2. Thinking of an Idea
When considering how to layout the contents of my
magazine there were many things to think about.
Firstly, the way my magazine was arranged had to
display the genre of the magazine being indie.
Therefore I couldn’t do anything too over other top or
plain as it would be giving out the wrong messages.
Also I had to think about how each of the pieces
would work around the images, and how my colour
scheme would fit in with this. Therefore I created lots
of different versions of flat plans for all three pages I
was to complete, to see how I could change and
adapt thing to make them look professional.
3. My front cover
Starting with my front cover, I created lots
of different flat-plans to see the many
possibility I could use. The main things I
had to include were all the conventions of a
normal magazine cover, as well as the use
of a medium shot photo. I wanted
something that was extraordinary and eye
catching, yet looked professional and
readable.
4. This one was
just a very basic
first idea as to
what I could do.
It was very
unimaginative
but included all
the features of a
front cover
I then kept the
image in the
same place but
made the main
cover line bold
and be a banner
across the whole
front cover. This
way it would be
clearer as to who
the main person
is and looks more
interesting. I also
made the bar
code sit
horizontally
across the
bottom and
included a puff
that would list
some of the
bands featuring
in the magazine
5. I then started
experimenting with
the positioning of
the figure. In this
picture she is to
one side, which for
rule of thirds makes
her head in the
primary optical
area, and would be
the first place a
reader would look
when picking up the
magazine. I also
chose to box some
of the cover lines to
separate them and
make the cover
more intriguing
I then tried to
think outside the
box and see if
there was
anyway that the
banner could be
lined to the
image so it
would look like
she was holding
it. However I
wasn’t too sure
how it could be
done, so the
only way I could
know is if I did
another test
shoot.
6. I tried again with
this method,
making it balance
on her hand. This
could possibly
work but is not
the position I
wanted my
model to stand
in.
I then tired
another position,
which was more
like one I would
have preferred
but it still didn’t
exactly work. The
only way I could
try this out was in
Photoshop which
I might
experiment with
later. I also
swapped the side
that the bar code
was on but I
preferred it in its
original position.
7. I then thought
to put the
banner behind
the main figure
as a creative
way of
displaying it. I
placed it more
central to the
page and
placed it
behind her
hair. This
looked quite
good but I
worried the
writing wouldnt
be visible
enough to read
the name of
the band.
Therefore for
this one I placed
it behind the
shoulders
instead. I felt
this was a better
place to put it
and would look
more creative
on the cover.
8.
Overall for this my two
favourites were these two
images. Until I start on
Photoshop I'm not sure if the
work or not, so I thought I'd
leave the option to have both
for now.
9. My Contents Page
For this I took research from other magazines,
both on Pinterest and other sites, that let me fully
see how to set out my own. I wanted it to be
simple and individual yet displaying enough
information to interest and inform the reader.
Therefore I created these 4 designs as
possibility’s of ways for it to be displayed. Each
had a 2cm white rim around the edge as this is a
feature of my house design, so will feature on
every page of the magazine.
10. For this one I put
the image to the top
right and had the
features shape
around the body.
The regulars and
editorial were in
small boxes at the
bottom instead. I
liked this as it was
very organised and
concise in the
different sections
which were easy to
read.
On this version I
made the contents
title display
vertically down the
right side of the
page. Instead of
boxes, I put the
editorial and
regulars
underneath the
features, that would
be separated with
white lines.
11. I didn’t change
much to this
accept make the
image larger so fill
the page, as well
as move the
contents title up to
the top of the
page. I especially
liked this one as it
gave room for
page numbers
and made the
background more
visible for the
white writing to go
over the top.
For this final
version I kept the
positioning of the
articles in the
same place, but
drew dotted lines
to the page
numbers that
surrounded the
main figure in the
image. I didn’t
particularly like
this as it made
the page too
busy.
12. My final Design
I have chosen to use
this version as my flat
plan for my contents
page. It is informative
yet concise, and I
feel has enough on it
to recognise that this
is a contents page.
13. My Double Page Spread
With the images I had collected on my test shoot I
came up with a few ideas on how to lay out my
double page spread. I wanted the text to mainly
revolve around the images I chose, so these flatplans are not set in stone as the final outcome,
but are an idea as to what I could create. For
each version, I made sure I carried on the 2cm
white rim around the edge as this is part of my
house design and so should feature on all pages.
14. For the top one I
separated the picture
and text entirely, with the
white rim going through
the middle too. I also put
the text into two column,
but had a pull quote in
the middle that parted
the text slightly. This is a
very formal approach to
what I could create which
would look professional,
but isnt exciting enough
for my magazine.
The bottom one was
quite different in
comparison, making
the image the centre
focus with the text
shaping around it. This
could work quite well
but I plan to edit my
photo creatively,
meaning their might not
be the sufficient space
to place the text.
However it is one I will
consider as I do like
this way of writing and I
also like the title of the
page.
15. This was my favourite
design I created. It
included 3 images of my
model being edited
together so they would
work round on each other
on the left page. I then
placed the text on the right
in two separate columns.
The images background
would then fill the entire
two pages, with the white
rim surrounding them. If
my edit is successful I
think this would work
especially well and would
be a very creative way of
displaying the information I
have collected.
For the bottom one I
made one of my
images cover the
whole two pages. On
the right side
however(in alignment
with the text) I would
edit the picture so it
would fade to white or
another pastle colour.
Then I would choose
another three picture I
took on the same
shoot and place them
going downwards. The
text would still go into
two columns, with a
pull quote separating
them on the middle. I
also like this idea as it
is simple yet displays
the information and
image in a originative
way.
16. My Final Design Ideas
Like for my cover page I
have two ideas that will
work the best for my double
page spread interview. I
like these two the best as
the text is organised and
follows conventions of a
magazine, as well as the
image needing creative
editing.
17. These ideas are basic sketches I have made of
what I have planned these pages to look like.
When making them properly, I will make proper
flat-plans with detailed explanations and labels as
to what will go where.
