Monday, 2 December 2013
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Production of Magazine: Double pages mock up and feedback from peers
This was my original layout but from feedback I changed certain thing in order to make it better or look more proffesional
I had changed the size of the outline on the boxes in order to make it stand out, this is vital as it is a detail which the eyes pick up first. On this double page I added a detail part which gives small details, I added this as it is used in existing magazines and also because it's the vital information needed with a review.
On this double page added a page number in order to make it look proffesional compared to what it was before, also I had edited the size of the outline of the 'Track listing' and the 'Pros and Cons' box, this is to make more space and to look more proffesional. This will be the double page that I will use for my final product.
I asked my peers on their thoughts and opinions on this double page spread.
My first peer commented the positive aspects and the negative aspects. The peer commented on the positive aspects, the peer said that the structure is suitable, the peer linked this point to how other conventional magazines look. Another point the peer made is that the logo placement was effective, this is because it is striking, it sticks out to the audience.
The peer commented on the negative aspects also. The peer commented on how the two boxes on the right hand side don't follow the housestyle, this is because of the use of red and white and the main colours are supposed to be black and grey.
I asked a second peer to comment on the positive and negative aspects also. The peer commented on the positive aspects. The peer commented on how the double page follows conventions that are seen in conventional magazines, this is a good aspect as it makes it look proffesional rather than unproffesional. Another point the peer made was that the double page's strapline. They said that it is a good aspect as it gives the reader a insight into what the article will contain.
The peer also commented on the negative aspects. The peer commented on how the border around the the two boxes on the right handside are too thick. The peer said that if the borders weren't as thick, there would be more space on the page for the articles. The peer also commented on the fact that the band's name 'Circle Motions' was mentioned too much, the peer built onto this by saying that if something is repeated so much, it can get too familiar to te audience and then it would become repetative if it is said too much.
I have changed this like I did with my cover and contents page. I changed them all to the same as it would keep to the house style and it would make all the pages the same. However due to the colour of the text, it blended in with the black at the top of the page so the text was changed from black to white. This shows that I have developed my background and moved away from the normal type of background.
Do you think having this gradient colour is better than having a block coloured background?
The gradient colour is better as it makes the page look different as the majority of conventional magazines contain block coloured backgrounds.
Are there any negative aspects on my double page that stand out?
There is one negative aspect. On the picture at the top of the right page, the picture has a white outline going around the picture. This would be better if it didn't have it as it would make it look more proffesional and conventional.
Production of Magazine: Contents mock up and feedback from peers
I have added a number to the bottom of the page, this is to make it look more like a conventional magazine. The contents on the right hand side will be the contents page I will be using for my final product.
I asked my peers on their opinions of these contents, the first peer commented on how the the layout of the contents was suitable as it shows the pages are in numerical order, this is a good aspect as it gives the reader a ordered set of articles to read. Another point my peer said was that the use of images were good as it shows what the article is about but in picture form E.G: The pictures of the album covers, these show which albums are being reviewed.
However the peer also commented on the negative aspects. The peer commented on the way the lines are on the contents, the peer said that the lines that section off the regulars from the features, stand out too much, this creates an unwanted amount of attention towards the lines. Also the peer commented on the heading which says 'Contents page'. The peer said that it needed to be a different font as the font is the used already.
I asked a second peer about their opinions and thoughts. They said that the contents had a good house style as it is consistent throughout the contents page. This is a good aspect as it keeps the page the same, no dramatic changes. Also the second peer commented on how the colours are appropriate as it gives the contents page a 'good quality' feeling. Because the magazine has a 'good quality' feeling it gives the impression that the magazine is a conventional magazine, looks like a proper professional magazine.
The peer also commented on a negative aspects of the contents page. The peer commented on how the page has a lack of colour. The peer suggested that I have more than two colours as it makes it look more exciting and it would give it a more of a interesting look. However if I have to many colours on the cover it would make it look unconventional as if you look at existing conventional music magazine such as NME, you can see how they use the maximum of three colours and this is the way I chose to do mine.
I asked a third peer about their opinions and thought.
The peer commented on how the colours go together, they're contrasting colours. Also the red and white is a good colour choice as it fits with the masthead, so it keeps to the house style. Another good aspect is that the text colour is dark and its stands out amongst the light background, having the background colour light and the text dark helps the text stand out more which makes it easier for the audience to understand the text. The peer also commented on the use of the photos. The peer said that the way that the picture has been cut out in order to make it mix with the background, this is good as it makes it look more realistic rather than just being placed there.
The peer also comment
Answering to the first peers feedback, I changed the colour of the separation lines. I changed the colour to a light grey. I chose the grey as it looks like it blends in the background but also you can still see the lines. This will help as it stops the separation lines from protruding too much and it will not be as distracting as it was previously.
I have changed the background like I did with the cover page. This is due to the recommendation of changing the original colour (a block grey) to a gradient colour, this makes the contents look more interesting and it makes it appeal more to the audience. Also I have had to change the album covers as I originally took them from the internet so they weren't my own, So I took a picture of them myself and used photoshop to remove the background.
After asking peers specific questions related to the new contents page I gained more opinions on my content page.
What's your opinion on my new colour scheme on my contents page?
I prefer this new cover as it seems more real compared to the plain boring background on the original cover Oliver had made. Also having this new gradient design gives it the extra interesting look which makes the page look more unique.
Is their any negative aspects to my contents that need to be pointed out?
The text colour mixes with the gradient colour too much, the gradient desging could be pushed up a bit more so it doesn't interfere with the colour scheme too much. I think that maybe having a lighter coloured text so that it doesn't blend in.
How does the gradient colour link to the colour scheme?
After looking at the colour palette I saw that the colours
in the gradient link to the colour scheme because the black has been used and
this is in the colour palette. Also another good aspect is that the text colour
links to the colour as well however having the same coloured text and the same
coloured background causes the mixing of colours. So maybe a small change is
required.
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