Google Mock-Ups - Contents Pages

After completing the mock-ups of my front cover, I then designed Google mock-ups contents pages. I made them to match both the magazine covers which I made, so I included the same artist as the main image and included all the relevant contents in relation to the feature stories on the front.

Control

Original Image which I used within contents page

Contents Page Mock-Up

   I started by opening a blank image into PicMonkey and applying the 'fade' effect to give it a slightly beige-coloured vignette background. I then added the title, date and magazine name and the dashed line underneath it. Then, I saved the image and opened it up into Pixlr Editor and added the main image and placed a border around it before opening it back up into PicMonkey so that I could add the page numbers, feature stories and descriptions. I made sure to leave space next to the descriptions for additional pictures, and added these later in Pixlr Editor. Finally, I opened the image into Pixlr Express and added various filters and tints before saving it as a final edit. I did go back and change the filters a number of times, however. 

   The layout of the contents page with the main image being on the left and the text around it was loosely based on MixMag's contents page. I tried to make the colour scheme of the contents page match the front cover I designed for 'Control' however, I don't think I achieved this very well.

   The main image which I used for this is in fairly neutral colours, mostly browns and beiges, and so I based the rest of the colour scheme around it with the hopes of fixing it to look brighter and more colourful later in Pixlr Express though this wasn't wholly achieved so the colour scheme is still very neutral. I think the colour scheme works well with the three images that I used, however I don't think it fits the the music genre which my magazine will be based on as well as the style which I used for the 'Reverb' magazine.

   I made sure to include all the relevant conventions of a contents page including the title, magazine name, date, page numbers, feature stories, descriptions, main image and secondary images. However, I think the page itself looks a little bare and is missing additional information. On the other hand, it could be argued that the simple layout and appearance makes it clearer and easier to read and therefore easier to find what you are looking for quicker. The main image is of Martin Garrix which matches the main image/feature story on the front cover and further emphasises the importance of that article. It also grabs the attention of readers and non-readers who may be fans of his music and so would be interested in reading an article exclusively about him.

   Overall, I wasn't entirely pleased with the outcome of this contents page. I think it looks a little bare and doesn't match the 'Control' front cover design very well. To improve the layout and appearance of the magazine I could include more information such as the names of contributors to the magazine, a short description about an upcoming album release, social media news, and so on. I would also use a different style of font as I don't think it matches the colour scheme or style of the contents page very well. It looks too 'contemporary' and would be better suited to a style like the 'Reverb' front cover and contents page which has a more modern feel to it. Lastly, I would use a different colour scheme as I don't think the colour scheme which I chose for this contents page reflects the music genre as well as the one used in the 'Reverb' magazine mock-up. The colours are a little too 'soft' and 'warm' and are therefore not as eye-grabbing as the mock-ups which have used brighter colours.

Reverb

Original Image which I used within the Contents Page

Contents Page Mock-Up

   I started by opening a blank image on Pixlr Editor and filling the background in black. I then added the title, layering up multiple bright colours and adjusting the opacity to give the desired effect. I then recreated a similar effect on the image of Miss Melera by drawing a selection around her and copying and pasting the image multiple times, adjusting the colour and opacity of each. I added the date and a random page number over the top of the main image. I then opened it up in PicMonkey and added the feature stories, descriptions and page numbers. I realised at this stage I'd made a mistake with the page number that I'd pasted over the top of the main image and so covered it up with coloured boxes in the same style as the title and main image and re-wrote the page number on top. Lastly, I opened the image back up into Pixlr Editor and inserted the secondary images before opening it in Pixlr Express and adding the same diamond overlay pattern that is seen on the front cover.

   The contents page was heavily based on the google mock-up front cover, 'Reverb' which I had designed previously as I wanted it to match as though it were part of the same magazine. I based the colour scheme of it not only on the front cover but on the contents pages seen in MixMag as they always feature black backgrounds with white writing over the top.

   The main image which I used for this was in black and white so, again, I had to make a colour scheme for it. I based it upon the colours in the front cover which are generally bright colours such as pinks, purples, blues and greens. The colour scheme is a good reflection of the music genre which I am aiming my magazine at as the bright colours and dark background reflect, as previously mentioned, a clubbing or festival environment. The triangle overlay effect adds shapes and draws the attention of the reader.

   Again, I made sure to include all the relevant conventions of a contents page such as page numbers, feature stories, descriptions, a title, date and main image. I laid them out clearly in order for readers to find what they are looking for quickly and easily and this included putting the page numbers in a different colour in order to clearly differentiate them from the article names. The main image is of Miss Melera and I included this image as it relates to one of the main feature articles and the front cover of the magazine since she was the main image on the front cover mock-up.

   In order to improve this, I would condense the article lists down and include other information such as an editor's message/welcome or a list of the names of people who contributed to the making of the magazine. I could include links to the magazine's social accounts such as Facebook and Twitter in order to engage with the reader and keep them up-to-date via social networking (therefore making them more likely to continue purchasing the magazine) or latest news on the website.