Music Magazine Double Page Spread Progress

Progress: Complete

This is my final finished double page spread. I am extremely happy with the final result, and feel it was the 'rocky' and rugged but simple look I was going for.

After carrying out some audience feedback on my double paged spread, the majority felt that I had created a very successful double page spread.

This was the verdict:

Positives:
+ The magic eraser tool works well, makes the subject look like part of the page
+ The lines used make it look more professional
+ Black and white picture
+ Colour scheme
+ 'News' heading makes it look professional and stands out - emphasises "Alt-Wave"'s information
+ The two columns look good and is nice and easy to read

Negatives:

- Left hand page black, right hand page grey, would have been good to possibly blend these.

(My reply to above comment: Possibly, but I also feel that the difference in colour helps to emphasise the article)

- Possibly make the call-out quotes red instead of white

(My reply to above comment: I wanted to draw the reader's attention mainly to the main large image and the main headings, and making the call-outs red too would lessen that attention)

- Might look better if the brands of speakers were not visible

(My reply to above comment: I thought of this too whilst I was manipulating the image, however, I felt that they connoted the music genre, and were representative of music, therefore were fitting to the music magazine)

I feel that the comments I recieved enabled me to view my double page spread from a different perspective, and am greatful of the feedback.

When looking at my three pieces of work, front cover; contents page and double page spread, I do not want it to be seen as my double page being of a lesser standard. Before I created my double page spread, I wanted to follow a very simple format (an idea I assumed after researching, in particular finding a 'My Chemical Romance' double page which I felt was exactly what I was aiming for: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zfVfSvJj8TQ/Swm7PLxi9QI/AAAAAAAAATM/pyqtYK3Az5U/s1600/Kerrang+Double+Page+Spread+1.jpg I loved this double page spread, as it connoted a rock genre immediately by the mise-en-scene of the clothing, the microphone and music recording equipment. This idea struck me, and I feel this gave me a great insight into the mise-en-scene of my double page spread. I, too, used music equipment, the speakers, and again the rocky/casual clothing is representative of the rock music genre, and this style of rock band. I also admired the colour scheme. Mine is different as I used black and white effect, however on the 'My Chemical Romance' example I found, the editing was not quite black and white, but followed a rusted sepia colour. However, I wanted mine black and white as it follows the black colour in my colour scheme and looked very good.

Here, I have enlarged each page of my double page spread so I can individually assess them.

For the first page, I decided to use this as the side for my main image. I chose to do this as from the majority of my research into magazine double page spreads, this is the format they followed, and I was aiming to follow a similar professional style. I also feel that your eyes naturally go from left to right, just like reading a book, so for the main image to be on the left, this is what I wanted the reader to be attracted to first, and not the article. I feel the image is the primary feature of the double page spread, and the article the secondary; the main image should help to entice the reader into reading the article. Therefore, I feel the article benefits from being on the second page. I used a 'magic eraser' tool on PhotoShop to manipulate the image and encorporate the subject and speakers into the page, and I feel this worked particularly well. With the 'News' box, I made this read to attract the reader's attention too. It adds to the professionalism of the page, highlighting this is an important article to read and it also promotes the 'Alt-Wave' website. Finally, I included a 'Gig Review' horizontal column at the bottom of the page, which supports the article as it is two fans' opinions on the gig by the band 'The Killers.' The small minor pictures help to catch the reader's gaze and supports the reviews.

For the second page, I chose for the article to be displayed here, for the reasons I stated above. I chose to write an article on Alt-Wave's exclusive interview with Brandon Flowers. It informs the reader of his highs and lows, being a rockstar and how he got to where he and his band is. I felt this was a particularly strong article to write, as fans of the band would be intrigued as to how their favourite band got to being big. I used lines particularly on this side of the double page spread, as I felt it helped to divide the page up and add structure, whilst also highlighting the call-outs from the article. I used a red 'T' to begin the article, typical of newpapers and magazines today. It also shows the reader where the article begins and follows the colour scheme of my magazine. I chose to angle the headings at the top of the page to make them catch the reader's gaze and introduce the article. The angling is also representative of the rebellious rock genre.