Update on Magazine front cover

I have now completed my first draft for my magazine front cover which I created via the software of Microsoft Publisher 2010. A trial that I had with my new laptop, I found this a very easy to use yet professional programme compared the more complicated and harder to navigate around Apple Mac Idesign system.
Although I initiall found it hard to get going on the IMac I did manage to experiment using fonts and choosing the masthead for my magazine.


I then created my Class magazine for the first time on publisher using a fading background (vertically bottom to top) I chose that style of a purple blend as its quite a neutral colour for both sexes and being a school magazine it needs to interest both sexes. The masthead font I found was ideal however due to a few technical problems in terms as saving the font as an image it didn't print as I wanted however I will resolve this issue in the next few days as the masthead is integral to the magazine.


I wanted to use the music story as the the main cover line and I chose to use several images from popular music old and new that people can relate to. I did this by including images of the Beatles and Bob Marley. Both iconic figures in music. The main cover image was my own photo which was took locally in Portishead with my friends band which potentially could be used if I was to go on to produce a magazine for the real coursework (not prelim). This image I then changed using the contrast tool on publisher to attempt to give it a clearer and more professional look.


I used the font Maiundra GS as it looked youthful yet still professional. I used this in all of my cover lines and titles. I emphasised the main cover line with some shadow and 3D effects, this again added a degree of professionalism to the magazine. My 'Teacher Talk' text I originally created with a 'Lucida Handwriting' font which was more schooling and a font you instantly thought 'school' for however it didnt look as good over the images and background I had chosen.


All my other images were off my own camera and were taken from 'Facebook' which I uploaded however I believe if I upload all the other photos I have taken of my friends via my camera which I will upload onto my blog.


These contain my friends looking at books and generally learning. There is still room for these should I want to change the layout of images or change the images I have placed on my magazine.
Other minute things I added to my first draft was a barcode and a calendar. The calendar is in the far bottom right corner of my page. Often a popular place for anything that needs to be seen. I wanted to include a calendar as it could show events or things that are upcoming or have happened. If readers see a calendar full of ideas events or past events they are more likely to be interested in the magazine.


I am aware my magazine front cover still needs tinkering with to produce the finalised front cover in which I will add the date. Tidy up the masthead font and size along with finalising all my photos.I also need to perhaps add a small amount more of text to the cover just to add a bit more information for the reader.


I hope to begin looking at my contents page along with my finishing my front cover in the next few days.