Front Cover first draft

For my front cover mock-up, I have used the colour scheme of black and white because it looks more effective and the picture is able to stand out. The picture was originally in colour but by using a black and white effect, I was able to make it fit in with the rest of the colour scheme. I have decided after making my mock-up that I want my front cover to be in black and white instead of the colour schemes I experimented with previously. I took a picture of my model with a guitar because it fits in with the genre of the magazine. I will be using a different picture in my final piece because I want my model to be looking at the camera. I have used a black strip line at the bottom of the magazine with a white font because it makes the font stand out. I have inclued three bands who feature in the magazine on the strip line.I will be using this in my final magazine front cover. I have used Coverlines to give the reader more information about what is in the magazine. I will be using the same Coverlines in my final magazine cover. The title amplified is big and rests just above the models head, again looking effective. This is the font I will be using in my final piece.

Musical Influences fact boxes for double page spread

Here are some facts about the artist and other albums to recommend to the reader that I might use in my double-page spread:

Musical Influences

First Record you bought: "In the Shadows" by the Rasmus

Record that made you want to become a musician: "Red House" by Jimi Hendrix

Record that makes you sad: "You were always on my mind" by Elvis

Record that makes you happy: "Piss on you" by The Wannadies

Record that makes you want to dance: "Green Isaac" by Prefab Sprout

Record that reminds you of love: "Songs of love" by the Divine Comedy

Favourite Record: "Esp" by Miles Davies


"Love this? Then you'll like these..."

Elvis Costello: "This years model"

Ben Folds: "Supersunnyspeedgraphic"

The Wannadies: "Yeah"

Photos for front cover and contents page

By using the website www.picnik.com, I have used a special effect called Duo-Tone to change the brightness and contrast of the pictures and to change them to black and white. My favourite's are the tenth one down because it makes the model look like a "rock star" and shows a sense of rebellion. Also, the sixth one down because the lighting makes the model stand out and it is different and unique.

Magazine mock-ups on paper

Photos for contents page

One of these photos is going to be used on my contents page. My model is dressed in a blue dress with a beaded head band which makes her fit in with the Indie genre. She is biting cassette tape which fits in with it being a music magazine and gives a sense of rebellion. My favourites are the fouth one down because the model looks rebellious, the sixth one down because the lighting makes the model stand out against the white background and the seventh one down because it's a close up and looks detailed.

Interview for double page spread

Christie Inman-Hall is only 19, not that you would know it. His black rimmed glasses, bow tie and Harris Tweed Blazer give the etiquette of someone much wiser in his years. Sitting on Amplified’s black leather couch, Christie looks relaxed and tranquil about the whole interview. He ruffles his hand through his hair and utters a loud “why hello there” as we enter the room and greets us with a smile. A hand shake and a kiss on the cheek show us that Christie is well bought up and a traditionalist. Christie is the lead singer and guitarist of the band "My Dear Watson." Their first album “Long way round to nowhere” was released in 2008 and was an ultimate success, winning best album in the Amplified music awards. Christie is hoping they will have the same success with their future album called “End of the world ma.” Christie’s individuality and sophistication sure show us that there’s still a lot more to come from this young talent. Christie was keen to be interviewed after recently winning best album of the year for “Long way round to nowhere” inn the Amplified music awards.



1) How was 2009 for you?

Christie: It was long they should shorten the years down a bit.

2) Who is your biggest music influence and why?

Christie: Well, I often like to equate my work to a young Elvis Costello. I suppose there are lashings of Jarvis Cocker, perhaps an underlining influence of Chris Difford. I also like to imagine my lyrics can equal yet never surpass Ben Folds.
[Hannah, our cover star chimes in "ummm Ben Folds"]
I know right

3) Your new single "Nightmare Girlfriend" is to be released on April 4th, but what inspire you to write the song?

Christie: My work is private to me, [pauses] it's a personal catharsis. I try not to divulge my inspiration, I feel is lessons the gravitas of the song. [serious expression]

4) You are well known for you unique style, but what would you categorise your dress sense as?

Christie: I don't really tend to categorise myself - I suppose if I had to put a name on it, it'd be 'Professor-chic' nerdy, yet respectable, Just' like me... [laughs]

5) If you weren't a singer/songwriter what would your dream job be?

Christie: I'd like to be a teacher of an Actor - perhaps a professor of English or Drama.

6) Your knowledge of English is evident in the way you use your words, but which writers/authors inspire you?

Christie: I tend to find myself influenced by anything I've read, even if it's just an advert on the tube. More consciously I guess, I'm influenced by H.G. Wells and Philip K. Dick.

7) Your song "Castle Elsinore Blues" is written about Hamlet, but why does Shakespeare inspire you?

Christie: I trained to be an actor, and I fell in love with the written word - especially Shakespeare - he just wrote the most perfect words of all.

8) What's the most embarrassing thing you've done whilst performing your music?

Christie: As a guitarist, it's always really annoying to drop your plectrum - i do that a lot. [laughs] It got to the point where I was dropping my pick constantly - I felt so strongly about it that I wrote a song about it, it's called "oops (I dropped my plectrums)" - it's a hidden track on my first album. "Long way road to nowhere."

9) If you were to take a girl on a dream date, where would it be?

Christie: Where ever she wanted - dates are more of a celebration of my passion and affection for a girl, rather than an attempt to openly please myself. [winks]

10) When was the last time you played guitar?

Christie: This morning after I got out of the shower - I'd had an idea for a song. It's called "Elsalene court."

11) What do you think to social networking?

Christie: I love it - it allows me to get over my social awkwardness by typing colon-p constantly [:P]

12) When was the last time you cried?

Christie: Last night - I watched the series finale of 'Ugly Betty' - poor Matt. I'm weirdly attracted to Betty Suarez - she's so cute. [ummmm]

13) What's one think you want to do before you die?

Christie: Live

14) What plans have you got for the rest of 2010?

Christie: There's a future album coming up called "End of the world Ma" [reference to the 1949 film - White Heat - the original quote being 'top of the world Ma']

15) Are you currently single?

Christie: No. Neither can remember when we started going out but it was definitely before new year. [smiles]

Photos For double page spread & contents

I am going to use one of these pictures for my double page spread and one for my contents page. My model is dressed smart and individual whcih fits in with the genre of my magazine - Indie. My favourite pictures are the sixth and seventh one down. I liked the sixth one down because of the low angle camera shot and the shadows on the picture. I also like the seventh one down because he is looking up to the camera and we get a clear view of his face and what he is wearing.