Research and Planning: Cover progress update

Now that my double page spread is near completion, I have decided to return to my cover page and make a few unfinished tweaks to the cover to make it look as good as possible. 

I have added a few more stamps of shattered glass behind the model on the background as I felt they didn't stand out as much as I wanted them too and they were the one of the main design features therefore I added a few more in a higher opacity to make sure the reader can notice them. 

Also, in the bottom section of the cover, I added a few more names into the "Download" listing to fill more space and intrigue the audience even greater with  more good bands. 

Research and Planning: Creating the photo-studio background image

Original image:

Background image:

After inputting the image from the camera to photoshop, I noticed the image came out a little blur and there was no opportunity to re-take the image therefore i used some photoshop tools to sharpen the image. I like how the sharpen tools made the camera and the flash stand look as they appear to stand out more from the white background paper creating a 3d effect putting more emphasis on the broke effects on the white paper. 

To create the effect on the paper, I downloaded some crack stamps off brusheasy which incorporate into the paint brush styles. I then turned the opacity down and added them to the white paper background. I used a variation of stamps to make the image look original as when damaging a photo-studio, I doubt the same crack appeared over and over. 

Research and Planning: Double page spread progress

The double page spread is looking much better since the last progress update. Since then, I have added the model image, background model image of the studio and some extra quotes and sentences. 

I have implemented the model image which has been edited from the original pictured. The way I edited the image has been recorded on another post, the only editing I had to perform was cutting a part of the model's left arm so it didn't cover the story. I also lowered the brightness of the image so it could compare with the darkness of the photo-studio. 

The background image, the photo-studio, was much easier to edit as all I had to edit was the scale of the image to fit the A4 size of the page and place it in behind the model.

After the images, I had noticed there was lot's of white space above the images therefore I placed a black rectangle to fill the space so the image looks as if it stretches the whole left side of the page. I then added an introductory sentence starting with a stand-out band name so readers get the sense that the story has something to do with the band.

I also added a quote sentence to emphasise the story. The quote is very controversial therefore allowing the readers to drive their own opinion. 

Research and Planning: Photo-studio images for double page spread image

The photo's below are images I took using a Canon 1000D camera using the photo-studio we have at college. I took a range of distances to give me options of which image to use as I am only going to use one. 

The background image will be the picture I will place behind the model. I am going to attempt to make the studio look damaged therefore creating the effect that it is not just an ordinary studio. The idea behind the broken photo-studio is because metal is not simple, it's difficult and I thought that seeing as my pretend model is a jackass, I was thinking that a broken studio area would represent that the model is difficult to handle and with his pose (which is him screaming), it's like he has wrecked it. 

Research and Planning: Double page spread model make-over

Before:

After:

To make-over the original image, I first deleted the background as I plan on adding a photo studio behind the model.

 I then made his jumper darker by adding using a black coloured paint brush and turned the opacity down to around a 20%. This was because the model is wearing the same jumper as the cover image therefore I wanted him to look as if he was wearing something different as wearing the same clothes for two images is repetitive and boring. 

I made the light highlights in his hair disappear by using the same paintbrush with a lower opacity and a lighter black colour to remove the white streaks in his hair caused by the light. 

I used the spot-blemishing removal tool to remove the model's spots and blemishes to create smoother skin and a more professional finish on the model. 

I also used the paint brush tool with a near white colour and a low opacity to colour his teeth and a remove any stains on them. As the teeth are on show, I felt the need to make his teeth a little whiter, not too much as you rarely see a metal singer with bright white teeth as they would dominate the image and metal singers end to have the "don't care about my look" attitude. 

Research and Planning: Changes to double page spread story

During the design work of my double page spread, I found a problem with my story as it was too long to divide into three columns as well as create enough space above the text to allow room for a heading.

To solve this problem, I deleted a question and answer in the story and re-write some answers. Re-writing some answers allowed me to create a persona as I wanted the Dark Destroyer to have character to make the interesting therefore instead of going for nice answers that people expect, I went for a Jackass laid back route and made the Dark Destroyer sound like a carefree person who says what he wants. This will then generate controversy and get the reader involved. 

The new version of the story is included below:

Before we begin, what's the deal with the Dark Destroyer nickname, can you shed some light on the matter?

Let's just say it involves my dark hair and many women. I will let the readers figure out the rest.

You are currently planning your, Lucifer's whipping boy tour, can you tell us how your managing to cope with the pressure of creating such blockbuster gigs, as they are stated to be better than legendary classics such as Slipknot, say our fans? 

Of course we are better than Slipknot, where have you been since the 21st centrury? I know what the fans want and I give it to them with a side of awesome. Pressure is a feeling I am evolved to ignore, my band mates may get a little shakey but not me, I have once appeared on stage and forgot half the lyrics and still sent the fans home dizzy. There is no pressure, we just do what comes naturally to us.

Do you have any superstitions before entering on stage?

The band has a ritual in which we drink a can of Foster's before going on stage. It started from the first gig we ever did as when we were on our way to the venue, our bus collided with a fosters advertisement sign. The gig was delayed but the Fosters has stayed with us ever since.

Our female fans are especially interested in your private life, they are all dying to hear if you are tied up?

Females have always found me attractive. What can I say, I am a girls dream, what girl wouldn’t be interested in this. The Dark Destroyer will never be tied up, but I am always up for fun.

When you were growing up, who were the artist that inspired you to metal music?

Metal music was a big part of my life. I have to say Nirvana and Iron Maiden were the band we got high to the most. There was nothing better than jamming to Run to the hills in your bedroom, volume remote in one hand and a beer in the other. In my opinion there is no equivalent.

As your known to be a man of great style, do you think a front man needs to have a good image?

My style is having no style. These days all you have to do is where a jacket and some pants and you have style, it’s ridiculous. What's important is music and the gigs, nothing more, nothing less. If you want a good image, learn how to rock and then you will have a good image, if your desperate enough. 

After your tour, what are the future plans for the band?

Well we can't spoil the surprise now can we. The readers will just have to wait and see but we promise, Leviathan are planning some big things.

Leviathan kick of their new tour in Manchester next year. For further details and latest news on the band and their upcoming shows, visit the website.

WWW.ANARCHY.CO.UK 

Visit the website for latest news on your favourite artists and 

competitions

Research and Planning: Double page spread progress

Since my start up post of my double page spread, I found some influential design ideas that I integrated into my design and the image above is the outcome I have so far.  I have added a heading style feature which includes key words from the story in many different sized fonts with alternative coloured backgrounds to the words to make them pop out. 

I have managed to continue the theme of red, black and white for colour scheme keeping consistent through-out my magazine. 

I have added a sub-heading sentence which gradually introduces the story instead off forcing the reader to jump straight into it allowing the reader a few hints of what is to be talked about. 

For the story, I have highlighted the questions in red to distinguish the interviewers questions from the artists answers. This helps the reader to follow the story easier and to not get confused. 

The trapezium located on the top left of the double page spread acts as an introduction to the page itself which allows the reader to notice what page they are reading and allows me to add the Anarchy masthead for further consistency.  

I have also subtly toned the background grey colour into a slightly lighter grey therefore the background does not over-power the text like the past attempt did meaning the text can be read much easier. 

Research and Planning: Creating made up cover lines

For my contents page, I will be creating made up cover lines as they are then guaranteed to be entertaining for my fans, however, I will still be adding original metal band names and singers to create the presence of authenticity. 

Some of the reasons for making up stories:

I took the snippit above from a Metal Hammer website and the news is that selfie sticks are banned from UK gigs. I don't want any nonsense such as this to fill my magazine as my target audience won't care about selfie sticks, they would want to read about bands and new albums etc.

I don't want no information dated from past stories such as the one above. My target audience is for at least 18 and overs an they will want to read current information not out dated news. 

the snapshot above looks at some awful stories such as "long hair to like metal?" or "Is metal dying".

Of course metal is not dying if people are buying the magazine and 1000's of bands are entering the genre every year.

If current news only has these stories to offer, I would be more than happy to generate stories that my fans will like to read therefore they will enjoy my magazine more. 

Stories I intend to add in my magazine: 

I will be adding stories such as bands tours and gigs as readers are forever interested in when there bands are looking to go on tour, and Anarchy will be supplying the details.

Fans love it when big, legendary band members speak out and shout out about controversy information which will create tension for the readers to enjoy.  

The snippit includes two stories I intend to interpret into my magazine, posters and top 10 stories. Posters are always a great page filler and readers would love great quality images for free of there favourite artists. Fans have their own opinions therefore when they read about a top 10 story, they will always disagree with some choices meaning they are interacting with the story.

Albums and songs are the format which artists deliver there songs to music, despite online streaming therefore readers will need to hear about upcoming and new releases of albums and songs so they can keep up to date. 

Research and Planning Finished second model image comparison

The image on the right is a picture of Oli Sykes singing live on stage. I want to see if the modified image I created compared to a professional image of a real metal singer.

On first impressions, my image looks very similar, lot's of spot lights creating glare on the camera, lighting surrounding the model's, black background as well as a singing pose.

One of the only differences is that the picture of Oli Sykes contains a few stage structures such as scaffolding and a set of drums in the background. Upon looking at the comparison, I attempted to add scaffolding in the background however I couldn't and the resulting image looked fake therefore I decided to ignore the scaffolding effect. In the interest of adding other band members was no use either as the angle I took the photo of the model was looking up as I if it was taken from in the crowd therefore other band members would be located out of the shot as I was concentrating on the main singer.

Overall,  I am extremely happy with my modified image and compared to the one of Oli Sykes, I believe the model appears to be singing live therefore I will be able to write a contents story based on a live performance.

Research and Planning: Re-draft of double page spread

The problem with this draft is that the double page spread is split into three stories whereas the story I produced is a long story split between questions therefore the layout won't work with the length of the story. 

I have produced a new draft influenced by the design features that I have found on metal magazines and their double page spread. I have added the Anarchy title, page number and arrow in the bottom right corner of the page. I have divided the right side of the page into two sections, the story taking up one half of the page and the heading in the top right. The heading consists of many key words from the story in many font sizes. I have also added an introduction story below the heading to describe the story  so readers can ease themselves into the story. On the left side of the double page spread, I have made space for a A4 size image of my model with a heading on the top left introducing the whole page so readers know exactly what the page will consist of, such as am "interview". 

The images below are examples of metal magazines which have used an A4 image for one side of the double page spread. Some of the double page spreads allow the heading to run over the image or some just cleanly separate the two.