My Design Philosophy

The Four F's (formula, function, format and frame) are important to consider when creating a magazine. Formula is the elements that make up a magazine such as the number of articles and interviews. My style model 'Q' magazine has many interviews, gig/tour information and often features the top 10 or 25 of things like songs of the month.

Ideology

Alternative rock is usually associated with gigs, live music, bands as opposed to solo artists, who usually appear looking quite serious, moody and laidback and guitars. I will ensure that I take into all of these things and incorporate them into my magazine, either in the images, contents or double page spread.

Minimal vs Cluttered Design

They would both look effective on a magazine but, it depends on the genre of the particular magazine. for example a punk or heavy metal magazine would look better with a more cluttered design. Alternative Rock is seen as laidback and the people often look quite chilled out so, I decided that a more minimal design would compliment the genre and look more effective.

Retro vs Modern


I think a more modern look is more appropriate for the genre even though it did emerge in the underground of the 1980's, it only gained popularity in the 1990's - a decade that I don't regard as being particularly retro yet and so it wouldn't make much sense to create a retro feel as the two aren't really linked.

Conventional vs Unconventional 


Conventional:
Appeals to a wider audience and tends to be more successful - so I will ensure my magazine is quite conventional as the genre itself is not hugely popular and it would be too much of a risk to be too unconventional.

Unconventional:
Even though it does create an interest for challenging conventions and being different such as Ray Gun.

Use of colour

I chose to use the colours black and white for my magazine, with the exceptions of the page numbers on the contents page, the questions asked to the cover star and some quotations which are dark red.When I conducted my questionnaire the participants said that they associated those colours with the genre. They also said that bright colours tend to be used occasionally, I incorporated some brighter colours with my choice of clothing for the talent.

Eye for detail

I ensured that I regularly and thoroughly looked over and checked for any mistakes on the magazine I then, of course, correct them. Even is the mistake was very small - as not matter how big or small it would have made a difference.

Consistency vs Inconsistency

Consistent: Looks tidier and more professional

Inconsistent: could look edgy and the tagline I have chosen is 'shake it up' but I was conscious of creating as professional looking product as possible.

So, I decided to create a consistent product and leave the edgy 'look' to my model.

Conclusion...

Following those decisions I have tried to create a magazine to follow them the best I could - but still make something that looked 'alternative' - so a bit edgy and laid back.