These are the flat plans I created to show the different designs I could use for the layout of my front cover:
Flat Plan 1
I like this flat plan because I think the layout is neat and easy to work around any image that I choose to use. I like the idea of the cover lines being all in the left third as I think these are the main things that attract the readers' attention. I also like the idea of the main image being to the side as I think it has more space and stands out more.
Front cover drafts:
Front cover draft 1
Flat Plan 2
I like this flat plan because it means I can get a lot onto the front cover of my magazine to attract the readers. I don't like it, however, because I think it could look too busy and I don't think the main image would be shown enough and therefore not successful at attracting the readers.
Flat Plan 3
I don't like this flat plan because I think it is too plain and boring. I don't think it would show enough of what there is to expect inside the magazine. Also, it looks a bit all over the place and not very organized.
Front cover drafts:
Front cover draft 1
For my first draft I used this image because I thought it represented the college grounds in a positive way. I don't like it, however, because I think it is a boring photograph. The photo also doesn't have a close up image of someone, showing at least their stomach to their head, which is part of the specifications for the front cover.
Front cover draft 2
For my second draft I have developed my front cover a bit more by using two images on the cover. I like the idea of using 2 images on the front cover, however, not these particular images. I prefer the images to be more relaxed and therefore less 'posey'. I like the idea of having tag lines for the photo's though.
Front cover draft 3
My third draft has shown developments yet again in the design. My third design is my favorite of all of my designs so far. This is because I like the contrast between the blues and the reds on the front cover. I don't like the image, however, as it is too far away from the subjects still. I want a photo that is closer up than this.
Front cover draft 4
This fourth draft is the one that I will use as my one to develop into my final front cover. I like the photo that i am using as I think it's best that fits onto the cover well. It also has a good amount of clear space to put cover lines etc. This front cover isn't perfect, however, but this means there is room for improvement.
Final Front Cover Draft
I like the style I have used, as I think it is bold, however not too bright that it isn't appealing. I like the color scheme I have decided to use as I think the red is really bright, but is toned down by the blue so it stands out well enough to be appealing but not off-putting. I like the image i have decided to use, as I think it shows enough of the background to get an idea of the college surroundings, but also shows enough of the student to make it appeal to other students as it shows someone like them, making them feel involved.
Final Front Cover
I like my final front cover as I think students would appeal to the fact that it has someone they can relate to on the front cover. I like the color scheme as I think it is bold, and stands out in a good way.
Contents Page Draft 1
I have started designing my contents page, and like the idea of using a darker background like the blue as I think it will make my text stand out more. Looking at it, however, I think at the moment it is very plain so I might add some photo's etc to make it more interesting.
Contents Page
I like the improvements I have made to my magazine contents page as I think I have made it more exciting and more appealing to students as it shows more students on the images making it seem friendlier and easier for them to relate to it. I think I have made a successful contents page, as it links well to the front cover, by having the same color scheme and the same cover lines/ stories.
