Planning - double page spread layout

I have thought about the layout for my double page spread and came up with a simple plan to show where things should be. This is what I have created so far as a rough outline:

Planning - double page spread

Main Story (Double page spread):

• Interview
• 'Her head's in the clouds' - Skye
• Links with main story on cover
• Play on words
• Main image left hand side, text on right
• Text boxes and columns for text
• Question and answer

Contents completed

I have now completed my contents page for my magazine:

Contents page continued

I have continued working on my contents page and have inserted all of my text, fonts, colours and one image. I have almost completed this page however I still need to complete it with some more photography as I have recently realised I need to take some more images. This is what I have done so far:

Contents page

I have now began on my contents page for my magazine. I have stayed consistent with the pink/purple house style so the girly pop theme stays throughout. I have also thought about the structured text box and column layout so the contents page does not look messy and has different sections for the different themes. This is what I have done so far:

Research and planning - Contents page examples

As I am now working on completing my contents page, I thought it was a good idea to research some other contents pages out of magazines of the same pop genre. These are some of the pages I had found:

Like the cover of magazines, contents page's are also set out in columns instead of a 'messy' layout. They also have key features on the contents pages of magazines to make the reader interested and again use a range of font sizes and texts. I will think about these different ideas when creating my own to see how I can make my own original page to fit in with the genre and audience.



Magazine completed

Research and Planning - double page spread

I am now beginning to start my double page spread for my magazine. Before starting the pages, I decided to do some research into double page spreads in pop magazines to get some ideas for myself. These are some that I have found:

Contents page feedback

I received some feedback from some classmates to see what they thought about my contents page so far. They said "I like how the pinky purple background is brought into it so it links in with the front page. I also like the different text boxes with the pages on rather than just doing it all as one block". When I asked what I could do to improve they said "Develop the page further so you are able to get a finished product". I now know that the way I have set out my page is different to the usual list of pages and that I should now continue to work on this page to get to a finishing point.

Key conventions

Now my magazine is progressing, I need to make sure that I have thought about all of my key conventions and ensure that they are all linked representing the target audience in a way that interests and applies to them. I will make sure that each of my key conventions represent the target audience and that they fit the pop genre too.

Masthead

• Pink and purple - stereotypically girly, represents the age of 11-14
• Bubble font - connotes a younger audience, not serious or plain
• Circular shape - different to most magazines creating a unique selling point, also is in a relaxed style compared to magazines with older target audiences (e.g, Heat)
• Acrostic style - also a unique selling point, different to others, looks original on the page
• Name - includes genre name appealing to target audience, also includes stars which again connotes a younger audience

Skyline

• States what is inside the magazine making it intriguing for reader
• Includes key features (POP/fashion/boys) that target audience are stereotypically interested in at that age and gender
• Colours are pink and purple, again appeals to the target audience and fits 'girly' house style

Strapline

• States website for reader to go on for more information about the magazine
• States that the free gift is not a toy and should not be given to younger children. Safety precaution giving the magazine a professional image

Colour scheme

• Colours are pink, purple, blue and white
• Stereotypical image of young girls and their 'favourite colours'
• Stays throughout the magazine as house style

Photography

• Female and male pop artists, fits with pop genre
• Innocent stereotypical pop artists to stand as role models for younger target audience
• Smiling and happy images - what younger people want to see

Anchorage text

• Supports the main image
• Bolder than the rest of the text suggesting it is the main story
• Middle of the magazine
• Appropriate for younger audience
• Play on words 'High in the SKYE' (artist named Skye)

Barcode/Price/Date

• Bottom right hand corner, not too big
• Visible for reader
• Adds to professional look of the magazine

Font

It is very common that magazines have more than one font type on the cover. This gives more dimension to the page and make sure it isn't very plain and uninteresting. For example, this magazine (below) includes many different fonts. It helps to emphasise the more important features of the issue and highlight what the producer wants to present the audience as they know what the target audience is most interested in due to previous research.

 

As you can see, as well as the style, the size and colour of the font is also very important. Here, the word 'SECRET' is very noticeable as the dark and bold colour stands out from the bright ones. It is also very large compared to the text around it and the upper case letters encourage this emphasis.

I will take this into consideration when creating my magazine, making sure my font stands out mostly in the places I want it to and make sure I use more than just one font also.

Layout

I have learnt that magazine layouts always have a similar structure as they are all set out in a way which involves columns and text boxes. This makes them appear to be more professional looking and not so messy. I have tried to apply this to my magazine too, making it more appealing to look at. This is the plan of my magazine for the way the layout will look:

Cover stories

Main story

I have based my main story on a female artist called 'Skye'. I have decided on this name as the name represents nature and the beauty of it, it also represents innocence which links in with the personality of the singer. As the target audience is young, I wanted to create an artist who would be a good role model for them and set a good example as many pop stars follow this path in todays life.
The model that I used for this artist has long blonde hair and blue eyes. I used this person as I think the name suits her appearance and, again, fits in with the innocent look. Her blue eyes also highlight the idea of the sky and it's colour.
As the anchorage text for this main story, I used a play on words. I think the name "High in the Skye" is a good choice as it suggests her popularity levels as an artist to be high as she has many fans, however, it also includes her name too. I also used "Exclusive interview" as it shows to the audience how it is only available in this one magazine and that is a reason why they should buy it.

Side stories

On front covers, as well as the main story being featured, there are also side stories to attract the audience. I have used shorter stories including boys and fashion to show the other aspects of the magazine other than music. They give a slight insight to the magazine without the reader actually buying it. This gives them an idea of what is inside making them want to purchase it to read on and find out the rest of the information.

Research and planning - Magazine Ideas

Colour Scheme

The colour scheme that I have decided on is pink, purple and blue. I have chosen these colours as they are very popular with my target audience and are also representative of their age and interests. These colours are also very bright making the magazine stand out from the shelf, therefore it is more noticeable and identifiable to the audience.

 

Layout

Most magazines are set out in a formation of columns and text boxes, this helps the magazine to be presented in a neat structure making it easy for the audience to read and to identify all of the features being shown. As you can see in the examples below, the layout of these magazines are very similar. As it is a pop magazine for a younger audience, the front pages are usually very packed with lots of information but the order and columns still stand. 
 

 

 

Photography

On the front page of pop magazines, a lot of the time the image is posed with direct contact with the audience drawing them in to buying them. The artists on the cover are also commonly happy as the audience are of a younger generation and this is what they would be attracted to, unlike serious facial expressions. Looking at magazine covers for pop magazines has given me some inspiration for my own magazine for what I should be portraying to the audience and what the motivation is for each of my images. I feel like the images I have taken so far (without editing) fit in well with the pop genre and represent my target audience well as they are, again, very happy and good looking which is what this target audience would want to be portrayed as.



Reader profile

Target Audience

Gender: Female
Age: 12-15
Interests: Pop music, fashion, boys (stereotypical topics)
Colour Scheme: Pink, purple, light blues

Images

I have now completed my photography for my pop magazine. I have taken a variety of images to include in my magazine as I know images are one of the key conventions used. These are the main images I have taken so far without editing them:

I have used a medium close up to emphasize the face as this image is focusing on the makeup of the model as the image would be used in supporting an article about makeup and a makeover completed on this same model.

These three photos are all medium long shots as here the images are focusing on the outfit and style of the model because these photos would be used for the fashion section of the magazine and will also be displayed on the front cover.

When taking this image, I was capturing possible ideas for my main picture on the front cover to go with my 'Exclusive interview' anchorage text to go with my main story. I wanted to use a photo which is common with magazines when on the front cover so decided on medium long shots. To make the image original and look professional I decided to use a fan so the models hair would wave backwards. This also makes the image seem more interesting to look at. I used a green screen for this image too.

These two photos will be used as one of the side stories on the front cover. I used a grabbed shot to emphasise the exclusive 'unseen' information being shown inside the magazine. I also used a posed shot as the first image was being used as a popular male artist famous with the girls. This image highlights his face and smile which the audience are most interested in.

These two photos are for the double page spread of my magazine, I used another MLS to use and then another of the artist with her hair spread along the floor. This adds variety to my images and will work well with the innocent personality being shown by this pop artist. I also used a green screen for these too so it is a lot easier for me to edit  them later on.