First Draft of my Magazine Cover

I used http://www.picnik.com/ and Microsoft Publisher to create my draft. I chose various fonts to stay to convensions of a Pop Magazine, I especially liked the font I used for my title. I chose it because I thought it linked to the title 'Your Stars', I thought it looked like lights around the mirrors they have on movie sets. I noticed that the name 'ivy reid' was covering the models face a little bit, so I will either have to make it smaller or move it somewhere different on the page (which is more likely). I used a 3 colour scheme, which was pink, blue and yellow. After getting some feedback, people thought that the yellow was too bright and a bit unclear and unreadable. So I need to experiment with a different colours, but I want to choose fairly bright colours as my magazine would be issued in spring. I also noticed a spelling mistake 'summers here' needs to be 'summer's here', but this can be easily changed. This phrase is also a little unclear as it is written in pink against a pink background of the models top. I liked the stickers of the heart and lips behind the Jonas Brothers logo. Bands such as these are seen as iconic and I thought that those images tied in very well. Also the one of the sun behind 'summers here'. I like my main image but I saw that around the edges of my model is slightly blurred so I need to address this. I added a splash to my magazine, mainly because it is very convensional. I want to play around with some different fonts because I think it looks a bit plain and boring. (My new colour scheme needs to be encorperated into this too).
I also think that my cover isn't busy enough so I need to add some more sell lines and additional pictures to make it look more convensional. I looked at a top of the pops magazine front cover and this was alot busier and had more images on it, so this is why I want to add to my frontcover. I like the banner on the top of my magazine, but I might change the text on it and maybe add a competition as well as a free gift to make the magazine more attractive to the target audience.

Interview Questions for DPS

Ivy, your newest album went straight to number one! How did you feel about that?
It was completely unexpected! There are so many great artists out there at the moment, and not for one minute did I think my album would go to number one so quickly! I'm so pleased my fans enjoyed it! 

There's 11 amazing tracks on your album, what's your favourite?
My favourite is probably 'Fly Away'. I really enjoy singing ballads and it was a nice change from my usual jumpy songs.

You spend a lot of time travelling over the world singing, what do you do when your not performing? 
I love nothing better than having a cup of tea and chatting with my mates! I spend loads of time with my family and friends when I'm home which is great. My little dog Rover comes everywhere with me - he's adorable and great company.

Rover is defiantly cute! We know you love animals, especially dogs, tell us about your work for the Stray Dog Society.
I spent a day working with the dogs and generally helped out around the place. The workers are really amazing and generous people and they do a fantastic job helping not just the stray dogs but other animals too. 

You said you spend a lot of time with your friends, anyone we would recognise?
I met Pixie Lott at an award ceremony and we got on really well. I don't see her that often but shes a great friend! All my other friends are from my childhood and I've grown up with them. 

We all know that you spend a lot of time shopping too! We also know you love the high street! What's your favourite store?
I absolutely love the high street and I've found some amazing bargains! My favourite shop is probably River Island. I love the colours and the clothes are defiantly affordable. But I also really like Topshop and H&M.

Some readers have sent in some questions too. Becky from Northamptonshire wants to ask when your tour is going to be? 
I'm planning on doing a UK tour this summer and I'm going a world tour next year in the winter, which I'm really looking forward to!

Emily from Aberdeen also wrote in and asked: Are you releasing a single with Will.I.Am?
Yes I am! It's called 'Don't Let Go' and it's going to be released at the end of May! Hope you like it!

One last question from our readers - Annie from Devon wants to know if its true that your going to perform in the X Factor tour?
Yes I will be. I'm doing a song from my new album and I'm really looking forward to performing it and meeting the judges and all the contestants. 

And a final question from us at Your Starz; will we get another album from you?
I hope so! I loved recording my last album and would love to do another one!

Why a Q&A Page for my Double Page Spread?

I have decided to do a Question and Answer page for my magazine. I am doing this because articles like this are very popular and convensional in music magazines. I am going to do an interview with the person I took my photos of for my front cover and DPS. I first need to think of some questions to ask my 'artist'. I want the interview to be chatty and I want to avoid being to formal as this could put readers off - also my target audience is aged 11 - 14, so an article that is informative yet relaxed and friendly. I also did an analysis of a Top of the Pops double page spread and this had a question and answer page. Q&A pages can be very popular especially when the people/person being interviewed is in the public eye and admired by the target audience. People also find they can relate to the answers given by the talent, which makes it very appealing and posative. I am going to ask questions about what the artist does when they aren't singing, for example, what they do at home, what they do with friends and about there likes and dislikes.

My Photos

I took just under 50 photos for my magazine cover and double page spread. I looked though them and was already certain which one I was going to use. But, I decided to edit a few pictures just so I was completely set on my decision. I already thought of my idea for my double page spread and what I was going to include. I want to do a Q&A page about a new singer that has recently come into the charts. It will mainly be about what she does when she isn't singing. I included a dog in the pictures to make it more homely and realistic, and took them in my living room to make it seem more comfortable and relaxed. These are the pictures I liked and edited:

Shooting Schedule

I am going to use a most of the day to take pictures of all my models. I think this will be the best way as I want to start creating my magazine as soon as possible. I am going to list all the factors into my schedule as I want the day to run smoothly and be organised.

9.00 – 10.00 Becks arrives and we start doing makeup and hair. Outfit needs to be chosen.
10.00 – 11.00 Photo shoot for Becks. (Outfit change in the middle).
11.00 – 12.00 Jen arrives and we start doing hair and makeup. Outfit previously chosen.
12.00 – 12.30 Photo shoot for Jen. (Half hour shorter, pictures for sell lines).
12.30 – 1.30 Lucy arrives and we starting doing hair and makeup. Outfit previously chosen.
1.30 – 2.00 Photo shoot for Lucy. (Half hour shorter, pictures for sell lines).
2.00 – 3.00 Finish and review images that have been taken.

Results of Questionnaire

I have decided to present my questionnaire results in tables. This way they will be easy to compare and easy to refer back to, once I start making my magazine. Here are my results:

 Why?
People mentioned looking up to girls – idols and role models – katy perry, Saturdays mentioned the most
People mentioned about ‘boy band crushes’