Unused Images

Final Draft of Double Page Spread

Final Draft of Article

As Noah Oberst slinked through the doors of Camden’s Hawley Arms on a January afternoon, a certain charismatic energy exuded from him to the appreciation of the crowd. He appeared both elusive and taciturn, like the love child of a deer and a walrus.  He modelled an Afghan Coat, carrying the scent of patchouli oil. ‘This is a seventies throwback!’ I exclaimed.

Oberst chuckled ‘Yes, I honestly believe I was born in the wrong decade’

‘Is that so? And what era would you feel most comfortable in?’

‘Oh my, I’ll struggle to answer that one’ Oberst expressed, taking a deep breath in. ‘Probably the stone age with a few rudimentary instruments for a bit of sound. The reason being because I detest machinery which is why I only play acoustics. Also with the Stone Age, I think my dress sense would seem quite advanced and I would be a throw-forward rather than a throwback’.

‘Now, we’ve been requested to discuss your recent global success and your music, but of course you famously refuse to’

‘I love making music’ he explained ‘But I loathe talking about it. You’re welcome to ask me anything as long as it doesn’t concern music’

‘I suppose that is a fair compromise, however, we may have to include at least one mention of your band and music, one teeny weeny one’ – I said eagerly.

‘Hmmm’ Noah sounded with a grin.

The subject turns toward Oberst’s educational background. ‘The only good think about my education was that, having gone to a grammar school pretending to be public school, I had a really inspiring English teacher who was also into music and he turned me on to Woody Guthie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and stuff like that. Needless to say, he didn’t last long in my school. The rest of my education was spent mainly in a Greasy Spoon where I used to hang out miserably by myself’ – Oberst asserted with a smile.

‘Is there any particular subject that you excelled at in school?’

‘Indeed, I was good at sport, especially football. When I realised I was rubbish at actually kicking the ball, I became a goalkeeper which suited by outsider-ish, angst-ridden personality. I stopped doing sport in favour of mooning about unavailable girls and thinking about death. I also started reading a lot and went straight from Noddy to Sartre.’

‘And then you became a musician, presumably?’

‘I suppose so.’ It was an accident, really. I started writing music in my teens and solely for the love of it and then I met Heather and founded Mankind and Mayhem. I’m afraid that is all you’ll be getting’ he uttered with a wink.

‘What is your favourite tipple?’

‘Well, until last year, I used to drink a lot of neat brandy but I had to cut down as it was starting to burn a hole in my insides, now I’m just on the beer. I’m really into real ale at the moment, I’ve just discovered ‘Tipsy Toad’ which seems to really hit the spot and gives me the glow that seems conducive to good music.’

‘What about food?’

‘I have very subtle taste buds. My most common meal is what I call the ‘Everything Casserole’ where I empty the contents of my cupboards and put it all in the oven in a sea of gravy. It works for me’

‘I suppose with your new found stardom, you no longer have to make your own meals?’

‘I guess that’s so, to be honest it’s been a while since I’ve had an ‘everything casserole’, now it’s everything room service – I’ve become everything I hate about the world’.

Draft of Double Page Spread (excluding the article)

Construction of the Double Page Spread

Photographs for Double Page Spread

Final Contents Page(s)

Construction of the Contents Page(s)

Creating the Album Cover

For both a discussion topic for my article and for design purposes, I created an album cover to be placed on the contents page of my music magazine. I designed this in Photoshop by layering a series of images on another and cutting away sections in a linear format, before placing text on top of it. 

All my own Photography for Contents Pge

Inspired Contents Page Layout

As opposed to completing solely one contents page like may leading music magazines, I have chosen to design two, in a format very similar to MOJO magazine. I believe this layout is more pleasing to the eye as the text isn't clustered together and a more minimal approach looks more professional. 

Final Draft of Front Cover

Construction of the Front Cover

Image Selection for Front Cover

I have made a final decision concerning the image for the final cover. I believe this image captures both passion and adrenaline for music which I think is appropriate for a folk magazine.

Potential Photographs for Front Cover

Drafts of Initial Ideas

Inspired Photography

I aim to recreate this photograph for my front cover. I believe it is effective in depicting the passion that the artist holds and I imagine this will enthuse the reader. 

Fleet Foxes

This image is my inspiration for my double page spread and I believe it is a creative and captivating approach.

Photography Techniques

The main image displayed on the cover illustrates a close up shot of world renowned artist, David Bowie. This shot is used to depict his facial features and expression, which is one of flirtation. His hand is raised up to his lips; this is generally recognized as a seductive stance as it draws attention to the lips. The seductive quality of the pose corresponds with the sexuality exposed in the ‘Glam Rock’ genre in which Bowie is associated with. His skin is displayed as matte which is chiefly feminine, relating to the ‘Glam Rock’ culture. The artist is addressing the audience directly, drawing them in and providing the allusion that he is staring directly at them. A lightning bolt is shown descending from the top right-center of the page, eventually striking across the right side of Bowie’s face. The same lightning bolt was famously worn in Bowie’s sixth album, Aladdin Sane a therefore provides direct recognition. The colours used on the lightning bolt provide a fluent colour scheme, consisting of deep pink and sky blue. These colours are to contrast with the black and white photograph, this is an effective technique as the colours appear bolder and manifest, therefore it immediately captures the audience’s attention.

The main image is deliberately placed to the right to fit the rule of thirds. It is a medium - long shot of the duo ‘The Last Shadow Puppets’. The shot used shows their facial features, expression and attire. The pair appear to bear fairly vacant, defiant expressions. They both wear established ‘mod’ hairstyles which unites with their music genre and the genre featured throughout the magazine - Indie/Alternative rock. Additionally, they’re sporting black Harrington Jackets which are predominantly worn by mods. The artists are addressing the audience directly, drawing them in and providing the allusion that he is staring directly at them. The image is set in high contrast, with a low saturation and temperature, delivering a fairly, cold British exterior, providing insight of their music.  Furthermore, teamed with the grainy layering, the use colour also presents a passé quality, implying that the magazine has values which correspond with previous decades. This juxtaposes with the red text, causing it to appear bolder and manifest, therefore it immediately captures the audience’s attention.

New Aesthetic is recognised for their minimalistic layouts and the heavy emphasis on their artistic images as opposed to written content; this is apparent within this front cover. The image shows a medium close up of a young, attractive female model in profile. Her hair is short and flat, in keeping with the minimalistic theme. She bears a severe, unapproachable exterior with glazed vision, suggesting that the magazine features profound lyrical artists. The image dominates the page entirely as very little text had overridden it – this infers that the creators of the magazine aim to engage the customer’s attention purely for the the sole significance of the picture. The model is raised above the frame of the picture, presenting a 3D effect. The picture is layered with a black and white filter which matches the monochrome house theme. The filter also exudes intensity, this implies that the included artists are passionate about music and not characterised by their fame and futile lyrics.

The main image displayed on this cover portrays a medium shot of notorious punk rock band, Green Day. The lead singer, Billy Joe Armstrong, asserts his dominance by positioning himself in the middle of the two. He does this as customers identify the band frequently through him alone, and therefore can immediately conclude whether the magazine caters for their taste. The shot used shows their facial features, expression and attire. Their expressions are crazed and extremely exaggerated, demonstrating a fairly mischievous quality which matches the ideology of their music. Their hair is also chaotic which relates to these values. The men are wearing matching grey attire, proving they’re all part of the same ensemble. The men are addressing the audience directly, drawing them in and providing the allusion that he is staring directly at them. Billy Joe Armstrong is raised above the masthead, presenting a 3D effect and implying that the magazine is established, therefore customers can recognise the magazine without reading the entire title. 

The main image on this particular magazine is dominated by a high definition close up shot of Oasis front man, Noel Gallagher. This shot is used to depict his facial features and expression, which is one of severity, suggesting his lyrics are meaningful and that he is of profound musical importance. The artist is addressing the audience directly, drawing them in and providing the allusion that he is staring directly at them. The picture contains a harsh gritty, high contrast filter which highlights his wrinkles and hairs, however, this amplifies his masculinity. The photo is also set in black and white, intensifying the image and supporting the artist’s seriousness. This juxtaposes with the red text, causing it to appear bolder and manifest, therefore it immediately captures the audience’s attention. Although the text covers the majority of it, the audience is able to see Noel’s ‘mod’ hairstyles which unites with his music genre and the genre featured throughout the magazine - Indie/Alternative rock.

Testing shot examples

Social Class & Demographics

Demographics refer to statistical data relating to the population and particular types of people within a certain field, such as age, gender, race, education and income level. Any market industry will have a target demographic that they will aim their products or services at. Social grades are used in media and advertising and all institutions rely on this social grading system in order to base their intended product to the public appropriately.

My magazine shall be predominantly aimed at the lower middle class. The reason being, many of the lower middle class are primarily liberal which fits the lyrical content of folk music. Most songs are to protest against issues created by the leading classes, therefore middle class and upper middle class are immediately ruled out. Additionally, this is an appropriate social group, as they would be prepared to pay a reasonable amount for the magazine. I will provide the requirements for my target demographic by conducting various forms of research in order to grasp their desires. This will result in success as my audience will be more interested in the content of my magazine. Furthermore, I intend on aiming my magazine at an audience of 18+ as those under this particular age margin favour other music genres, such as Indie and pop. 

Members of  my chosen categories are those who work full time, therefore they have little spare time. I intend on publishing my magazine monthly as opposed to weekly because my audience will have more time to read each issue without being overdue.

Those belonging to the lower middle class are more likely to  purchase this magazine as they have more spare change than the working compared to the skilled working class. Considering this information, my magazine shall cost £2.00. Magazines targeted at the working class, such as 'Love it', average around 50p, whereas chiefly middle class magazines, such as Vogue, can cost up to £5.00. I believe that this occupies the middle ground between the prices of popular magazines and will be affordable for my target consumer on a monthly basis. The price of my magazine also roughly matches leading music magazines, such as NME, costing £2.20. 

In regard to meeting the needs of my target audience, I will include expensive prizes as they're unlikely to afford luxuries. These prizes will include festival and concert tickets and guitars. I plan on putting little emphasis on technological items as it defies the authentic and natural values of folk music. 

My magazine will include features such as information about relevant folk artists, concert reviews, interviews, guides etc. However, I will also include information that serves the practical needs for acoustic guitar players.

Colour Scheme

I have selected the final colour scheme for my music magazine. The colours I include are a light orange and a persian green, teamed with a black and white to balance. I originally picked a blue pallet begin with as it looked striking when compared to a black background, however it didn't align with the folk theme due to it's artificial exterior. I then replaced the blues with more earthy tones such as brown and orange, however, I believed it wasn't particularly eye-catching which is a serious drawback as customers must immediately notice the magazine. Subsequently, I selected a pallet which combines the two features; both striking and in keeping with the folk theme. Additionally, the persian green compliments the orange entirely.