Double page spread research

I have done some research on the layout and conventions of double page spreads. From this research i have found that most double page spreads, like the above existing examples, follow conventions, these conventions are: following a similar colour scheme to the front cover and contents pages of the magazine, following the rule of three colours, a full A4 size image or one that carries over to the other page is used, the headline can overlap onto the other page, the main image must be of the artist/band that the article is referring to, it is conventional to have the text in the lower half of the left or right page, the text must be written in columns, the text must start with a drop cap letter, intertwined in the text there can be pull quotes and the text must be of a size no bigger than 14 to remain professional. From my research i have found that it looks effective if a pull quote of a key thing the artist has said is used as the headline as it draws the reader in to find out more. I am going to take all of this into consideration when producing my double page spread as i want it to look professional and follow the conventions.

Updated contents page based on feedback

I have updated my contents page based on my feedback from my peers and my teacher, i have taken on board a lot of the feedback i feel would improve my contents page. I have added the name of the editor on the editors letter as well as explaining more about how to retrieve the download mentioned, making it easier and clearer for the reader to understand. I have also added captions to my images telling the reader who is in the image and why i have put them onto my contents page. I am happy with my feedback as i think it helped as now my contents page looks more professional and conventional.

Saskia Halman:-)

Strengths: I love the layout and the colour scheme as it shows continuity and shows the genre of your magazine well. The images you've used are strong and fit in with the magazine layout and look like they belong there. Good use of conventional features.

Improvements: Could add a pull quote for subscription or upcoming festival.

Lydia Jackson
The layout follows the conventions of a music magazine and the colours used shows continuity with the rest of the magazine.  The images match the music genre and fit in well with the layout.  The text is clear and easy to read. You could maybe use a pull quote on one of your images. A very good contents page! :-)

Teacher Feedback on contents page

http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/leah-darvell/4986102/?ref=link

My final contents page

My fourth contents page draft

My third Contents page draft

My Second Contents page draft

Step by step Guide to how I made my first contents page draft

My First draft of my contents

Contents Page Research

From research I have gained tips on how to present my contents page. I have learnt that the contents page conventionally follows the same colour scheme as the front cover to create fluency, but still sticking to the rule of 3 colours. Above are some examples of existing contents pages from various music magazines. As you can see they all look similar in the way they are presented, the contents masthead is at the top of the page, the contents are listed down the left or the right side, each content has a number that is listed next to each content in order, there is one main image and occasionally some smaller ones on the page relating to the contents, each image has a number that matches the contents it links with and each image has a caption to show who it is and why. These are similar because they all follow the typical conventions of a magazine that are out in place to ensure that the page looks professional. I will take these tips into consideration when making my contents page to ensure that it looks professional and follows conventions. 

Contents page pictures

Here are some of the pictures i took for my contents page

Updated Front Cover

Here is my updated front cover based on my feedback.

Feedback on my Front cover

http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/leah-darvell/3714170/?ref=link

From the feedback on my blog I am going to make sure I continue keeping up to date with my blog and make some more drafts including elements that people have mentioned in my feedback e.g. different colours and a price.

Peer feedback from Szymon Bukowksi.

I like the front cover mainly because of the picure. It is realting to the genre and follow convenctions. I also like that the rule of 3 colours are used but the the bright green is hard to read in some places (depending on the bacground). The process of creating the front cover is well orgonized and explained in detail. In future you might want to include convection elements like the date or the price. Overall I think The front cover is good mainly because of the picure and the leyout of the text.

Feedback

Luke Hallett

• Great work on the posts, very detailed with lots and lots of unique posts.
• Front cover is packed with good use of coventions, with a bold colour scheme.
• Maybe you could make the masthead bigger, just the word 'PULSE'.

Feedback

Laura Kohler
Overall assesment: Your blog looks really good, it is full of posts which are both interesting to look at and read! I like the way you have set out all your posts and you have wrote a lot about what you have done and explained it
Stregnth of front cover: Your front cover looks very professional! I like the colours you have used as they stand out to the audience. Your main image is very effective as she is looking directly at the reader which draws attention.
Development: You need a price and date on your cover to follow the typical conventions of a magazine cover. You could of also posted drafts using different colours to show how you come to deciding on your final colour scheme.

Peer Feedback

• Jack Galloway
• Overall assessment of blog -  This blog is very good to read and look through, it has both images and text which makes it interesting to look through. Each piece of work has lots of information about each task you have done.
• Strengths of front cover -  The colours used within your front cover, makes it easy to understand, all the writing is bold again helping making it understandable. You have used many conventions of a music magaizne such as: skyline, plug and plenty of pull quotes.
• Areas for development for front cover - Maybe try another colour that is different to your other drafts making it different.