Final Product: Front cover, Contents page and Double page spread

Here is my final product

Double Page Spread Interview text

Ashley, the new and up-coming pop girl has had a kick-start to her music career after performing as a support act for Katy Perry’s latest Animal Tour. She’s the newest success to the pop music industry, after making the charts with her hit single ‘Rubber Ducks’. 

How did you get started in a musical career?

I have always been a lover of music, forever dancing and singing along to songs as a kid and admiring the stars on telly, I always remember telling my mum how one day I will make it somewhere in music – I had a real passion for music. Once I got my hands on musical instruments I couldn’t go a day without playing, whether it was practising or coming up with someone new. Obviously, as a child my parents hated it because it was ear-burning to listen to as you can imagine. However, having attended a school that was a music academy, this enabled me to show off my given talent and gain confidence in front of crowds. This prepared me for all sorts of little town concerts, festivals and open nights, and it was from these practices where I got lucky in having the opportunity to take it a step further. As they say, it’s who you know not what you know. There were people in the crowds that loved me and had connections with workers in the musical industry that would get me somewhere through signing me up on a solo record deal.

What are your ambitions?

From a very early age I wanted to be a performing music artist, and it was the teenage years where reality hit me and gave me the impression that I would never be anything famous, but to stick to my small performances where I could still do what I always loved. Whereas today it is to make a number one hit single, even if it takes me 10 years and lasts a week, that is enough for me. I couldn’t be happier with where I am today.

What has been your most memorable moment so far?

The moment I was told my song had made the charts. I wouldn’t have cared even if it was to number 49 I would have been happy still, but to be told it made it to number 19 made me feel as though I have achieved something. I mean I enjoyed the recording of the video but this just topped it off and made it all worthwhile, and I have been told it is still climbing.

How do you start writing a song?

Song writing is always fun, but hard work and frustrating too. You have to work out how many syllables you can fit on one line, whether it rhymes, if it is catchy and if it is good enough! I always start with something random and see if it works, like what else is pop music about? I love the bubbliness and quirkiness you create through words and a beat.  However sometimes it can be a story which I find is the easiest way to come up with lyrics, and has a bigger effect on people as it has meaning or relation to, not just some random words thrown together!

How did you come up with the song ‘Rubber Ducks’?

As random as it sounds this song came from one of my many weird obsessions! I don’t know why but I have always had a love for rubber ducks! I just find them so bright and cute in an eccentric way. Like why wouldn’t you love rubber ducks? So really the lyrics come from my love for rubber ducks, I did do some further research to see if anything could fit in and work as part of the lyrics. I think every pop artist has to have that one weird song where people just think how do you come up with this? And for me a love for rubber ducks has made me song that fans seem to love, which also allows me to have fun and enjoy a really upbeat and crazy music video.

Why do you name your showbiz self as ‘Ashley’ and not the spelling you were born with?

To be honest I use it for a label, personally I think Ashley looks more simplistic than Ashleigh. Plus it gives me a different way of how people perceive me. As much as I want to be one person, when you hit showbiz and the publicity of the music industry, you have your side that is presented in the media and then your side of how you are without the fame, and I like to separate these. Plus when I get notifications or information, depending on how my name is spelt I know which side of me it is for.

Ashley’s new album ‘This Is Me’ is available to pre-order now on iTunes for £6.99, and available in stores from January 16th.

Interview text and photographs taken by Natasha Hares 

Development of my Double Page Spread

Here you can see how my interview improved to look more like a genuine magazine article whereby the columns are consistent in width and the photographs edited with a better brightness and contrast.

1st Attempt

Developed and improved version

Development of my Front Cover

Here you can see how my front cover has improved and developed from gaining feedback from my smaller focus group

1st Attmept

Developed and improved version

Background Experimentation on Main Contents Page Photo

Background Experimentation

To workout which background looks best to make the overall image look eye catching and realistic I have experimented with the original photo’s background and brightness/contrast. The first image is the original image, and the one on the right is the same image however I used the burn tool in Adobe Fireworks to darken the background slightly. I personally think the second image is better than the first because it makes it appear to be at night with lights like there would be at a concert.

The third image has a different background having cut the figure out on Adobe Fireworks and pasting her onto a coloured background to see if the colours and darkness work. The second version of this image has the figure in a brighter contrast to make her stand out more. I think the first image of the darker tone is better than the second because it looks more realistically combined whereas the brighter one looks like she has been place on a coloured background and not really incorporated.

The fifth image has a background from a pop artist concert with an audience in the background, again with darker colours with the model made slightly brighter to make her stand out. This image looks like she is at a concert however it is not common to have the audience behind the artist who is facing away therefore it can come across as unrealistic. The last image has a different background of blue tinted stage lighting in quite a bright contrast. This image has a concert atmosphere to it however it does not look as realistic to me as some of the others as the figure looks placed onto a background.

Masthead for Magazine Front Cover Feedback

To help distinguish which masthead is best suited for my magazine and so which one I should use, I asked a focus group of 8 people aged 16-17 to see which design they liked best.

Below are my results.

Magazine Number	Results
1	II
2
3	II
4
5	IIII

Original Photographs taken

Here are my 5 original images that I included in my magazine. 

Planning the Photographs

Pop music is a genre of music that originated from its own modern form in the Western World and can include other forms or aspects of music such as urban, dance, hip-hop and country. A common understanding of pop music is to include melodic tones and repeated choruses. Some pop music is associated with up-beat, bold and colourful bubbly imagery such as microphones, speakers, headphones as well as the use of bold colours and objects like bubbles, guitars and stars.  

Costume

I will use several costume changes throughout the images used in my magazine to make it more interesting for the readers to look at. The use of different costumes can symbolise different moods and meaning of the music or personality of the person. 

Front Cover: On the front cover I will use a close up shot therefore the outfit will not be seen clearly. The model will be wearing a funky pop style outfit of a white leather jacket. The outfit will be simple and not over-the-top because then it is suitable for slightly younger people which the magazine could be located near. Using a simple outfit will also allow me to experiment with props and editing, and remain the main focus to be of the model’s face, hair and makeup. Having a white background against the white leather jacket will leave all colours to the models portrait engaging the readers to the model’s face.

Contents Page: On the contents page there will be three photographs containing costumes. The first will be of a stage performance of four male dancers in jeans and t-shirts to promote the casual bad boy look. The second image will be of a different male model, wearing a natural costume of jeans and a shirt in a natural pose. Then the final third image will be the model that features on the front page and double page spread in an outfit suitable for performing in. This outfit could be a more extravagant outfit that could be worn at a concert for additional effect and feature to add to the song performed, such as a glittery outfit, dressed up costume like Katy Perry had in her “California Gurls” of sweets and candy cane stripes. The model will wear a beige pencil dress that has two chiffon drapes either side and black high heels to create a punk rock pop kind of style.

Double Page Spread: This will be about the artist on the front cover Ashley, and so I will have different costumes to ensure it is not boring, and shows change. On the double page spread I will use a sub image that will be of the model on vacation lying on the beach therefore her costume will be in a swimsuit to correlate with the beach setting. The swimsuit will be pink to enhance her chosen colour of the page to be pink. However because it will be a medium shot the swimsuit may not be visible. The second image is an incorporated long shot image which will be of the model in a casual outfit of a white dress and denim jacket, inspired by the Nicki Minaj outfit of a studded denim jacket seen above.

Props

Objects associated with pop music are musical instruments like guitars and microphones, other items include headphones, vinyl records and disco balls. The use of props can add to the effect of the music genre as well as making it more interesting by giving the reader something else to look at and interpret.

Front Cover: On the front cover I will not use any props because this way the image will focus solely on the person.  Often the front covers contain text surrounding the model and so props may not necessarily be needed as there is already stuff going on around them. Therefore making the front cover just as the individual will give them full focus and there will be no other distraction, giving them more attention.

Contents Page: On the contents page I will have three square sub images. The first one will be the largest and is of the main model dressed in a beige dress performing at a concert with a microphone prop to emphasise that she is on stage performing. At the bottom of the page to show two other featuring articles in the issue will be two smaller square sub images to make the page look more captivating because it is not all text. Similar to the one on the right where three square sub images are used to help fill the page. The first image will be of the four men in a dancing motion with no props. The second image will be of the male model which will have no props because he will be in a natural posed position with his hand through his hair. 

Double Page Spread:  The sub image will be a close up shot of the model lying on the beach with sunglasses on. The second image will be a long shot image and I will incorporate the model with the text to make it look professional and more captivating like the image on the right where the long shot of the person is in the centre of the page overriding the text showing professional editing skills of incorporation. The long shot will be of the model stood and with a rubber duck in her right hand as part of a prop to make it entertaining and unusual to fit in with the pop quirky theme. I will position the model on the right of the page with her turned to the left slightly where the text will be.

Setting

The setting of photographs is important because you need to know whether you want the background to be a scene that can contribute to the meaning of the photograph or whether it needs to be plain so that the main aspect of it is made clear and focused. Sometimes using a plain background can also be just as effective as a busy one because it can emphasise the image by making them more prominent from all the other aspects.

Front Cover:  On the front cover I will use a plain background so that all attention is given to the model as it will make her stand-out as there is no other distraction in the background. The background will be a plain white colour to make the colours of the masthead and text stand out in addition to the model’s skin being a pale skin tone, which will make her hair colour distinct and prominent.

Contents Page: On the contents page I will use plain background so the text and images are made bright and dominant. The image backgrounds will differ as the first image will be of a stage scene with the four males performing on stage. The second image will be of the male model in a natural light background taken outside with a light background. The third image will be the main model on stage with a blue curtain backdrop.

Double Page Spread: For the double page spread I will use plain off-white background so that the model is made significant and her dress does not blend in too much with the background. The sub image will have a background as the sand as she will be lying on the beach and the long shot image will be a cut out so that she is incorporated into the page therefore the background will be a plain off-white background. When taking the image because I will edit her out of the photograph I will use a contrasting coloured background so that it is easy to edit it her out of the photograph.

Facial Expression

Front Cover: On the front cover I will have the model positioned faced side on to the camera with her head turned towards the camera with a serious look on her face with a slight smile and direct eye address by looking into the camera lens that can come across as sensual attracting the male audience as well as female audience being inspired or fond of certain features.

Contents Page: The three images on the contents page will have different facial expressions. The first one of the male figures is hard to distinguish as they are turned away however they will be in a singing motion. The second image will be of the second model of a male who will be side on looking in the distance away from the camera to create a natural photogenic photo. The one of the main artist will be of her performing at a concert and therefore she will be in song motion of a positive facial expression with a grinning teeth smile.

Double Page Spread: The double page spread will have a sub image of the main model on a beach with a grinning smiling face with sunglasses covering her eyes. The second main image of the long shot will be her holding a rubber duck and she will be looking direct at the camera with a large happy excited grin on her face emphasising the craziness of her song that refers to rubber ducks.

Hair & Make-up

Front Cover: The front cover will be of the female model with her hair down with a natural wavy look. This may add to the seductive look made by the casual smiling facial expression pulled. The make-up used will be minimal and natural looking to promote the natural beauty within a person. However her lips will be made dominant through the use of red lipstick.

Contents Page: The first image on the contents page will be of the four male artists with no makeup on and with slick styled hair. The second sub image will be of a male model and therefore basic makeup will be used so there is a suitable glow on his skin with a natural styled hair by sticking up his fringe up and to the right. The female artist will have natural makeup to emphasise the natural pop music look. Her hair will be down and with straightened waves so that as if she was performing she could move her hair in a motion of over exaggerating her hair by whipping it about which can refer to the type of song she is singing.

Double Page Spread: The first image on the context page will be the model lying on the beach with her hair spread out in a circular motion with natural glowing makeup to radiant with the beach location. Her eyes will be covered through sunglasses therefore her eyes will not be seen. The long shot image will be her with an overall natural look of natural wavy hair and natural makeup to emphasise the natural look throughout.

Shot types

Front Cover: The front cover will be a close-up shot of the model’s face to give full focus to her hair, makeup and facial expression.

Contents Page: The first sub image will be the four male artists from an angled long shot side view. The second sub image will be a medium shot of the male mode. The last image will be the female model performing at a concert and so will be a long shot angled image. It will be taken from a lower level from the stage and slightly tilted for emphasis.

Double Page Spread: The sub image will be of a close-up of the model that features her face, hair and shoulders only. The second image will be a long shot image of the full body of the model to fill the length of the page and to be incorporated with the text.

Lightning

Front Cover: The background will be white, and the model’s skin is pale therefore I will use a high-key lighting to enhance these and make them stand out, by being bright and clean.

Contents Page: Like the front cover I will use high-key lighting throughout to make the magazine seem vivid and dazzling to emphasise the wow-factor of pop music to make all aspects stand out prominently. The first image will be of the male performers on stage therefore there will be high-key lighting will coloured stage lighting. The second image will be a high-key lighting image of the male model to enhance the overall picture giving highlights to key areas making it easier to see. The final image will be the female model in a performance and therefore will have light shining on her to give full attention to her. The access to the stage will allow me to have coloured lights in the background to help portray an act.

Double Page Spread: The sub image will be a close up of the model with bright lighting taken on the beach to again enhance her facial features and hair in correlation to the magazine being overall a light and illuminated magazine to enhance the features of models and the vividness, cheerfulness and intensity of pop music. Likewise with the long shot image which has no background because it is integrated with the text therefore it shares the same background of a plain off-white background, which will also make the text and image stand out more.

Planning and Structure Layout

Planning the features advertised on the Front Cover and Contents Page

 Features on the Front Cover and Contents Page

Feature	How or why it appeals to the target audience	Language used to advertise the feature
Masthead of the company name	The target audience will be able to recognise the magazine company and feel familiar with the style and content of the magazine knowing that it is either something they are interested in or not interested in.	One word name of the company in a bold font to get straight to the point. “NOW POP”
Main Cover line	The main cover line will be the heading of one of the main articles in that particular magazine issue, therefore if it is the name of a celebrity in which the target audience like to read about and follow then they are likely to read this magazine.	Few words in large bold sans font with an informal approach to create an effect and control the pace when reading, like full stops and commas suggest pauses whereas exclamation marks imply loud short reading. “Ashley, rocketing to the top”
Cover lines	These titles are made in a smaller font so that they do not override the main cover line and give a small insight of what is inside the magazine, to attract the target audience because they are articles that they are interested in reading.	Buzzwords and tag words that are also persuasive and possibly demanding which are used to engage the reader’s interest by using words like “WIN” “Top 5 Festivals to attend voted by You” “Top 10 Concerts of 2016” “November Chart Hits”
Competition for winning concert tickets on front cover	It will appeal to the target audience because they are more likely to buy a magazine if there is free stuff, discount vouchers and competitions inside.	Short, positive language that draws the readers in such as “WIN”, “Enter” and “Chance”. “WIN Tickets to Reading Festival 2017”
Free pull-outs	The target audience have said how they like a magazine to have free stuff or pull-outs therefore advertising this on the front page will draw them into buying the magazine.	Short buzzwords to get straight to the point like “free”, “exclusive” and “inside”. “Shawn Mendes Poster”
Events like festivals and concerts	The target audience are interested in music events and have attended some and so would want to find out more or read about them.	“Top 5 festivals to attend voted by you!” “Top 10 concerts of 2016”.
Strip	This is a bold strip online the cover that will inform the readers on the key content included in that particular issue to help increase sales.	Short buzzwords and tag words are used to engage the reader’s interest like celebrity names, concerts and festivals. “Adele reveals all”, “VFest review”, “Shawn Mendes poster pull out”, “Artic Monkey Tour dates 2017 released”
Column Headings	This will help the reader use the magazine as this sections the content to make it clear what features in what area.	“Front Cover” “Front Cover Strip” “News” “Features”
Article images	This will engage the reader more into reading the magazine and articles therefore appealing to them more if they like what they see.	Photo of main artist Ashley on Stage Photo of male group performing Photo of solo male artists posing
Sub text below main image	This will give readers more information on the article to grab their attention.	“Ashley rises to the charts with her first pop hit landing in the Global Top 20, hear what she has to say on her career”
Colour block behind page numbers	This will make it easier for the audience to see what the page numbers are of the assigned articles. It gives the overall page a colour scheme that correlates to the brand and makes it clear that the page numbers are in circle shapes.	A range of numbers 1 to 26

Questionnaire Results

Here is the link to my survey results on SurveyMonkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/fClAxRsiFWZCMNgGC_2BYrzVRZvsliwwbzeYonbhaT9P8_3D

Here are screenshots of my questionnaire results