MAKING OF: DPS (PULL QUOTE)

When creating my pull quote I first started off with a very simple and plain design, just to experiment how it will look with the rest of the double page spread design. As I proceeded, I realised that pull quotes are typically meant to be big and bold, and something that captures the audiences attention which mine did not do at the time.

But, after making a few changes and looking at researched pull quotes on double page spreads, it broadened my ideas on how I should set it up. So, when creating my final quote I decided to use the rectangle tool to create a few boxes as a background for my quote so that it can stand out from the rest of the text. As mentioned previously, I used the colour of the models lipstick for the boxes (just like the quotations in my article text) so that it follows the colour scheme I had decided and created in my pitch.

I also used the same font as my article text which is CLASS A REGULAR in the colour white, just so it can match the colour of the artists clothing and the rest of the text on my double page spread.

RESEARCHING: EXAMPLES OF PULL QUOTES

 

As I am now midway in creating my double page spread, I drew closer to deciding on how my pull quote should look like. I researched a few magazine double page spreads pull quotes just to get a few ideas on how my one would potentially look like.  

The style of pull quotes is that it must be big and bold, and as most magazines use this style it is clear that it is a very popular and common trend amongst magazine designers. 

It is also one of the most important aspect of a double page spread as it must stand out to by passers and its specific target audience. Pull quotes vary from being chaotic and surprising or sweet and simple, giving the readers a sense of urge and an insight on what to read within the article. 

Pull quotes also vary from different range of colours and it's colour scheme, mostly depending on the style of music and the general magazines style. For example, a pop music magazine has a colour scheme of the colour red, pink, blue, yellow etc. Therefore, using their colour scheme when designing a pull quote. Whereas, we have NME magazine in which they maintain their consistent colour scheme which is mostly black, red and white. Resulting to their pull quotes being in dark tense  colour. 

MAKING OF: DPS

I changed the colour of the artists answers to the interview questions which are in quotations in order for the readers to know what the artist had said. I did this by using the eyedropper tool on photoshop and using the colour of the models lips as the colour of the text, so that they can match. The colour of the text also contrasts with the brick walls which is the background of the main image.

MAKING OF: DPS

For the article on my double page spread I have used the size 7.2 for the font size, in order for my readers to be able to read the article. I have also chosen the font "Class A Regular" which I had downloaded from Dafont.

I have chosen this font because I feel like this meets an indie pop magazine text convention as it does not look too bold or too simple and is also readable to my target audience. Therefore, fitting the criteria perfectly. 

I created a box using the rectangle tool as a background for my text in order for it to stand out. I used the opacity option to lighten the white box in order for the white text to stand out and also contrast with what the model is wearing.

Furthermore, in order to align the text, I used the grid method on Photoshop as a guidance so that the text can stay within the column style that I have followed, having recently researching double page spread conventions. 

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD INTERVIEW

“I BELIEVE THAT SUCCESS FOLLOWS AUTHENTICITY.” 

We had the absolute privilege to speak to AMAs ‘Album of the Year Winner’ Aria! Being a young artist in the music industry has flipped her whole world around. One minute she had her head in books, to now with millions of fans supporting her, popularity hitting the roof and finally winning album of the year. 

15 minutes after striking her prominent poses, we sat down at Aria’s West Coast Residence situated in Beverly Hills. She whips out her phone and starts showing me images from the music video shoot for “Made it Go” including selfies with members of Fifth Harmony. Honestly, I’ve never seen a photo album filled with selfies with amazing artists! We then went onto the topic of her second album “Each of their Own” set to be released on February 18. “I’m really proud of this album, I put my heart and soul into each song and made sure that they all have a meaning of their own. Which is pretty much how I came up with the albums title as each song has a different meaning. This album is pretty much a reflection of me as a person and it started a new chapter for me.” 

Being a young girl in the industry may seem intimidating, but for Aria, she’s got it all under the hat. So I ask her how she feels about being in the constant spotlight. “I think it’s a part of what we as artists do. If you’re known in any industry you’re bound to get all this attention. But for the duration of the time I’ve been in this industry and being in the media, I kind of know how everything works now, with the journalists, paparazzi, you know what I mean. There’s only so much you can do. At the end of the day, I enjoy what I’m doing and if this is part of the package, then so be it.” Aria smiled, content with her answer. “At least I kept a bit of my sanity!” Aria laughed, causing the whole room to erupt into laughters too. 

Being real or being successful? To which she answered “Being real.” Why? “I believe that success follows authenticity. People can see through all of this, they can see through all this hoax. They want someone that’s real. Someone who speaks their mind and talks about real things that actually matter. Like Tupac did! In his album “All Eyez On Me” he is the first rapper to talk about his mother’s drug addiction and that takes a lot of guts. He spoke about this openly, with every little detail, all this without any shame.” These words truly struck me and made me as well as everyone else in the room perceive things differently. Seeing as though this album had a massive impact on Aria, it then proceeded to my next question on whether this album had an influence on her new album. “Most definitely. It helped me understand that it’s okay to be honest with yourself and with your art. So I decided to be real with this album because this is what people appreciate.”

As the interview progressed we noticed a stack of marvel comics on her bedside table, to which we asked whether she was a collector of comics as she went on to grab a few to show us. "Oh I love comics! I've been collecting them ever since my brother had introduced me to it because he always used to buy them, and would even trade some with friends at school! It's a shame comics aren't a big deal now as they were before." She pouted as she flicked through her favourite comic: Captain America. 

Following her recent performance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, it has made her feel on top of the world. “Oh man, that was crazy! A good crazy. It just makes you want to go on a strict diet and work out 24/7. To be honest, I felt pretty short being surrounded by all these tall models!” She laughed. 

Any advice to practising musicians out there? "Yeah, I guess just be true to yourself and to your music you know? You want your music to mean something. you want to leave a positive vibe on people and there are always going to be people who disagree with you and your music but that's just a part of it all and you gotta take it on the chin."

Words of advice from Aria as the interview comes to a close. A smile from the head full of silk black hair, and a hug from the most humble artist, we leave the beautiful residence in Beverly Hills. 

RESEARCHING DPS: ANALYSIS

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD MOODBOARD

The purpose in creating this moodboard of double page spreads from magazines is to give me ideas on how the layout must be, what kind of shots are used when taking the pictures, what kind of fonts are used, the colour scheme etc.