I took these photos myself from my camera looking at just two NME magazines as further research to see what else I can include or do similarly to gain further information about what I could do for my magazine. The two front covers include a feature on David Bowie an icon within music which is what I would like to feature on, by making one of my original photos appear as a global star. The colours are vibrant and extremely expressive whereas the also vibrant NME cover including Mumfords is more 'live' and shows a completely different side to the magazine which I would argue is more appropriate to the target audience.
The two magazine covers are filled with cover lines that share the same names or features with mumfords on the second cover where they figured as the main cover image in the previous issue reflecting a flow which I will need to carry from cover through to the contents.
NME have an idolised brand which admire both classic and upcoming artists, something that I want to replicate in my magazine. Globalised bands such as Kings Of Leon which I will feature in my next post, where I managed to take several photos which I can include in my magazine.
Features of things such as Bob Dylan posters again show that wide age group in audience signalling the same audience interested in David Bowie, although someone like myself has a major interest in both artists, a clear niche audience.
The house style is evident in both covers even though one shows a more darker background and style they are both clear and vibrant and share the same fonts expected from the NME audience.
The contents page , I admire the simplicity that is shown continuously by NME every week, every issue of the magazine, in this particular one (above) , I like the powerful main image from the lead singer along with the organisation created from the 'squared' images with a bold clear number stating the page number. This is something I tried to include in my initial preliminary magazine. The photography is something that I need to use and take into account the way NME has used photography as a vital key in the cog for their image and therefore building to the success of their iconic image.
The images appear to reflect the young , stylish target audience, with the common use of block colour we see on double page spreads moved into the background with the image of a singer/band in the foreground. The photos also appear very 'live' and several show live action from bands or musicians, showing the NME in a positive light and as if they're at the centre of everything music.
I took a photo of the type of advert found in NME, CONVERSE, a global brand, so popular with the age group and target audiences of NME and similar youthful magazines, the images appear sleek and the brand type of 'CONVERSE' is certainly associated with the younger age group. Advertising is a crucial aspect for any magazine forming the revenue that will then be extracted and put into increasing brand identity. Although I wont be creating large double page adverts such as the above, I will need to include things perhaps such as potential competitions that people can win vouchers towards popular brands that would be seen in my magazine or associated with the type of magazine Im creating. 
The next stage which again I took photos from my own NME magazines I studied the presentation of double page spreads, looking at whether they are text or image heavy and how that is used to entice the reader cleverly whether its by the choice of image of just how big the image is or how effective it is. 'Up Front' is a regular feature that the readership of NME look for in every issue therefore I need to find a suitable regularity inside my magazine and discover why that is so integral to any magazine. .
Why? Because its what the reader comes back for time and time again,creating further interest and perhaps a more regular readership. Aesthetically the double page spread has a huge impact as the photos are stylishly cut and spread around the two pages, outlined by a thick white outline, a sleek colour choice again associated with the house style of NME.
The images once again appear vibrant and of sincere excitement rather than more laid back or perhaps of less interest. The vibrant images portray a fun factor amongst the double page spread which entices the reader into reading what appears a sparkling article.
The second double page spread that I took was of Mumford and Sons as a large scale image, 'rocking' away live again linking back to that same target audience we have acknowledged as having seen and took part in several 'live' atmospheres among great musicians. The bold font is so expressive and the colour scheme inside the image perhaps exaggerated by the use of photoshop which I will be using myself bringing out the sheer passion that our reader longs for within one image, just for a double page spread.
The last double page I photographed was of Darwin Deez, a popular band amongst the NME editors and a double page spread is used to explain visually as well as literally in terms of writing who exactly or what exactly you can expect from one of the highly talked about acts in NME regularly, who featured on the radar tour.
'Lets Dance' is an iconic headline for the double page spread as the song , sung by the one and only David Bowie, main feature on the cover, cover image of the same magazine, it links into his song and the style of darwin deez creating a smooth link between the two.
I sketched out my ideas for my front cover, contents and double page spreads. I started, importantly with the design of my front cover, the iconic, crucial appearance that sets the tone for the quality and information which flows through into the rest of the magazine and publication. My intentions are to have a block colour background if possible to a photoshop my main image over the top, to replicate the same crisp and fresh appearance that is shown in the NME and Q publications. I have realised that its important not to overload my cover therefore its important the images that are on the page are dominant, eye catching and are of extremely good quality. I will use an extra close up of my model to appear either 'harsh' or at the other side of the spectrum 'very happy' maybe perhaps with a wry smile, as an enticing photo. I may use a male as the magazine audience is more likely to be predominantly males, however this could mean a female character could attract due to sex appeal or its just a more attractive cover.
My contents page I have drafted as keeping the same masthead and title of my magazine in the top left of the page whilst the month, being a monthly magazine, is clearly stated in writing and in numbers, I want the numbers to appear alike an alarm clock so it looks live, and exciting, not a contrasting dull page. I once again plan on having a mainly block colour background, using a white or even a pink, I will explore what colours will form this house style.
I hope to use all my own images and transform them into as if they appear as polaroids, on a noticeboard to appear retrospective, I only want a few 'snaps' of whats in the magazine, the regular features and a special which I could outline or number slightly differently. I want a black and white hatching towards the bottom of the page to make it appear rough and rigid, I want the image of a lively festival such as glastonbury, put onto my page. So perhaps even a few stains and perhaps tea stain effects or common objects to give it a slightly humurous feel such as a few guitar plectrums or unstrung strings lying around. I want a brief 'message' from the editor which i plan on giving a name as if it were a common and a regular feature. I also plan on having 'win' or whats coming up snapshots on this page. This page for me is only just behind the cover in importance and also needs to look professional. To ensure this all pages will be created on InDesign.
My double page spread (below) is perhaps the page Im most excited about creating first and foremost because its a real 'free page' which can be taken anyway I plan, with as much and as little of anything to create a classy and interesting page. I plan on having a dominant name , of what the headline is, likely to be an interview with an icon. I want a retrospective appearance on this page such as the common look that is seen in MOJO and somewhat bizarrely in Ted Baker products aswell as a restaurant in Bath which I visited, where the walls appeared ripped with a minimalist effect overshadowed with excellent art pieces dotted around the room. A real interesting place.
I want my main image on this double page spread to more or less take up one whole page whilst it sits quietly and again happily inside a oldy worldy style frame. It will look old fashioned but swirls and splashes of colour and editing will create an enticing page. I want the name of the star to either appear huge as it does (left) or in contrast, very small and perhaps in a bolder clearer style. The large font would be almost inprinted as a 'washout' type of effect on the page. The interview itself will be minimal on this double page and is likely to either overlap and run on onto the next few pages therefore it wont be crammed. It will be image heavy and very colourful and bright. Im keen to avoid the magazine from being dull and uninteresting wherever possible.
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