This is the first stage of production for my contents page. I based the initial design around the
KERRANG contents page that I analysed previously. I liked the idea of having a rectangular strip of yellow and black behind the title, 'contents', as it resembles warning tape, giving the page a sense of danger. I didn't however want the yellow and black to be too bright, dominating the page and so adjusted the opacity of the shape. The title, 'contents' is in a simple, yet bold style of font and is in the colour red - as was the front cover title. I have altered the font slightly so that it appears as though it has been 'stamped' onto the page, causing it to stand out more and look more classy. Next, I divided the page in 2, horizontally using a black line. This line would separate the images from the text - images occupying the upper half, text occupying the lower half. I placed a small version of the magazine title, 'Quake', on top of a jagged shape and then positioned this on the line that
separates the page. I then drew 2 black rectangles, either side of the lower half, using the rectangle shape tool. The text would be placed on top of these rectangles. I also gave the page a black border, to sort of act as a frame, helping to draw more attention to the content of the page.
Next I added the images. I wanted there to be one main image that was larger than all the others - for this I was going to use a photo of Michelle (lady red), as her outfit matched the black and red colour scheme of the page. I altered the image so that it was slightly slanted as I didn't want the page to look too neat. I then added the other images - 3 of which related to the main cover story, including a small, copied and pasted version of the double page spread. The other 2 images will represent other stories/pages of the magazine. I wanted all the images to be different shapes and sizes and have a kind of random arrangement to make the page look more interesting. I also added another rectangle - white this time - in between the 2 black rectangles. This would contain a competition or offer of some sort.
Next I added the text. I listed the 'features' pages on top of one of the black rectangles and then listed the 'regulars' pages on top of the other. I used a bold, white font, typing the heading of each story in larger, capital letters. The page number is given in red, to the left of each heading, so that it stands out clearly, making the page easy to use. Following each heading I typed a very brief summary just to let the reader know vaguely what each page has to offer. This will help to draw the reader in, particularly if the reader is just flicking through the magazine (for example in a doctors waiting room), as they will be able to find what they are looking for simply at a glance. Drawing in casual readers like this can create new customers as it is an effective way of promoting the magazine. The text on the central, white rectangle is about a subscription offer and, as alternating colours are used, it is clear to the reader that this is separate from the page listings.
Following this I added the final touches, including a dark coloured background, made up of 2 images. I didn't like the plain white background and found having a dark background fitted my magazine better. I also added a small version of the magazine front cover to the box containing the subscription offer. I had seen this done on other music magazine contents pages and think that it makes the page look more professional. I also added page numbers to the images to make it clear what images represented what stories/pages. I mounted the red page numbers onto black rectangles, so that they matched the listed page numbers.
Finally I made a few last minute alterations as I still was not completely happy with the overall look of my contents page. The background was too dark and too busy, taking the attention away from the text and images. To resolve this I deleted one of the background photo layers and reduced the opacity of the other. I think that this looks much better as the light grey colour doesn't clash with any of the features on the page. Also, the background photo is much clearer as it is no longer combined with another background image. You can faintly see the barbed wire in the upper left-hand corner, which helps to create the dangerous, edgy feel I am aiming for. I also deleted the black and yellow shape behind the title as it looked a bit out of place and didn't really follow the colour scheme of my magazine. I replaced it with a jagged shape which I think suits, not only the page, but also the overall look of the magazine a lot better. I also, changed the small version of the title and moved it up to the top left corner, as where it originally was made the page look too overcrowded. This allowed me to re-size the images and the white rectangle slightly improving the overall appearance of the magazine, making it look more 'clean cut'.
This is the first stage of production for my contents page. I based the initial design around the KERRANG contents page that I analysed previously. I liked the idea of having a rectangular strip of yellow and black behind the title, 'contents', as it resembles warning tape, giving the page a sense of danger. I didn't however want the yellow and black to be too bright, dominating the page and so adjusted the opacity of the shape. The title, 'contents' is in a simple, yet bold style of font and is in the colour red - as was the front cover title. I have altered the font slightly so that it appears as though it has been 'stamped' onto the page, causing it to stand out more and look more classy. Next, I divided the page in 2, horizontally using a black line. This line would separate the images from the text - images occupying the upper half, text occupying the lower half. I placed a small version of the magazine title, 'Quake', on top of a jagged shape and then positioned this on the line that separates the page. I then drew 2 black rectangles, either side of the lower half, using the rectangle shape tool. The text would be placed on top of these rectangles. I also gave the page a black border, to sort of act as a frame, helping to draw more attention to the content of the page. 
Next I added the images. I wanted there to be one main image that was larger than all the others - for this I was going to use a photo of Michelle (lady red), as her outfit matched the black and red colour scheme of the page. I altered the image so that it was slightly slanted as I didn't want the page to look too neat. I then added the other images - 3 of which related to the main cover story, including a small, copied and pasted version of the double page spread. The other 2 images will represent other stories/pages of the magazine. I wanted all the images to be different shapes and sizes and have a kind of random arrangement to make the page look more interesting. I also added another rectangle - white this time - in between the 2 black rectangles. This would contain a competition or offer of some sort. 
Next I added the text. I listed the 'features' pages on top of one of the black rectangles and then listed the 'regulars' pages on top of the other. I used a bold, white font, typing the heading of each story in larger, capital letters. The page number is given in red, to the left of each heading, so that it stands out clearly, making the page easy to use. Following each heading I typed a very brief summary just to let the reader know vaguely what each page has to offer. This will help to draw the reader in, particularly if the reader is just flicking through the magazine (for example in a doctors waiting room), as they will be able to find what they are looking for simply at a glance. Drawing in casual readers like this can create new customers as it is an effective way of promoting the magazine. The text on the central, white rectangle is about a subscription offer and, as alternating colours are used, it is clear to the reader that this is separate from the page listings. 
Following this I added the final touches, including a dark coloured background, made up of 2 images. I didn't like the plain white background and found having a dark background fitted my magazine better. I also added a small version of the magazine front cover to the box containing the subscription offer. I had seen this done on other music magazine contents pages and think that it makes the page look more professional. I also added page numbers to the images to make it clear what images represented what stories/pages. I mounted the red page numbers onto black rectangles, so that they matched the listed page numbers. 
Finally I made a few last minute alterations as I still was not completely happy with the overall look of my contents page. The background was too dark and too busy, taking the attention away from the text and images. To resolve this I deleted one of the background photo layers and reduced the opacity of the other. I think that this looks much better as the light grey colour doesn't clash with any of the features on the page. Also, the background photo is much clearer as it is no longer combined with another background image. You can faintly see the barbed wire in the upper left-hand corner, which helps to create the dangerous, edgy feel I am aiming for. I also deleted the black and yellow shape behind the title as it looked a bit out of place and didn't really follow the colour scheme of my magazine. I replaced it with a jagged shape which I think suits, not only the page, but also the overall look of the magazine a lot better. I also, changed the small version of the title and moved it up to the top left corner, as where it originally was made the page look too overcrowded. This allowed me to re-size the images and the white rectangle slightly improving the overall appearance of the magazine, making it look more 'clean cut'. 
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