House Style

Throughout my research Iv'e been strongly aware that I wanted to develop a distinctive house style between my front cover, contents page and double page spread. It has emerged as a simple clean style with a bold font. The use of black and white is particularly effective in creating a modern professional look. My pre-visualised idea relates to my target audience as it has a modern urban feel. The high fashion element links to the music industry today and the interests of young adults as well as their aspirational appearance. 

My research showed me that most young adults would be willing to pay £2-£3.99 for a magazine which is an affordable price. I think its important that my target audience can read a high quality magazine but within a price range their suits their life style. 

My house style ideas have been inspired by the likes of VOGUE and ELLE but the contents of them has been inspired by popular music magazines such as NME and Q. I want to try and create the right balance between the two looks and have a finished product of a high fashion/modern urban design that links to the chart industry and the high class, edgy image it portrays today. 

Rolling Stones double page spread - house style inspiration

Contents Page and Double Page Spread Photo Shoot Results

After completing this photo shoot and beginning my research into magazine contents pages, I realised that I need a further second photo shoot as magazines have a variety of photos within a contents page to try and entice the reader into different aspects and features of the magazine..
Within this photo shoot I used a different model to show the reader what else the magazine has to offer. My model is based around a piano in the photos which shows a music element which relates to the music magazine brought. The photo shoot is meant to be fun and bubbly, immediately associating the magazine with a positive atmosphere. 
When manipulating my photos on Adobe Photo Shop I kept the tones simple and neutral which will make a constant house theme between my photo shoots, giving my magazine an individual image and identity.

Second Photo Shoot

Double Page Spread Moc-Up

This is a basic moc-up of my double page spread. I have taken my research into consideration when planning my layout in order to come up with my pre-visualised desirer article.

Double page spread Inspiration

The layout of a double page spread is very important. Throughout my research these two magazines have inspired me from a layout point of view. One page will be of a main image and the second will be an article. I want my masthead to be very large so it is distinctive and bold. Underneath the article will be an explanation about the article. This will entice the reader and make them curious to read more.

Whilst researching into double page spreads the technique of enlarging a section of text has caught my interest. This is because the enlarged text naturally draws the reader in to read the important text. This widens the readers curiosity making them want to read the rest of the article with interest.

Contents Page Moc-Up

This is a simple Moc-Up of my contents page layout. The design has been inspired by my previous research...

Contents Page Inspiration

I like this ELLE contents page for a few main reasons. Firstly the main image is covering the top of the page with the contents below. This effectively divides the page in half in a unique and interesting way. The model is in the centre of the page drawing the reader’s eye to her. I specifically like how the magazines mast head ‘ELLE’ has been spread out making it bold and distinctive and ensuring that the lettering does not clash with the main image.  

This ‘ELLE’ contents page has captured by interest. The display of the writing is clear and effective. I like the use of columns. The messy font used for the numbering is particularly appealing as it stands out and contrasts with the rest of the neat and tidy wording. 







This front cover design has inspired my pre-visualised contents page mast head. The ELLE masthead has uniquely been spread out to make the model seen. This is very effective as it makes the mast head bold and distinctive. I particularly like the multi exposure effect of the model, this creates the idea that there is more than one model making the image interesting and unique. 







This is another example of ELLE spreading out the masthead. It is simple yet effective, drawing the readers to the lettering and models between. 

Rate Card

For my magazine research I looked into a variety of magazines rate cards. Rate cards show the demographics of a specific magazine clearly. Because of my research I created my own rate card for my music magazine 'VOICE'...

Life style Questionnaire

Click here to take survey

 In total, 5 people answered my survey; 2 males and 3 females. I made sure both genders could carry out my survey in order to get fair results, as my magazine is aimed at both sex's. All candidates were between the ages of 17 and 21. This mean that the following results will relate to my research as this age category falls into my target audience. In response to 'how often do you buy a magazine' 3 people replied every so often, 1 person answered with monthly and 1 with weekly. My results also showed me that 2 out of the 5 would be willing to pay £2.00-£3.99 for a magazine, 1 person would be willing to pay £0.00-£1.99, 1 person would be willing to pay £4.00-£5.00 and 1 person would be willing to pay £6.00+. These result show that people are willing to pay different amounts for a magazine, this is down to the fact that people may have different price budgets or the fact that they purchase magazines less often, so when buying one they can spend more or simply because they have different ideas on what a magazine should and shouldn't cost, but unsurprisingly the majority would be willing to spend £2.00-£3.99. 1 people said that they would expect to see 0-50 pages in a magazine, 3 people said 71-90 and 1 person said 91+, the majority answer here I expected. In response to 'what kind of adverts would you like to see in a magazine?' 3 people selected gigs and festivals, 2 people selected television and film releases and 1 selected gig guides. This shows me that generally, young adults are interested in the music industry and up coming music. 3 candidates selected that do purchase magazines and 2 of them said that they didn't. This shows me that, due to a divide in interests and desires some people are not interested in reading magazines altogether. 4 people selected that 'chart' was the favourite music genre and 1 selected 'indie'. These results confirm to me that the age category I am targeting is in fact interested in chart music.

To add to these results, I also interviewed one male, Sully, and one girl, Anna, on what initially attracts them in general to a magazine from cover.

Sully: 'What mainly attracts me to a magazine is the main image. Personally if I think the main image is a good photo, or if its different and unique to other magazines ill probably look at the magazine and see what its about and has too offer. Also I know that girl models naturally grab male's attention.'

Anna: 'The main image on a magazine cover is definitely what makes me look at a magazine but also the writing (main features/head lines) across the front cover capture my interest if they look interesting to read about. Also the name (masthead) of a magazine generally makes me have an opinion on a magazine before even reading it as I think the name shows what a magazine represents.'

Front Cover Masthead Style

Below are a variety of different fonts in which I considered choosing for my front cover mast head. Each one is very simplistic but I often think the simplicity is more striking and recognizable to reader. I have chosen to use black as my font colour as black is again simple yet striking. Each option varies in font type, it is important visually to chose a correct font which ties in with your overall desired finished cover. The masthead style is very important as readers recognize the magazine through spotting the masthead, this is also why i think its important for the font to be simple and clear, but also for it to stand out, giving the reader a good first impression.

Front Cover Mast Head

Front Cover Moc-Up

I have chosen a relatively simple design for my front cover. All my research has indicated to me that simplicity is the most eye catching and appealing to a reader. I think the best magazine covers, in my opinion, show quality and not quantity. This moc-up simply indicates how my finished front cover will be set out. 

Chosen Image for my Front Cover

This is my chosen image for my front cover. I am really happy with the results from my photo shoot. This image in particular stood out too me for a number of reasons; firstly, the image immediately portrays glamour and attitude which is the look I tried to capture.

A number of factors contribute to create this overall image. The fact that the model is holding a cigarette depicts a rebellious and controversial nature which many young adults can connect with in today's society. The models pose itself suggests a laid back, care free attitude which is helped by her hand placed boldly on her hip. Her head is tilted back, creating an image of superiority. 

Her gold sequinned dress almost contrasts with her f*** yeah attitude creating a bold statement overall image. Gold represents wealth, prosperity and glamour connecting with the readers desires. Her long hair is messy and free. Her make-up is bold, with her dark eye make up.

Her pose, hair and make-up and the fact she's smoking all add up to create that simplistic yet striking over all image. The model captures the male gaze as well as attention from female's through their interest in fashion. 

Ultimately the image will relate to my target audience as it captures the edgy feel of the music industry today. 

Photo Shoot Results

The slideshow below shows my selected favorite photo's from my photo shoot for my front cover...

 

Photo shoot Planning

Fahion Magazine Research

Although I am doing a music magazine you cannot ignore the fashion element which is so important when creating a magazine cover appealing to my specific target audience. After researching into various music magazines, I have decided to also research into various fashion magazines that I want to use to inspire my photos. This ROUGE magazine cover took my interest as it stands out from other magazine covers. The models messy hair, low back dress and cigarette are all factors which build up a relaxed, careless attitude which so many teenagers/young adults try to depict today. Her overall image is mysterious and captivating, her look will capture the male gaze and women will aspire to her fashion look. This magazine is unusually black and white; this makes the magazine stand out and create a mysterious overall effect. The ‘ROUGE’ masthead strongly stands out as it is pink. Pink attracts a female target audience.

This HENE fashion magazine also took my interest. What the model wears in a photo shoot is often under estimated on an importance level. This model is wearing a gold, sparkly dress which I think connotes glamour and a fashion statement. Gold symbolises wealth, prosperity and glamour which immediately appeals to many readers. Gold is a striking and bold colour. Her blonde hair links to the gold dress and creates a powerful colour theme. Her pose is eye catching, with her arm elegantly pushing her head back, and her captivating stare, the model captures the male gaze.

In my first lesson i've created my blog.