Production: Updated Contents Page

My updated contents page

From feedback I have received, I have now updated the page number on my contents page to something more appropriate and fitting. It was originally '01', I have now changed this to '05' which is typically the page a contents is on in a music magazine (to allow for advertisements at the beginning of the magazine).

Production: Updated Double Page Spread

My updated cover page spread tag

From feedback I have received, I have changed the colour of the 'tag' on my double page spread. Whereas before it was a vibrant blue, it now matches the colour of my masthead on my cover. This helps the continuity of my magazine by incorporating the same colour scheme throughout.

Production: Completed Magazine

Finished Cover

Finished Contents Page

Finished Double Page Spread

Production: Double Page Spread Article

My article that will feature on my double page spread:

Firstly, I’d like to welcome you to what will hereby be known as ‘Introducing’ - a weekly feature that dives into the world of music and selects only the best unsung heroes and showcases them to the world. You can expect each article to give you information on the artist’s background, story of their rise to eventual fame, what they’re currently up to and where they’re heading next plus my own personal thoughts on their style.

Taking the title as the first ever artist to be formally ‘introduced’ is singer/songwriter; Kristina Rudge. I know what you’re thinking. Who?

Kris, (her nickname of choice) is a northern girl with a powerful voice that is sending shockwaves throughout her genre. Recently queened ‘singer of the year’ by her local singing group; this girl is set for nothing but fame.

Starting out as a backup singer for musicians in her nearby pub, Kris has worked her way up to performing her own ‘mini-gigs’ all around town. She’s famous in her hometown of Manchester for her rendition of Corinne Bailey Rae’s ‘Like A Star’ (which happens to be her favourite song to perform).

When we asked her closest friends and family to describe her in one word, many chose “modest” and “über-talented”. I don’t think they quite do her justice. Her shy exterior is a complete contrast to when she sings; she transforms into a powerhouse, producing resonating choruses of angelic music.

Having been brought up in a musical household, it is perhaps inevitable that Kris would opt for a life as a performer. Ever since she was little, she’d performed in school plays and college productions.

As well as her extra curricular commitments, Kris also studied Musical theatre whilst she was at college; as if this wasn’t enough, she also partook in an extra A-level in Dance at her former high school.

Her teachers described her as a pleasure to teach and a delight to be in the presence of, as did her tutors. This is largely due to the fact Kris aced all her examinations and offered her talent for events such as open evenings and award shows.

Through years of dedication to perfect her god-given voice, she’s finally ready to share it with the masses.

In an exclusive with LieBack, Kristina revealed to us that she’d recently inked a deal with one of the worlds most prestigious record labels, Island Records. Joining the likes of Mariah Carey and Amy Winehouse; we know she’ll make her own stamp on the label.

We also asked Kristina where she saw herself in ten years; she replied “I’m not sure really. If you’d asked me ten years ago, I would have never dreamed of being signed at just twenty-four. I suppose I’d like to have a few successful albums under my belt, and perhaps a private island in the maldives?” The artist later revealed that her favourite place to escape her now hectic lifestyle is her grandparent’s caravan in Wales.

“I don’t really like labels, but I guess my style is probably indie-pop, but who knows what it’ll be in the future…” This is what she said when asked what genre she thought she belonged in.

Kris hopes to start touring early next year, with the aim of releasing her second album sometime later this year. Her debut album ‘Dreaming’ is now available on iTunes; eight tracks of pure bliss. What you’d call ‘easy listening’.

One of the best features of even the best performers in the world is their ability to create their own content and style. Obviously in terms of music this comes in the form of artist-written songs, which from experience tend to be the most heart-felt and powerful. I’ve never come across such a magnificent singer that is also so talented when it comes to songwriting. Every song she has released to date has been one of her own creations. This may sound silly, but just check how many writers it took to write one of Beyonce’s chart-busters. Hint: close to seven.

I think Kristina is the perfect artist to launch LieBack with; she has all the qualities that we think a truly great artist should have. Her music is beautiful and dignified, and she’s got a lifetime of experiences to produce lots of it. She’s modest, kind and very down to earth. I don’t see fame getting to this one’s head!

Kris regularly spends time volunteering in a ‘young performers’ - there she helps kids build their confidence and provide real-life knowledge of the industry.

To sum up: a caring role model with the voice of an angel and a talent that comes once in a generation.

All I can say is, watch this space.

Production: Magazine Changes Based On Social Networking Feedback

I have made a few changes to my magazine based upon the social networking feedback I received. The caption of each screenshot says what I have changed.

In this screenshot I am making my model image (on my double page spread) appear less 'red', I did this by altering the colour balance options in Photoshop. I moved the slider to Cyan to offset the red.

As suggested in my social feedback, I tried putting a grey box around the 'album out now' section of my double page spread. I felt that it looked out of place, so instead repositioned the section.

As suggested in my social network feedback, I have increased the gutter between columns on my double page spread.

I have corrected the alignment issues on my contents page. This included accidental spaces and inconsistent line-height values.

As suggested in several cases in my social networking feedback, I have increased the font size of the publication line on my cover. I also increased the opacity of the drop shadow so it stands out more.

As suggested in my social networking feedback, I have included the editors name and title in the 'editors note' section of my contents page. I also tilted the signature to make it look more realistic.

As suggested in my social networking feedback, I have made the small text on my cover stand out more by adding a subtle black drop shadow.

Here I am using the right eye to overlay the left eye to make it stand out more. I have also blurred the edges of the overal image to focus on the subjects eyes.

As you can see, I have sharpened the subject's eyes so they both match.

As suggested in my social networking feedback, I have removed the redundant copy on my cover.

Once I removed the redundant copy, I aligned the text in the centre of the page.

This is a close up of the copy with a black drop shadow to make it stand out.

Production: Social Network Feedback

I posted my magazine pages (cover, contents page & double page spread) onto a design community called 'Forrst'. Forrst describes itself as "...a community where developers and designers improve their craft through design feedback." Below is a screenshot of post I submitted:

The post I submitted to Forrst asking for feedback. View post

I received a lot of helpful feedback from members of the design community. Below is a selection of comments that I found the most helpful.

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community. View it on Notable

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community. View on Notable

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community. View on Notable

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community

A comment made on my post by a member of the design community

Production: Updated Double Page Spread

Updated double page spread

I have updated my magazine contents page with the changes that were suggested in my moderator feedback.

I have changed the following:

1. I have increased the spacing between the article and the deck. I have also increased the spacing between the article text and the image, as well as the space around the quote.

2. I have moved the "Album out now" text and graphic from the top right to the bottom right part of the page. I have moved the article byline to the top right (replacing the album graphic).

3. I have added my magazine's masthead symbol to the page numbers (click image to view larger screenshot as you may not be able to see it).

Production: Updated Contents Page

My updated contents page

I have updated my magazine contents page with the changes that were suggested in my moderator feedback.

I have changed the following:

1. I have changed the subheading font for "In lie back this week" to "Proxima Nova" so it matches the rest of the page.

2. I have changed the font for the dropped capital "W" so it matches the page heading "Contents".

3. I have re-arranged the page numbers to conform to the industry standards (the page numbers are now not in numerical order).

Production: Updated Cover

My updated magazine cover

I have updated my magazine cover with the changes that were suggested in my moderator feedback.

I have changed the following:

1. Re-arranged the text on the "Will Jepsen..." cover line so it no longer covers too much of the model's face.
2. I have updated the cover line page numbers to match the contents page numbers.

Production: Cover, Contents Page & Double Page Spread So Far

Cover:

My magazine cover as of 19/12/12

Contents: 

My magazine contents page as of 19/12/12

Double Page Spread:

My magazine double page spread as of 19/12/12

Production: Magazine Contents Page So Far

My magazine contents page as of 18/12/12

My magazine contents page as of 18/12/12

My magazine contents page as of 18/12/12

My magazine contents page as of 18/12/12

Production: Magazine Double Page Spread So Far

My magazine double page spread as of 17/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 17/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 17/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 17/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 17/12/12

Production: Magazine Contents Page So Far

My magazine contents page as of 16/12/12

My magazine contents page as of 16/12/12

My magazine contents page as of 16/12/12

Production: Magazine Double Page Spread So Far

My magazine double page spread as of 15/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 15/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 15/12/12

My magazine double page spread as of 15/12/12 

My magazine double page spread as of 15/12/12

Production: Magazine Cover So Far

My music magazine cover as of 14/12/12

My music magazine cover as of 14/12/12