Flat Plan for Music Magazine

I have put the Masthead in the top left corner as the eyes automatically go there first, making it distinct to the reader which magazine they are reading. The essential information is beside it and in a smaller font as it isn't a point of interest to most, and is only there for those who wish to look for it. The main image will cover the entire front page as it will be the main selling point of the magazine, focusing mainly on the person or persons. The coverline is beside it in a certain font/colour to go with an eventual house-style and to show it's connected to that article, with the subheading directly below to give slightly more information on it. The subcoverlines are in the same font/colour as the coverline to show they are linked and a house-style is being followed for my magazine, making it obvious to the reader who they are reading. Finally, the bar code is in the bottom right corner as it follows the usual conventions of a magazine, keeping it neat and out of the way/focus of the magazine itself.



At the top of the contents page, there will be images based on the main articles/the main selling points of the magazine, with page number in the top right corner to indicate the page they are on and making it easy for the reader to navigate through the magazine. Likewise, page numbers are included after the coverline sand subheadings to show where in the magazines the articles are. Coverlines are used below the main article images to quickly preview what the article is. The editor's image is to show the editor, making it seem more personal to the reader, with the editor's note below it to talk about the issue. The coverlines and sub-headings next to it describe the articles within the magazine.






 The dominant image will be across the entire double-page spread as it is the main focus of the entire magazine and would largely follow the conventions of double-page spreads in general. There will be smaller images throughout it to make it seem more personal to the reader, and so making them more interested into the article. The coverline will be on the left as the eyes automaticcaly go there, and it's the largest font as it will grab the attention. The pullquote is also large but smaller than it, as it will say something that will make the reader want to read the article to find out the context and more information. Likewise, the strapline adds a little bit of information to tease the reader into it. The article itself will take up just over half the double-page spread, so the image is still viewable but the article itself is long enough to satisfy the reader. A drop cap will be used as it's visually appealing to the reader and it indicates the start of the article, while the writer's name will be at the end to indicate it is the complete end of the article.
 

Analysing Previous Student Work

Name of Magazine	Strengths	Weaknesses	Grade I awarded and reason
Image	The design of the pull-quote is very professional and different. Stayed consistent with house-style; it stands out. Images are professional. Logo is professional and recognisable. Photoshop/editing on images is done well. Professional and clear layout. Good sized density of the article.	Red lines clash with the cover-line. Scan-box has no place on the cover- more realistic to be in contents. Double-page spread has standard font. Page numbers are inconsistent. Bad grammar. Drop-caps needs to be lower. Background very plain/too solid- texture could be added. Double-page spread hasn’t got an anchor. Could have used an anchor.	B
The Booth	The font of the title is unique and interesting. Likewise, the Masthead is an interesting font. Questions are bolded to be clear. Drop-letter is in a clear place.	Most of the font is very basic, unappealing and not interesting at all. Extremely bad photoshop. Page numbers could be in order.	D
Strobe	Interesting font on contents page	Everything else Poor font on front cover Title unclear Pixelated images Bad photoshop Huge barcode Punctuation and grammar	D

What have I learned from looking at last year’s student work?

I have learned that I have to pay close attention to details, whether that be taking the photo, editing the photo and checking all spelling, punctuation, grammar. I know I should focus on this because it can take away easy marks, potentially dropping marks.

How will I apply this to my own work?

By paying more attention to all the details and going over it multiple times to make sure there are no mistakes in the articles, on the images and on the essential information.

Contents Research

Masthead

The masthead is in the top-left hand side, folouring the house style of yellow, black and white. The font is styled to be dark and gritty to follow the genre of the magazine. It's been placed in the left hand side as the eyes automatically go there when reading, so it's clear that this is the contents and the way to navigate throughout the magazine.

Necessary Information
The issue number and date are located directly below the contents so it is very clear to read, standing out against the black background with a white font. The contents page doesn't have any other additional information such as the page number and addresses (web address, office address, etc.).


Font
The same font is used for nearly all of it except for the image captions, following a clear house-style of edginess, grit and the general feel of rock. The colours used are white, black and yellow, once again following the house style and making it distinct to the reader what they're reading (for if they have just picked it up, for example). The only bold text used is during the Editor's Note, at the beginning, so it is clear it is not necessary information like the rest of the contents but more an optional read. It uses no italics in the entire content, making it seem that the house style itself doesn't involve them.

Images
The article includes 7 images: two of the double-page spreads so it's clear that these are important articles, two smaller ones of different articles included in the contents itself, one very large one of the subject of the main article (Slash) so it's distinct that this is the focus of the issue, one of the Editor so it's clear who would be addressing you in their Editor's Note and one of other issues- a deal that you may be able to purchase these tings.

Composition
The layout is very clear, with the articles and their page numbers in distinct boxes. The main articles are also very clear as they are large and on the top half of the page. The text relates to the images as they clearly state what they are and where they would be found within the magazine.

Linguistic Features
Short sentences are used to describe what the article is about, with one instance of a pull-quote being used to attempt to draw the reader in with the rather drastic statement that is giving for it. Many of the sentences used are just lists of names, if not just consisting of one name as the title and giving no further information as the title alone would draw your attention.

Colour
The colouring of the contents itself is rather dark with the main colour being grey. However, white and yellow are also used but with gritty textures to still give the overal rock feel for the music magazine. The images themselves are also rather dark, with nearly everyone mainly wearing black, except the preview of the double-page spread where the background of it is white.

Masthead

The masthead is in the top centre of the page, following the house style of pink and white. The font is styled to be bold and bright to follow the genre of the magazine. It's been placed in the centre as it is in the middle of the page and therefore will grab the attention as nothing surrounds it to distract the reader.

Necessary Information
The issue number and date are located nearly directly below the contents so it is very clear to read, standing out against the dark grey background with a white font. The information shown includes the date of the month, the issue number and the page number of the contents (which is in the lower right corner so it doesn't distract the reader).


Font
The same font is used for nearly all of it except for the titles and pull-quote, following a clear house-style of pop, being new and different. The colours used are white and pick, once again following the house style and making it distinct to the reader what they're reading (for if they have just picked it up, for example). Bold text used is in the titles of the articles to make it clear what they are about and also on the pull-quote to grab the attention of the reader. It uses no italics in the entire content, making it seem that the house style itself doesn't involve them.

Images
The contents includes only one image: one very large image of the subject of the main article (Florence Welch) so it's distinct that this is the focus of the issue and is the main selling point. The way she is styled even conforms to the house-style with her red hair and lipstick (pink), pale skin and jewellery (white) and dark dress (grey), making a clear connection between her and the magazine.

Composition
The layout is very clear, with the articles and their page numbers on the left-hand side, curvinf over the main image. The main article is also very clear as it is advertised 3 times- once with the image, once with the header and information, and again with the pull-quote at the bottom. The text relates to the images as they clearly shows the main article.

Linguistic Features
Long sentences are used to describe the articles featured in the magazine, showing it is aimed at a more sophisticated audience due to this. The pull-quote alone gives off a sense of sophistication due to the philosophical nature of it and how it itself is presented.

Colour
The colouring of the contents itself is contrasting as it has a dark grey background but with bright pink and white fonts. The images is also contrasting as the brightness of Florence's pale skin, red haur and bright jewellery stand out against her dark clothing.

Masthead

The masthead is in the top left of the page, followng the house style of red, black and white. The font is styled to seem sophistiated by being rather formal and basic. It's been placed in the left as it is the first place the eyes go to when reading and therefore will grab the attention .

Necessary Information
The issue number is located directly to the right of the masthead so it is very clear and distinct, with white font on a red background. The information shown is only the issue number, with information such as the date and page number not included.

Font
The same font is used for nearly all of it except in the case for one titles, so it follows a clear house-style of sophistication, being different and bold without being bright. The colours used are white, red and black, once again following the house style and making it distinct to the reader what they're reading (for if they have just picked it up, for example). Bold text used is in the titles of the articles to make it clear what they are about and italics are used for one of the titles of the articles, making it distinguished from the rest.

Images
The contents has 3 images; one main oneof the man article, one of a double page spread and two previewing some of the articles. The way they are placed/shapedconforms to the house-style with them and themagazine, being quite clear, sharp and sophisticated.

Composition
The layout is very clear, with the articles and their page numbers on the left-hand side, curvinh over the main image. The main articles are also very clear as it is advertised 4 times with the imageand fou times with their headers and information. The text relates to the images as they clearly shows the main articles.

Linguistic Features
Long sentences are used to describe the articles featured in the magazine, showing it is aimed at a more sophisticated audience due to this. The fact there is no pull-quote alone a sense of sophistication due to making the pictures stand out and highlighting the importance of the articles by the size of the pictures.

Colour
The colouring of the contents itself is contrasting as it has a grey background but with bright red, blackand white fonts. The images contrasts as they have relatively dark backgrounds and therefor are distinct against the grey background.