Front cover development.

After that I had to duplicate each layer when I added something new. This was so if I decided to alter something later on I could easily do so without deleting a  whole section. I designed my main my main anchor text in word and then just copied it over to photoshop and placed it where I wanted. I chose to have black text as it didn't stand out too much against the black top Amy is wearing. Although, using pink to outline it makes it easily coherent. I also chose the colour pink as it combines with the colour of the masthead. I put 'AMY WINEHOUSE' in a larger text to emphasize that she is the main feature. 'FREE!' in a separate layer in the selling line is also in a larger font to exaggerate that the audience can receive something for free which allures the reader in.

Starting my front cover using photoshop.

At this stage I still had no idea how to properly use photoshop or indesign. I wanted to try out photoshop for my first go as I was going to be shown the basics of how to use the software. I didn't know how to even duplicate a layer, let alone do anything else. I watched a few video's on youtube of how to do some of the basics like cut out an image, and was also shown how to place an image on top of and underneath text. The first step I did was cut out my model posing as Amy from the background. I did this in photoshop by using the magnetic lasso tool. I then dragged her on to a blank document which had my masthead of G.L.A.M on. I then had to move her around to see where was best to place her.

Practice images for front cover

Double page spread.

On the right page W would like to use an image which will represent the article as a whole. I would like it to conjure up the relationship of Amy Winehouse and Blake which is what the article is about. I will place the written article on the left in columns just to break up the text, as this follows the convention of not just an article of a music magazine. But any article in a newspaper or different genre of magazine. I will also add in a main quote of 'I just don't care, simple?' As the audience can imagine Amy saying something like this which immediately shows the audience that the article must be correct if a quote is composed. This will be bolder and large than the rest of the text on the page to make it project off the page, which the audience eyes will see first. underneath will be a short outline of what the article is about which will be a larger font than the written article. However, the font will be smaller in comparison to the  quote placed above. I would also like to enclose at least two, maybe three other smaller images to arouse the reader and make resemble the article as more active and diligent.

Contents page plan.

When designing my plan for my contents page I knew I had to include my masthead again at the top of the page, as when researching other music magazines, or just magazines in general. They usually followed this technique. When looking at other magazines, they majority of them had 'THIS WEEK' or 'FEATURING IN THIS WEEK'S MAG'. So to make it short and snappy I decided to just put 'THIS WEEK' followed by the date underneath. I put a band index running down the left hand side of the page to let the audience see who's on what page, where they can quickly scan their favorite artist which is then made easy to navigate when followed with a page number. For a main image on the contents page, I decided to have an image of Lady Gaga with some information about the countdown to her tour. The empty space on the right will be filled up with feature articles of what will be on which page. I would like it to be a from a different angle or perspective as the image which will appear on the front cover as I don't want it to look the same and unexcite the reader.

Amy Winehouse Article

Amy Winehouse spills her true feelings towards Blake, exclusively to GLAM...

When Amy Winehouse and her on/off again partner Blake Fielder Civil announced their divorce in July 2009, we all thought the drama would be over and it was time to move on. Although don’t hold your breath for too long. After Amy’s album release of ‘Back to Black’ we realised she actually meant ‘Back to Blake.’

Back in January 2004, both Amy and Blake met at a pub named ‘The Good Mixer’ in Camden town. Since then it has been a roller coaster ride of tears, laughter and tantrums.

Amy went on to create her second album in October 2006 on Island Records. The album had shaped a number of singles such as "Rehab", "You Know I'm No Good", "Back to Black", "Tears Dry on Their Own", and "Love Is a Losing Game". Winehouse's mature and emotive singing style was proven to be very popular. She was an upcoming star. At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, ‘Back to Black’ won five awards, tying the record with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Beyonce, and Alison Krauss for the most awards won by a female artist in a single ceremony. The album won Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Rehab" won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Amy also won Best New Artist. So far, the album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. With 5.5 million copies sold in 2007 it was the biggest selling album of the year and stayed on the top 10 best selling albums in the world list in 2008 at number seven.

With her career rocketing, Amy then went on to marry Blake Fielder Civil in May 2007. It was looking great for Amy until she was she was photographed with her husband in August bloodied and bruised in the streets of London after an alleged fight, although she says her injuries were self inflicted. “Blake would never hurt me or do anything to upset me in anyway. It’s just all a big misunderstanding” says Amy.

Amy began to go off the rails when Blake, from 21 July 2008, to 25 February 2009 was imprisoned following his guilty plea on charges of trying to pervert the course of justice as well as a charge of grievous bodily harm. Blake admitted that “I was the one who introduced Amy to crack cocaine and heroin.” Winehouse's battles with substance abuse gave much media attention. In various interviews, she has admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders.

Her continued drug problem began to affect her career. She has been in and out of rehab. However, she tells GLAM “I am officially clean and will gradually improve my health again. There’s just one more thing I need back in my life. And that’s Blake.” The two had been rumoured to be seen alone together again walking through fields on their country holiday break. “My dad booked a cottage in the country side to get away from everything for a while. I just want to get my life back on track. Nothing has been decided yet but I would love to someday start a family, and who knows. I would love it if Blake could be a part of it.”                  

My front cover is the first page that I need to start planning. To make it easier when I get started on doing all my pages in photoshop and indesign, I wanted to have all my plans drawn out roughly on paper so I can get straight on with it. I can also change things around if I need to, but at least I now have something to follow from. First I need my masthead to stand out so it is easy to interpret that it is 'G.L.A.M' (Girls Latest Amazing Music) magazine and is recognizable to the audience. I chose this name as it implies to the audience that this is the only magazine where young girls (hence the name) can receive the latest music on trend. I then had the anchorage text of 'Amy Winehouse, back to black and back to blake' to make the audience aware who will feature in this issue of G.L.A.M which is a major selling point for people who are interested in Amy. It is also ironic as 'Back to black' is obviously one of her singles, as the target audience of the magazine would be fully aware of this. And the 'Back to Blake' is a pun as it sounds like her song. However, it is talking about her partner. The sell line also reads 'Free signed Kasabian album' invites the reader to get something for free which attracts the eye. I also want to add a sticker tag of 'WIN! Lady Gaga tickets' to charm the reader in to really wanting to buy my product. I am going to try a variety of different poses and shots for my main image of Amy Winehouse. Although, I would like to use a midshot or close up as I think for the front cover this will make the main feature will be enhanced. I will also put a small image of Lady Gaga on the left and a few short cover lines to let the audience know who else will be in this issue of the magazine. I also copied this technique with the Lily Allen story but with out an image as I didn't want it to become too busy and overcrowded. I placed the bar code to the right as I think it fits perfectly underneath the anchorage text.