Inspiration for contents page.

From my draft it is clear that I have to re-think the layout of the contents page. I looked into what style other magazines use on their contents pages.

I don't really like the list style because it doesn't really draw the reader in. I think I will have the photos more in the middle of the page rather than cramped in at the side.

I won't have as many photos as this but I like the idea of have a larger image to show the more important main article. Also I think the listing looks better when there are sections.

I think I would like at least one more image of a different band on the contents page because althought the image is large it makes it look like there is too much writing.

Although I'm not doing a double page for the contents I might use Q style of having the photos with the large page numbers over the top.

I quite like the slanted text and spliting up the sections into features and regular sections.

Photographs for the background.

These are the photos that I will use in the ripped collage for the background of the cover and double page spread. I think I will make them black and white so the only colour in the background is the blue and red of the sections of the Union flag.

 

Art style for cover.

For my front cover I would like to create this type of effect with the messy paint or ripped collage style.

This street artist has been pointed out to me and I love his style. I want to use his idea of scribled paint layered into the picture of the girl. Although I wouldn't have a close up of the face I would also like to keep the simple sketch effect of the subject with the soft shadows and highlights.

Ideas for Band's Outfits.

For the outfits of my the band, I've looked at the style of a variety of punk artist. 

The Sex Pistols had a very thrown-together look and it was all about making a statement - the ripped Union Jacks, defaced Queen's head and Swastikas - the purpose was to shock. Even though I love their style and the whole point was to shock people I don't want the possibility of offending and alienating people by using something as emotive as a Swastika on the front cover.

For some of The Jam's photo shoots they were dressed smartly set in worn down areas like graffiti walls and the underground.





Some of the post-punk bands have adopted a more indie look with the skinny jeans, skinny tie and blazers.



I think I will go for a mix between the smart suit style and the rough, ripped look. I think the main colour will be black with some colour for the tie and shirts. I really like this photo of The Clash, the style of the skinny trousers and leather jacket with the shirt and tie underneath.



Band Name Ideas.

I want the band name to be meaningful and to reflect the theme of the magazine. Listening to my iPod some lyrics stuck out that could work:

• Call To Arms
• Surrender To Nothing
• I'll Attack!
• Promises Look Like Lies
• Love What You've Done With The Place
• Feel The Rays
• City of the Damned
• Better Not Wear It Out
• We Will Not Sit Down
• I Want A Riot
• Here Comes A Juggernaut

Also a quote I came across in history that stuck out was "Peace Talks with a Loaded Gun" it referred to a government going into negotiation for peace with the intention of contiuning the war if the other government involved did not co-operate in the way they would like. As it is quite long I might use this for the title of the band's album. For the band's name I like Call To Arms, Promises Look Like Lies and We Will Not Sit Down.

Even though I originally planned to have an all boy band. I think I will have a mixed group because it goes against the typical image of a punk band so I think it will add appeal to the band and magazine.

Street Art Exhibition.

Today I went to The Herbet in Coventry for the current exhibition of Street Art: Contemporaty Prints From the V&A. There was a large of range of different street artist with different styles and techniques.

SPQR

Meggs - Save Me From Myself

Laura McLauchlan

Horn Head - Weird Uncle

Pure Evil - Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Bastards

Insect - The Executioner

 Kerry Roper - Modern Youth

Vhils - Periferia Uniforme

The artists used a range of medias including stencils, screen print, collage and freehand painting.

These artists in particular caught my eye.

Pahnl

Pahnl uses simple cartoon style stencils of people, dogs, cats and birds. He creates a continuing story with the characters, spreading them out over urban areas. The video was playing in the exhibition, it's simple but very effective.


Shepard Fairey - his work is usually done by screen printing. His is most famous for his Obey work but has also done music related art.

He also did the well-known cover for Led Zeppelin's album Mothership.

 

Miss Tic - is a french artist who works with stencils usually of the same woman. I love her print "Ma Zone" with ripped layers collage in the background and the stencil woman on top, I would like to create this kind of effect on my front cover.

Ben Slow - I love the effect he creates with the raw sketch image and dripping paint.

Photography style.

I really like the abstract style of David Hockney's photography work. He takes repeated photos of an image, landscape or portrait and places the pieces of the image next to each other but so they don't quite match up or  and I think it would look quite artistic if I incorporated it into my design.

The use of polariod photos in this video is very effective.


The style of B.o.B and Bruno Mars' video for Nothin' on You reminds me of Hockney's work with the ripped, collage effect of B.o.B and Bruno against the street in the background and the repeating cut images of the different girls.



Even though B.o.B and Sia are not the right genre or style for my magazine, I like the effect and style they create in their videos.