AS Coursework Evaluation

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Evaluation for double page spread

Here is the small version of my final copy of my double page spread for my music magazine. A larger image is attached further down in the blog.

One major difference from producing the front page and contents to the double page spread was the amount of text it contained. I had to consider a number of aspects before writing my article, including what kind of tone to use, informal chatty colloquial language or formal Standard English. After much consideration I decided to use Standard English with occasional informal language. I decided upon this because the target audience is further educated students who generally would have been educated enough to understand and appreciate that type of language use.

I decided to feature the main cover star as also the feature of the main article in the magazine; however this isn’t unusual, it’s very typical for a magazine to carry this convention. The shot that I used isn’t posed and is an action shot. Part of the reason I selected this specific picture was that it indicated an natural effect in an ordinary environment which conveys an un-materialistic tone.

The colour scheme used is the same throughout to keep in form with the house style. I felt like adding more photos onto the double page spread would distract attention from the main photo and clutter up the spread. CLASH likes to keep it's magazine simple and not chaotic, which signifies to the audience that CLASH doesn’t need to have fancy elements to the magazine, the content itself is adequate.

Planning out in advance what house style, colour scheme and other features I wanted my magazine to have, really helped make the process of actually making my magazine a lot smoother and straightforward. I made the title a lot larger than usual as it signifies and emphasises the position of the importance in CLASH.

I included the update of the release of the new single of the artist; this promotes them and keeps the consumer engaged in the story. I feel double page as a whole would really appeal to my target audience.

Interview for Double Page Spread

Exclusively from CLASH we have the highly anticipated upcoming star from Bristol, Gemma Clark to give you the latest of her breakout single of 'Move with the wind' and what it's been like to break into the music industry from such a young age. After a year of juggling her studies and going on a mini tour around the UK, her voice has finally been heard and has been signed up to Polydor Records. Excitingly CLASH have been given the opportunity to meet behind stage of her performance at the O2 Academy in Bristol, bagging exclusively her first interview for a magazine.

So Gemma, you have recently just finished your UK breakout tour, a very new experience for you no doubt. How was the experience for you?

Well from a very young age I've been performing at every opportunity given to me. School productions, gigs at my dad’s local pub and cafes. I've suffered from stage fright. As soon as I'm out there and the spotlights on me, all my fears disappear. Just me, my guitar and the audience. However all the traveling, tiredness and homesickness has definitely taken some adjusting too! It's all been worth it!

How does it feel to be traveling back to your roots of Bristol where it all started?

Ive gone back round to all the places that I used to frequently perform very small gigs for. It’s the performances like that, which really boosted my confidence to excel. It's very nice to be back in Bristol, its been great to get back to a familiar scenery.

How has it been juggling such a time consuming task of a tour and your final year at A levels?

It has definitely taken its toll, it feels like I have 2 full time jobs and on top of that still being able to see my friends and family. However I don't see performing as a chore, it's my most enjoyable hobby and hopefully job for the next chunk of my life. From the beginning of this experience, my priorities have changed drastically. My friends and family have all been very supportive throughout.

Was there ever a point when you thought that you wouldn't ever be recognized?

At times it did cross my mind, but on the other hand I’m still so young. I'm very fortunate to have such great fan recognition at such a young age. However I always knew I needed something, unique and different to set me aside from all the other aspiring performers out there. I've always been fully aware of how competitive the music industry is.

Has there been any point recently when you just wanted to return back to your normal, average teenage life?

Nope, never for one second. I am fully aware that most peoples my age haven’t and won't have the opportunity that I have been given. I'm very grateful for that. There's plenty of time for doing the average, everyday things in the future, but for now this is my priority.

So, what's next?

Carry on performing, work on my new album and hopefully go on another bigger and better UK tour.

Ever thought about wanting to crack the U.S?

*laughs* Getting abit ahead of ourselves now aren’t we!

You never know! I think it's time we wrap things up! Thank you for the opportunity for letting us meet with you. The CLASH team and audience wish you all the best!

Brief Contents Page Analysis

Here attached is a small version of my CLASH contents page (larger one is attached further down in the blog).

Before I started the process of constructing my contents page I imagined it to be a very hard assignment as I didn’t realise how much detail and effort was actually needed in order to complete it to a professional standard. However now the assignment is completed, I’ve realised it’s turned out to a good standard. Practice from my preliminary task and experience from my front cover ensured that my skills were developing in order to produce good work.

Throughout the project I have made some drastic changes to my contents page and have had many un-successes. Through trial and error I have managed to compose a piece I am satisfied with. A huge mistake which resulted in putting the actual production process on hold was editing my photos, I edited 20 photos and soon realised after analysing them that they weren’t quite what I wanted for my magazine. I however didn’t keep the originals in result had to start again taking photographs. However I gained out of the issue experience in editing and practice with photography for my final photographs.

My main goal was to keep the contents page in kept with the house style of my magazine, in attempt to make my 3 pieces as professional looking as possible. I also decided to put one main image only in my contents page as I felt to emphasise the main feature any other images would draw attention away from it.

To keep in key with the professional look of the magazine I used the CLASH magazine logo frequently throughout so it can be easily identified by the audience. In my double page spread under the masthead I composed a tagline. The tagline has connotations of what the magazine is trying to signify, ‘young, fresh and a lyrical genius”. This is presenting to readers what CLASH is about, representing young ambitious performers.

VIBE

Throughout my project VIBE has become a huge inspiration in producing my own magazine. Despite the fact VIBE is a very different genre to my own magazine, the color schemes, language used, images and setting have proved to have turned out very similar.

VIBE use very central simple images for their front covers, which I chose to convey into my own magazine.

One aspect of VIBE which I was inspired by the most was the color scheme, which I personally found so effective I decided to use it in CLASH. The color scheme is very effective because of the simplicity yet contrast it carries. It color scheme to me signifies power, success and dominance.

Flat plan of Double Page Spread

Flat Plan of Contents Page

Flat Plan of Front Page

My completed double page spread

Changes I made to my Double page spread

Through my own fault unfortunately I don't have the first copy of my double page spread but I thought id note the various major adjustments made to the layout.

Primarily the main text and my photograph were faded on top of each other, overlapping. However I decided this wasn't the right look for my double page spread as the black and white picture dominated the text making it difficult to read which would put an audience off from making a purchase.

I organically had the title in the pre-downloaded font 'Arial', I then realized it didn't give the magazine the professional looking edge I was edging towards so decided to download a font especially too add a unique element to my CLASH.

I also originally used a white, black and blue color scheme for this specific piece, then I realized that to keep in context with the whole magazine I decided to keep with the red, black and white color scheme to add to the professional edge.

Contents Page Research

Before beginning to produce my double page spread I decided to do some research into different magazine double page spreads and what different types and styles are around the market.

NME is a nationally and globally recognised magazine. The spread that caught my eye was the story featuring Lily Allen. The head line of the double page

spread is using a particularly bold, statement font. Which would attract the readers attention with its bold contrasting colours. The title takes up a huge proportion of the front cover which helps automatically draw attention to the page. The white, clean,plain and refreshing background colour keeps the audiences attention focused on the text and picture.

The name 'Lily Allen' is used Red, again contrasting and emphasizing the name as its the only text featured in different colour to black and white. Also the only other colour featured on the page is the red on Lily Allen's clothing which suggests a clear link to why the chosen font colour for 'Lily Allen' is red.

The dark make up, unflattering, masculine clothing and mannerisms in the photograph suggests that Lily Allen is perhaps rebellious which ties in perfectly with the chosen font. What particularly caught my eye was the choice of font as I think the one chosen works really well with the type of image NME are trying to convey their story like. It's very unique bold and rebellious. The colour scheme as well I feel is very affective.

This Florence and the Machine double page spread has been extracted from one of NME's monthly magazines.

Because of the fact there is only one photo featured on the spread it automatically draws your attention to it as soon as you see it. What primarily caught my attention was the simplicity of the cover yet it still is very eye catching in a very subtle way. The font used throughout the article is very sophisticated and classy. This is carried through throughout the whole page through the color schemes and photography used.

The Primary colors throughout the spread is black silver and red which are very popular colors with NME as it compliments their dominant color scheme. The color of the woman's hair co-ordinates and compliments brilliantly with the United States of America Flag. These key links all ensure a successful professional looking magazine format.