Mock up coursework

I am pleased with my first mock up of my front page. I like the background picture because it makes the writing and colour stand out more as it is black and white. I chose to photograph this picture in this style as many trance/dance/house/progressive music magazines and Cd's etc use tasteful pictures like the one above. As at most concerts their is a lot of jumping and dancing you get hot and sweaty which is why this theme of 'less clothing' is used. I told my model to stand to the side so the picture is less provocative and is not acting in the 'male gaze' theory, hence the reason she is not looking out making eye contact. I originally had the title of my magazine as hands up, but when designing the master head i found it took up too much of the magazine and the title 'UP' would look more effective. The word up symbolises the action of putting your hands up at a concert, people also tend to look up to the stage/set. When at a concert your mood and feelings also become happier, they go 'up'. I used a choice of three colours on the front because although dance music is usually a mixture of bright colours i didn't want the front of the magazine to look too over crowded. i desired it to be interesting but simple.



I chose to have a picture of Tiesto at the top on my mock up as i am hoping to get the same style of picture myself to use on my final piece. The effect on the picture also adds more detail which enables the contents to look more attractive. I also included a picture of a event in Goa which is very common for trance festivals. As i am including events in my magazine i thought this would attract the reader as everybody is interested in events. As my double page spread is on Georgina i thought it would be necessary to include on the contents page, so i chose a picture of her which is different to the one I'm using on the double page spread. I also like the black background on the contents and colour images and also colour text as at concerts/parties etc the lights are out and there is colour from strobe lights etc.

For my double page spread i chose to use the picture picture of Georgina's back as i think it is a creative picture and it grabs the attention of the reader as they turn the page. The master head 'Georgina' has green lines added into it, as it adds extra colour and it also looks quite tribal, which relates back to the Goa events. I left the right hand side black with one picture on because although the spread is on her, if i added to many pictures their wouldn't be enough room for a detailed interview.

Magazine analysis

The mast head is featured at the top in bold, white writing, this makes it stand our more and grab the readers attention. They have also included a vinyl disc within the design of the title so it represents the elements of DJ'ing. The way the magazine is layered with a black and white background and a colourful top layer, helps to reflect the style of music that is being advertised. DJ's tend to mix up their music to make it random, like the patterns on the magazine. Random colours and patterns have been used in order ot make it more creative. The colours from the pattern also flow into the writing to link it all together so it looks more attractive. This also helps to attract their target audience as it is a young, modern design. The pattern covers most of the DJ's face, but the eyes and lips. This draws extra attention towards his features and makes you engage eye contact with him. This invites us in to read the magazine as he is looking straight at us. The use of superlatives and enigma codes within the text help to influence the audience to buy the magazine. For example 'who is the new king?' leaves us with a question which we want to find out, this will encourage the customer to pick up the magazine. 'The most exciting top 100 ever' suggests you can't get any better which would mean the reader would want to read 'the best'.

magazine covers and analysis

The mast head on this magazine is effective as it is simple yet stands out. The choice of colour used works well as it links in with the models clothing and makeup. This combines the cover together. the picture used is eye catching and is effective as it is reflected. This covers more of the front up which makes it look more bold. The model is also look directly out of the magazine to make eye contact with us which draws us in to read the magazine. The detail on the models face makes the front cover look more attractive to the reader. This will therefore draw more attention to the magazine. The text to advertise the contents is kept simple and is the same font throughout to keep a current theme. This works well as it keeps the attention on the picture which is the main focus.


The mast head on this works well as its simple yet has design in it. The circle on the I looks effective as its making it more creative and eye catching. The use of the colour white on the title works well as it enables the background and other text to stand out as well as making itself stand out. The picture/background used is very effective as the colours used work well together and make the cover stand out. Her modelling position and clothing is relevant as it follows the theme of dance music which makes the picture and context relevant to each other. As she is wearing a swimsuit this could fit into the 'Male gaze' theory and could be come provocative but as she is wearing sunglasses this reduces the sexually meaning as she is not gaining any eye contact with the reader. The text 'Ibiza' in yellow works really well as it stands out as another heading as it is trying to catch the attention of the reader. It also feeds in to all the subheadings down the side. This makes the magazine flow more and makes it easier to read. The theme is followed throughout, the colours are varied and used across the magazine cover. This spreads the magazine out so it takes all of the readers attention instead of taking the focus to a certain point of the magazine.

The background used for this cover works effectively as it splits the magazine into two which draws attention to both sides of the magazine. The use of the colour red on the mast head and on the subheadings are effective as it keeps the theme constant. The tie on the picture is also red which ties everything in together.This looks more presentable and would attract the readers attention. The black and white picture works well as it fits into the background as if its all in one. This makes the cover look neat and presentable. The way the text is positioned looks effective as it is slightly slanted so it adds more detail into the magazine to make it look less simple and more complex. Also the extra use of colour (orange) adds more effectiveness to the magazine as it makes it look more attractive. The use of the firework effect behind some of the subheadings works really well as although its simple it covers the blank spaces more and works as an extra feature for the subheading making it more noticeable.

This magazine is styled differently to DJ mags usual theme as it features a flag on the cover instead of a model. This works well it symbolises the contents and draws attention to the magazine as it is a common well known symbol. The way the flag is slightly rigid looks good as it then turns something that started simple into something more detailed. The colours stand out and work well together. It also ties in with the Mast head which looks effective as it is bold and outlined. The subheading featured across the middle draw attention the centre of the cover which is effective when catching the audiences attention. The subheading also relates to the picture which works well as it combines it together. The text is very simple and doesn't stand out as much as it should, however the picture would capture the audiences eye, which would then provoke them to read the text. The bursts of orange colour enables the audience to be draw to them, which advertises them better. For example the the chance to win a prize. As this is something to audience would like to look into it highlights this and it becomes more bold.

Title Ideas

Originally i wanted to call my magazine Clubbers Guide, and have an edition within it. So that for my coursework it would be Clubbers Guide, Trance edition. However as Clubbers guide is already a well known CD title, i was unable to use it. I wanted to keep the same idea of making a general music magazine within an edition in it. So i decided on the Title 'Hands up'. i chose this as it relates to the type of music my magazine is based on. There is a CD called put your hands up which includes djs such as Ian Van Dahl, so i thought this name is definitely relevant to my music genre. My music magazine is going to have a main title of 'Hands up' and a sub title of 'Trance edition'. This means i can make my magazine more general to dance music but incorporate trance as a main feature.

My favourie song

This is my favourite song at the minute, it gets me ready for nights out and i listen to it all the time. I genreally listen to music through my headphones and whilst getting ready, doing homework or just relaxing. It makes me feel so good, it can make my mood go from down to up. The beat has a certain sound which makes me want to smile. Its not played in many clubs but if it came on it would deffinately get me dancing and smiling. I like this song and this style of music because it has a good uplifting beat and repeats different parts so it gets stuck in your head! It gives me chills and makes me excited. Songs like this are what im interested in.

Music Influences

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Music magazine

At the minute I'm quite undecided on what type of music i want to produce my magazine on, so instead I've research a different variety of magazines and music types to help me make my decision.

The pictures above all represent the theme of trance music. Trance is generally represented by logos, pictures and tags. The pictures above show the theme of nudity which is used a lot when advertising trance. Tattoo's are also very common within the theme of trance as you can see from Carl Kennedy at the top. I picked out these pictures as they show a good representation of trance so when i come to photographing my front cover i can justify why i did what i did.

Virtual music magazine shows a good overall look of how trance is shown and what theme it follows.

I have found ideas of magazine covers and spreads from both trance and other magazines that have inspired me.

This page spread inspired me because i like the way they have used dark colours as if it was at a festival and the way they have included a picture from a concert. As people are used in the image it shows what kind of atmosphere you experience when at festivals. I also like i the phrase 'for the love of house music'.

In this spread i like the way the image is on half of the page whilst the writing is on the other. This is promoting the DJ and also the writing is giving us an insight into his thoughts as he is writing it himself. This has inspired me to do a double page spread in my magazine from my DJ's point of view. I also think the border used makes the magazine look more appealing.

I like the images used as they are very seductive and fit in with the male gaze theory, which is the theme trance magazines tend to follow. The images make the magazine more appealing and this has created extra ideas for my front cover. I like the Vanity Fair page as Madonna stands out and is the first thing you look at.

I like the magazine cover on the right, the U2 one. I like the way their name is bigger than them, And as U2 are a very famous world wide band this is showing how big they are as a group. I like the colours used, they stand out and look attractive.

This contents page appeals to me because it has a variety of colours which makes the page look more attractive. It is also set out clearly, it includes images and summer blast dates. Its informative yet it isn't writing in long paragraphs.