Kieran New Media Studies: February 2015

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Tools Used

Original Image

Step 1 - Crop

I cropped the Image to a suitable size, so that the model was on the left portion of the page, leaving the background and right hand side of the page blank so I could input the text there.

Step 2 - Add Rectangle

I added the rectangle as the starting point of the process which makes the text mould around a shape, in this case, the model's shoulder.

Step 3 - Add Anchor Points

Using the 'Add Anchor' tool, I added more points which I could manipulate to change the shape of the rectangle, moulding it around the models shoulder.

Step 5 - Change Opacity

I then changed the opacity of the rectangle so I could see where the shoulder ended and the background began.

Step 5 - Move Anchor Point

I then moved the anchor points so that the box went around the shoulder and did not overlap.

Step 6 - Insert Text

I then added the text, so that it went around the shoulder and did not overlap.

Step 7 - Add Header Backgrounds

I then put in a dark grey rectangle behind the headers (each question) to make it stand out more.

Step 8 - Change Font Size + Colours

I then changed the fonts, colours and sizes, so that each question header was Orange with a grey background, size 15 font, all in capitals with a spacing of -100.
And the main body of writing (the answers) was also in Orator STD font, in a grey colour (the same grey as the header backgrounds) size 14 with a spacing of -100.

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Photo Shoot

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Drawings and Plans

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Font Research

Font Research

Here I will test out which fonts I will use in my Music Magazines Double Page Spread.

Initial Research

I have decided to use the font 'Orator Std' as my Double Page Spreads Title font.

'Orator Std' Research

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Research

This design features a large image of the male model which covers most of the left hand half of the page. The background of the image however covers the whole double page spread, which allows the image to in fact cover the whole page. The double page spread has a very large title, which is positioned at a slight angle and employs the use of 2 different colours. I like the use of a very bold title which catches the eye very easily. The main body of text is split into three uniform columns which contrasts against the light grey background,

This design also uses a large image on the left side of the page, with a bold, two coloured title. The body of text however is only split into two columns, and has three seperate images along the bottom. It also features a smaller vertical white strip on the far right side, including more information.

Music Magazine Contents Page Design Rework

After receiving feedback that the design is too top-heavy, which after reconsideration I agree with, I altered the lower half of the design so it contains more 'stories', and also added page numbers for each story, increased the font size slightly and added a small 'producers note' at the very foot of the page. Combined, this equals out the balance of the page, and makes it less top-heavy.

Music Magazine Contents Page Design Draft

Music Magazine Contents Page Tools Used

I used the blur tool, in combination with manual focus mode while taking the image, to create the effect shown above. By doing this, the foreground of the image is focused while the background is faded out, which creates a very professional and sleek looking image which is perfect for my magazine.

Next, I used the Gaussian Blur tool on all of the coloured boxes that are on my contents design. This gives the box a modern feel to it which compliments the design nicely.

Next, I added 'Noise' which distorts the colour slightly, adding a 'static' look, giving the colour box texture and making it look nicer than a solid colour.

Another tool I used was the move and resizing tool, this is very helpful for ensuring that items are in the exact place I want, and the size I want. This tool as very simple to use, as it had small boxes surrounding the frame of the image which you click and drag to change the size of the image. You can also click and drag in the centre of the image to move the location of the entity.