The document compares the final versions of the front cover, contents page, and double-page spread (DPS) of a magazine to their original draft versions. It summarizes the key similarities and differences between the final and draft versions, and provides analysis on design choices and how conventions were adhered to or subverted in the final versions for each page. The overall goal was to create a magazine that would appeal to its target audience of older teenagers interested in rock music while incorporating relevant design conventions.

1. AMPED
Final vs Real vs Draft

2. Similarities
Cover lines
Direct address &
microphones
Red, yellow and black
puff
barcode
Main cover line
Masthead
dateline

3. Differences
My masthead is
serif and in front of
the main image,
theirs is sans-serif
and behind it
They use a black /
solid background
whereas I used
the background
of the image.
My masthead uses a
serif font, where theirs
uses sans-serif
They use a lot of
secondary
images, whereas
I use none

4. Analysis
When constructing my front cover, I chose to keep it relatively conventional. For
example, I used a bold and diverse font for the masthead, which spans the width of
the page. Notice that I kept the masthead in front of the main image as this is the first
issue and the brand should be noticed more than the main image in this case. I have
also stayed with convention, anchoring the main cover line to the main image. There
are also many other cover lines, a dateline, barcode (a legal requirement) and even a
tagline. I chose to keep these conventional features as without them the appeal of
the magazine would be lowered as these are he features that inform the audience of
the contents of the magazine, as well as introducing the audience to the main targets
of the magazine, such as ‘supplying your rock fix’. This tagline also makes the genre
of the magazine obvious instead of leaving it to the other elements of the page which
still connote rock such as the microphone and darker tone. The final convention I
stuck to was the presence of direct address in the main image, this was kept for the
same reason as it draws the audience to pick up the magazine. By using non-
general cover lines, instead mentioning mainstream rock bands, it intertextualises
their audience with my magazine, further growing and engaging the audience, even
making the cover sound a lot more interesting. I also chose to use somewhat
stereotypical colours related to rock such as black and red to attract fans use to
these colours, rather than subverting these stereotypes and making the magazine
look pop-esque with pink and blinding yellow strewn about. I chose to do this
because rock fans are more likely to pick up a magazine depicted with colours
associated with the attire and cd covers they are used to. I used a red to yellow
gradient on the masthead to simulate fire and further continue the conventional
stereotypes connoted by rock such as aggression. I did subvert one main
representation which was making Luke look calm and composed, rather than angry
and insane. I did this so that the audience would feel invited to the magazine rather
than scared of it.

5. Front Cover vs Draft
I made quite a few changes to the cover
whilst constructing it. First I chose to make
the main image a medium close up rather
than a medium long shot, as it meant
Luke’s face, as well as the microphone
could be seen far better and cover more of
the page. I also chose to remove the fact
that this is a limited edition 1st
issue, as
that could detract an audience that may
think this is an inexperienced magazine
and could be a risky purchase. Apart from
that, some minor changes include the puff
being in the microphone rather than in a
diamond shape to blend in to the main
image and changing the cover lines to be
less general, including band names
instead.

6. Similarities
Images anchored to
page number
Cover lines and
their page numbers
The word
‘contents’ is used
Both have a
somewhat
regimented/
columnal design
dateline
Similar colours; red,
white and black

7. Differences
I have a social media
section, they have an
editorial
Sub headings for
cover lines
Masthead
Better use of space/
more on the page

8. Analysis
For the contents page I chose to stay completely conventional, although the
contents page layout is quite unconventional in terms of the majority of rock
magazines. The layout is base on Q’s as I thought it was looked far more
organised and connoted some intelligence when compared to the more
conventional cluttered and busy contents page of Kerrang. In my opinion the
contents page doesn’t scream ‘rock’, although it does make it clear through
band names and images with mise-en-scene such as a guitar about to meet it’s
end by the hands of a non-stereotypically aggressive female artist. In my
opinion, the contents page connotes continuity well, focusing on keeping a
larger masthead, to nail the branding into the audiences heads, overlayed by
the word contents to show that this is of course the contents page. I used a
newer convention, the social media section, subverting the older convention, an
editorial. I did this because the older teen target audience are more likely to
care about online interactive features over reading an editorial. I do regret not
using an editorial as a first magazine needs to show what its about and who the
editor is, which is not shown here. On the other I feel as if I have provided an
example of changing times by subverting this particular convention. Red boxes
and large copy have been used to fill blank space and to intrigue the audience
with ‘exclusive exciting content’.

9. Contents Page vs Draft
I made quite a few changes to the contents
page when constructing it. For example I
swapped the sizes of the masthead and
the word contents around so that the
masthead could more blantantly show the
brand, whilst still making it clear that this is
the contents page. I also changed the
layout of the page, choosing to have the
images down the side rather than at the
bottom. I took this inspiration from an issue
of Q as it looked a lot more organised and
less squashed compared to the original
design. I also made the social media
section larger, even switching YouTube fot
instagram and making the logos white to
contrast the red background. I finally
added a small change which was adding a
title, featured articles, to make it clear that
these are not all of the pages, rather the
most interesting ones that are likely to
appeal to the audience.

10. Similarities
Similar colours; reds,
yellows, blacks and whites
byline
headline
Pull quote
standfirst
Main image
Picture
credit
Drop cap

11. Differences
Article has a category
Secondary images
masthead
Social media/ competition
section

12. Analysis
The contents page is as conventional as the
other two pages. I have used the majority of main
conventions such as drops caps, pull quotes, a
byline etc. as the magazine would connote
disorganisation and an unprofessional attitude,
which would make sense in a rock magazine but
would look very wrong. I chose to continue the
branding by placing the masthead, although
substantially smaller, in one of the dead zones of
the page (the top right) as it was blank space
before hand. I chose to make the standfirst
orange as it looked to plain in black and white
and should be one of the first things seen by the
audience, so I chose to use a red/orange colour
to provide some connotations of passion going
into the article. I chose to include a feature seen
in many a magazine, a competition, as it had
been advertised on the cover and somewhat
blatantly aimed towards this page. The main
image denotes Luke in a pose stereotypical of
the rock genre. I did this to cause some
relatability between the artist and the audience as
they are likely to have pulled this pose at some
point in time.

13. DPS vs Draft
I finally made quite a few changes to the Double-page
spread. The first major and extremely visible
difference is the band/ artist I was going to use. I
changed the models around so that the dps actually
matched the main image on the cover, as the stage
monkeys were shown on it as the main article. I also
made the masthead substantially smaller as at this
time I had no idea how long the article would be
(quite long). I also used only one pull quote rather
than two and made the competition a larger portion of
the page, giving it almost an entire column on the
right of the page and a social media section, rather
than just a corner of the page. The draft did not
include key conventions such as a drop cap,
standfirst, byline or any main elements, so of course
all of those are completely different to the final
version.