Initially, I considered doing a one-page Contents as this would be much easier due to there being less workload. However, after analysing many two page spreads, I realised that it is actually much easier to have a double page as I can organise the pictures and information without it being too tight for space. It also allows me to showcase more artist images and be able to write detailed descriptions for all of the main articles. Although my final Contents Pages had a slightly different layout (with the cover story being put on the first page instead), this flat plan really helped me to visualise what features I wanted to include and potential sizes for each.
My final product kept to this flat plan in many ways with only one small difference in having an extra sell line. Although this plan looks quite simple, the positioning of each sell line proved to be very important and required much thought. I am very happy with how the spacing of the final product turned out as it is exactly how I imagined it with this plan. This plan also helped me to decide what type of shot I wanted to take for the main image. I decided to go with a mid shot as this is quite typical of all magazines and was easy to achieve.
This collage showcases many of the photographs I took for the DPS Photo shoot. The image in the centre was chosen for the final double page spread. I loved the colours of pink & blue in the picture and the light given off from the neon background. I also liked the vintage posters in the background and how they contrasted with the new modern look of the neon sign. Even though these pictures show my first real attempt with the Canon SLR camera, I was quite pleased with the outcome and I learned a lot about how to use the settings while at the location.
This flat plan was very useful in organising my thoughts about where I wanted each part of the DPS to be. Some of the conventions included have been inspired by real life products such as the "Q" magazine which I bought for research. All of the research I have conducted has been greatly beneficial in developing my knowledge of music magazines and their customs. In the final product, I ended up making some changes especially to the bottom of the page which I had not thoroughly considered earlier. However, this gave me a great base plan from which much of the page was constructed.
