PRINT EVALUATION

1. EVALUATION

2. RESEARCH
I conducted primary research in to
magazines that were similar to the one I
was planning to create. I therefore
researched one streetwear mag, two dj
magazines, and a alternate music mag. I
researched the in to the magazines and
analyzed the websites covers and articles
inside. Mainly getting inspiration from mix
mag for my final magazine. I used different
ideas from each magazine to create my
final product. Next time I would go more
in depth to get more of a feel of why each
part was placed on each bit. I would look
at reader profiles and the company's
behind the magazine.

4. PROPOSAL
To begin with I started by making my proposal that outlined the
basic idea/concept of my magazine. I thought I planned this fairly
well, the concept was good and the name fitted the style of
magazine. Even though I knew what I wanted to do in my head next
time I could go in to a bit more detail, I also could have been more
particular when referencing past experience in my rationale.

5. FIRSTATTEMPTS

6. In my mock up attempts of a website, front cover and double page spread
I was getting used to the different tools as InDesign was new program to
me as was WIX the website creator. I based my website on a casino site I
was looking for a sleek casino feel. I got used to different areas on the WIX
editor such as interactive slideshows, text, backgrounds, images, pop up
boxes and more. When it came to InDesign everything was completely
new I learnt all different features of text and how to organize it in to
articles, also about inserting different images while maintaining the quality
of the pics. Photoshop I had all previous knowledge on however could
have had a refresher on certain effects. I thought I did well in this area of
the project I would only wish I had more time on the front cover and
website as they were not entirely finished.

7. FLAT PLANS AND STYLE SHEET

8. I created two flat plans for my website both of similar designs, the first was very simple,
logo links and image. I thought this would work well because of how simple and clean it
would look, all information would be on the other labelled parts of the site. The second
flat plan was similar just had features positioned a different way along with a news
section on the side. I initially had decided on the first one however ended up making a
more complex design as my final homepage. Next time I will spend more time on these
plans and plan out the different pages as I feel I could of done them in more detail.
For my front cover and double page spread I was fairly sure on what I wanted to do so I
only created one copy of each, my double page spread had a very basic design, it used
one page for a main image and the other page for the article itself as well as a headline
image on that page. As for the cover I based the design from MixMag, a solid waste up
image along with a masthead and the accompanying articles and headlines around it.
Next time I would want to go in to more detail as the plans are very vague, I would want
to see more features and get more creative with what I'm laying out.
For the style sheet I used a font from DaFont that fitted in with futuristic techno dance
music theme I used this throughout my magazine I thought it was a good choice but I
struggled to find fonts that fitted in with it. I also planned out my colour scheme with
simple contrasting colours that worked effectively, I picked the colours I did because they
worked well together and look good in a magazine.

9. FINISHED PRODUCT
FRONT COVER
For my front cover I used a similar design to my flat plan, central
image masthead etc. I picked a colour scheme of black white yellow
and blue. I decided that yellow and light blue suited the magazine as
they contrast to stand out but also compliment each other nicely. I
based the background from the gradient on my models t shirt to
make the image and background fluidly tie in with the image. I
thought this worked nicely however next time I would make the
contrast a bit sharper between the image and background. I would
use something like the drop shadow effect, I used this on the yellow
writing including my magazine title to create some split between the
colour and my title. This gave an even more futuristic feel to the text.
I would say the thing my cover was most lacking is the text to the left
and right of the image. Next time I would aim to make these
headlines a lot more powerful and have more to them than simply
names. I did like the Palms Trax at the bottom I thought the old
school photo with the more futuristic writing looked good and was a
well placed addition to the cover.

10. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
On my double page spread I stuck with a dark
colour scheme to show off the two images I’d
got and to make the text fully stand out. By
getting the images and changing the exposure,
contrast, brightness etc. I thought this worked
well together especially as switching the
opacity of the top left image blended it nicely
in to the background. Its nice to look at and the
colors work well. However I did very little
editing of the text this makes the left side of
the page look a bit bland and empty, if I were
to redo it I would spend more time
manipulating the text and maybe adding a
headline or image to make the page slightly
more complex, with more too it.

11. WEBSITE
For my website I used WIX which was a completely new program for me. I used
a basic template for my site which involved a logo in the top left, the bar to
switch between areas and a backing image. I changed the backing image and
designs of these and then started to add my own features first of witch being
an interactive slide box to show the latest headlines, this was followed by
recent videos, recent songs and news and then a subscribers banner, also
contact information at the bottom. I kept a consistent theme of dark
backgrounds, on the home page my main two images were black and white
photos of dj's equipment which worked well with the brighter colors of my
additions. I thought my home page was well done however I only had one
other page which was an about section that was nowhere near as good, this
page simply had text and a single image. Next time I would definetly aim to
make more pages in a lot more detail. The site definitely lacked quantity and
quality on the other page.

12. REVERB MAGAZINE