This week’s task is to plan the thumbnails for the pages we are creating and here are my initial ideas. (Taadaa)
Cover design A
This design mirrored Kerrang!quite unashamedly. It’s filled with pictures that frame the edge of the cover. Now, I’ve realised this is somewhat against the key concept of the magazine. Rock music is typically about defying rules, rebellion, being an outcast. With such a rigid design to the layout of pictures I’ve unwittingly contradicted this. Moreover, I’ve completely forgotten to allow space for margins. Margins are especially necessary because the edges of the page is at the highest risk of damage and margins allow for this to happen, without causing too much destruction to the magazine.
With this design I wanted to try out the rather conventional full-band photo. I believe it will be much easier to write a feature about the full band and if I was to use a single member it would suggest it would be just about that one band member. This full-band photo, is therefore a good idea (if I do say so myself). [Should also mention that models may be easier convinced to pose in a group with other looking equally silly rather than alone. So practically speaking it would be a good idea.]
Cover design B
This design is much more promising than the first because the layout is much more shambolic, space is allowed for margins, I like my shot type. The use of a band member’s legs to frame the shot, to me, seems an interesting idea that will bring an original flair to my magazine [I hope]. Of course, it may actually look terrible in practise, or perhaps will be practically impossible to get the angling right in order to include the band in the background. [[A note from the future; Tried it out but didn't work well. Scrap this idea. 5/12/08]]
Another problem is this design is the fact that the magazine name/logo had to be moved to the bottom of the page so as not to cover the person(who’s legs are used to frame the shot as they bend down for an upside down CU on their face)’s face. (Perhaps I could have moved the image so that the face was under the name/logo, but when I imagine it, to me, it just seems too clustered and ugly.) But I can’t can’t can’t have the name/logo at the bottom because it won’t work! Magazines are displayed so that the bottom is hidden and so the name of the magazine will be hidden. I assume my magazine is meant to be thought as, as a regularly distributed magazine, despite its handi-cap of being fictional, and therefore those regular buyers would have difficulty in finding it.
I really like this design and want to bring it to my final design. [[Another note from the future; Too bad. It doesn't work well. 05/12/08]]
Cover degin C
Less to say on this one, thankfully. Possibly same margin problem as with A, however may get away with it because its on the safer side. The single person photo is not suitable, as I decided when discussing Cover A. Not very busy in appearance. Not good since it needs to look full of value for money articles and what not.
Contents page A
This design took inspiration from the Mixmag contents page I analysed more than the Kerrang!one. I liked the fact it had less pictures = less time consuming. But. Pictures catch the eye better than text and they help guide readers easier to the best pages, because its more striking than text. [In other words it appeals to my lazyness but not to my *readers*.] Again, as with some of my cover designs the layout is a lad too neat and tidy and the ratio of picture to text is quite as it should be (far more picture than text).
Contents page B
This design splits the text up by use of pictures much better. However, perhaps more pictures are needed than simple 3.
Contents page C
As I mentioned in cover B the single person shot could be useful because the missed off band member can feature, here, so that they aren’t missed out from being shown. However, the use of a single photo is not such a great idea because then I will have too much text. Therefore, I think I will use this design, except with more, smaller picture dotted about amongst the text.
Feature page A
Visually, I like the layout however. The crease between the two pages in the centre may effect the picture I placed there. If I were to use this design I’ll have to make sure there is dead space here to prevent creasing in the models. Also, the use of having two of the band members at the side would mean that they would have to be the *most famous/main* band members. The use of less photos will also be less time consuming for me.
Feature design B
This uses a downward shot on the band(in a circle)’s faces. This is nice because it means its somewhat more creative and then other band photos can be weaved between each head as shown. And yet, I’m not sure such a design will look so good in practise. It may seem somewhat unprofessional and messy.
Feature desing C
The layout resembles that of any other feature article. Its simple, no cleaver layouts. This would be easier to put together but I’m not so sure its the right design for my magazine.
