Magazine Project Evaluation

Lydia Cole

‘Anthem’

Front Cover Analysis

I chose to format my magazine’s front cover with a poster style layout- it is very minimalistic, but I think that the fact that it has such an eye-catching image in it’s centre means that it is even more enticing to a potential reader than a busy front cover, filled with text and numerous images, that could prove distractingOr confusing.

MastheadI chose this font as it resembles an autograph, giving illusions of fame and celebrity within the magazine.

Pull-Quote

Headline

Main ImageIs of the artist featured in the primary article, so as to attract the reader to the magazine’s main feature.

Dateline

Cover Lines

Barcode

Contents Page Analysis

Page Numbers

Headline‘In This Issue’ is a more original and interesting title for the page. Images

Are all of various features within the magazine, be that of artists, readers, events or journalistic images.

My contents page is not laid out like most. It does not feature the word ‘contents’, and it features a series of images separate to the list of contained features. I think that this alteration will entice a reader, as they will read the page not necessarily knowing it is just a contents page.

Double Page Spread Analysis

Pull QuoteIs a brief insight intothe contents of the article.

Headline

Main Image

Page Numbers TextIs featured in columns so as to appearprofessional, and to break up large blocks of writing for the reader’s benefit.

My double page spread is separated into two individual pages- one large image, and one page of text. I think that this could easily have made the two look like separate features, but the house style is consistent, and so the layout works well. The article is an interview, with the pictured artist, about her recent success.

The Portrayal of My Musician

My musician, an up-and-coming singer named Tallulah, is depicted through image and text in ‘Anthem’. The above quote portrays the artist as being a free-thinker, someone who is independent and unique, and not afraid to be herself. The whole page on which this features is constructed to generate a well-rounded image of the artist’s unique personality.

This second quote gives the artists a slightly edgier appeal- she is here shown to be in opposition to an unmentioned (though presumably a radio station or television channel, seeing as the person in question is a musician) source. This is mediated to make her seem slightly rebellious, and unaffected by the bad press she may receive.

Through the imagery included in my magazine, the artist is open to several different interpretations. The way she is dressed portrays her as somewhat of a fashion icon- she looks sophisticated, yet on-trend and stylish. She also looks like a model, as the photographs are a very professional looking style, much like formal headshots a model might use. This makes the artist seem beautiful and like someone who should be celebrated.

Textual Content: Headlines, Taglines &Pull Quotes

‘The World By Storm’ gives the reader a definite impression of something (or someone) grand, and powerful, much like the ‘storm’ mentioned. The phrase is also known to mean something that becomes great or prominent very quickly, which hints greatly towards the article, as well as it’s featured artist.

The use of the word ‘rare’ here, gives the reader the impression they are to be privileged to something exclusive and special.

On the cover of the magazine, a quote from Tallulah is shown, one which shows her to be outspoken, and probably talking about something quite controversial. This, combined with the following ‘Tallulah Tells All’, will surely entice a reader into thinking they are about to read a very interesting.

Publishing

Publishes Q, Kerrang!, Empire & Mojo, among others. All of these music magazines have played a part in influencing my own, especially Q and Mojo, which focus on a broader variety of music.

NME and Uncut are published by IPC, a company which doesn’t seem to publish many music magazines.

Given both the companies’ existing brands, I would think that Bauer Media would be more likely to add my magazine to their books. It would fit in well with their current publications, without being overshadowed, as it still has it’s noticeable differences.

Reader Profile

“I love the front cover. The picture is great. I think the photography throughout the whole magazine is great and I like the sepia effect that you used. The layout of the contents page, is good and clear for readers. The picture taking up a whole page on the dps is also effective. “

“I love your magazine, it's a real classy affair and definitely is a magazine I would buy even if I didn't like the featured artist simply due to the beauty of the magazine layout. I am definitely a fan of this. “

My magazine’s ideal reader is catered to, show by the reader profile I created during planning my magazine, when compared with some of the audience feedback I received

Aspects Aside From Music in ‘Anthem’

Fashion: The way the cover star is dressed says a lot about the magazine, as well as it’s target audience. She wears feathers, flowers and jewels, giving her, and the magazine a sophisticated appearance, as well as a uniqueness. To a reader, the fashion aspect of ‘Anthem’ would be just as appealing as the music, as it is featured heavily in the aesthetics of the magazine.

Photography: The images included in ‘Anthem’ are eye-catching, professional and stylised. A reader with an interest in photography would take notice of this aspect, and even to an amateur, the photographs would still be aesthetically pleasing at least.

Journalism: The way the interview in ‘Anthem’ is reminiscent of a casual, relatable style of journalism, where the article reads more like a conversation than a formal interview. This innovative style gives ‘Anthem’s readers a clearer insight into the artist’s mind, as though they are talking to her in person.

Photoshop Design Work

First, I uploaded the main image to Photoshop. I begun editing it by using the curves tool to adjust the images contrast- this made it appear brighter and more eye-catching. Next I converted the image into greyscale, and following this, tinted it to a sepia-like tone. I think this gives the image a vintage feel, and makes it look much more stylised. I cropped the image so it appeared as more of a headshot, or a close-up than a mid-shot.finally, I added a border to the image, and erased some of the image to fit it into the border without affecting the background. My image was then ready to be added to my double page spread. The editing process for my cover image was very similar, and involved a lot of the same tools. I think this helped to give my magazine a continuous house-style, although did not help to showcase many more Photoshop skills I had learned.

Ways in Which I Have Used the Blog to Enhance ‘Anthem’:

Here the blog is used to share inspirational images I used in the planning of my house style.

To share my final cover design, I presented it as a large, centred image on the blog, for maximum impact.

Using a mixture of text and image, I have analysedSeveral magazine pages and presented my findings on the blog.

To demonstrate my Photoshop skills used in the project, I have print screened their use and uploaded to the blog with a brief description.

I used the blog to show a step by step analysis of the creation of my magazine, from research and planning, to practicing skills on Photoshop and presenting survey results. I do not think I used the blog to it’s full potential though, as I was reluctant to use external sites such as Issu or Slideshare, which could have furthered the professionalism of the blog’s appearance.

Music Magazine (‘Anthem’) vs. College Magazine (‘Arts’)Some themes remained the same between my college magazine and music magazine, such as the headline ‘In This Issue’ and the inclusion of a small thumbnail image of the magazine’s front cover, both within it’s contents page. In terms of the magazines’ front covers, both keep the same poster-style image, and mid-shot main image.

Overall, I think my Music magazine looks a lot more professionally made than my College Magazine, which is likely due to me becoming more aware of, and more skilful at using Photoshop techniques as the projects developed. I also chose to include some colour imaging in the latter magazine, as opposed to none in the previous- I was able to create an equally professional, classy looking image, using subtle colour, due to being able to manipulate said colours to the tones and hues I felt were appropriate for the magazine’s style- again, due to increased awareness of Photoshop techniques.

I also feel I had had the chance to study and take inspiration from other magazine images I had seen for the latter magazine, simply due to more time having been spent on research and planning.

Looking back, I can think of many things I would want to change about my college Magazine, but not in my Music Magazine, as I feel I spent enough time on it, and made enough revisions to it so as to feel content with it’s outcome.