Working on the Second edition front cover - Photo Shop

For the second edition things changed a lot...

I had a very clear vision of the model (mid-shot) surrounded by cold colours.

Unfortunately I had some problems with the background as The photographs had poor quality due to the camera settings which I could not change.

Here is my work process...

I started again with the flat plan just to lay out the text and make sure is similar.

So I lied out the text and I was not sure if the Front cover gives the continuity I needed to highlight on both editions.

Therefore, I compared  the first front cover and what I had now in front of me.

Looking at the previous front cover I realised that I need to make some changes to the second edition, as the headline is not obvious enough on the second edition and it doesn't look similar.

I changed the position and font of the text and made the headline more visible so that the consumers can pick up the idea that the image relates to the model on the cover. In this case having a male model (young designer- that has a secret weeding) on the front cover.

Now I felt mode confident with the way the text was layed out. I was happy that there was a similarity between the different editions.

The last things I did were the little details such as the bars and text on the left side(plugs).

I added the bar code and the website as well as changing the price and date position.

Here I added the background that I originally had in mind and I was ready to use, but the image was blurred and I am not happy using this shot.

However I will recreate it as soon as possible. 

I am planing now to have a light background that will enable me to keep the black text and have a nice result. 

This is not the final front cover but this is what I had in mind from beginning. 

I managed to find some time to take pictures of the same model, and make sure that the camera resolution is better this time.

Here are the shots:

Now I could use the new photographs to replace the original background. 

I kept the same layout but I wasn't happy with how it turned out so I changed the colours and moved things around.

I changed the photograph later and changed many details in the text, for example I capitalised most of the text and changed their original position.

This is the final front cover for the second edition for Liberty.

I choose to have a White background and some Red text to emphasise the winter/Christmasy theme.

To give it a more dramatic effect I decided to turn the image with the model black and white.

Working on the Second edition - Contents page - Photo Shop

For the contents page I wanted to show a similar continuity as in the first edition of the magazine (LIBERTY).

As previously I have used the flat plan to help me layout the text and images.

Since the main story on the cover is referring to a wedding I decided to have a photo of a woman/girl dressed in white. that will link to the wedding concept mentioned on the front cover.

 I also followed the main Idea that was carried from the first edition of the magazine, having a main image and other 2 small ones.
On the flat plan the two images were meant to be related to the contents listed but I couldn't manage to get  a saddle bag from Dior so I took the images from their website and the other image was meant to have a model and non-conventional make-up, once again I couldn't find anyone in such a short time that would come for the shoot and allow me to use the photos.  so I used the images of the saddle bag.

I wasn't very happy with this look for the contents page...

so I tried a different image.

This image was a lot better, as it would not cover the face of the model as well as not showing the whole face of the model since I wanted it to link with the headline on the front cover "Toni's SECRET WEDDING", as we ca see the model is modest not looking straight into the camera but showing her make up and hair done as for a wedding which shows continuity and cohesion.

Moreover, I have decided to remove the image with the bag and legs on the right side as it was already too much of the bag on just one page. 

so I added a special issue for the subscribers of the magazine and how the other cover looks like. 

As you can see on this contents page of ELLE magazine they have put on the contents page the covers of the special issues for their subscribers.

I took inspiration from this and I have used the previous image as the cover and added the masthead LIBERTY. 

This is the final Contents Page for the second edition of the LIBERTY magazine-

Working on the First edition - Contents page - Photo Shop

Since I started with the front cover this time I felt more comfortable using Photoshop.
There were technical problems... but I had the chance to follow my flat plan similar to what I did for the front cover.

I have done a first draft for the contents page.
I had to put the text first and lay it out similarly to the plan as well as follow the convention I had planed, which was to have a main image and 2 other images linked to the contents followed by the features:

• ON THE COVER 
• FASHION 
• SPECIAL FEATURES
• ART AND LIFESTYLE

Which will be found on both editions,content pages.

So I followed the plan closely.


For the other two Photographs I had in mind something else... but I did use them to see how would the layout look with the images in the places I have planed.

 As I looked and changed small details I realised that I won't be able to get a good result following my flat plan exactly.


I couldn't get the models to get a similar photo to the one I had in the plan, so I gave up on the initial idea with the two images at the bottom.
















The only problem was that I was using the same model since it was very hard to find someone else in such a short time.
Also... because it provides the continuity that most magazines have. As I also took inspiration from Harper's BAZAAR contents page of the same edition that I used as inspiration for my first front cover, I saw the same colours, garment, model, being used for both.





Then I had to start again, changing the size and font of the contents, as well as the colours and layout.
I had to find a new model and recreate the image I had in the first place as the main image because the photos I had weren't portrait, but  landscape which didn't work well as the image would then be blurry when zoomed in and it would've looked bad with the new layout I had in mind.

Here you can see that I already positioned the main features trying to use the new photo.
I was still thinking that I will use the same layout for the image but I realised that I will need more text or more photographs which I wasn't sure I could get.

I just added the text again so that it would be easier to work with them as they are already in layers, and I can just unsee them to try out things.

Then I changed my mind, and I turned away from the flat plan. 

The flat plan was good, but I didn't have the resources and time to create it as planed. 

So I had to make changes. 

I used one of the photographs I have taken with the new model, (portrait) 

and I realised it actually looked better. 

I was looking at the front cover and the contents page, and I saw the difference in colour between the photographs... so I decided to use a filter for the image on the contents page as well. 

I think this filter made it look better and it complements the models garments as well as her hair colour and skin tone.

The only details left now were the page number and text as well as adding the website next to the number of the page and adding some text at the bottom of the photo to show that the image is related to an article inside the magazine.

-This is the Final contents page of the first edition of Liberty magazine-

Working on the First edition front cover - Photo Shop

Since I have planed everything in detail, It was very easy to work in Photo Shop.
I have used Photo Shop before and I already knew how to use it.
I used my flat plan as a background to help me layout the text I had prepared and I positioned everything in a way that it will look similar to the plan.

I had followed my plan to an extent, as I kept most of the features from the front cover plan.
The only different thing is that I decided to change them around  based on what I have seen on different fashion magazine front covers.  I made the " fashion's new wave" the headline. Then I had to put them around in a way that it will cover the blank spaces on the cover but not overcrowd it. My intention is to follow the simplistic convention/theme of fashion magazines.

 I have taken some photographs, but since I've used natural lightning I used the brightest one,
here you can see the other photographs ...

Once I opened the photo in Photoshop I've see a difference in colour so I used a filter to make it look more orange and improve the distribution of light.

 As you can see I added the masthead "LIBERTY" and I separated the background from the masthead by using blending options to define the word "LIBERTY".  Moreover you can see that I have changed the filter to orange so it looks more orange.   

 After adding all the text and features such as the price and date and the bar code and the website link, I still felt like there is something missing.

So I looked at Harper's BAZAAR magazine and studied the little details.  

I looked at the little circle shaped writing and I decided to do something similar.

Therefore, I added "THE BEAUTY OF NATURE" - 2018- .

-This is the final Front Cover for the first edition of the LIBERTY magazine-

Flat Plans

First Flat Plans

For the first flat plans, I have used my test shots to get a reasonable result as I know my drawing skills are not as good.
 I have used different features form fashion magazines to inspire me in creating my own front cover and contents pages.
but as we can see on my first try ... I didn't get the result I was expecting.

This plan was meant to be the November-2018 edition of Liberty(the title of the magazine I am creating)
I printed out the masthead and stuck it to the plan as I knew I will not be able to get close enough to the font desired, apart from the masthead I wrote and drew the rest of the plan.
I didn't want to copy the same features other magazines had so I made mine up but kept them realistic to the fashion industry standards.

The second edition (December-2018) plan of Liberty, came out more successful than the fist one as I already got the ideas and I knew the layout, whereas on the first one I was a bit sceptical with the colours and layout as well as the features.
Here we can see that I have glued on the masthead too much to the side thinking that this will be my final plan and I will change the first edition, but I felt like I had already too much on the cover.
I remembered most fashion magazines having simplistic covers so I went back to that on my final plans.

Here are the plans for the front covers...
I have been looking and trying to make everything bond and have a fluid continuity. 

However, I didn't consider the date and I just looked at the images and added the text for the contents thinning more about the layout rather than the general image and concepts cohesion.
On this contents page I took off the masthead as I wanted to try and design it myself from scratch. Once again it did not work. Therefore I left this without a masthead and I haven't colored it in.

I looked again at my mistakes and thought that this time I will not omit any small detail, so I started...
but looking at the final product I wasn't pleased with the layout and I realized I have tried to use different features and they were too many to fit in one page.
For this cover, I managed to color in and create the images that relate to the contents written.

I have been doing some corrections, as we can see the line under "cover stories", and the circled line followed by an arrow that suggests that it should be moved to a different place to improve my work.






Here we can see that I have improved my skills in planning and designing the contents page.


However, I changed my mind after seeing the final result.
I decided that the image would fit in the December edition best.
I also created a better Idea about what and how many sources of inspiration to follow in my work.












Once I have limited the options it became easier to plan and keep my mind clear while working and designing my front covers and contents pages.

Final Flat Plans

 This is my final flat Plan - Front Cover for the autumn edition(November-2018)

I decided to show the natural side of the model by having a close shot without makeup, just showing the models natural features... In the background, I was planning to have different color leaves to show the natures beauty and colorful derivations.

I decided to follow the simplistic convention of fashion magazines.
So, I made the features shorter but still attractive for the audience.

I used all the conventions of a fashion magazine including the social media platforms and barcode.

I used the social media platforms at the bottom but then I realised that I might not use them in Photo Shop as most Fashion Magazines don't use them.




 This is my final flat Plan -contents page for the autumn edition (November-2018)
Before starting on the contents page I planed the lay out and thought of how much I want to write and how my pictures will look like if I place them next to the text/contents.

Then I had in mind this photograph of a girl with her hair down, blonde hair, wearing a beautiful red garment running through the woods suggesting the desire to have freedom which also relates to the name of the magazine.

liberty

/ˈlɪbəti/

noun

1. 1.

   the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's behaviour or political views.
2. 
   

 This will show a link to the photograph on the front cover as the model will be laying down on leafs-close shot...with no make up or clothes to be promoted. I have also included 2 other photographs that promote the contents.
The bottom picture will include different women/girls with different skin tones promoting ethnicity and equality.

This is my final flat Plan - Front Cover for the winter edition (December-2018)

Here I already knew what I want, looking back to the draft of the December edition.
I kept the simplistic template from the first edition, focusing more on the photograph rather then filling in the front cover with text.

This time, I was happy with the result and I managed to choose a photograph that focuses on the garment and its small details as well as the model since the main story is about the model.


Once again, I used the social media platforms at the bottom but then I realised that I might not use them in Photo Shop as most Fashion Magazines don't use them.





This is my final flat Plan -contents page for the winter edition (December-2018) 

I kept the image as I felt like the dress and the colours go well with the front cover and it shows a fluid continuity of colours and simplistic theme.
To show that there is a link between the first edition and second edition(the image ob the left) I kept the same features:
-On the cover
-Fashion
-Special Features
-Art and lifestyle
-Main photograph
- 2 other images linked to the list of contents.

I wanted a different layout for the contents page so for the second edition I chose to have the main image in the top centre, and the contents underneath whereas the first edition- contents page was starting with the contents straight from the top having an image on the top right side. I believe this shows continuity as they contain the same features even though the lay out is different.
Moreover, I think that the change in layout provides the viewers/consumers with diversity. Having diversity, people will not get bored and will continue looking for what is new as the magazine brings in the new trends and news in fashion.

Final Flat Plan for the Fashion Magazine Website

Similar to the Magazine Flat Plans, I used the printed mastehead, but I already has in mind a layout for the website, and it was so much easier to plan and think through what I want to do.
Here as well I took inspiration from different VOGUE websites. I applied a simplistic theme to the website as well as the magazine.
I only planed having the main page of the website, having social media on the left side the search bar on the top right side and the masthead and menu spread out in 4 sections:
-News
-Fashion
-Catwalk
-Art and lifestyle

If someone would click one NEWS this page would open up showing the latest articles.

The fist article is the main story on the physical copy of the magazine's December edition.









Once clicking on the first article, You can see the article opening up.
The article will have a similar image to the one on the front cover of the physical magazine, the image on the left side will be a slide gallery which will show a few photographs of the subject as well as the interview.