Research and Planning - Contents Page Progress

This the recent up to date draft of my contents page. Once again I have changed the layout and sizing of the text so it is more suited to the page. I added "This Month In Chocolate" and "Febuary Issue" below the contents title to help make the page more presentable and magazine like.
Moreover, I added a border around the outline of the page.

Despite this, I am thinking about changing the photo in the contents to a medium close up. This would help to fill out and balance the page more as well as becoming more relatable to the genre of Indie. I would do this but instructing a certain facial expression and alter the clothing choice. Below of some of the type of shots that I am considering.

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread

Here is my final double page spread page. I have added a border around the edges, a background and altered the fonts of the interview as well as quotes to make it more realistic.

Research and Planning - Make Up Shots

For my models makeup I chose to stick with the simple but effective bright lips. Furthermore, I used black mascara and a simple line of eyeliner above each eye, making it more bold.

Research and Planning - Magazine Further Research

From my audience feedback it has come to my attention that the genre of my magazine to some people can seem a little unclear. This could be because of the vibrant colours and photos I used which could be seen as the genre of pop. Furthermore, Indie is usually a dark and moody type of genre. 

Despite this, however, bellow are two Indie magazines that have many similarities to mine. They both used medium close up shots (mine was a close up) and bright colours in the background. The tag lines and name however are white and black, helping it stand out more against the coloured page. Also, the model in the magazine "FUGUE" shares similar facial expressions to my own model; Fun and Lively, inviting the audience in.

    

Research and Planning - Indie Fashion

                        

Above are two photos of models which are examples of Indie Fashion. Both are wearing dark denim shorts and tights, as well as burgundy red colours similar to my chosen models for my magazine. I specifically choose to stay with these colours so that the representation of my chosen genre of indie would be more recognisable in my magazine.

Here are some of my model photos with the similar colours and styles:

                       

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread

Here is the redrawn draft of my double page spread, where I have planned the layout of the two pages. As well as the layout of the interview I have also chosen where it would be best suitable for some of my pictures to be. 

Here is my contents page so far. I have stuck with the colour on the front cover and contents page, as well as staying close to the design of my draft. 

Research and Planning - Contents Page

Whilst working on my magazine, I have been playing around with the contents page, taking ideas from an example of a magazine to the left. By placing the title 'Contents' to one side of the page and below the features in the magazine it allows more room for a photograph, grabbing the viewers attention.
Below is the redrawn drafts of my contents page and my current contents page on indesign.

Research and Planning - Audience Feedback (Questionnaire)

Below is all the feedback I got from the audience as they looked at my magazine. The majority of it was positive as the audience new the genre type. There were a few suggestions my audience gave me, most of which was to add more photos and make sure the colours were similar on the following pages so it seemed like a continuos theme of the magazine. 

 

Research and Planning - Music Magazine For Audience Feedback

 

This is the progress of my music magazine so far. Both my contents page and double page spread are unfinished. I need to add a few other photos to the contents page and tweak the layout. I also need to add a background, other pictures and restructure the double age spread which I plan on doing in the following week.

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Interview

Double Page Spread – Lauren Entwistle

From Bastille to Imagine Dragons the genre of Indie includes a wide variety of popular artists, in which millions of people listen to everyday. However, there are not many acoustic Indie artists out there. Yes some may occasionally release acoustic covers of their own work, but that's a different story.

Lauren Entwistle, aged just 16, is an Indie new bee on the block based around the Manchester area, and unlike many current artists out there, Lauren is solemnly acoustic; “Just me and my guitar.” Her unique style has become very popular in the last few months, and Chocolate had the privilege of going to meet and interview Lauren before she played at a local gig.

As soon as we stepped behind the closed doors of the venue music came flooding to our ears, a soft melody from the gentle strumming of a guitar. Turning the corner we saw Lauren with her guitar, having a little pre show practice. After sound check, Lauren was happy to answer some of our questions as well as take a few pictures (on side). 

"That was the one hobby I became attached to and never gave up."

When did you first realise you wanted to take a career in music?                                                                

"Well, I guess I became inspired by music at a very young age. My dad would play Bonjovi CDs in the car, and my older brother could play guitar so I would always hear him through the walls of my bedroom. I was quite an adventurous child to be honest. I would be intrigued by a new hobby every other week or so. And one day I got so fed up of my brother playing I went in to his room to tell him to be quiet, but instead of telling him to knock it off I ended up joined him. That was the one hobby I became attached to and never gave up. Other things like school musicals and church inspired me to start singing. So i guess around the age of ten I realised that this is what I wanted to do with my life simply because it was so enjoyable. My family and friends were very supportive of my choice and still are today."

Have you always known you wanted a career in music or was it a bit unexpected?                                 

"I don't think it was that unexpected, like I said I grew up with a large influence of music around me because of my family. Apart from that, when I was eight I remember that I had a bit of an obsession over becoming a Police woman. I don’t know', I guess I just liked the idea of helping people. That's the only other thing other than music that I've been very passionate about."

How supportive are your friends and family?                                                                                                       

"Both my friends and family a very supportive of me and my career! I think they might have expected it from when I asked for my first guitar. My brother especially is very supportive. He always praises himself for playing his guitar loud enough for me to hear and later become inspired from it."

On the topic of instruments, what is your favourite instrument to play?                                                 

"My favourite instrument by fair is my guitar. I have two, one which I got for my ninth Birthday and this little beauty that I brought last year. I'm just really comfortable when I have one. I also quite like the ukulele, but I rarely perform with one of them."

"Florence and the Machine- She is basically the Queen!"

Who is your biggest musical inspiration of all times?                                                                               

"Oh blimey-" describes Lauren putting her head in her hands. "That's like asking me who my favourite family member is! Ok- I guess it would have to be Florence and the Machine. Florence’s work is simply incredible, both music and lyrics. She is basically the Queen!"

At the peak of your career who would you aspire to be as successful as?                                                

"Again I would probably have to say Florence and the Machine. In the last few years she has gained so much popularity, selling out tours everywhere. If I could even be half as successful and brilliant as her, I would be unbelievably happy."

 “I would actually love to do collaboration with The 1975."

What would be your dream collaboration and why?                                                                                         

“I would actually love to do collaboration with The 1975. Their music is great! I have the CD of their album in my Dads car, so whenever we're traveling to my next venue it's always on repeat. I think to a certain extent my music is quite similar to theirs, and our lyrics tend to share similar topics, so it would be interesting to see what would come from that."

What is your favourite song in charts right now?                                                                                            

"It's not so much in the charts anymore, but my favourite song at the moment is 'On top of the world' by Imagine Dragons. My music taste very much depends on my emotions and how I’m feeling about stuff that's happening in my life. I'm on top of the world is such a happy and lively song, and completely reflects my current mood. I'm just so thankful for everything, to people who enjoy and appreciate my music to all the opportunities I have been given."

Depending on how much of this fits in my lay out, I might include other questions and answers such as "What's the most memorable thing a fan has said or done for you?" and "Who is your biggest celebrity crush?"

Research and Planning - First Draft Of Contents Page

This is the first draft of my contents page for my Magazine. I have used a similar colour background to the front cover, making its easily relatable. I have also continued with the same colour and style of font as the tag lines on the front cover, apart from the small information bit underneath each page title. I have used a different model to the one on the front cover. However, I will be adding further detail into this page to make it  look more magazine like and suited to my genre. 

This is a perfect example of the style of contents page I am hoping to make. With a simple picture in the centre  as well as tag lines at the side of the page, telling you what will be in the magazine and where to find it.

Research and Planning - Experimenting Front Cover Ideas 8

Recently I have been researching and improving Ideas for the front cover of my music magazine. This including repositioning some of the tag lines and changing the fonts. Furthermore I added the main feature of the magazine (the double page spread story) to the page, positioned near the centre so its one of the first things the reader sees when picking up the magazine. I also added a barcode to make it more realistic.