drafting and planning

This is a rough draft for the ontents page of my magazine 'Ignite'.
I ensured the layout of the page was clear and simple so that it was cohesive, nothing too complex, this is so that the readers can quickly identify where they have to =go in the magazine to find what they want to read about. I discovered that this is a typical layout for a mainstream music magazine in my research :
http://stevesasmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/research-into-similar-products.html
I included the most important contents page convention, images, which dominate the page because they are the magazine's biggest articles and they can be recognised instantly by the readers without them having to read anything. The biggest image is of the main cover star, so the readers attention is instantly drawn to the main article and they are therefore more likely to read about it.
I also used sub-headings, made distinct by the boxes that they are in, and these help direct the readers to the list of content that they are most interested in.
I also created consistency with this contents page, not only through the images of the bands and artists whcih are advertised on the front cover but also with the masthead, once again positioned in the left third and, although it is not clear in this draft, the fonts and the colours (red and white) will also be the same.

organisation

These are the photos taken at the photo shoot for my next supporting band, 'Maverick'.
The two models have been positioned so that they look as though they are live at a concert to some extent, hence no direct mode of address.
I included two props, the guitar because they are performing live and a pair of sunglasses to show the cool attitude of the band's image.
I am going to use the image at the top because the camera is in a better position as it clearly fits both band members into the frame and i feel the blocking used in the bottom image isnt very effective as it doesnt provide the readers with a clear image of the band, especially since they are live on stage.
I also chose the top one because there is nothing in the background, it is pitch black, but lighting is still used effectively as it appears as though the band are in the spotlight which they would be in a real concert.
The costume and its colour was kept simple because this is a rock band who dont go over the top because the genre is quite serious, so therefore they are quite simple in their appearance

Organisation

These are the photos for my supporting artist, Jessica Rose, who will appear in the contents page.
I ensured to make the photos as realistic as possible which i did through costume as i think it reflects her image as a female artist. This is because the red roses connote love and danger and they also directly link to her name 'Rose'. Her dark hair and the black background also suggest that she has a dark and dangerous side which is part of her image.

I think i am going to use the image in the top left because i think her body language and facial expression here is the best in reflecting her sexy, flirtatious and also mischievous personality as a solo female artist in the hip hop genre. The others also show a lot of attitude but i feel the body language in the top left says a lot more about her provocative and dangerous personality

Organisation

Here are four of the images taken at my recent photo shoot.
The ones on the left i plan to use for my double page spread whilst i plan to use the ones on the right for my front cover. This is because it is a typical convention in NME magazines that the background behind the main cover stars is white because usually the main cover stars will be wearing a contrasting colour, black, and this contrast makes them stand out and look more important as they do not blend in with their surroundings.
I have chosen the image in the bottom right (the largest) to be the one that i shall use for my front cover. This is because, unlike the one above it, there is more attitude and attitude is key in creating a realistic and believable image for a band in a genre as serious as indie rock. Compared to the one above it, the model on the right has his arms folded, the one in the middle has his glasses tilted so that the direct mode of address is more distinct and more powerful and the one on the left has a more serious facial expression. These collectively generate more attitude which supports the image for this band, The Desperados, who are serious, dangerous but also cool.
The props i used, the black glasses, help compliment the black costume which together convey a hint of danger but makes the band look cool and modern which is another aspect to the image of The Desperados. This is important as the target audience for my magazine, Ignite, would be interested in reading about a young band who are of a similar age to them, especially if they appear cool and modern.
For the double page spread i have chosen the one in the top left. This is because unlike the one below it, the camera angle is better as it is head-on level with the band and generally looks better. However i also chose this image because of the lack of direct mode of address. This mixes it up a bit in contrast to the front cover and gives the band a cool, careless look because the band members are looking in different directions. However, the lead singer (middle) is still sustaining the direct mode of address, because he is the most important and influential of the band members and it maintains the interaction between the band and the readers which stimulates them to read.

Drafting and planning

This is a draft of an NME magazine and i produced it for three reasons:

a) To practise and become more accustomed to the editing process and the software i will be using for my official magazine

b) To enhance my drafting and planning

c) to further demonstrate my knowledge of the NME brand and to prove my skills in designing a magazine with conventions that comply with the style of the magazine and appeal to the magazines target audience

I like this draft mainly because of its colour scheme, red and white are the main house colours of NME and i made thorough use of these colours throughout my cover in order to create consistent, and overall, holistic magazine.

I also like the distinct cover lines which provide clarity for the readers and create a serious, formal approach which complies with the style of NME magazines.

However what i dislike about this, and therefore the reason why it is just a draft, is the abstract background, usually there is a blank, bright background whereas here there is a complex setting that distracts the readers. I also dislike the size of the main cover star, as i feel in comparison to most NME magazines, he is too small and therefore he doesnt look too important or authoritive, which he should be as he is the main cover star. I am also questioning whether it was necessary to include two secondary images to accompany the main image as they are not used too often in NME magazines but i think here in this context it works reasonably well.

Drafting and planning

I have decided to use this font for the cover lines and main cover line on the front cover of my music magazine. 

• I chose this font because its big and bold, it will therefore link to the big image of the main cover stars and it reflects how big and important they are as the main features of the magazine. 
• It also provides clarity for the readers who would be able to instantly see who the main feature is because of how the font is bold but also clear and easily readable unlike other fonts
• Finally i chose this font because it complies with most of the fonts found in music magazines like NME, shown here in a previous NME magazine that I have analysed:

Drafting and planning

This is the official masthead for my magazine.

• In the end i decided to go with this font because its clear and distinct to the readers because its simple and isnt too bold. I also like the sharp edges on the 'N' because it gives a cool edgy look to my magazine
• For this magazine i chose to have red as the masthead colour because it has connotations of danger, making out that my magazine is exciting and contains content of a serious and potentially explicit nature which i aim to achieve with my double page spread
• I will be positioning it in the top left hand corner to comply with the 'left third' carried by almost all music magazines. This is because when the magazines are stacked, the brand of the magazine is easily visible from the side.
• I am choosing a size similar to that of NME's, big enough so its clearly visible but small enough so it doesnt draw attention away from the main cover star and main cover line.
• Around it i shall also palce my selling line as well as the date like many other music magazines like NME see here in an NME magazine i researched http://stevesasmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/magazine-cover-analysis-killers.html

Drafting and planning

I have decide that i shall include a selling line to accompany my masthead 'Ignite' as selling line's are a common convention of magazines in persuading the readers to buy the magazine and also because NME use a selling line so i want to replicate them by including my own.

I wanted it to link to my masthead which would help 'brand' my magazine making it unique and recognisable. However i also needed it to sound attractive to my target audience, mainly people who enjoy reading about modern music, so i needed to link it to that as well. On top of this it also needed to be short and sweet, something catchy that readers would easily remember.

It is for these reasons that i came up with this selling line:
'Setting alight modern music'

This selling line is basically saying that my magazine is setting alight or igniting modern music like a fire so that it can burn bright for all to see. the fire (the modern music) exists because it has been sparked by the magazine through its content (hence the name ignite) and by creating this fire it implies that the magazine is revealing modern music to the world by lighting it up because before it was unnoticed and unheard of so without this magazine you would be unaware of the hottest new music. This makes out as though fans of modern mainstream music (my target audience) will be missing out and therefore it persuades them to buy the magazine.

My magazine delivers on this promise as the main feature that i will be using in my magazine is a hot new indie rock band that are beginning their rise to fame.

organisation

MY SUPPORT ARTIST'S IDENTITY
This is the identity of my second supporting band/ artist that will appear as a cover line and a main feature in the contents page

• This support artist is called Jessica Rose and i called her this because she is in the hip hop music genre and its common for solo female artists in this genre to adopt a name that is short and sweet e.g Katy Perry, Pixie Lott, Jessie J. The last name 'Rose' also has connotations of love and so it complies well with her image
• Her image is one that is sexy and dangerous. This is a typical image for a solo female artist of the hip hop music genre. she also comes across as playful but she also has a lot of attitude which gives her a more dangerous edge.
• Like my main band and my supporting band i will use a friend to pose as this artist in my photo shoot
• To try and portray her image i will use aspects of the photo shoot: black and red clothing to connote danger but also love, direct mode of address and a sexy but dangerous facial expression which maximises the effect of her attitude to the readers. There will be no props because i want images of her to appear simple because she is a simple down to earth artist which is why she isn't afraid to express her attitude.
• She is going to be featured because she is revealing herself, e.g. her past, her personality etc. and my magazine would want to feature her because she is a popular artist of a popular  music genre so they want to be the first mainstream magazine to have exclusive information about her.
• She is 21-25 years old which is an appropriate age because its easy for a younger artist to portray a sexy and dangerous image and the target audience of my magazine 'Ignite' would be of a similar age so they would want to read about her because they feel they can relate to her attitude especially since she is revealing all about her personality.
• She, like my other featured bands, originates from the UK however she is already becoming popular in the USA and has potential to becoming a world wide pop star which fuels her confidence and boosts her image

Organisation

MY SUPPORT BAND'S IDENTITY

For my magazine i will also need to create some supporting bands and artists that will appear as cover lines on my front cover and will be main features in the contents page.

• I have decided to create one supporting band and one supporting artist
• The first is a band called 'Renegade' and i called them this because i think it complies with their rock genre because it sounds serious and potentially dangerous.
• Their image is one of a typical rock band - they are serious but also professional - they are not cocky or 'full of themselves' like my main band because they are older, more experienced and more mature.
• It will consist of two males, two of my friends who i have invited to my photo shoot to pose as this band, and i will take multiple images of them whilst they pose as though they are at a concert or festival
• to do this a fake microphone as a prop will be used, there wont be any direct mode of address (because they're at a concert performing live) and the lighting wont be that bright to give it a more natural feel.
• I decided to do this because its a common convention in music magazines especially my influence magazine NME, that at least one of the featured bands are featured because of their concert or tour and therefore the image used for them will be one taken live at their concert
• This also means that the cover line used and anchorage text about them on the front cover and contents page will be directly linked to the concert because that is why they're featured.
• The two members of this band will be aged 30-35 because this is the typical age of bands of the rock genre and i want this band to be a typical rock band because they are featured so often in mainstream magazines like NME which im using as my influence
• Like my main band, 'The Desperados' they originate from the UK however they have recently hit their prime and have just finished touring in the USA, so the concert that is being focused on would have taken place in America - these are the main reasons why my magazine 'Ignite' would want to feature this band - because they are a well known band and have just entered the international stage which is a big event for a rock band and therefore its something a mainstream magazine like NME would want to feature

drafting and planning

These are more fonts that i could use for my cover lines including my main cover line which will be the name of my magazine's main feature which is my created indie rock band, 'The Desperados'

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

THE DESPERADOS

I like these fonts because they are bold and are clear to the readers so they can instantly see who the main feature is and the font helps portray them as big and important. However some of these fonts, the ones that are smaller and not as bold, could be used for the other text on my magazine front cover and my contents page because they are just as clear but not as bold which they dont need to be because anchorage text is usually smaller because its less significant in comparison to the cover lines.

drafting and planning

These are the potential fonts that i could use for the masthead of my magazine called 'Ignite' http://stevesasmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/drafting-and-planning_18.html
               

IGNITE

IGNITE

IGNITE

IGNITE

IGNITE

IGNITE

I like all of these fonts because they are straight, clear and serious which makes them a more mainstream and conventional font found in mainstream magazines like the one im creating so i think they comply well with the style of magazine im aiming for.

organisation

MY BAND'S PROFILE/ IDENTITY

My main band that will feature in my magazine 'ignite' as the main cover stars are called 'The Desperados':

• Their 'image' is one that is rebellious and dangerous because this complies best with the serious indie rock genre and is similar to the image of indie rock bands like Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian which are the main influences for this band.
• They originate from the UK so their words dialect and slang (in the double page spread) may reflect their culture as a British band which will help create a better image and personality for my band
• Their ages will be ranged between 21-25 because they are a young and upcoming band. This age would also appeal to my target audience because they are of the same age and therefore they would be more inclined to read about a young band
• In my double page spread article i will also include information about the band's new album which is called 'The day left behind' because it sounds serious but also emotional and therefore reflects the mood of the music within the album. 
• This also links in with the band's name as desperado means outlaw so its like the band are putting their past behind them through their music (the name of this album) because they are outlaws in today's society which is also their motivation for this album.
•  This album is their first which has been the key to their success as a young upcoming band, therefore it needs to appeal to my target audience which is partly achieved by the name of the album and the mood it connotes which would be attractive to fans of indie rock. However i think i also achieve this through the tracks in the album:

1. How will you live without me?
2. the 25th floor
3. back and forth 
4. don't look back
5. shock parade
6. exclusion
7. see it in your eyes
8. fierce nights
9. gotta' run
10. falling through
11. stay another day
12. how will i live without you?

• These sound like tracks that would fit the indie rock genre well because they either reflect the emotions, feelings and experiences of a typical indie rock band which the target audience could relate to (especially if they're the same age, which they're likely to be) or they are abstract and random which would intrigue the target audience and make them want to listen to them so they could discover what they're about.
• This band would also do tours of the UK whih i could include information on in my double page spread however i could talk about the potential of a tour in America as this band is becoming more famous and popular worldwide
• I will include information about the album and tours because bands try and sell themselves when they are in magazine and i will do the same
• My magazine 'Ignite' would want to include a band like 'The Desperados' because its a mainstream magazine and therefore, despite indie rock being more of a niche genre, 'Ignite' would still want to feature the hottest up and coming bands  like they have done over the years with indie rock band, Arctic Monkeys.

Drafting and planning

The official name for my created band is 'The Desperados', this is mainly because i think it fits the indie rock genre well because a lot of indie rock bands, 'arctic monkeys' 'kasabian' have abstract names which intrigue its target audience. I feel this name intrigues my target audience in the same way because it has a cool mysterious ring to it. Also the word 'desperado' originates form the old American West which refers to an outlaw or group of outlaws, so it suggests that my band are 'outlaws' which helps create a rebellious and dangerous image for my band which fits my genre perfectly. This also helps me achieve my target audience because my band will be the main feature in my magazine 'Ignite' which has a teenage dominant target audience and therefore my audience could relate to 'The Desperados because they may feel like they are outlaws in today's society too ad will therefore be interested in reading about them in the magazine.