draft front cover layouts
Layout 1
Layout 2
Layout 3
To begin the process of developing and planning my magazine front cover, I have created 3 different layouts to help me decide on the most suitable layout for the front page of my music magazine.
For the first layout, I have positioned the masthead at the top of the page as this will easily gain audiences attention. I may have to consider placing it behind the artist depending on the image I decide to use. This is a convention seen throughout many music magazines such as Q and NME. I can then consider placing the selling line below the masthead to give a little more detail about the music magazine. My main cover line will be located near the bottom of the page which will include an explanatory line and I will need to make it large to grab the audiences attention. Secondary cover lines are located on the right hand side of the front cover and will frame the main artist image. In this layout I have also decided to include a puff which usually help bring our attention to certain information and make the front cover look more eye catching. The bar-code will be placed in the corner of the front page so that it is not in the way of the main image and will include and issue date and a price.
For the second layout, I have decided to include two columns of cover lines to frame the featured artists main image. The main cover line is also located at the right hand bottom of the page which will include an explanatory line and it will allow enough space to create a bold main kicker to introduce the artist. To follow the conventions of many music magazines, I will place the selling line near the magazine masthead as the selling line helps explain extra information about the magazine. I have decided to include a puff as these allow music magazine front covers to look more interesting and bold against the main image and will provide extra information that may appeal to the audience. The bar-code will be placed in the corner of the front page so that it is not in the way of the main images and will include an issue date and a price.
For the third layout I have positioned the secondary cover lines on the left hand side of the front cover and this gives enough room on the right for the main image of the artist. This is a similar layout to the Q magazine front cover featuring Adele which I find interesting and I have took inspiration from when taking my images. The main cover line is placed near the bottom of the page on the right hand side and will help establish a relationship between the main image and the main cover line. This may help engage viewers into the magazine and intrigue them into wanting to read the article. I have included a puff above the cover lines to help frame the artists face and create a neat layout so that the front cover does not look too busy. The bar-code will be placed in the left hand corner of the front page so that it is not in the way of the main image and will include an issue date and a price.
Front cover PHOTOGRAPHS
For my front cover, I decided to take more sophisticated images of my artist to appeal to older audiences whilst still keeping a laidback and relaxed feel to appeal to teenagers and young adults. My artist is wearing a red t-shirt which suits my music magazine house style as well as being a bold and striking colour to look at. My artist is posed more elegantly yet confident and appears to look more glamorous. This is because after analysing sophisticated pop magazines such as Billboard and Q, I have noticed that the main image of the artist appears to look more stylish, serious and refined. My artists confidence, emphasised by the strong eye contact and serious facial expression also helps grab viewers attention as it is connoting ideas of a successful, well known pop star who is featuring significantly throughout the magazine. The background is plain which will be useful when using Photoshop as I will able to create a strong contrast between the background and the artist so they appear bold and dominant on the page. This will also create the effect of a studio shot due to the high key, bright lighting connoting ideas of importance, beauty and fame.
