Main Task Flat Plans

Firstly, I have created the above flat plan for the front cover of my main task. I have abided by the conventions which I previously stated I would include. For example, I am going to ensure that the masthead falls behind the main image and that the main coverline is written in a slightly larger font than that of the masthead.

I believe I will call my magazine 'Ambiance'. The reason for this is because I feel that the inclusion of French language would give the magazine an original feel as opposed to if this was simply written in English. As well as this, 'ambiance' refers to the character/atmosphere of something which I believe is relevant to my magazine as I have made it clear that the artists featured within my magazine would use their fashion sense to create 'character'.

I have followed the main conventions of having the masthead at the top of the page and coverline further down as I believe that if I changed these elements my magazine would not appear as professional and realistic.

To continue, as well as including coverlines on the front cover I will also include a pull quote from my double page spread. This will be relevant to the front cover as the 'artist' will appear beside it in the main image. I have decided to include a pull quote on the front cover as quotations taken out of context can create a completely different idea and consequently intrigue the reader and make them want to buy it.

Next, I created a flat plan for my contents page. I have decided to make the masthead 'A This Week' and the 'A' will appear in the same font as it does on the front cover to create a sense of structure and allow the contents page to make reference to the brand of the magazine.

Furthermore, I have followed the convention I previously stated I would by organising the list of contents into categories. Although this may be subject to change when producing my contents page, I currently believe these categories will be 'Features', 'Reviews' and 'Regulars'.

I have decided to make the stories which were introduced on the front cover through coverlines instantaneously recognisable on the contents page by putting a star beside them. Many people only buy magazines due to something that intrigued them on the front cover and therefore I feel it is important to have these pages clearly marked.

On top of this, I have chosen to include 3 images on my contents page, the largest of which being of the same person featured on the front cover. I came to this conclusion as as this person is the focus of the double page spread they may be viewed as the main selling point of the magazine and should therefore be included wherever possible.

Another element I have chosen to include is an editors letter or list of the UK Top 40. I have decided to include something like this on my contents page as I believe that if I were to add another image or simply increase font size to fill the space left on the page it would appear unprofessional. Therefore, I want to include something that is a genuine feature in various music magazines.

Finally, I will include a thick line of colour along the bottom of the page which will then be sectioned off by a smaller line to feature the page number in the bottom right hand corner. I decided to include this as I believe that having this line of colour along the bottom of the page would tie the colour scheme together and create a professional effect. As well as this, it will add structure as this is an element which is also included on the double page spread flat plan below.

 

Finally, I created a double page spread flat plan. In a similar way to the Q and TOTP double page spreads I deconstructed, one of my pages will simply be an image of the ‘artist’ my feature is on.

 

As this page will appear in the 'Regulars' section on the contents page I am going to make it apparent that this would be a recurring feature in every issue be adding a heading such as 'Upcoming Artist' at the top of the page.

 

I am going to follow the typical magazine convention and organise the article into columns. I believe that my interview will be organised into a question and answer format as I feel this is appropriate for my target audience as it appears more fun, less daunting to read, and allows them to get to know the idiolect of this particular artist.

 

Furthermore, I am also going to include a smaller image within the article which would be related to the questions within the article and therefore suitable/appropriate.

 

Finally, I will also include a sub-article as seen within the Top of The Pops magazine I deconstructed. Due to the fact that I would like my music magazine to have a fashion orientated twist, this sub-article may be the artists 5 favourite items of clothing, 5 favourite singles at the moment etc.

 

 

I am currently unsure of what I want my colour scheme to be however I am aware that I am going to keep it to around 3 colours to create a simplistic and organised effect. Through deconstructing previous magazine front covers, contents pages and double page spreads I have found that red, black and white seem to be recurring colours within music magazines. Due to this I will consider using these colours within my own magazine.