Preliminary Drawing of Front Page

In order to determine how I want to lay my front page out, and what sort of layout I would prefer, I needed to put together a series of preliminary drawings to give me an idea of how I'm going to set the front page out, almost like a template or a guide to follow, to save me from trial and error, and to simple commence the designing and get through as accurately as possible without any mistakes or time consuming thinking, trying to come up with an idea and so forth. This acts as a visual display for me to simply copy over and for the cover to resemble my preferred drawing.

The drawing to the left was purely inspired from my research I did previously, with a close up image of the models face, so there is hardly any background at all, therefore, the reader is entirely drawn to the model's face and not anything that may be in the background consequently, being a distraction to the main object. I positioned the title centred and in the foreground so that it covers part of the models head, giving it a sense of depth. In this particular design I will have writing featured either side of the model again, in the foreground overlapping part of the model. Minor details that complete the magazine is the bar code that will be placed at the bottom right hand corner as featured in many other music magazines that have been researched; something that I will create myself. Another aspect of this magazine is the feature circle that again was something that appeared in most magazines; this one in particular will be placed to the left of the models head however, I personally think this looks too confined and should be placed at elsewhere, since the image is such an intense close up. This design I will not intend on using as it doesn't give much of an insight into the indie/alternative style I am trying to portray therefore, will not be using it.


My second drawing I don't like at all, I was simply experimenting with designs, and was not inspired by this drawing at all, it may appear more musical than the previous drawing since it has got more of an indie/alternative theme to it, since the shot is full length accompanied with a guitar portraying music. However, the research I conducted previously does not support this idea at all, the shot is too far away, and is not focused enough on the model, front covers usually consist of either a mid shot or less and this doesn't convey this. Another factor of this magazine I dislike is that of where the title has been placed; again it is extremely rare that a title is featured at the bottom of the page, as it is usually the top of the magazine that draws the reader to the magazine, as that is where the eye line is, the eye follows from top to bottom, not the other way round therefore, is not reader friendly in terms of getting the most sales as possible due to the poor layout. The bar code is in an odd place in comparison to my research, the 'feature circle' isn't a complete circle therefore, simply looks out of place compared to the magazine; overall nothing is being concentrated on and the entire magazine is very vague looking.

In the photo on the left I took into consideration that the bar code needs to be at the bottom of the front cover to the left or right side, in order to look complete. Therefore, applied this and did exactly that. I particularly like this layout, as it is very clear and concise; The main focus of the magazine is the model and that is what should draw the reader in therefore, has to be focused entirely on the image; a mid shot from the waist upwards is the 'typical' shot used on magazines, as seen in research. I positioned the model slightly off set, opposed to be directly in the middle; as this allows for the title to slightly overlap the models head in the foreground, and it allows you to easily place writing down the left hand side, making it visible and bold. I placed the 'feature circle' in the bottom right hand corner as the right side of the magazine would appear empty if there was nothing there, therefore, would complete the cover well. Lastly, a particular feature of this magazine I'm unsure of the placing, is a banner at the top of the page that will include names of artists and bands, making it clear that it is a music magazine, however, I am not too sure whether to place it at the top of the magazine as it slightly pushes the title down, drawing the attention away from it, nevertheless, in my more detailed drawing I may consider placing the banner at the bottom of the cover. Overall, this is my most favourite layout, as it fits into the codes and conventions of a music magazine, therefore, something I believe will be quite successful.

Experimenting with ideas of layouts, I wanted what an alternative pose on the front cover of a magazine would look like, therefore, addressed this idea with a cross legged pose and a unique placing of the title down the right hand side of the page. I like this layout purely because of how different the entire layout is, and it is not something you would 'expect' to see a magazine like, however, I do not think it works as well as I hoped as it doesn't 'fit' into the variety of other magazines, and evidently looks unprofessional, and again there is not main focus as their are many other aspects of this layout that would distract the reader from the main image.

Again, I applied this cross legged picture again however, with more of a long shot with a prop (guitar) removing the title from down the side and placing it at the top centrally, in the hope that it would make the entire layout look more professional and focused. Nevertheless, the longer shot, makes the entire magazine look distance and out of place, although I like the idea of the model requiring a prop as it outlines that this is a music magazine. However, I personally from these variety of drawings feel that the shot needs to be from the waist up or less. Another factor



IN CONCLUSION I WILL MOST PROBABLY USE MY THIRD DESIGN IDEA AS I FEEL AS MENTIONED THAT THIS TYPE OF TEMPLATE BEST SUITS THAT OF A PROFESSIONAL LOOKING MAGAZINE AND THEREFORE, WILL HOPEFULLY APPEAL TO MY TARGET AUDIENCE