Feature Article

Feature Article

Music magazine cover and contents

Design and Layout

The above screenshot demonstrates how I have followed a conventional layout style in my product. I feel that the while the layout adheres to conventions instead of challenging them, this is necessary as the audience would be familiar with this kind of layout style as it is seen in a variety of existing magazines including Mixmag and NME. The bright colours are attractive and white, black and grey are used to add impact. I used a pale green colour for the background to make it easy to read against the black text. The typography, a mix of Helvetica in the body text and Geo Sans Light in the headline, byline and pull-quote, presents the content as non-traditional and interesting.

The sans serif typography seen in the masthead and throughout the magazine reflects the content as it has a contemporary feel. The headphones logo appeals to the target audience, frequent users of mobile phones and iPods which require them. I specifically used black, white and grey in the masthead as these colours could fit i with almost any colour scheme used in different issues of the magazine.

Using Pages

I used Pages to create my feature article. Using feature articles from NME and Mixmag as references, I included elements seen in existing publications such as a title, subheading, a dropped capital and a pull quote. I used a combination of fonts to make it the title, subheading and pull quote look stylised. For the body text, I used a simpler font that would be easier to read.

For continuity, I also included a footer made in Photoshop with the magazine's logo, the issue number, date and page number

Yet another continuity feature was the use of colour. The colour scheme of pink, green, grey and black was used throughout my publication.

I created a pull quote using the text box function on Pages and included a photo of the artist on the page opposite the text, a layout seen often in NME. The colour background was made using a shape moved to the background and I changed the placement of the title and subheading in the final version.

Publication Photography

Publication photography

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Using Photoshop

For the cover photography, I simply made a few adjustments in the photograph's contrast and brightness. It was also cropped to fit the cover.

The image on the contents page was made by selecting the actors as shapes from individual photos taken of them and transferring them onto a transparent background and then on to the contents page. I also used the layer style function to add shadows for extra impact.

Preliminary Task: Front Cover Analysis

The strapline shows the reader the issue's highlights and the masthead is personal yet creative. The bright colours draw attention to the text and are eye catching for a younger audience. The tagline is brief enough to fit under the masthead, while including enough information for the audience to understand what the magazine's about.

The main image is appropriate as it relates to the feature. It demonstrates how students learn actively at Acland Burghley school. The cover stories have a wide appeal to ABS students, La Swap students, teachers and parents alike. 

The shape hints at the magzine's coverage of the arts and the web address engages a young audience.