Adjustments to My Pages

I have added Social Media and website links to my front cover and contents page. I think that this adjustment was needed because the readers of Break Free are users of social networks and will like to stay up to date with the magazine online and on Twitter. I have also added website information to the bottom of my double page spread.

Photos: Before and After Editing 4

The following images are all my own but I only edited them by removing the background (I didn't use Fotor or Pixlr). This means that I do not have the original photos for some of them.

Photos: Before and After Editing 3

I edited this photo by getting rid of the background and I also used Fotor to get rid of any blemishes. However, due to an error when uploading this post, the after photo has a black background (it doesn't usually).

Photos: Before and After Editing 2

To edit this photo, I removed the background. I also used Fotor to get rid of any blemishes on the models face.

Photos: Before and After Editing 1

I edited this photo by removing the background. I also used Pixlr to make the image black and white but changed the colour of the lips and hair to purple.

Minor Adjustment to Double Page Spread

Today I made a minor adjustment to my double page spread. There was some text that went over the bottom right image so I made sure that it didn't.

More Progress: Front Page, Double Page Spread & Contents Page

Progress on my Double-Page Spread

This Lesson, I have made some changes to my double page spread. I have changed the layout of the text so it is easier to read. Please comment below which one that you prefer!
The Top one is the old version, the bottom one is the new version.

Progress: Front Page & Double Page Spread

This Lesson, I have started working on my double page spread. I want to change the font to something that is not as common as 'Arial'. I think it needs a few adjustments made next lesson. I also think that I have finished my front cover. I am happy with how it has turned out. I also managed to get rid of the dead space that was previously near 'faith blossom: album review'.

My Front Cover & Contents Page

Here is my current front page and contents page. Please comment below and suggestions of things to improve and what things you currently like about the pages. Thanks.

Progress on Front Page

The image on the left is what I had done at the start of the lesson and the image on the right is what I have now done (the end of the lesson). I have changed the colour of the background. I have also added some additional stories. I prefer the updated front page as I feel its looks more like what a magazine's front page should. Next lesson, I want to edit the image of Selena Gomez so it fits in better with the page.

Contents Page Progress

I have made a lot of progress on my contents page and I am quite happy with it. Please comment below if you have any suggestions or adjustments you think I could make?

My Progress this Term

This term, I feel that I have made quite a lot of progress. I have learnt how to design a contents page. Compared to my preliminary contents page (Which wasn't very good), I feel that I have improved quite a lot already as I have learnt what the key conventions of a contents page are. I have also learnt how to design effective mastheads with titles that have a good meaning. Both 'The CBA Hummingbird' and 'Break Free' have connotations that relate to the themes of each of the magazines that I have designed. I have also learnt how to use software like 'Pages' and InDesign' to help make my pages look good. I have also learnt how to edit photos using software like 'Fotor' and 'Pixlr' which can make my models in my pictures be hyper-realised.

As you can see, my contents page is starting to look a lot more professional. 

Adding to My Contents Page

I have added two pictures to the bottom of my contents page. These are of Selena Gomez which I took myself. I think that these will work well at the bottom of my contents page as they could have captions near them directing the reader to the article.  I think that these images could be a little bigger. I am also thinking of removing the big main image on the left and changing it to a different set of images.

Editing My Photos: 2

I have edited another one of my pictures. I changed the colour of the background from brown to more of a pinky colour. I also made the models eyes blue and he lips pink. I think that this photo will work best on a the two page spread. In one of the edits, I have removed a section of the photo. In the other one, I have left that section in the picture. Please comment below which one you prefer.

My Feature Interview

Interview with 'Elsa Skyrus'
Q=Interviewer A= Elsa Skyrus

Q: Hi Elsa, we are so pleased to have you here! How are you?

A: Thank you! I am very good thanks!

Q: That's great! All of us here at 'Break Free' want to give you a massive congratulations on getting your first UK number 1 with 'The Other Woman', how did it feel when you found out you were at the top of the charts?

A: Thank you so much! It still hasn't sunk in that I have a number 1 single! When my manager called to tell me the news, I literally screamed - I couldn't believe it at all! It feels like something out of dream!

Q: I bet it does! Out of interest, are there any particular individuals that the song is about?

A: There are, but I think it is best kept a secret.

Q: Just tell us, we won't tell anyone ;)

A: But that would spoil the fun?

Q: Hahaha. So you have just released your debut single which has done incredibly well, can we expect some more music from you in the near future?

A: Yes! I am planning on dropping my next single within the next month or so. I am really looking forward to letting my fans hear it!

Q: Exciting- We'll look out for it! Speaking of fans, have they got a name yet like most other fandoms?

A: Yes, I think they call themselves the 'elsanators'

Q: Elsanators - I love it! So, is there anyone is the music industry that has inspired you in the past? What current artists do you like?

A: I have always liked to listen to music by people like Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys. But, in the charts right now, I love Sam Smith, Ella Henderson and Ariana Grande.

Q: Yes, they make great music! A bit of a general question now. Harry Styles, Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake: Who would you snog, marry and avoid?

A: Hmm, I would probably have to snog Justin Bieber, marry Justin Timberlake and avoid Harry Styles - sorry Harry!

Q: Good choices! Is there anything you would like to say to the people who have downloaded and streamed your music which got it to number 1?

A: I just want to say a huge thank you! I wouldn't be here without any of the support I get! I love every single one of you that has downloaded or streamed by song. This time last month, I never thought I'd be sitting here with a number 1 but I am! This shows that dreams really do come true and if you work for something, you are very likely to get it! I love you lots!

Q: Those were some nice words. Do you have any tours or performances lined up soon?

A: I don't have any news on a tour of my own just yet but hopefully in the future I will have one! But, I will be performing on The X Factor in a couple of weeks and I have also been asked to be Katy Perry's supporting act for some of her American 'Prismatic Tour' dates!

Q: Lucky you! How did that feel when she asked you to join her on the tour?

A: It felt absolutely amazing! I was like ‘are you sure?’ on the phone when my manager told me. It just feels crazy that I will be performing on the tour of such a superstar! Words can’t describe how thankful I am to Katy.

Q: Now, your song ‘The Other Woman’ has a very nice and heartfelt meaning to it, what would you say to anyone who can relate to the song?

A: Thanks. I would just say don’t let boys mess you around and change the person you are. Be yourself because that’s who you were meant to be! Who cares if someone doesn’t like you? We all have our haters, just be the better person and move on from whatever is holding you back. I love every single one of you.

Q: Some moving words from you there. I’d like to do some quick fire questions, is that ok?

A: Go for it!

Q: Favourite song right now?

A: Glow by Ella Henderson

Q: The X Factor or The Voice?

A: The X Factor all the way

Q: Twitter or Instagram?

A: Twitter

Q: Favourite film?

A: I know these are films intended for kids but probably either High School Musical or Frozen

Q: Which High School Musical is your favourite?

A: Probably the third one

Q: Same! Favourite colour?

A: Purple

Q: Last one, describe yourself in 3 words

A: This is a hard one! Fun, Fierce and Determined

Thank you for stopping by Elsa and taking the time to answer all of the questions, I hope to hear a lot from you in the near future!

A: Thank you for having me!

The number 1 single 'The Other Woman' by Elsa Skyrus is available on ITunes now! Follow Elsa on Twitter for all the latest updates - @elsaskyrus

Editing My Photos

I have edited one of the photos that I have taken (using Pixlr and Fotor). Please comment below which one you prefer!

Working on My Contents Page

Today I have been working on my contents page.
I started to edit some of the photos that I have taken. I made the photo a lot brighter and I was able to make the shadows not as obvious.
I then decided that I would place my image on the contents page because I think the image is most suited to that area.
I am going to use margins to make sure that everything lines up when I actually create my real contents page.