Covers -- Magazine Layout Analysis

1.

I like that the main image has been layered on top of the masthead because it ensures that the main image is the first thing the buyer of the magazine sees. I want to do this for my magazine because I want my main image to be the focus as it ties in with the main feature of my issue (mentioned in my last post).

2.

I like that the background for the main image is the same colour as the background for the bar code, as it makes the entire layout look cleaner. I think I'm going to have a light grey background (similar to the W cover) and I'd like to incorporate the way Paper Magazine placed their bar code on the front cover.

3.

I like that all of the coverlines are on the left-side of the cover and that they're all in one colour (excl. the "PLUS") and that to differentiate them, Philadelphia Style has used different fonts. I'd like to incorporate this aspect for my front cover and play around with the wide variety of fonts on PhotoShop.

4.

I like that instead having "Issue 146" it only says "146" as this makes it seem like you can collect issues.

5.

I like that the magazines have stuck to the conventions of a magazine and have the masthead in it's traditional place. I plan to stick to this convention as my magazine is going to be called "South Eastern", so unlike W magazine, my masthead will have to go across the cover.

6.

I like that the feature information has been placed underneath the masthead as it looks cleaner and is more efficient for the reader/buyer because they know what they're gonna get from the magazine easier.

-- Additionally --

I like that all of these covers have one main image and that they all have clean layouts that are nice and easy to read.

Mood Board No.2 -- Main Image

Seen as the issue of my magazine I'm creating is for the month of October, it's going to be a Black History Month special and for the main cover image I don't want a person/cover model. I want painted-black hands either in the Black Power salute, a fist or a praying position. However, I do like the style of the Jazz: Life cover and may create something similar.

Mood Board No.1

All images sourced from Tumblr

Here's my first mood board for my magazine and it consists of images of front covers or articles, all with aspects I admire and plan on using.

Target Audience

The brief I chose requires me to create a regional magazine and I've decided to make mine free, similar to the free newspapers/magazines that are distributed at train/tube stations and local community centres. Therefore I want my magazine to be accessible to people of all ages, ethnicity's, religions etc. and most importantly of all classes that could be found in any region/area/city/borough of the country (outlined in the socio-economic classification diagram above).

Company -- Magazine Layout Analysis

The interview featuring Lily Loveless, Kaya Scodelario and Hannah Murray in last months Company sprung to mind whilst developing the idea for my main article. This is because like my proposed article, this article is based on an interview of more than one person and instead of breaking the article into three segments for each interviewee, it intertwines their individual ideas and responses, in order to create one story/discussion and I plan on doing the same for my article.

I like the fact that instead of one main image of the three interviewees, they have their own portrait-style photo and I'd like to have this for my interviewees, possibly in black and white. I also like the way that the sub-headings and responses have been laid out, however I plan on having questions instead of sub-headings. I do like the design of the title of this article as it appeals to the target audience for this magazine, however I won't be incorporating this aspect of the article because it won't suit the style of my magazine.

My Magazine -- Main Article

Brainstorm of ideas for my magazine

For my main article I've decided to do a double spread interview featuring four or five black female professionals/graduates and with this interview I want to get to know whether they believe that there is still significance or value to getting a university degree. I'm a black teenage girl and I've been told by many black women, that I'm black and a woman and that this puts me at a disadvantage in life and that without having great qualifications, having a great (or even decent) career is not going to happen. However, some of the women I've heard this from haven't been to university and have jobs (not careers), so I want my article to be based on the words of black women who have been to university and due to their degrees, have the ability to compete against those who aren't at such a disadvantage, for the careers in the big wide world of work.