Finished Double Page Article

Contents pages almost finished

As you can see, I have completely changed the layout of my contents pages. My previous draft looked plain and empty. I've now rearranged it, so that the main image is on the first page, looking like more of a feature. The first page now has a neat layout, with a bold image covering the top half. The bottom half contains an editor's note and a few page references but does not 

look too cluttered. I have inserted a picture of a female artist after realising that the images are predominantly male focused, to display a  more equal gender representation.

On the second page, I have now placed the gig reviews at the top half and other page references at the bottom. I have added more content to my "gig reviews" section ,  including a subheading "plus backstage acces!" and descriptions under each gig review. I have also added a background colour to make the section more visually appealing , as opposed to plain white. I have also added a subscription offer, as I've observed they are a regular feature in magazine contents pages. The subscription persuades readers to sign up to receive the magazine for a certain amount of time, and this encourages readers to become loyal. This will hopefully help the music industry as readers who sign up will regularly get the magazine, which will inform them on which music to purchase and which concerts to go to. 
The other references on the bottom half of the page will hopefully interest the readers.The feedback page reinforces a sense of interactivity and references such as "musician's tips" and "on tour with...Alice Cooper" will appeal to readers of this genre.

Article Drafting

Cover Drafting Process

Here I have posted a few of my InDesign drafts to show how my cover has transformed. As you can see a lot have changes have been made in the process.

Above you can see one of my basic early drafts. The masthead still remains as the initial full title "Live N' Let Rock!" and the cover lines are all missing.

Here I have changed my masthead to the shorter, catchier "Live Rock!" I have changed this due to the results of my market research, I agreed with the results, where the majority preferred this shorted title. I've added coverlines, and a layout plan for a banner at the bottom of the page, as well as a barcode. However the coverlines are only on the left hand side and changes were needed regarding the main cover line and it's font/layout. I've also added a subsidiary image of a festival in the additional space the shorter masthead has created.

Here my front cover is almost complete, the bottom banner has been slightly improved and at this point only a few changes needed to be made.

Front Cover, nearly completed

CONTENTS PAGES so far..

Here is one my first drafts of the production of my contents pages. As you can see it is incomplete, but I am using a double page spread which I hope to fill with content as it is a monthly magazine. There is also a lot of white space which I hope to fill and make the over all design look a little eye catching to the reader.

How I will use my market research...

I will use my market research to improve the designing of my magazine, now that I am more aware of what my target audience want.
After seeing the results, I have decided to change my masthead to the shorter title "Live Rock!" I feel that this will in fact be a more appropriate title as it is catchier, and suggests the idea of live rock music as well as living a rock lifestyle.


I will take the responses on board by designing the cover to meet my audience half way- not too cluttered and not too simple.
I am glad that the audience chose the colours which they did, as after studying popular conventions, I am aware that these work well.
I will feature the content that my audience chose as well I can- if it does not feature on the front cover,I will try and feature it elsewhere in the contents and article.
I was previously intending to use only one subsidiary image, so I am also pleased that this option won the majority of votes in the survey. I hope to find a suitable subsidiary image that reinforces the genre of a magazine. The image I'm thinking of using is a photograph of a festival which will hopefully interest my readers who I know have an interest in live music.