Comparison of Front Page, Contents Page and DPS

Comparison of Front Page, Contents and DPS:

Firstly, the Masthead carries from both the front page to the contents page outlining a consistent house style to be present. The magazine's identity is present on each page and even on the double page spread there is a small Q in the left hand corner.These are highlighted by the blue squares in the image.

The three images that carry across from the front page, contents page and DPS are shown here. The image on the front page is of the whole band with Alex Turner situated at the forefront of the image.As highlighted by the yellow square the image on the contents page is of Alex Turner only and then on the double page spread each band member is shown again in a separate picture in a square grid. This differentiation of image choice is used effectively by Q magazine to illustrate the importance that Alex Turner has in the band but also to show variation of images.

There are a few design features highlighted in green squares which are used on a few double page spreads by Q magazine on this particular article of the Arctic Monkeys. It follows the colour scheme of red and this red smoke effect is a design feature which stands out on the page.

In this second comparison of another issue of Q magazine the Masthead carries from both the front page to the contents page similar to that of the first comparison outlining a consistent house style to be present. The magazine's identity is present on each page and even on the double page spread there is a small Q in the left hand corner.These are highlighted by the yellow squares in the image.

The three images that carry across from the front page, contents page and DPS are shown here. The first image on the front cover is of Robbie Williams covering his mouth as if he has done something or said something wrong. He looks vulnerable and as if he is trying to cover something up. The contents page image isn't the main image even though he is the main part of this issue. He is taking up a boxing stance which is a change to the front page stance he is taking up. The double page spread image is as if he is shouting the information in the speech bubble on the right. The difference in the three images is good for variation but it also highlights Robbie Williams personality on the whole. 

The design feature which stands out on the front page and one which carries on to the double page spread is the use of the speech bubbles. This is used instead of just writing the quote on the front page and it makes it more eye catching and more appealing to the reader.

In this third comparison of another issue of Q magazine the Masthead carries from both the front page to the contents page similar to that of the first and second comparison however as you can see highlighted by the yellow squares, the 'Q' is red and the background is black. Although they have changed the colour scheme here it still shows consistency with the identity of the magazine.

As you can see this issue of Q magazine has two contents pages with lots of images on both. The front page image of The Smiths has two members of the band in the picture and they have also desaturated the image removing colour. The image on the contents page and double page spread as highlighted by the blue square are of the whole band this time and so variation of image is used effectively. These images have colour and are very vibrant making them more appealing to the reader.

This issue of Q magazine has a change of colour scheme and they make excellent use of pink but only when they associate it with the band The Smiths. The front cover uses this colour scheme well and on each double page spread in the magazine to do with The Smiths this colour scheme is used. They don't use this colour scheme in any other issue of magazine and it is a unique feature for this issue.

Audience Expectations

Audience Expectations:

Here is a video of members of my target audience talking about their expectations for an indie/indie rock music magazine and they list some bands or artists that they would expect to see along with some of the features they would expect to see in a music magazine itself:

As a result, my target audience expects to see bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Bastille, The 1975, Kodaline, Ben Howard, Imagine Dragons, You Me At Six, The Wombats, Mumford and Sons, Foals, Crystal Fighters, HAIM, Jake Bugg, Deaf Havana and The Killers. They would also expect to see various features such as interviews of these bands and artists along with reviews of albums, singles and live performances within the magazine.

Contents Page Construction

Contents Page Construction:

This is my first draft for my contents page:

Contents Page Research

Contents Page analysis':

Double Page Spread Article

Double Page Spread Article – Second Draft

Meeting up with Max Marshall seemed like a huge ask since his most recent surge onto the scene. His latest single ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ has become a major hit not only nationally but also worldwide and it seems incredible to think that he is back here in London in Brick Lane where it all began.

I walk into ‘Brick Lane Coffee’ a coffee shop known for its retro lovers and unsurprisingly I find Max slouching across the large sofa chair in the far corner of the room. His rather scruffy blue hat is yet again making an appearance along with his usual corduroy jacket and matte black Dr Martens. I take a slightly more hesitant approach towards him, but I’m soon greeted with a nod of the head before he adjusts his beanie to allow a strand of hair to fall from underneath it and he unexpectedly and surprisingly offers me a seat.

Q: So Max, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Tell me where did it all begin?

A: “Well, Music has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I mean I have been gigging since I was 15, you know in the usual pubs and clubs, how any band or artist would start out their career but I mean experience is what you need at such a young age. When I wrote my first album it never really got the recognition I was hoping for so I knew that this second album needed to be something that would make me stand out and be noticed.”

Q: Your debut album ‘Do your own thing’ never became noticed really did it, what was it do you think that your first album ‘Do your own thing’ lacked compared to your new album ‘Life is Hard’?

A: “Anyone who listens to my first album will agree with me, it was shit. It was far too simple, I thought I could get big easily, I never realised what hard work really was until I started my second album. The criticisms hit me hard after ‘Do your own thing’ but they only pushed me to produce what I think is some of my best work to date. ‘Life is Hard’ is an album inspired by the special people in my life, without them I wouldn’t be where I am today and I can only thank them for what they have done for me.”

Q: So tell me about those special people in your life, how have they had such a huge influence on your music on the whole?

A: “To some extent it wasn’t so much what they did, it was just having them there as motivation to push me to produce better music. My mum suffered a kidney failure 3 years ago and that’s where my single ‘Don’t let me go’ is inspired from. I mean she pulled through but at the time it was difficult. I felt, rather than sit there and feel sympathetic for myself, I would use the pain and anguish I was feeling and put it into my song. My mum has supported me every step of the way and this single is a thank you for what she has done.”

Q: Your mum seems to be an instrumental part as to what sounds like an excellent single, do you think the story behind the song has been a huge part of what has made this song such a hit?

A: “Of course, I mean everyone loves a song with true meaning. I think everyone goes through hard, tough, difficult situations in their life and that’s why I think my song has been given such high recognition. Almost everyone can relate to the lyrics in some way and at the end of the day I was only being genuine about my real feelings. I’m just glad to share my life with others through music because I don’t just love music, it’s my passion, my desire, my life.”

I take a moment to appreciate the generosity and honesty that Max Marshall has given me.

Q: I know your album ‘Life is Hard’ has only recently been released but I’m curious, as I’m sure everyone else is to find out what plans you have for the future?

A: “As you said, I’ve only just released my second album so really now it’s just a time to relax for a while before my tour starts in January. I mean I’ve been so overwhelmed with the support I’ve been given that it hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’m touring both the UK and the USA in 2015. It really is madness; I never expected a regular guy like me from South-East London to be sharing my music to people all over the world. It’s like a dream come true.”

Double Page Spread Article

Double Page Spread Article - First Draft

Meeting up with Harry Warren seemed like a huge ask since his latest breach of fame. With his recent single ‘Someone else’s love’ becoming such a hit not only in the country but also around the world it seems incredible to think that he is back in London at Brick Lane where it all began.

I walk into ‘Brick Lane Coffee’ a coffee shop known for its retro lovers and unsurprisingly I find Harry slouching across the large sofa chair in the far corner of the room. His rather scruffy blue hat is yet again making an appearance along with his usual corduroy jacket and matte black Dr Martens, ‘DM’s’ as he likes to call it. I take a slightly more hesitant approach towards him, but I’m soon greeted with a nod of the head before he adjusts his so called beanie to allow a strand of hair to fall from underneath it and he unexpectedly offers me a seat.

I’m never sure where to start with these kind of interviews because there’s only so much you can ask a man only recently finding some fame. So Harry, How are you finding this recent opening to fame? He pauses for a moment, his legs raise from the arm of the chair and he sits upright before staring at me as if what I have asked him he has been asked a thousand times.

“What do you expect me to say? That I’ve loved every second of it? Like it’s been the best moments of my life? Well sorry to ruin your interview but it’s been far from that. It takes hard work, dedication, anxiety and stress just to get to this early stage, no one seems to understand.”

He stands at five foot seven in flat shoes but his presence is immediate. He leans over the table to grab his half full coffee cup, before proceeding to stare at me with beady eyes. So how did your love for music first begin Harry?

“I don’t just love music, it’s my passion, my desire, my life. My appetite to entertain the true lovers of music helps me through the harsh realities that fame can cause you.”

You seem to be discouraging the fame that has come around from your most recent surge onto the scene, why is that? He clears his throat sits back and rests his arm on the back of the sofa and rests on leg over the other. He now seems both relaxed but also annoyed at why I have asked him this question.

“You see the thing is, the music industry has changed. It’s not about the music anymore, the entertainment factors or the joys that music brings to others, It’s all about the money and fame. I make music because it’s my escape in life, I just want to share the music I create, to others who appreciate what music really is. Unfortunately things aren’t like this anymore.”

I now seem to have him right where I want him. This forest of yours Harry, what is so special about this place and how has it helped you so much in making such an incredible debut album?

“It’s just a place where I go to break away from all the issues that I faced in my early life. The woods was my comfort zone, It was the place where I could express myself and the thoughts within my music came from letting myself be free here. I guess you could call it a special place really.”

One important question which I’m sure many of your fans want answers to is why you didn’t take off after your first album was released? What is different about this album ‘Every single time’ which has caused it to gain such high popularity ratings?

“Well that’s a question that, obviously I don’t really have a definite answer to. With this album, maybe we have just hoodwinked the system. We have given the people what they want and that’s true music with genuine emotion that tells true stories.” He takes his hat off and holds it in both hands on his lap. “I took a risk, telling the world my life and my stories. But it’s a risk I’m glad I took.”

Magazine Title - Font Choice

Magazine Title - Font choices

Here are some possible fonts that I will use for my magazine title 'STANDARD':