Feature Article Draft

So Laura, did you think you’d ever make it THIS big?!

Not at all! When I was younger music was what I resorted to for fun and to get away from everyday life. It was much more of a hobby than anything. I always knew that what I wanted was to be a singer but I never dreamed I was actually make it this far! Its so amazing and im so grateful!

What first got you into music?

My dad self- taught himself the guitar when he was 10 and it has been his obsession every since. For my ninth birthday he bought me a guitar of my ownand taught me how to play it and I feel in love with it! Then things just progressed from there I guess.

So when was it that you decided you wanted to make music your career?

Becoming an artist for my full time job was pure luck really! The first time I considered it was after my school talent show. After my performance people came up to me and told me that they thought I was good enough to be a singer which definitely gave me the boost to at least try. I started performing in local pubs until eventually I was scouted by a well-known music agency. It all took off from there really!

Is being famous everything you expected?

I don’t consider myself as famous. I haven’t changed. I’m just the regular old Laura, who sits in her room messing around on her guitar, writing lyrics and occasionally gets the odd gig.

The odd gig?! Didn’t you perform at Glasto last year?!

*Laugh* Yes I did and I actually cannot believe it! It was so much fun and I met some awesome people there. I just hope I didn’t make a fool out of myself infront of the boys from Artic Monkeys, I have a crush on all of them!

What would you say the perks and downsides of fame are?

One of the things that I’m definitely finding hard to deal with is the paparazzi! They follow me around 24/7, I’ve even caught one in my garden once just to try to get a picture… that must be illegal surely?! But I would definitely say some perks are getting to meet so many amazing talented people, many of whom I listened to growing up! I also love the buzz of performing my music live and the fact that people actually listen to my music, its crazy!

Let’s talk new album..

Oo yes! I’m really excited about this album as I am so pleased with the results. The album is simply called ‘Laura’. The idea behind it is that each song means something to me or echoes a part of my life and so is very personal to me so I thought the name, boring as it may be, would be appropriate…. And partly because all the other names I came up with were awful! I put so much into this album so I just hope the fans like it!

Speaking of the fans, what do they mean to you?
My fans mean the absolute world to me as I couldn’t be where I am today without them. They are so supportive and I create my music just for them.

Any plans for the future?

I have no idea! I definitely want to continue making and performing my music. It’s definitely hard work but its so much fun and I find it so rewarding. I’m very happy where I am at the moment so I’m just planning to go with the flow really!

Photography

Feature Article Draft Analysis

 
Layout
I have include the magazine's logo in the top left hand corner of the page and the page number and magazine's website on the bottom right of the page. This compliments the magazaine's house style as well as providing repetition to make the website and logo more memorable.

The article title is bold and large and will run across the top of the left hand page. This makes it stand out from the other text in the article allowing the reader to have a brief summary of what the article will be about before reading. I will also include an entry point of text just below the title, in order to provide a bit more information about what the article will be about and leave the reader wanting more, and thus making them read the rest of the article.

I have put a large picture of the feature artist, taking up the majority on the page on the right. I did this because the right page is known to be the first place the reader will look, and so providing the image of the 'well known music artist' will immediately attract the attention of the reader and make them want to read further into the article.

I also layed out the text of the article into two columns. This makes the page neat and easy to read as well as fitting with the house style of the magazine. At the beginning of each paragraph/ question of the interview I will use a drop cap. This in turn clearly marks the beginning of each question, making the page easier to navigate, as well as being eye catching which draws the reader to text to make them read on.

Other Features
The text of the magazine will be in an interview style. This creates a more casual atmosphere for the reader and allows them to relate to the artist. It will also include popular questions which the readers are likely to want to know the answer to, tempting them to read the article.

Feature Article Draft

Contents Page Draft Analysis

Layout

The title "Contents" run across the top of the page in big capital letters which make it bold and eye catching. This can help highlight the important of the page.

I have included the date under the title so that the reader can see if they are up to date with the magazine issue.

The magazine logo is in the top left hand corner. This will run throughout the whole magazine to repeat the brand name making it more memorable which is part of my house style.

I have put the website and page number in the bottom right hand corner. This provides another form of media to view the magazine and fits with the magazine's house style. The page number also makes the magazine easier to navigate.

The page is layed out in two columns to make the page simple and easy to navigate. It also makes the page neater and therefore more appealing to the eye. This also compliments the magazine's house style. The pictures will be on the left, which will include the page numbers to show the page the artist is featured on. I have placed the list of text on the right of the page. This is because it is known that the reader first looks at the right hand side of the page and so by doing this they will immediately get an idea of what the magazine will include. This in turn can tempt the reader to look at the rest of the magazine.

Other Features
For the subtitles such as 'features' and 'news' I will use a bold but also "swirly" font to echo the female orientated target audience.

Content Page Draft

Front Cover Draft Analysis

Layout
The masthead goes the whole way across the top of the front cover. This is effective as it makes it stand out from the rest of the page.

The artist's head will slightly cover the masthead to create the effect that the magazine is well established and popular enough to do so.

The date is placed at the top left of the page to allow the reader to make sure they are up to date with the magazine issue.

The website is included in the bottom right hand corner to provide a different type of media to view the magazine, which can help boost viewings.


The feature artist is the centre of the image as well as taking up the majority of the page. This allows her to be the centre of attention on the page and draws the readers eye to her.


Other Features
I have decided that I will include two puffs which include a 'free CD' of the feature artists first single and a 'free poster' of one of the content page artists. This is because I believe it will help tempt more readers to purchase the magazine.

Front Cover Draft

Inspiration for Upgrade

I choose these magazines as I think that the simplicity of having just one image makes it look sophisticated and professional. Also the use of the plain white studio background helps this as there is nothing in the background to distract the reader. I think it also makes the reader focus on the feature artist which is what I want to achieve. 

House Style

Colour Scheme
My  magazine I will keep a constant colour scheme in order to keep atmosphere throughout the whole magazine. The colours I will include are black, white and lilac as I think the black and white will make my magazine look expensive and professional whilst the lilac echoes the female orientated.
On the pages of the magazine i will use the black for pages numbers, titles, slugs and text. The white will be used for the background and the lilac to underline the title and line the page and pictures.

Font
Body Copy Ideas:

 

 I have chosen these fonts as they are simple and easy to read as well as suiting the classy look of the magazine.

 I have chosen the 'Centaur' font for body copy as it is simple and easy to read. The font colour also fits the black and white colour scheme of the magazine creating a professional look. Furthermore the slenderness of the font helps reflect the feminine feel of the magazine and it also has a resemblance to the masthead.

Visual features
On every page of the magazine I will include the website in the bottom right hand corner. I think this will be effective as many people (especially my target audience) are becoming more and more technologically advanced and often rely on their computers as a source of information, so providing this way to read the magazine may help gain readers. Also the fact it is repeated on every page will make it more likely for the reader to see it and will add consistancy to the pages.

I will also include a visual symbol of a 'U' based on the font of my masthead appearing on each page. This is because it allows the name of the magazine to be repeated throughout making the name more memorable and likely to stick.

Furthermore I will keep the layout of the feature articles consistant. To do this I will make sure I use three coloumns on each page. I have decided not to use boarders around the images because I think it takes away the

Chosen Masthead

(Font: Dubiel)

I have chosen this masthead because it will stand out on the front cover due to it's capital,bold and black font. As well as this it is also simple and has well spaced letters making it easy to read and therefore memorable.

My magazine genre is music fashion and i believe that this font connotates high end fashion magazines such as vogue which will be effective to mix with the theme of music.

(MF Music magazine)

 

 I think that the font looks expensive and professional which is what the magazine is aiming to achieve.

Masthead Idea Analyses

Masthead Ideas

Final Brand Name

I have chosen 'Upgrade' for my magazine name. This is because it reflects the idea of evolving and keeping up with the latest trends, which is what the magazine is trying to achieve. This in turn will engage the target audience and tempt them to purchase the magazine as they have the desire to be very current with their music and fashion. The term also suggests the idea of being more advanced implying the readers will gain something from the magazine that non readers will not have. This creates the sense that they are privileged.

'Upgrade' is also a short two syllable word which makes the name to the point and memorable causing the name to 'stick'.

I choose not to use the other ideas (Download, Listen and Vibe) because i think that the connotations of these names are not as suited to my magazine as 'Upgrade' and therefore would not be as effective.

Brand Name Ideas

Contents Page Artist Ideas and Planning

The artists featured will be less well known than my main artist so that the attention of the readers is focused on her. However, they will all relate to the pop fashion genre to suit the style and target audience of the magazine to entice the audience to purchase it.

Sophie B
Sophie is a pop solo artist promoting her first album. She has recently become well known but believes that featuring in the magazine may boost her popularity.The magazine will include an exclusive interview with her talking about her album and how she became famous.

AlunaGeorge
AlunaGeorge are a pop duo made up of Aluna the singer and George the DJ. The group are very popular with the target audience which can encourage them to read the magazine. They have performed at a variety of festivals and gigs. The magazine will feature tour dates and posters, as well as a small interview talking about their festival experiences.

Chris Brown
Chris Brown is a very well known and established music artist. His popularity and good looks will attract the feminine orientated target audience.

Photo Shoot Plan

•LOCATION
-Minimalistic studio with a white background. I think this will be effective as the blank uninteresting background will draw the attention of the reader to the artist. This can echo the idea that the article is all about her.
- I think that the white background also makes the photo shoot look edgy, expensive and professional.
Even though the background is very blank I think that the shoot will be able to portray her personalty through the choice of her costume, make up and pose.
- I would like to base my images on the photo shoot of Rihanna by Terry Richardson as I think that he achieved the effects i want to achieve.

• Artist's look

- Clothing: Patterned trousers and crop top
- Hair: Volumous 'beach look' with ombre
- Makeup: Smokey dark eyes with natural lip and skin
- Shot type/ angle/ distance: Full portrait shot
-Connotations: stylish, expensive, flirtatious
-Lighting: High key and natural
-Props: Non

Initial Ideas

Artist Moodboard