2. First of all I created my photoshop document by
doubling the width of my normal documents and
using rulers so I can see where each page
ends. I also put the tickertape along the bottom
for the page number and logo to reinforce the
brand identity and house style and because it‟s
a convention of magazines.
3. I then edited three potential images and put
them on the page to see which image worked
best.
Editing
images
7. I choose to use the first image as I
felt that the upside down image
epitomizes Indie because the upside
down image connotes how Indie
doesn‟t fit conventions. It‟s also an
unusual image and therefore
engaging. Also the first image has
the microphone from the front cover
image which again creates a sense
of unity and professionalism.
The styling of this image contrasts
with the first though to create a
different visual style within the
magazine and connote the various
faces of Indie.
8. I then created my masthead for the DPS. Whilst deciding on which Dafont font I
should use I looked at DPS‟s from Q and NME and especially liked this from NME. I
liked the way the font was disjointed and unusual. I therefore looked at fonts that
had the same effect on Dafont and found this one. The disjointed font enhances the
concept behind the headline of change and turmoil. I then edited part of the font to
be the bright green that I have used throughout the magazine to reinforce brand
identity and create a cohesive text.
The disjointed font also creates a cohesive text as by choosing to have a sleeker
styled person on the page and a white background creates a cleaner less chaotic
page than my previous pages as I wanted to connote how this publication
challenges it‟s own conventions and changes for the artists like many successful
publications do such as NME and Q. However the use of the font shows that the
magazine still stays true to it‟s revolutionary concept whilst allowing for change to
connote the individual artists which again connotes how the magazine is purely
interested in the artists.
NME‟s font My font
9. I then created my introduction for the article on the left hand
side of the DPS.
10. I have again downloaded a font off Dafont and again
chosen a slightly disorganised and chaotic font for the
same reasons as before. I have used large font on
the left hand side of the page with an eye-catching
font as this is the introduction to the article and
therefore needs to grab the readers attention. I have
also fitted the text around the figure which connotes
how the font is about the person and how the
magazine is focused on the artists.
I have also highlighted certain words in a different
colour, for example the name of the artist is red as
this links the name to the person who has red hair. I
have also used the house colour of acid green and
the idiot font for the name of the magazine as this is
the font and colour used in the masthead so
reinforces brand identity.
I have also tried to create enigma within the
introduction of the article by writing things like “not
done with us yet” and “questions we know you‟re all
dying to ask” which increases the atmosphere of
exclusivity and engages the reader. Also the ellipse
at the end of the introduction encourages the reader
to continue reading on to the next page.
11. I then wrote my main article and positioned it on the right
hand page. I also adjusted my headline so that the “Turning”
wasn‟t being cut in half by the page.
12. To open my article I wrote a brief introduction
which describes where the interview takes
place and the artist themselves as this is a
convention of interviews in magazines. I then
went straight into the interview and wrote it in
a question and answer style with the
questions from „Revolution‟ in green to again
reinforce the brand identity. I also wrote the
name of the magazine in the intro in the
same font as the front cover and colour for
the same reason as above. The answers I
wrote in red to connote the artist and make it
easier to see which is the answer and which
the question.
I tried to create a conversational tone within
the article whilst still including the type of
information that fans would be interested in
such as who they‟ve been supporting, what
it‟s felt like reaching success and what is next
in store for the artist. All of the questions are
aimed at the artist and their music which also
connotes how Indie is preoccupied with the
actual music not celebrity culture.
In essence I have tried to write an easily
accessible article that includes exclusive
information so the reader feels they have
gained something form reading it.
13. I then put the magazine‟s logo of the R with the fist in it at the bottom of each
page in the left corner as this is a convention of my magazine and again
reinforces brand identity. For the same reason I also put the logo by the side of
each question that „Revolution‟ asked.
14. I also experimented with the
log by the questions and got
rid of the black from the logo
to see which looked better
but decided that the black
background made it stand
out more which engages the
reader more and is
therefore more effective. It
also connotes the brand
more so is more successful.
15. I then included a quote on
the left hand side of the
page. I initially wrote it in
a handwritten font but felt
this didn‟t look right and
was too difficult to read so
tried a different font. I
tried a old typewriter font
and liked the aesthetic
look of this and thought it
worked well within the
whole aesthetic of the
DPS. I wrote it in red to
again link it to the artist
and have used this quote
to provide a lure for the
whole article.
16. This is my final version of my DPS. To finish it I elongated the quote to
make it stand out more, added a comedic caption for the picture in the
bottom left corner to provide a more light hearted tone and put the logos in
line with the text as it makes the page look more professional.
17. Layout
• With my DPS I have created a much „cleaner „ looking page with a white background
which contrasts to my other pages. This connotes how the magazine is unafraid of
change and actively adapts its house style for the artist which implies to the reader
that the most important thing for the magazine is the artist and music itself not public
image.
• The „cleaner‟ looking page also references Q as when creating my DPS I really liked
the simplistic visual style of Q‟s DPS‟ and therefore wanted to experiment with it. By
changing the visual style slightly it also connotes the many faces of Indie and the
vast array of music it encompasses. It is also more accessible to a female audience
as it does not appear as aggressive or masculine which connotes how I want this
publication to have both a male and female readership.
• However I have maintained my house style and organised chaos through the use of
disorganised font which ensures that the magazine works cohesively as a complete
text.
Pages like this one influenced the
design of my DPS.
18. Colour Codes
• On my DPS I have used a variety of colours such as white, black, red
and green. I have used them to connote various meanings. For
example the white in the background connotes the purity of the
publication/artist and how they are both focused on the music.
• The black connotes the darkness of Indie and how it is so different
from mainstream music and links to goth and punk music so
references Indie music‟s past. It is also one of the colour codes used
on every other page of the magazine so reinforces brand identity.
• The green is used for a similar reason as the black as it is one of the
prominent colours of the magazine and again helps to reinforce the
brand identity. It also connotes how natural Indie music and this artist
is whislt also being an acid green so connotes unusualness.
• The red connotes the artist as she has red hair and has been used in
the page with everything associated with her, for example the quote.
This connotes how the artist is the most important thing and also how
she is a danger to the mainstream music industry as she is
successful whist still remaining true to her music which is what Indie
is all about.