debris brush

My own brush was created in photoshop, I felt it gave my magazine a unique edge, which followed traditions / codes and conventions simultaneously. Exactly what i'm aiming for. The idea behind the brush was to mimic the stains and debris in older photographs. These marks are not created by digital, modern cameras, which is why I used a brush. This therefore emphasises to the reader that the magazine is very set on not forgetting the past. I used this brush on 2/3 photos featured, to maintain consistency and the rustic look. 

I watched alot of youtube tutorials in order to do this. I made it using the ‘create brush’ tool. Then I used individual brushes to create the debris look, I maximised the brush to 200, so it fit the entire page, and then saved the brush to use on my photos. 

double page spread - image edited

Here Ive used a vignette effect on photoshop and created my own brush to maintain the vintage look. However, I was afraid the vignette and b n w merge would make the image too dark and take the focus away from the model. Therefore, I used the eraser tool in order to create a more defined white around the model, in order to keep the main focus around her and the instrument.

double page spread photo

I used this photo out of the rest as it was incrediblyy striking and conveyed many inferred messages. Firstly, I positioned the model so her face wasn't directly looking at the camera, with only half shown. This was intended to show that jazz isn't about the commercialism but instead about the passion and genuine fun from playing. This is enphasies by her facial expression, smiling, to show enjoyment and pleasure out of what she is doing. Moreover, both of her hands are positioned on the instrument in order to highlight how the instrument is almost a part of the artist, a very fundamental part of the genre. The hair is also down to create a relaxed and free willed atmosphere, solely love for the genre. Through the analysis's I found the artists usually had a certain facial expression, which wasn't posed, or was take live. I felt a smile really conveyed purity and the natural/ traditional elements of jazz. I particularly wanted a coloured theme throughout, to maintain brand consistency. At the time I was unsure whether to use coloured or b n w photos. However, the aim of the chair, instrument and clothing was to all be matched. The colours used are simplistic and not necessarily modern, bold or striking. This was aimed to contrast the modern positioning of the model, with the clothing / look etc, with the traditional instrument and colouring. Enforcing the true aim of my magazine, to merge traditional and modern elements. 

development of double page spread 1

I particularly used inspiration from magazines who used a large image, usually crossing over both pages, and a small amount of text. Usually there is a small amount of text as the articles in jazz magazines for the main spread use a lot of the magazine. This is due to each magazine having a primary focus shown on the front cover. Therefore, the customers in jazz buy the magazine accordingly to the artist shown on front, knowing the main spread regards them. Rarely just double page spreads are used relating to the main artist, as the large amounts written both return respect to the artist and inform readers of specific and knowledgable articles about the artist.  I have to follow the requirements for the specification, therefore I will merge the knowledgable article aspect with less amount of text overall, however adding more columns such as 4/5 will have to substitute.

background texture

I took photos of various textures around the classroom, to create a background with shadows, bumps etc. As I learnt from my rough cut, the background was described as 'poster like'. I based it largely upon the yellow Ella Fitzgerald magazine, and the others displayed in that collection. However, I failed to notice, at the time, that the magazine wasn't just a blocked colour as I assumed. It was worn and the colouring at that time was no where near as advanced as colouring today. Particularly digital colouring means the image will be extremely clear and bold. This made it look too modern for my aims, and clashed too much as it was so vivid. This also meant it took a lot of the focus away from the content itself, and almost made the magazine look comic and unsophisticated. I then used indesign to add a layer over the image, I then made it the shade of orange I wanted and turned the opacity to very low. This meant it created the effect as if the ground would be a textured orange. The overall textured look meant my magazine looked matured/traditional, or even physically worked on, not digitally. Which reinforces the principles of jazz, a lot of dedication and practical working. 

Rough cut improvements- contents

rough cut improvements- front cover

I have listened to the feedback of both peers and teachers and have changed the most significant concerns. The most frequent criticism is that it didn't look aged enough for a jazz magazine. I understood now that the black and white photo and yellow background, wasn't enough for non jazz magazine readers to understand that it's based upon previous jazz magazines.
 Therefore, i created my own brush in Photoshop which creates speckle like additions to the image. This created an old fashioned essence, which from my analysis's was natural on more traditional jazz magazines due to less advanced printing. Additionally, i used a grain effect on the image itself, to recreate the less modern camera finish- which from my main inspirations was based in the 60's/70's where cameras were developing but not as developed as the 21st century. 
I also changed my fonts. This is mainly because i felt the fonts didn't follow the codes and conventions as much as they should've. I also used these fonts such as 'bebas neau' because they have alternate versions such as ' neau  ' which change it slightly to appear bolder. Using bolder fonts meant i can focus it on the texts which were more important, the ones i want the reader to instantly be intrigued by- such as the masthead 'floetry' or the insiders. Ultimately, i feel these fonts seem more on the traditional side to the jazz magazines i analysed, however even the modern magazines used minimalist fonts. Which in turn, makes the fonts i have used follow the codes and conventions of the initial appearance being traditional however the production behind it being modern. 

feedback to rough cut

PEER REVIEW-

Front cover: 

The feedback I received mainly focused on creating a more defined look. This included, making the photo itself more ' old fashioned ', in order to recreate the traditional look and bring more of the historic jazz side to it. Additionally, I received that the photo was placed in the correct way to catch the eye instantly. Overall, I was collectively told my photo brings strong connotations of the rustic jazz look, due to the grayscale colouring, which is exactly what I'm aiming for. However, constructively I was told to enhance the photo further to make it look more aged. I am fond of this idea, perhaps by adding scratches etc, as it follows the codes and conventions of my research. Additionally, It was described as being similar to a 'poster'. To change this, I will add detentions to the image itself and the yellow background such as shadows in order to create a magazine look. To create this look, I will also add text such as insiders, a bar code, and a price etc. 

Contents: 

The main positive I received was the image itself, and the connotations it sent. I received that the image strongly gave off 'jazz'. Additionally, they liked how my image was placed, as a dominant image, as it is different to the rest of my magazine. However, although the image positioning was different, I still received that the contents page followed the consistency of brand I aimed for. On the other hand, the criticisms included that I need to structure the text more clearly-particularly taking more inspiration from the contents page analysis's. Additionally,


Double page spread:

Ultimately, the main positive feedback was for the image itself- receiving comments such as 'powerful' and 'striking'. I feel this is a massive achievement because it shows all types of readers will want to continue reading the article. Which infers my image is captivating enough to do so, as well as it following the codes and conventions by being black and white etc. However, i was told i need to have a balance between the image and text. As i only managed to write a few columns, following from inspiration from a few double page spread analysis's. I will change this by making the article have around 4 long columns, to fundamentally create a longer article, which will then feel worth the read / purchase of the magazine itself ( as this is the main article ). 

double page spread- rough cut

The font featured conveys strong connotations of the 1920s jazz era. Which demonstrates straight away that its addressing the jazz reader. It also fits the codes and conventions as it brings nostalgia back to jazz in its prime. However, by using a purple 'E' it meant I could physically merge the modern and traditional elements together. This shows how I want to preserve the roots of jazz, but also add a modern twist. The purple also follows the consistency of colour throughout, which makes the brand consistent. I manipulated the fonts in the trumpet from descending size order, the aim of this was to make it look more realistic, professionally done and to not attract too much attention, away from the main image. 

front cover- rough cut

My main was inspiration was taken from the blocked yellow colour from the Ella Fitzgerald magazine. 

contents- rough cut

Here, I used an image dominating image. Which demonstrates to the reader that this is my main message. By having a main focus it demonstrates that the instrument Is one of the most fundamental parts of jazz. The instrument is rooted in jazz. This brings a distinguished sense to it, as jazz is one of the few genres that you have to be incredibly skilled at to make the music. It also emphasised how passionate the artists are about their instruments, and how much devotion and time it takes to become as talented as they are. Additionally, it shows that the instrument is as equal in jazz as the artist- this maintains the traditional nature of jazz and follows my codes and conventions. By using a modern photo and a rooted ideology it fuses both modern and traditional elements, my main objective. 

The text used on the headings is called 'jazz'. As the image may be unclear for a direct genre, I felt the text could be entirely direct. It really screams particularly the 1920s era of jazz, where this text featured on jazz clubs, records, books etc. Therefore, the text demonstrates the traditional element of jazz, to contrast with the modern looking image. 
The curved text 'groove', used really highlights the energetic and free willed edge jazz brings. It's vibrant, fun and full of passion whilst not pushing any boundaries of becoming too comic. Exactly how I want to present my magazine. 

The positioning and size of the text is symbolic of the importance. The main story ( artist Emilay Badu ) is featured In a fairly large font, to direct the reader instantly. This is mainly due to jazz magazine buyers, usually buying a magazine to read weekly about a very focused and detailed article on an artist. Amongst the other articles, which are naturally expected to be knowledgable and fascinating. Additionally, It was a very close comparison to the famous 'downbeat'  magazine, of their very old issues- bringing traditions back. 

I used the colour yellow for the lines, in order to maintain brand consistency. As I used a striking yellow for my front cover, I wanted to keep a sense of proudness and familiarity throughout. Im unsure on the coloured background photo, as I feel it doesn't particularly contrast well with the text/colour. 

structure of contents page

This is the beginning process structure of my contents page. The smaller boxes all feature text. This follows the codes and conventions of all my contents pages, as they all feature text filling the entire page. Also, most have varying sizes to suit the importance of the articles, usually the largest being the front cover feature. The background for this will feature a dominating image of the saxophone and roses. This adds to the connotations of my title 'floetry', and is the same instrument used in all 3 photos- thus creating a branded link between all pages. 

Structure of front cover

This is the first draft of my front cover. I have decided on an 'image dominated' image, where i will use a mid shot. I felt this combined specifically the modern analysis of Wayne Shorter and the traditional magazine of Ella Fitzgerald. The reason it compromises both is because it still follows the traditional nature of having the jazz artist / instrument involved, in order to emphasise that they are the core and most important element to jazz. However the image will feature modern clothes / hair styles etc, to cater for the traditional magazine covers, very similar to the Wayne Shorter cover. I focused on the title ' floetry ' being the 2nd largest item as i felt through my analysis's the branding is very important in the jazz magazine industry and to the genre itself. This is because there are only few jazz magazines compared to other genres, and these magazines are rooted into the history of jazz, most stilll producing today date back to the 60's or later. The flamboyancy of the title is important because, it shows the reader that jazz is still exciting and full of life. ' Jazz will never die ', in a sense. By having a smaller, less striking font / text this will bring connotations of dullness, or even the reluctance for the jazz community to be proud of the genre / their acceptance of it' decline.