New front cover

Here is the process I went through to create the new front cover by adapting the old one.

Existing front cover

1. I need to remove the cover lines and leave the main parts of the front cover; I need to keep the main image and heading and tag line. This way I will be able to re-arrange the front cover and add in the new features more easily
2. I need to change the colour scheme from blue to red
3. I also need to change the layout into split sections much like 'Q' magazine.
4. I need to add in more images and offers to make the magazine more appealing.
5. I am also going to add in the website so that I can create synergy between the different forms of media.

I firstly removed all of the cover lines and the background leaving the bar code, main image and title and tagline.

I then changed the complete layout of the page, I wanted to base the new front cover on a recent Q magazine that I had seen, I really liked the way that the page was broken up into sections so I decided to follow a similar structure with my own magazine.I decided to use red and black as the main colour scheme as I think this is more R&B related than bright blue. I broke the page down into small sections and made the main image small and added a red background so it was the image section that stood out the most.   

I then add in some text along the top of the page telling the reader they can get a free CD firstly I thought that this was a really good promotions method but I have also seen it in action on many of the magazines that I buy frequently. I also added in the price and the website address as I thought this would help create synergy through the different products that the magazine may own. I also changed the tagline from blue to white and shrunk it down as I felt that the tagline was too large compared to the existing magazines that I have researched.

I then added in a quote to go with the main image; this is because I wanted something that would entice the reader into reading more into the artist on the cover image. I also added in a star shape containing an advertisement for a competition, this would persuade the user to buy the magazine as they would like to win the competition to claim the prize.

Next I started on the cover lines. I firstly started on the smaller box. I decided to add in another FREE section as I thought this was a really good way to convince that they are getting a great deal when buying this magazine. I added in the text and some smaller images that linked to the text so that the reader would be provided with a visual of the offer they are receiving.

I then moved onto the larger box, I added in some cover lines that appear on the contents page so that the pages link well together. I then added in the image of an iPod advertising the double page spread. I added this onto the iPod as I wanted this to be more special than the other cover lines.

I then added in the graphic of a skateboarder as I felt this would fill in the white space and it fit in well with the theme and genre of the magazine.

I felt as though the bottom of the page looked a bit chopped off and 'boxey' this is why I decided to add in something I noticed on 'Q' magazines front cover. It was a diagonal line with the artists names on that were appearing in the magazine. I felt as though this finished off the page well. I also decided to swap the flo-rida coverline with the miss fitz coverline as I felt the converline linked to the double page spread needed to stand out more.

I feel as though this page looks a lot more professional and I feel it could successfully compete on the market; so I will now move onto the contents page.