Front Cover Mock Ups

After completing my first mock ups, I found that my Photoshop skills have improved and I’m getting used to using it. However looking over what I’ve produced I’ve found that there are certain areas of improvement.First of all, something I dislike on all three covers is the font used for the 'Eve T' writing. I have used the same font on all of the covers. I feel that it looks as though it's out of place and doesn't merge in with the rest of the page and looks 'false'. I think it does fit in with the music genre; however the background image isn't the kind of style I want, I just focused on getting the poses that I want to use in my final shots.In the first cover, to improve it I would make the circle slightly bigger and move it further down the page (keeping it on the same side). This would uncover the face more, instead of hiding it. Also I would make 'This Month Hottest' bigger and move it further down the page. I quite like the colours that I’ve used however, because the image is black and white I think I need to make the colour of the text brighter, so that it would stand out more when on a shelf. Black and white colours tend to be missed, and I feel that the text is too dark and it needs to be more striking and bold.

On the second cover, other than the Eve T font there are also other areas that I feel could be improved. The image doesn't go but once again I was thinking about the pose and positioning on the page so that I could fit the writing around it. I also don't like the masthead 'SAMPLE'. It could be something to do with how it spreads across. I feel that 'Eve T' over powers the masthead and it looks a bit unprofessional. Similar to the first front cover, I would move the 'hottest' cover line further down the page, keeping it on the left hand side. I like the colours I’ve used and how they go well with the image but again, I think they would look better and more appealing with being brighter.

On the third cover, again I focused on the pose and positioning of the image, however it's too girly and pop-like. I focused on the background cover (black) and I based the colour pallet (3 colours) that I’ve used around the image. For example, the pink text goes with the pink lips. The whole page is kind of based around a triangle shape so I positioned the text around this shape. I feel that the face needs to be clear and the writing should be below the chin. Then I’d move the barcode to the right and under the banner, along with the price and issue number. Then finally, I would make the 'Sample' bigger.

Overall my two favourites are the first and third covers. I like the image and the layout of the cover lines, features etc. I would change the colours, and maybe consider using a different font.

Test Shots for the Contents Page

The purpose of doing these Test Shots for my Contents page was to experiment with images and get an idea of how I would place things on the contents page (get an idea of layout). I chose to use a male model because I feel that by using a male, it will help set the genre of my magazine and also make it appeal to both men and women (which is what I want). I think that if I use another image of a female on the contents page, the magazine will come across more pop like and my target audience won't be reached.
I chose to dress the model in hip hop style clothes, especially noticing the hoody, and the shoes. I also wanted to include a guitar. This was because I had looked at many magazines for inspiration and a lot of them tended to include a guitar. Also, an idea that sprung to mind was to create a 3D kind effect. If you look back at my contents page mock ups and also on my pitch, there is a contents page where an artist is throwing a record which overlaps onto the 'Contents' cover line. I really like this idea so I'm considering, for my final shots, to create the same effect, however replacing the record with a guitar.

I took 100-120 photos all together and narrowed them down to the ones I have on here...
Beginning with the first shot, I really like the black and white colour scheme, and also I like the pose and the angle. I think this image portrays a love for music and gives off feelings of inspiration. It fits in with my genre because it has the 'cool' effect.
I like the pose of the second shot, and the way the model is stood. However I don't like how the guitar is positioned. I dislike like how it points and I feel like the image doesn't come together because the end of the guitar is almost coming forward and I feel like it needs to be brought back into the image so that the model is the main focus rather than the guitar.
To begin with, I did like the third shot's angle. However after analysing it I don't think it works. The image is too complicated but also seems boring. I don't think it would work on my contents page.
I like the fourth shot, once again, partly because it's black and white. I think the black and white colour scheme makes it more professional and as a whole, looks better. If I was to do this again, I'd position the guitar slightly up towards the middle part of the picture, so that it isn't just hanging at the bottom.
I like this fifth pose because of the leaning forward positioning. I think this reflects the genre and has an attitude effect to it.
The sixth and seventh pose are slightly similar. However I prefer the seventh pose more than the sixth BUT I prefer the colour scheme on the sixth rather than the seventh. I think this pose would look good on the contents page. However my minds still set on using the 3D effect that I want.
The rest of the poses definitely portray my music genre and I think they go really well and would look good. I feel like I've got the clothing of the model just about ideal along with the poses. With the final image, I just wanted to try out a different angle, and brought the main focus on the shoes. However I don't plan to use an image like this on my contents.

Overall, doing these test shots gave me a general idea of what sort of images I want to use on the contents page and how I would use them on the layout. It's made me more confident with my genre as I managed to create the look that I feel is perfect for my magazine. I have compared some of the test shots with my contents magazine mock ups and I've got an idea of where they would go on the page. I feel that these kind of test shots I've taken would work better on the first and third contents page.

Double Page Spread Article-Discover New Music

Hot off the press, this month’s Sample magazine is introducing a new, modern artist, Eve T who is soon-to-be hitting up the New Year charts with her dance and hip hop based music. Our nineteen year old, glamorous, Leicester lady will be releasing her single ‘Last Trick’ this year. As featured in such magazines as Q, Eve was related to artists of the likes of Katy B and Kesha. Her current music calls out to all teenagers and young adults and will definitely have a positive knock-on effect on the charts. With her 'not so gaga' fashion, yet highly up-to-date trends, she is definitely one to look out for to set out a new trend and become a model for young girls and women. Her life has been completely transformed and she quotes ‘I’m no longer living in reverse’. Constantly on-the-go Sample magazine had the chance to interrupt her fast paced lifestyle and we caught Eve in the Abbey Road Studio in London and asked a quick five questions.

1.   Tell us a bit about yourself, where you’re from and how you found your love for music for those of our readers that don’t know who you are.
Well, my full name is Eve Jessica Tipton. I grew up in Leicester living with my mum, dad, and brothers and I write and sing songs with a hip hop and dance genre. Erm I actually didn't start writing until the age of fifteen. My EX boyfriend who was a couple of years older wrote music and sang. So in all honesty, that’s the point in my life where I found my first love (pauses) for music! (laughs) So yeah, I went through stages of writing tremendous amounts of lyrics and then at other times I felt like I hadn’t written in so long. I love writing because you get in this zone and personally, it helps me to forget everything that's ever has or is bothering me. It is difficult to write and I’m grateful that I have the chance of being able to write my way into my own little 'get away' (laughs). My genre of music is partly influenced by my three older brothers and my upbringing. Being around people who love their hip hop kind of style and music, kind of wore off onto me. I also love dancing so it kind of all comes together in my music. It’s a great feeling how I can share things that I love.

2.    So what actually inspired you to make this single and what is the real meaning of the song?

After being signed by a label I spent my early days forcing myself to write songs that HAD to be perfectly polished, but there was always a part or that little edge to them that I felt was missing. As most girls do, we all discover and experience problems with the males. As I said previously, writing helps me to forget everything that has or is currently bothering me and it’s a way of letting your feelings out. I wouldn’t like to say that my last relationship inspired me to write this song because if anything, my ex was no inspiration to me! However either way, if this becomes a hit, he only has himself to blame (laughs). So basically I was just writing my feelings down and BOOM I had a song (laughs). I'm kind of portraying a number of things with this song. The title Last Trick, as in, that’s the last trick you'll pull and also Last Trick, as in, that’s the last man I’m going to let fool me around. Does that make sense? (Laughs). The rest is for you to work out! Get listening to the lyrics! There's more to what meets the eye! 
3. Certainly something to listen out for then! There’s been rumours about working with Will.I.Am, if true, what was that experience like?
I have been approached by the man himself but I don’t like to say much. I’m all about surprises (laughs).  It was absolutely amazing meeting him, I tried to stay professional when we first met but no doubt my HUGE grin gave away my frantic screams I was holding back inside! (laughs). What we’re producing is definitely something that will be big. Well I think so anyway (laughs). He and I have clicked and just get on like bread and butter. I’m saying no more! Watch this space!
4. Is the album finished yet?
No, but it’s very close to finishing. I’ve just got to really put in all the hard work in my last songs to make it perfect. I’m a bit of a perfectionist if I’m honest, plus you can’t afford to make mistakes with first impressions! One night I was up till 4 in the morning just because I couldn’t sleep. It’s definitely one of my hardest challenges because there’s so much pressure but I’m so eager to get this done. I’m so excited for you guys to hear it, I really am. It’s making me excited just thinking about it (laughs)!
5. What can we expect from you in the future?
If everything is successful I hope to have enough fans to tour, that would be more than amazing. I hope to just have fun and make music that people enjoy as much as I do. Like I said before, writing is difficult and not all of us can do it, so I want to share mine!
I want people to have as much fun as I will be!

So there we have it, teaser incites of what’s to come. Get ready for the dazzling Eve T to interrupt with new and fresh tunes. Forget POP taking up the charts and get ready for our daring, bold yet cool Miss Eve who will shift the playlists with her cutting edge music. Her single will be available on iTunes in February and of course make sure to listen out for stirring of the duo that’s yet to come...What a great start to a new year!

Contents Page Mock Ups

After receiving feedback, it seems that the second mock up is the most popular. I think this is partly because the layout is clear, easy to read and also the colour scheme works well together. However I came to the conclusion after researching music magazines with similar genres to mine is that the dark colours won't work well on the page as a whole because it doesn't go with my genre. As Matt said, they grey colour pallet works well with the grey scale images, however I'm not certain if grey scale images would work with my genre and idea of photo shoot poses etc. I'm going to experiment with different colour photos with my final images too see how well it works with the page. I like the effect the images give off on the second mock up because they're bold and uncomplicated. I agree with Lucyann's comment that the first mock up is more my genre, therefore I've decided to use the second mock up's style of image and the first mock ups layout so that I create both effects from the two mock ups on one. I also agree with the comments relating to the fonts used. I feel that the font I've used looks unprofessional and doesn't fit with my genre. I also feel that it doesn't fit with my target audience. My target audience is more mature as their older, however the font I've used fits more of a younger audience targeted magazine, so I have changed my font and also made it smaller. Also the page numbers on the images (as advised) would look better without the white background so I have considered doing it without the background AND making it smaller. I like the size of the banners on mock up one and two, however I think it would look better if I make the banner at the top, slightly larger than the one at the bottom just to make it fit and look better on the page. I quite like the use of colours on all three as they're all bold and striking which reflect on my genre, however I'm going to look at my models clothing before making a final decision on what colours to use. Then after deciding, I will keep the same colour scheme throughout my magazine.
Another point is that the layout of the writing on my contents should be split up into about three columns so I'll have to make it more narrow. This will help to make it more professional looking and will help me to split the page up more. I think contents page's are based more on layout rather than images. If I get the images in the right place AND the right size, I can position the writing more professionally. For example, an image at the top, then writing below. Then I'd add images in the columns to split the writing up in smaller blocks.
To create a good contents I think the images must work well with the writing. There has to be a lot of writing because it's telling the reader about each page, therefore the images help to tone it down by making it more easy to the eye. So if I get the positioning and colours of the image right it will help make my contents page an easy read, which will appeal to the reader.
Initially my favourite was the third mock up but realistically I feel that this won't work because the main image of the person throwing a CD needs to be EVE T. I feel that an image of EVE like this will contrast the effect I want to achieve through the photos of her, therefore it won't work because it's portraying her personality different and also it's too powerful as a first impression.

DPS MOCK UPS

Test Shots with Lucyann

Test shots help to chose and experiment with poses, positions etc and also to get used to using a camera and I have found that it has really helped and was easy to get into. I really enjoyed taking my test shots and took a variety of photos, so I’m looking forward to doing my final shots.

Test shots

My first picture is a mid shot of Lucyann. I think it fits the Trevor Millum ‘seductive’ pose because her eyes are less wide, her expression is confident with a hint of a ‘lips together’ smile and she looks cool and steady levelled. I have edited this photo slightly; defining the cheekbones, which I think looks effective as it’s what draws you into the photo. I didn’t specifically choose her clothing as it was only test shots, however the ‘hood up’ look adds to the cool/attitude effect which is what I want to achieve in my final shot. The photo is quite simple and I’m not sure whether it will reflect the personality of my artist in the final shots so I think I will look at this photo as an influence to what kind of editing I want to achieve.

In this second shot I’ve taken a close up of Lucyann. I love the angle, the positioning and the way her eyes are facing. I don’t like the smirk as it makes it look more comical and this doesn’t reflect my artist. The effect portrays Lucyann as dominant but with attitude and style.

The third shot is focusing on another different angle. I like the effect given from Lucyann leaning as it once again adds to the attitude. However I dislike the hood being up in this one and also the hands being in the pockets. I think this gives a bad effect. To me it comes across effortless, boring, and also rude. I also dislike the pose because it seems too serious. However I need to take into consideration that my artist (Eve) will be dressed more glamorously and the serious pose could tone it down slightly to create that cool effect.As I’ve said above, this fourth pose sets off the same effect as the third did. I dislike the angle too as it seems like an image of a person you would stereotype of living on a rough estate. It comes across unprofessional. However I do like the way the eyes are facing.

I love this fifth and sixth shot and I may consider using these styles of images on my double page spread because that’s where I will reveal more about the artist, so that readers can get to know her more and the pictures give off the first impression. The leaning forward and the subtle smile, tones down the attitude effect given from the hands being in the pockets. HOWEVER in some ways, I don’t think this is the right pose to portray my artists personality.

These two final poses are just fun, mid shots and long shots that I feel helped my model to loosen up and feel more confident. I need poses like this so that the picture doesn't look fake, too serious and forced such as the Trevor Millum Catalogue pose. I’m DEFIANTLY including a long shot such as the one here. I like the pose, positioning and facial expression. 

What the test shots revealed

An important factor that i now have to really work on is creating the right pose and look. I found it easy to use the camera and to choose and try out the angles, however i need to tell my model exactly how i want them to look. This includes facial expressions, the direction of eyes, their stance. I also need to consider the right colour clothing so that i stick to the 3 colour rule.

I wanted to take a range of cool , posing shots to experiment with the theme and style of my magazine. My test shot model is Lucyann and I took overall, about 40-50 photos of her. These are some that I picked out and analysed.

Golden Spiral

Originally a mathmatic equation, The Golden Spiral, otherwise known as a 'mystical shape' not only relates to mathmatics but is now put to use in photography. It was first discovered by Phythagoras who was a mathematical cult leader in the 5th Century B.C. The spiral developed from the golden rectangle which is a unique rectangle which has the golden ratio. When squared, it leaves a smaller rectangle which has the same golden ratio as the previous rectangle. The squaring can continue and still produce the same result. This is what makes the rectangle so significant.

By connecting a curve through the corners of the concentric rectangles, you can form a golden spiral. The Phythagoreans found this everywhere in nature for example, milk in coffee, DNA etc. Also called the Golden Round, it is constructed through starting large and working inwards.

Photography 



In Photography, there should be something leading the eye to the centre of the composition. This could be a line, or several subjects. The Golden Ratio is a good starting point to create good composition. Artists such as Da Vinci first used and developed the golden ratio into their work.

I'm considering these names for my masthead...so far...

• Hush, 
• Property,
• Zone, 
• Shaded, 
• Shot, 
• Pride
• Affair
• Impress
• One
• Sample
• Features
• Finest
• Spins

I'm still thinking of names and I'm going to do a questionnaire asking my target audience which they prefer and what they find the most eye-catching, yet different.
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After doing a short questionnaire asking teenagers between the ages of 16-18 and after considering peoples opinions, I have come to the final decision to use the name Sample as my masthead. I find that it's short and snappy and goes with my magazine music genre. Also after practising the name with my chosen font, it looks good and will be bold and striking on the front cover :)

Artist Biography

Eve T

Age 19
English singer/songwriter
Genre of music - dance/hip hop
Releasing her first hit song in 2011 called 'Last Trick'
Has been ask to collaborate a single with WILL.I.AM


The artist's character is very glamourous with a twist of attitude which relates her and her music with artists of the likes of Katy B AND Kesha.
With pop artist's taking up the whole chorus of the charts, artists such as Eve T will interupt with new, modern tunes aimed at a variety of music fans. Her boldness, daring, yet cool personality will boom up the playlists.
As featured in such magazines as Q Eve T sets out a new trend to follow. With her 'not so gaga' fashion, yet highly up-to-date trends, she is definitely one to look out for that will become a model for young girls and women. But what brings it all together is that her music calls out to men, women, boys, girls of all mature ages.