layout draft of front cover

Masthead first idea

I have chosen to use a dark purple shade for the title of the magazine because my chosen colour scheme is dark purple, black and white. The title of the masthead, 'electric' represents a guitar which represents the genre of the magazine. I have chosen to feature part of a guitar in the masthead to make the genre recognisable just using the masthead.

My magazine: general information and ideas

The chosen music genre which my magazine will focus upon is alternative rock/indie. Features of this genre are:

• an unpolished sound
• occasional electric guitars
• occasional acoustic guitars
• often signed to minor labels or are unsigned
• non-mainstream
• performing in smaller venues 
• slang words in song lyrics
• teenage audience
• young musicians

examples of magazines already in publishing which feature this genre are:

• Kerrang!
• NME
• Q

images of examples of features of the magazine i am designing include the following:

this is a typical venue were the acts would perform

some bands perform songs using acoustic guitars rather than electric

This is an example of the instruments that the musicians play. these include drums, keyboard, bass guitar and electric guitar.

the musicians which play this genre of music are usually aged between 16 and 30 years old and have around 4 members in bands or, in rare cases, perform solo.

the lyrics which feature in songs that fall into this type of genre include:

'This could be all that I've waited for
(I've waited, I've waited for)
And this could be everything
I don't wanna dream anymore

Maybe it's not my weekend
But it's gonna be my year
And I've been going crazy
I'm stuck in here'

and:

'Well you treat me just like another stranger
Well it's nice to meet you sir
I guess I'll go
I best be on my way out
You treat me just like another stranger
Well it's nice to meet you sir
I guess I'll go
I best be on my way out

Ignorance is your new best friend
Ignorance is your new best friend'

Double page spread example 2

This double page spread is different to any other magazines. The image dominates the page to make it clear who the article is about. The part of the image which is not important is filled with the text, this makes the page more attractive and avoids making the age look blank. There is no heading to the article and no other information, this emphasises the article itself, to focus the reader's attention only on the image and the text which are relevant to the article.

The image shows the model positioned to the side but looking straight towards the camera, this creates a connection with the reader but still suggests that the image is being taken in a normal environment which relates to an environment similar to the reader's. 

Quotation marks are used in the article to clearly separate the quotes from the article, this suggests are more story-like structure which the reader will understand.

Double page spread example 3

This double page spread is extracted from an NME magazine. The heading is 'USA got the love' and 'got the love' is in italics and smaller. This is because it is inter textual, it also refers to Florence and the machine's song 'you got the love,' the heading refers to this song because the article is about the music artist Florence and the machine. USA is in bold and dominates the page to draw the reader's attention to the main purpose of the article, which is to promote Florence and the machine's music being popular in the USA.
The image is a wide shot which shows the full length of the main product in the image, this is to ensure that the American flag is shown in the frame. The flag is similar to the American flag, this links well with the heading and the article.
The layout includes the image and the heading starting on the left, this entices the reader to analyse the conventions on the page from left to right. The main feature on the left page is the image and the beginning of the heading, this summarises the main subject of the article. The American flag is shown just below the heading USA to directly refer to America, Florence is just to the left of the line 'got the love,' this creates direct synergy. These four codes meet in the centre of the main image to blend the two codes to form one main code.
The colour code of this double page spread is grey, black, white and red. The red and white refers to the American flag, the black colour of Florence's dress links with part of the heading and the text and the grey is a separate colour to highlight the beginning of the heading and the lead of the article.

Double page spread example 1

The layout of this double page spread mainly includes imagery, this grabs the attention of the reader to entice them to read the main article. The centre and largest image on the page is of the lead singer of the band, therefore, the reader is more likely to recognise the featured band straight away if the centre image features the lead singer. The centre image is also spread over both pages to create the clear, recognisable layout of a normal double page spread.

The name of the featured band is not in bold so looks like it is not trying to draw the attention of the reader, this is because the reader will recognise the band by the images on the page. 

The main colour scheme is black and white, which is the same as the house style of the magazine. When the colour scheme is black and white, it helps to emphasise main features in the magazine that include attractive bright colours. 

The masthead of the magazine is included in the double page spread to add to the music genre that is being represented. It also shows that the page is the same house style as the rest of the magazine.  

Contents page example 3

This contents page example is from an NME magazine. The layout of the contents page is very similar for every issue, which creates consistency and helps the reader to recognise the house style of the magazine.

The masthead is included in the contents page title followed by the phrase 'this week,' this suggests that weekly music update are the main content, this is in bold to highlight the purpose of the contents page. The main article that is featured in the magazine is placed in the centre of the page, which entices the reader to focus on that article first. It also has a caption to summarise the main parts of the article in one sentence. Although the band index is on the left and the text is in red may suggest that the reader will read it first, it is in small print suggesting that it is not a main feature but something that the audience can refer to depending on their major interests.
The small black arrows on the right hand side direct towards the articles which feature on the cover of the magazine. This helps the reader to find the articles which are important more easily. It also separates the articles from the sections, but still including them into these sections for easy reference. 
The exclusive information which is included in the magazine is highlighted using a red arrow, similar to the small black arrows, pointing to the edge of the page. This suggests to the reader that they have to turn the page to find out the information.
The colour scheme is red, white and black with some attention grabbing colours such as yellow which is the same as the masthead and the front cover. This creates a consistent house style format.
The subscription information is at the bottom to show that it is not a main feature but it is something that may be useful for the reader. The image shows two issues of NME magazines to clearly show that it is an NME magazine subscription. The most important information and commands are highlighted in yellow, while the rest of the text is written in white text. This draws attention to the main points of this section and emphasises the persuasive language which is used.