Mixmag DPS Analysis

This double-page spread from Mixmag is unorthodox in that the image is spread out over the two pages, the text being shoehorned to the far ends of the pages. The colours are yellow, black and white, evoking the imagery of a danger warning sign, implying that the magazine is radical or dangerous in some fashion. The font also evokes this, it is in a block serifs font, giving across both stylish flare and a sense of urgency. The central image, that of a club, is tinted black and yellow to remain consistent with the text, and also to appear lively and energetic. I will also frame one of my photos to appear to have lots of activity. In the image itself, the crowd is slightly off-centre, invoking the rule of thirds.  

Mixmag Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread from Mixmag is evenly divided between text and the image. The image portrays it's subject, reclining in a leather seat, demonstrating wealth and a lax attitude. The text is arranged in four columns. Though industry standard is three, clearly there was enough information exchanged to warrant a fourth column. There is also a small photograph, with text wrapped around it. As there is a limit on the amount of photos I am allowed to use, I may not use this. I will however be sure to take a photo of the subject matter of the feature article, asking them to pose in a particular manner with set dressing (mise-en-scene) as it would help relay the subject's character and personality.

Mixmag Cover Analysis

The front coevr of Issue 213 of Mixmag, rather than displaying any notable personality or group, shows a generic DJ from the back, making the cover abstract. The cover story isn't about any single artist, but rather the issue of how "today's DJ stays ahead of the game". The colours are mostly orange and blue, a colour scheme, interestingly, not upheld within the contents of the magazine itself. The subheadings are strewn across the far left and right of the page. I will make the colour scheme of the cover disparate from my contents page, as the cover of each issue of a magazine tends to be unique, and will also set the text to either side of my centre image.

Mojo Contents Analysis

The contents page of Mojo has it's text and images slanted, giving the page a disorientated, "radical" feel to it. The text of the contents is formatted to the centre, breaking some codes and conventions of standard magazine layout as most text is aligned to the left or right of the page. There are several inlay images, showing a pictoral representation of the contents of some pages. As many magazines do this, I will use this feature. 

Tillate Cover Analysis

TILLATE.com Magazine

The colours of the subheadings on the cover are all extremely vibrant, often using a gradient colour rather than a single colour. The centre image is surreal, depicting a man wearing a mirror-studded suit, a top hat and with a telephone wire wrapped around his neck. The letter “E” is replaced with a “3” occasionally, and the font sometimes changes between subheadings. This gives the magazine an eclectic, eccentric feel to it, fitting as the story is "one of dance's most flamboyant stars". I aim to recapture the surreal tone put across by this cover through the use of vibrant covers, and a front cover that isn't immediately connected to a story.

Preliminary Magazine Evaluation

In order to coincide with the conventions of other school magazines, my preliminary magazine showed a student at work as it's main image, as this will give the audience the impression of a studious, hardworking school. I have also used the main colours of the school (blue and white), on both the cover and contents as I wish to maintain consistency. The text of both the contents and cover is aligned to the far-left hand side of the page as that is the part of the magazine the audience will see first. As the specification required a photo of a student in mid-close up that is what I have produced.

In assembling the magazine, I learned how to use different layers within Photoshop, as well as the magneto lasso function. I also gained experience in using a digital camera specifically in order to edit them later in Photoshop, as well as taking lighting and shadow into consideration. I could improve upon this, as a photo I took of the school appeared dull due to the prevelance of shadow

Early Drafts of Contents and Cover