This is another double page spread taken from an issue of NME. I like how the article runs along the bottom of the two pages. The use of one big image on the right and some smaller pictures on the left is good because it shows what the band is like live which is fitting for the article because it is a review of a show they played in Edinburgh. The font is very simple to read which will help to capture the reader’s interest. Although I like the layout because it is very simple I think I would like to include more writing in my double page spread.

This double page spread is from an issue of Rocksound Magazine. It caught my eye because the image takes over most of two pages and the article is written on top of the picture. This is different to other double page spreads that I have seen and I think it looks really effective. I like how the article is set out in two small columns which make it tempting to read because it isn’t long. I also like how the colour of the text matches in with the paint on the ground in the picture. The use of the American flag running around the outside of the skate park in the background works well as a visual aid because the band that the article is about is from Boston. I like the font that the article is written in too. It is simple and easy to read. I would like to use a similar font in my double page spread.

This double page spread is about an interview that NME had with Arctic Monkeys. It follows a typical question and answer format which is simple to read and easy to follow. The main image is of the band sitting around a table which is fitting for the type of article it is. I don’t really find question and answer interviews very interesting so I don’t think that this is a very inspirational piece for my double page spread. Instead of doing a question and answer format I think I would have written it up. I would have tried to make it informal and friendly so that reader could have felt like they were actually present when the interview took place.

Again, this double page spread is from an issue of NME. I like how the heading is coloured in black and red as this links in with the colours of the masthead on the front cover and also matches the colour of the guitar that model is holding. I like how this colour scheme is apparent throughout the article and how the image is her on the right is very strong. She has her hands on her hips and is looking boldly into the camera. This matches the very first sentence – “Shit, fuck it up!”. Together they give off a strong vibe of a musician who is very independent. However the use of taboo language as an opening for the article could be considered a negative thing as it could be insulting to a lot of people. I don’t think I will copy this idea for my double page spread.  I think the bits I would like incorporate into my double page spread would be the use of a strong image and a second smaller image to compliment the first one. I would also like to think of an interesting heading like this to draw the audience in.

Inspirational double-page spreads

This double page spread is from an issue of NME and looks effective because of the colour scheme. I like how the A4 image of Bjork and the heading has the same colours. They bounce off each other and makes the page look inviting to read. I also like how the article begins with an enlarged capital letter as this catches the reader’s eye and makes them want to read on.  I like how the article begins with two short columns and then continues onto the next page. This technique appears to effective because the first double page spread draws the reader in so they will be interested and will read onto the next page where there is a lot more writing. Some articles look daunting with the amount of writing they contain but this one doesn’t because it is spread out over two double page spreads. I also like the use of enlarged quotations using the same colour scheme as the image on the first spread as it makes it continuous and helps the article to flow across the pages. Another thing I like is how the article itself is written. It is informal and friendly and makes the reader feel like they are actually talking to Bjork themselves.

First Draft For My Magazine

This is the first draft for my magazine. I don't like it at all. Unfortunately the models I was hoping to use dropped out at the last second so I had to make-do with a quick picture in order to meet my deadline. I plan to completely change my front cover. I will take a new image, change the fonts to make my masthead stand out and alter the colour scheme to make it more colourful as this will hopefully attract the reader's attention.

Feedback from the class

This is the feedback that I got from my class about my first draft of my front cover. It seems that I need to change the image as most people said that the background was too busy and that I needed to include more fonts to make the masthead stand out.
I think that in order to improve I should change the image comepletely as I don't like the background at all and would prefer to have a model who is looking directly at the camera. I think that this will make my magazine look more inviting to the reader and more like a professional one. I will also change my masthead to make it stand out more.