Double Page Spread Step by Step

I have created a double page spread as part of my AS Media project. The first thing I did was create an A3 spread on photoshop for my double page spread. I then added a border to my double page spread os I could then see where the page would 'fold' in the middle if it was too be a real magazine. The next part of my process was to change the page colour (which I made an off-white). I downloaded font from dafont.com which was font that I had already used on the front cover for the main cover line (Bethany Brandy) and I used it again for her name in the background which I made grey and turned the opacity down on the name. I then added the image in which I took of my model. I changed the brightness, contrast, vibrance and saturation of my model to create the image in the middle, I also added a white outer glow. Then I duplicated layers of my image creating two more of the same images. I rotated one and added it to the right, the other one I added to the left. On both the left and right image I turned the opacity down. I then downloaded a sans serif font from dafont.com. The reason I used a sans serif font is because it makes it easier and 'cleaner' for the reader to understand. I started to type up my article onto photoshop which is an interview. I ten decided that I needed to wrap my text around the model so therefore I moved my process onto Indesign. When moving it onto Indesign, I wrote up the rest of the article using a different sans serif font from dafont.com. I outlined the model on the right on Indesign and then I wrapped the text around the outlined photo and it created the curve around my images. I then saved the text as an image and opened that image up back onto photoshop. My next step on photoshop was to highlight the interview questions in red to follow the colour scheme and make them stand out. When I finished that I decided to add my pullout quote, I used a font that I had downloaded from the font.com for this and I made it white with a faint black drop shadow. I then added the number for the bottom of the page which I made blue for ever to the front cover colour scheme and I again used font from dafont.com. For the final improvement process, I moved the quote around, added an extra quote to the top with the same effects as the other quote, I made the page numbers smaller as they were to large, I added an 'available on iTunes' referring to the artists new song, and I added a stylist and photographer credit.

Contents Page Step by Step

I have created a contents page as part of my project for AS Media. I have created my contents page in photoshop. The first thing I did was open up an A4 page on photoshop. Using a reference from a Magazine named Vibe, a followed the process in my own way. I added the letter "D" to the background of my contents pages to represent "Drive". I used the black and white colour scheme and made the "D" a greyish colour. I then added the contend title, using font from dafont.com. I changed the spread of the font, the thickness and the closeness of the letters. I used black too make the title stand out. I then used a photo I took of my model who is wearing a different outfit and I used the magic wand to cut out the background. I also used the rubber and turned down the opacity to create a smoother effect around my model. Then to edit my model, I used a blue outer shadow to add an effect around her. I used the adjustments of brightness, contrast, vibrance, colour balance and saturation to adjust my model and make the photo look more professional. As I made my model a black/white/red colour, I decided to make her lips stand out and I used the paint brush tool to colour in her lips. I then added the text/articles and page numbers where I have used similar font to the font on the front cover. I at first made it black to make it stand out more but I decided that I wasn't fully happy with the way my contents page looked. Therefore, I changed the size of my font and made it blue to link back to the colour scheme but I stills as unsure about the way it looked. I then decided to make the font thicker using the font options, I added a drop shadow and made the page numbers a larger size. I used a dark grey on the nu,her, a light grey on the article descriptions and a light blue on the article titles. I also added a 'features' in curly font as that is what was on my reference contents page but again I was still certain that something didn't look right. I tried a different approach where I added a black block around my articles, made the page numbers bigger, made the article titles big, and made the article descriptions small; I made all of these white. I also added a red and black gradient to the title to represent the gradient on the title of the front cover. I again, still felt that there was a disadvantage in my contents page therefore I decided to change the contents page reference form the magazine Vibe and used a different contents page reference from the same magazine. As I started to use this reference I instantly noticed a massive difference. I made the background a red gradient with a darker red at the top. I made the "D" bigger and also added a gradient of a dark red and a darker red blending into black. I used a different font but not to different as it was still similar to the last font. I made it white, made the page numbers bigger, made the article titles big and made the article description small. I also added more articles and I added it to the left side spreading it out more. I also changed the font of the 'featured' to make it more clear and appropriate for the R&B magazine. I cleared all the effect I made on my image and started again. I used vibrance, brightness contrasts and colour balance to change the image. I added a release date and the title of my magazine to the top right of my page as that what was not he reference. I kept the title contents and the font I used but I changed the colour to white to make it stand out more. I was instantly pleased with the improvement I had made. However, I had used the same model throughout my front cover, contents page and double page spread. Therefore I decided to change my model for the contents page. I used two images in which I took of my model for my Contents page. With both images I used the magic wand to cut around the images and then I used the rubber and turned the opacity down to create a smooth edge around the surface which became successful. For the first image I used a wide shot to create his full body in the image however when I added the other image it turns into a mid shot. For the first image I turned the opacity down to create a sutle effect in the background. I then added the second image where I made the image black and white, I also changed the brightness and contrast of the image. Then with the first image I blended it into the background and change the colour of it so it was the same colour as the background. I then used the spot healing tool to create softer skin on my models face as he was not wearing makeup. I then added exposure to the first image to create a darker shadow.  For the final process, I added more stories to the article stories and spread them out more to use up composition, made the page lighter and added a stylist and photographer credit.

Front Cover Step by Step

I have created a R&B magazine for my AS Media project. I created my front cover on photoshop. The first thing I did was open an A4 spread. Next, I added a black and white gradient to the background as after looking at other R&B magazine, the majority featured black and white or a gradient background. I then opened up a photo of my model which I took and I used the magic wand to cut out the background, I made my model where a black jumpsuit as I thought black was the most popular colour for a female R&B artist and a jumpsuit was appropriate. Throughout the process of my image I changed the contrast, brightness, vibrance and colour balance after adding it to my magazine cover as the main image. I then, after downloading different types of font from dafont.com, added the masthead 'Drive' where I adjusted the spread and thickness of the letters, and the space between each letter. After deciding from a range of masthead titles, my audience through social media decided that Drive was the best name. I then added a red and black gradient to the masthead to follow the colour scheme of red, black and navy. The next thing I added was the top banner which is "30th Anniversary Collectors Edition" which presents the magazine as popular and ongoing. Again, I used red to follow the colour scheme and downloaded the font from dafont.com. Within the articles, which is the next step I followed using font from dafont.com, I added them down the side of the model using different colour of red and black to make certain things stand out. I then added the release date, using blue to make the release date more noticeable against all the red, also again using font from dafont.com. I then added the bottom banner again using blue to make that part of the magazine stand out against all the red as it is a magazine offer which will make the buyer want to buy the magazine more. I then added the name of my model which is 'Bethany Brandy' as I felt the alliteration and the use of the last name makes a popular artist name. I used a drop shadow of the colour blue to make a glow around her name, this again made the name stand out as the name is the main coverline, I also again downloaded the font from dafont.com. I then added the graphic feature which is the green/blusish circle that appears on the cover where I used the same font as I used on my articles. The reason I used a different colour is because this point of a magazine is a big feature to R&B fans to a tour featuring in 2015 therefore it is a selling point for my audience. I then added the selling line/slogan which is 'Ride and Rhythm', as my magazine is called Drive, Ride and Rhythm fits with the masthead and genre as my genre is R&B. I next added a small menu strip to the right side, this opens up my target audience to a wider range as I have included a big company (MTV) and other feature artists which opens up my magazine to their fans. I have made this black to stand out and again used font from dafont.com. I then added the barcode which is an important feature as to buy a magazine you need a barcode. The next thing which I did was add the cost of the magazine. As you can see I have added it in dollars and pound as I want my audience to be open to a wider international range of people. I have used blue for this and used the same font as my top banner. I then changed my image as I felt the image I added wasn't strong enough for an R&B magazine. I dressed my model up in a better outfit to fit the genre more, I added a gold watch to her look to show connotations of wealth and fame as gold costs a lot of money. I used the magic wand to cut out the background of my model and I added her to the cover. I again used brightness, contrast, vibrance and colour saturation to adjust the image of my model. I also used a white outer glow to make my model stand out more as the main image. Then I added the issue number which I placed under the slogan in blue and made it smaller but used the same font. I then made all my article text in line and made the main cover line (Bethany Brandy) in line. For the final part of my of my progress, I changed the colour on some of the articles to grey, I again messed about with them and moved them around, and I changed the colour of the release date bar to yellow.

Infograph - Magazine References

Flickr - Magazine Progress Uncompleted

This is what my front cover, contents page and double page spread look like so far. I am happy with the outcome but I can still see room for improvement. I have used Flickr to show my images as I am trying to experiment with more media products. To improve my front cover I believe I need to add more colours and spread out the article font down the side to use up composition.  For my contents page I feel that I need to spread the articles out downwards - maybe change the font -  and I need to add a stylist and photographer credit. Finally, for my double page spread, I think that another pullout quote at the top would forfil the page further, and possibly including an iTunes credit, also again a stylist and photographer credit.

AS Media Magazine Interview

Analysis

The first question I asked was "what do you like about my magazine front cover". She describes how she likes the use of the image, colours and the main feature. This makes me believe that my magazine front cover has a strong bond to it and will easily attract the reader. I then asked "what could I improve on my magazine front cover"; her response was nothing as she believes it is already satisfactory. This makes me confident that the front cover will appeal to my audience, The third question I asked was "what do you like about my contents page", I continued red colour scheme which was appealing to the individual who is part of my target audience, she also liked the use of the two images and how they come together. This makes me believe that it is easily noticeable that it follows on from the front cover and that it is still as strong page. I then asked "what could I improve on my contents page"; she replied that she does not know. Again, this makes me confident that my improvements are well thought out. This fifth question I asked was "what do you like about my double page spread"; she insist that the use of the same image three times is strong and makes the magazine look professional, she also likes how it is lay out. This makes me believe that my double page spread fits in with the other 2 strong pages as she used the word 'professional' to describe this page. The final question I asked was "what could I improve on my double page spread"; she continues to describe what she likes and has no evaluation for improvements. I now feel that my magazine itself has gone through a strong change and is almost finished due to the strong feedback from a member of my target audience. 

Contents Page Process Podcast

Double Page Spread Podcast

Front Cover Process Podcast