Final Contents Page Improved

This is my contents page after improvements based on the feedback I received. I have added a thicker border to all of the boxes as well a background to the images to make them stand out a bit more. I have also moved the page numbers to the front of the cover lines and made them bolder and bigger to stand out more.

Final Front Cover Improved

This is my front cover after improvements based on the feedback I received. I chose not to move my masthead around as I like it how it is and the position that the plug is in. I did, however, edit the cover lines so that the main points of interest were highlighted more, and I also added a QR code and website so that the magazine is directly linked to the website if people wish to scan it in.

Feedback for DPS

I received some feedback from my teacher on my DPS, here is what she said to do to improve my DPS:

Change the image on the left-hand side page to a series of the sequence images with the backgrounds of them being in the various shades of red that the main text is in, depending on the position the artist is in. I will also make the top pull quote more "crazy" and relevant to what it is talking about by designing each word separately and putting them together with varying colours and positions. I will also make the "Q"s and "A"s in the interview in the font mentioned above and make them the opposite colour to the question/answer. I will also remove the large pull quote in the middle of the article and replace it with the "Jazz is my life." one and another small quote from the text.

Feedback for Contents Page

Strengths: I like the neat layout as it makes the text look clear. I also like the use of the same colours as this is conventional.
Areas to improve: I think you could improve by making the main story information more bold so that it stands out from the rest. The black text underneath the middle photo looks very small compared to the rest, it could possibly be made bigger/bolder. I think it could be improved by putting the numbers in front of the text instead of after it, this would make it more conventional. Some of the font used makes it look a bit unprofessional, maybe look at what is conventionally used by other magazines?
Other comments: I like the colour scheme and that its the same throughout the contents page.

Strengths: Nice amount of images that relate to the genre of your magazine, there also edited really good. The colour scheme is really clear, which makes the text clear. 
Areas to improve: You could add a different colour to the background of the images. Also add a box outline to the middle article to make them all the same. You could also change some of the texts fonts to just change it up a bit also adding the page number before the text. 
Other comments: Needs a bit of work to look more conventional but does look good. 

Strengths: The colours all work well and compliment each other and create a sense of fluency. Each different aspect of the magazine is sectioned off and easy to read. The 'Subscribe and Save!' text adds a sense of realism, and makes the magazine seem very authentic.
Areas to improve: The name of your magazine is not mentioned on the contents page, maybe that would be something you could add (only small and in a corner somewhere).

In response to this feedback, I am going to add page numbers to my pictures, as well as a background to the images so that they don't blend in with the background as much and stand out more. I will also thicken the borders around the images and the subheadings and maybe change them to red. I am also going to add a signature to the editor's photo to make it more conventional using an italic font. In the "Features" and "Regulars" columns I am going to make the numbers stand out more and place them at the front of the lines, as well as making the main story lines stand out more using bigger text. I will also make my main story information bolder. Finally, I will also make the contents text go across more of the page to make it more dominant and add something with it that relates to the name of my magazine, either the full name or perhaps just an "O"/"O-B" for "Off-Beat".

Feedback for Front Cover

In response to this feedback,I am going to move my text and plug around so that I can fit in a couple more cover lines and make the main points of interest in them bigger, e.g. the "prizes" in the first cover line on the left. I am also going to add a QR code and website so that the magazine can be viewed online. I will also move the main cover line down a little  bit so that it is closer to the bottom of the page.

DPS Final Edit

This is the final edit for my double page spread. I have changed the main image and added a sequence of images along the top and bottom of the left-hand side page to really show my artist off. I have also changed the font of the article text again so that it is easier to read and made title text and quotes in Photoshop and inserted them into my article so that match the fonts and colours used throughout the rest of the magazine.

I will take feedback from others and make changes according to that in the future.

Double Page Spread Draft Two

I have changed the font of my article text, removed the "Danny Barley" text to leave more mystery around him, made the colour of the quotes and title text stronger so that it stands out a bit more, added the magazine address and changed the colour of the page numbers to match the contents page and generally tried to make it more interesting to look at.

I'm definitely not happy with the image and want to try a better one that makes the article look more interesting because it looks quite boring at the minute.

To improve for my final draft:

• Definitely try a more informal and personal image to draw readers in - try making it cut across the text more so it isn't just an image with text at the side and make it a full long shot so it doesn't look cut off.
• Play around with the quote text more to make it different and more interesting.
• Generally edit it to make it more appealing.

Double Page Spread First Draft

This is the first draft for my double page spread. I have placed a big image of my artist that takes up almost all of the left-hand side to show his importance and make him the focus of the page. I have large text that is the same colour as the text on my front cover and contents pages to keep a strong theme going through my magazine. As the article is continued on the next two pages, I have placed an arrow leading the reader to the rest of the feature. I have used pull quotes from the article to highlight the main features of the text.

Improvements:

• Possibly removing the "Danny Barley" text from under the picture as it conflicts with the title of the article "Who Is This Man?" by already telling readers who he is.
• Try a stronger shade of red because the text looks too weak and doesn't stand out much.
• Make the image take up more of the left-hand side page.
• Make the different quotes and things stand out and grab the attention of the reader more.
• Move the stand first to the side instead of the centre.
• Perhaps try a more informal image of the artist.
• Make the text in the article Arial so it is easier to read and just have the main quotes and title text in the theme font.