Constructing My Front Cover

This shows the margins I have put onto my photoshop document to ensure that all text on my magazine front cover is aligned.  This will make my magazine look professional as everything on my page will be aligned and straight.
The horizontal guidelines are set to 0.5cm and 29.2cm.  The vertical guidelines are set to 0.5cm and 20.5cm.











This shows the masthead of my magazine and the design which I am likely to use.  The magazine is called "NOTORIOUS" because this is the kind of artists I am focusing on.  My magazine will be a rap magazine and my main inspiration is the Rolling Stones magazines as my magazine will feature artists similar to those featured in the Rolling Stones magazine.
I have gave my masthead an eroded effect to reflect on the artist's rough background.

Article Draft

Action Plan

By Monday 5th March I should have a rough cut of my products

By Monday 19th March my products should be completed

From Monday 19th - Friday 30th March I will be working on my 7 evaluation questions.

The my completed portfolio should be submitted for formal marking on Monday 16th April. I should use the Easter break to make any minor amendments to my work.


In order to meet these deadlines I will:

• Update my flat plans due to feedback and additional research on my flat plans by asking people to give feedback on my magazine flat plans and describe how I could improve them, then carry out these improvements.
• Take and upload test shots of models to show how I plan to angle my camera and pose the model, as this will give a rough idea of how my final shots will look.  Indicate how these shots have been inspired by my research and then could also inspire my final shots.
• Finish my textual analysis.
• Attend catch up sessions and do work at home in order to catch up.

Research & Planning Feedback

Flat Plans

These are my flat plans for my magazine.  They show how I would like my magazine to look like and be laid out like.  For the cover, I would like for my main model to be centered in the page with the text laid on top of him.  The masthead is positioned at the top of the page as it is the main bit of text on the page.  The price and issue number will be positioned in the top right corner as it is not as important as the rest of the text found on the cover.  The sell lines are found on the left as people tend to read from left to right, so therefore the consumer's eyes will be drawn to the text.  The main selling line will be the same size text as the masthead as it is the main story and must grab attention.  At the bottom is a sell line, which will give the possible consumers extra information on what they can find in my magazine.  The barcode is positioned in the usual area; the bottom left-hand corner.

My contents page will be mainly images, as this is more interesting than reading lots of text.  I plan to have an image of the band/artist featured in my magazine with the number of the page which they can be found on.  My contents page will also have a list of the main stories and articles featured with the page numbers, and will also include a list of articles regularly featured with the page numbers.  The date which the magazine has been issued will be faded behind the title "CONTENTS" as this looks quite professional.

My double page spread will be a large landscape image with my model in the left side and the text to the right.  This is because people read from left to right and therefore the model will catch their attention first, and show the audience what the magazine is about.  The title of the double page spread story will appear approximately head level with the model on the opposing page, with a summary of the article underneath, then the full story placed underneath.

Image Analysis & Composition

The photo of Jay Z shows importance as his eyes are positioned into the top third.  His head is tilted back but his eyes are looking into the camera, which shows that he is of high importance.  His t-shirt and accessories are kept simple to ensure that all focus is on Jay Z himself.  He is wearing a diamanté chain and expensive watch which shows he is elaborate and of high stature.  The pose of hands in his pockets is simple, and the extravagance is made with the use of the elaborate accessories.
The shot distance is a medium close up.  The background is white and lighting is used slightly up from the center of the image to keep focus on Jay Z.

This photo of Kelly Rowland shows importance as her eyes are in the top third.  The camera is looking slightly up at her as she is looking down into the camera, which also shows her importance.  The leather jacket she is wearing shows masculinity and therefore implies that she is not a woman to be told what to do, which adds a vibrant edge to her style.  Her makeup is kept simple as she is wearing large earrings.  Her facial expression isn't smiling but is serious, to add to the look of masculinity.
The shot is a medium close up with minimum background to ensure that she is the main focus of everybody looking at the photo.  There is light coming in around her face to make it the main focus of the image.