Following on from my planning and research, where I approached my audience and found out what they would like to see on my magazine, I am now able to address them again to find out what the strengths and the weaknesses of my final products are.
Front Cover
Strengths:-
- "Graffiti art is good because it is attractive to a contemporary audience."
- "Black shapes over text creates a 'punk aesthetic'."
- "Like the layout - not packed with info."
Weaknesses:-
- "Perhaps not the right content for the genre? Coldplay - not indie enough."
- "Black/white colour scheme is a bit boring."
- "More images would have made it more interesting."
Contents Page
Strengths:-
- "Professional layout - clear but not too detailed, doesn't give too much away."
- "Font is modern which is fun and appeals to a young audience."
- "The shortened masthead shows professionalism."
Weaknesses:-
- "Editor's note is quite small and this could mean it is difficult to read."
- "Black-on-white text could also be hard to read."
- "Editor's note could be justified and more lined up."
Double Page Spread
Strengths:-
- "I like the picture because it makes the band look quite fun."
- "The text advertising the album makes it look more conventional."
- "The same colour scheme is used and that's something a professional mag would do."
Weaknesses:-
- "The gap in the grey text box could have been filled."
- "'We Love' and 'The Bandits' doesn't look connected enough - could have used an elipsis on 'We Love'."
- "The quote could have been bigger as it looks a bit dull."
I got the above research by asking for my friend's opinions on my final product. I did this because my friends would be part of the target audience for my publication and I wanted to find out what I could have done differently and what I have done well. Although the feedback I've been given has told me that my magazine is mostly professional-looking and authentic, I would have perfected it if I were to do it again. One of the points from the feedback I was given was that there were not enough images and my magazine would have benefited if there were more thumbnail images on the front cover especially. The person I interviewed said that this would have made the front cover more interesting and if I could have done this again, I would add more images to give my readers more variety to different artists rather than focus on one band/subject. Another thing I would have ensured is that all my margins (especially those in which I wrote my editor's note) were straight, making the contents page look a lot more neat as this was another weakness. Although I was told that the colour scheme was dull, I would not change this if I were to do the magazine again as if my text was any other colour rather than black/white or grey, it could have clashed with the background which would harm the appearance of the magazine.
This is the picture I decided to use for my front cover. This was the most difficult to decide as the front cover is the first thing my readers will see. I felt that this image was the best to use as both subjects are in complete focus despite my female model being slightly behind of the male. I thought this was a good idea because in most music magazines they would have a band picture on the cover and the frontman or lead singer of the band would be placed in front of the other members so I felt this was evidence of me following the conventions. I also felt that their poses were just right; not too serious but quite casual. 
This image worked well as the double page spread's main image as the subject only took up one side meaning that it could be separated into two pages easily and I would have lots of space for my stand first and interview. Also, in contrast to the front cover, this image is more fun and the two models were able to show their laid-back personality. I also felt that the background worked as it is quite colourful and it ensured continuity as it is the same background as the front cover. 
This is one of the pictures that I decided to use on my contents page. It is common in professional magazines to have more than one picture of the main subject and I have done this by using one of the two models from my front cover and double page spread images. I chose this particular image as the pose was quite casual and fun (the cheeky smirk), reflecting the genre well.
This is one of the images that would have been a double page spread. Although it is focused completely and the lighting is fine, I did not choose to use this as my model's poses are not very professional and I do not think they would have helped the magazine. Also, there would not have been that much space for the column arrangement of an interview that needs to be included in the double page spread. However, I did like the background that I used for this picture. 
This was one of my choices for a front cover. An obvious reason why I did not use this image is because of the flash. It was on a setting that made the subject much too light, affecting the quality of the image. In addition to that, the image is not completely focus and the poses would not have worked with the magazine as the models do not look authentic. 
This is one of the pictures I decided not to use. Originally, this would have been a picture for my contents page as it is what I was shooting for. However, the shadow and lightness makes the image unprofessional. It is a shame that the image was not taken correctly as I thought the poses would have helped my magazine as the models look casual, reflecting the indie genre. 
