Front Cover
The audience highlighted that they liked banner on my front cover as it is unique and stands out from an average conventional music magazine. In specific they liked the originality of the logo on the banner and the arrangement of it, how the text is different colours and different orientations. Also they thought that the masthead was strong as the colour red allows it to stand out and makes it eye catching. Also the new with the blue back ground on the masthead had positive feedback, for the reasons; it brings hints of the colour scheme to the masthead and it is a stylish addition to the masthead. Finally the featuring of more artists (by having extra images) the audience found interesting as it is not a popular convention.
Weaknesses
Some of the audience didn’t like that there was an unnecessary gap on the top right of the page, they thought it created an inconsistency throughout the page. Also, someone thought that the cover never specified who the artist was clear enough so it left the reader confused what the feature is about. Another point brought up was that when you zoom in 100% you can see the cutting out of the image and the paint brush hair. Others thought that the cover line going under the models hair is not useful as some people might not understand what is meant by the word partially under the hair. Finally they thought the connotation is very masculine and the genres audience allocates for both a male and female audience.
Ways to improve
It was suggested that I could improve my front cover by re arranging the cover lines, or adding in something else so the gap is filled or not so obvious. Also by specifying the name of the artist which is the main model so the audience is not confused who the main feature is about; and finally tidying up the edges of the image so it is less noticeable when zoomed in and allows the image to look sharper.
Contents
The strengths were that it is very well structured and arranged well so the features and the images work well together, also they thought even though it is simple it still gives a sharp, interesting and eye catching look. They also liked how there is gradients and it incorporates the colour scheme very casually and linking to they also commented that the contents page is very consistent with the front cover and the colour scheme is simple and in the background but simple is interesting and catches the eye of the audience. Finally they thought that the magazine included a good range of features which made it look professional.
Weaknesses
Some people thought that it was plain and could have had a bit more variety in it, and the structure was too formal for the type of genre the magazine is trying to portray. Also there were ideas that it could have a little less text and some more images as the majority of the contents page is page made up of text and this can put off a reader. Lastly even though small the lines that separate the numbers from the text finish in different positions can create unprofessionalism.
Ways to improve
The amount of text can be decreased and the contents can include a bit more variety and creativity to liven the page allowing the readers to feel interested when they look at it.
Double Page Spread
Strengths
Some of the audience liked the different smaller images that are in black and white as it gives a contemporary fell and allows the reader to have a break from all of the reading. Also another separation of the quotation and the quotation itself had positive feedback, which was that it is very unique and attention grabbing, as it has stars around it for separation. Also the quote had different colours and sizes for important words which were liked.
Weaknesses
The double page was said to have a dull colour scheme as the blues are quite dark a similar problem with the reds. Also the star in the main title is black and that colour does not really work with the main colour scheme.
Ways to improve
To improve the colour scheme could get brightened so it is more attention grabbing and is not boring when the reader looks at it.
