. These words grab the audiences attention because
they will want to know what is free or what is exclusive to this magazine.
After the headlines I then chose a background. The colour of the
background I chose was a light blue. This was because I felt that blue has
quite masculine connotations and this cover is targeted at male teenagers.
I also included this colour because it linked with the rappers jacket. The
finish the cover I then include some elements that make the cover look
more professional and finished these being a barcode and a price tag. To
add this I imported a barcode from Google images and used the text tool
for the price tag. The final thing I added was the rappers name on the
main image , I included this because I feel that many people might not
know what he looks like but have heard of him.

3. Reflection
• What elements of your experiments will you
include in your final product?
• In my final product I will include the same conventions of which I have included in my
experiments. These are things such as a main image , masthead and headings. These
elements will be kept the same in my final product because they make the magazine look
professional. Another element of my experiment I will keep the same is by including similar
words to free and exclusive. I will include these words or similar words as they grab the
audiences attention. This is an important feature for a magazine as there aim is to sell as
many magazines as possible. The final element I will include in my main product is a similar
or the same font this is may not be used for my masthead though. I may chose to use this
font again because I feel that it is clear to read and clear to see.

4. Double Page Process
When doing my magazine double page spread I firstly had to open in design. This program was new
to me and I found it very difficult to use. I found this difficult to use because of the different layout.
This was completely different to Photoshop in my opinion. This program however did have some
good things about it like for example It is easier to line your text and images up. This makes the
magazine look more professional. Doing this process has also taught me a lot about this program ,
for example how to use it. After setting up the program I then selected 2 a4 sized documents which
was then my double page spread. After completing this task I then had to gather an image of a
rapper from the internet. This will be done differently in my final production. For my final product I
will most likely include an image taken by myself. After gathering the image I then stumbled across
a problem , this problem was that I could not resize the image. To resolve the problem I had to
double click the image and resize that instead of just resizing the box. I then wanted to follow the
conventions of a magazine double page spread so I decided to gather an article from the internet ,
again this will be done differently in my final product with myself wring an article. The article was
off some magazine and was an interview between the rapper Not3es and an interviewer , the
interview consisted of his story about how he became a famous rapper who has sold millions of
records. After gathering this article I then decided to have a large heading which included a
statement from the rapper , this was made up by myself. I added this statement because I felt that
this would be a good line to draw the audiences attention into this article. This was done by
including a bid rapper like Drake , when the audience see this they will want to know more about
this. I then included the rappers name above the headline. This was because I feel that people will
have heard of him but they maybe do not know what he looks like. This will indicate to the
audience that this is him. I made this a bit bigger than the heading , this was because then people
will look at that first and instantly think that’s the rapper. I also made the text bigger as he is quite a
big hip hop artist. The font I chose is quite formal , this was only done to save time basically. The
font chosen personally I think stands out and is very readable. This font does not however have any
connotations to do with hip hop or music , this will be changed in my final product. The font I used
for my article was also quite a formal text , again this will be changed. The final thing I did on my
double page spread was to include some color , for this I made the background a peachy color , this
was because I felt that this stood out. I then made the heading blue , this was because I felt that
this linked to the color of his jacket.

5. Reflection
• What elements of your experiments will you
include in your final product?
• One element I will use which I have used in my experiments and will use in my final product
is the same or a very similar layout. I will keep this the same as this is an easy and simple
layout to apply to. This layout is also used frequently in magazines. Another element I will
include when it comes to my final product is to include the same conventions. These are
things such as a masthead , headline and an article. These will all be included as they are
featured on a double page spread often. The final element I will include within my main
product is a picture of a hip hot artist , I will include a picture of an musician because I am
aiming to create a music magazine. This image will most likely be taken by me.