front cover page

Costume/Props Planning

 Costume/Props Planning

I’m going to use a cigar as this represents wealth and individuals of a higher status; it creates an image of importance and power which most rappers want to be perceived as. This is also stereotypically associated with hip hop artists as it creates a cool, suave image which I want to incorporate onto my front page.

Any form of jewellery, chain in particular, is considered as one of the main necessary accessories as part of the attire for a hip hop rapper, therefore its essential that I include this in some way on my magazine.This also displays wealth and quality and this type of chain represents a gangster and masculine image; stereotypically most rappers like to portray that attribute.

These two hats are the best examples for what you would expect to see a hip hop rapper to wear. Both hats displays wealth to a certain extent, from personal experience and through research I believe that any form of hats is the most common attire worn by rappers as it represents the urban society; gives a cool image. In addition the hat could be used to cover identity to a certain degree (eyes), supporting the stereotypic interpretations of thugs; ghetto life in which most rappers have in common.

This also clearly displays wealth due to the materials which you can see, so it’s essential I use a coat/jacket of a similar form. Having a good coat will infer good taste which is a trait that most rappers like to be associated with.

Due to the fact that a vest displays physique as it presents a masculine, tough and appealing image of course with a typical body type. Some rappers prefer to display their body as it gives them a tough image which is how they want to be acknowledged.

Focus Group

 

 

 My magazine will be based on hip hop genre and want to include both the source and XXL into collaboration for my template

Focus Group Questions

1) Do you read music magazines? If so which type?

2) What are your favourite features of the examples shown above in particular?

3) How would you personally prefer the double page spread to be laid out and that would catch your attention?

4) My magazine will be hip hop influenced, what kind of props would you expect to see?

5) From the examples above, what features do you personally like?

6) What colours would you expect to see in a magazine based on hip hop?

7) What font style would you expect to see on a hip hop magazine?

8) What sort of features do you expect to see on the front cover, contents page, double page spread of a hip hop magazine?

9) What do you think is the most important aspect that a hip hop magazine will need to incorporate in order to present the perfect image?

10) Would you prefer to see a more image influenced front cover and contents page or text?

Textual Analysis

Textual analysis2 from jbamidele

Key Conventions

Key Conventions

One consistent aspect of this music magazine is that the main title is always in that same position and font size is maintained, eventually increasing the audience familiarity with the magazine. There’s always a colour contrast between the title and the background, placing great emphasis out on the masthead allowing it to be visually clear and dominant on the front cover. The central figure maintains the stereotypical features which relates to the type of genre the magazine is. The Game (rapper) is a current artist whom has sold millions of albums and is well known globally; doing this will increase the attraction level, his casual attire with the hat connotes a laid back and cool image. Usually the main image on the front cover displays a current hip-hop artist (often male).Maintenance of customer loyalty and or increase of awareness is mainly due to the features they include on every issue. This includes the interviews, articles and exclusive pictures of current artists or upcoming concerts; this keeps their target audience interested for as long as possible. I believe their main target audience is for the younger generation and middle aged citizens. On the bottom of the page you can clearly see the bright yellow and black heading referring to their website link; another way of promoting their brand.

On the front cover of this magazine, its common to find the central figures attire to be similar to the stereotypical description (hat/cap, shirt, chain, expensive jacket etc). However in this particular issue it displays snoop dogg dressed in a suit; this is unusual. This connotes a suave and formal image, in addition highlights The Source’s willingness to offer some variety to their magazines occasionally. However this may not appeal to the customers who are solely prefer the usual display images/themes. After thorough observation, in comparison to most issues of this magazine the title lacks the microphone which is normally placed in the middle of the letter ‘O’. This suggests that this issue could be a change in image and attitude, they want to display a formal version; giving the magazine a complete different image.

Typically the background colours of most issues are bright or at a reasonable level of shade, whereas in this issue the dark coloured background is juxtaposed with the masthead, providing it with greater visual domination contrary to any other subheadings on the page. Biggie holding a microphone and also in a formal attire connotes both wealth and a hip hop rapper image, which is the kind of image most rappers want to display so this would attract and/or maintain the hip hop fanatic audience

The contents page has a basic design structure to it but still is effective. Unsurprisingly the colour of the background, (shade of grey and black), lacks complementation for the masthead; i believe they purposely used this colour shade to decrease the emphasis level on the masthead but simultaneously display it clear enough.

More than often you would see or expect a male to be the central figure in this magazine, this time a female is featured. Although half-hearted nudity features further on in the magazine, sexuality is used early on (contents page 2^nd) of a woman in a bikini; for obvious reasons this connotes this image will almost certainly attract more customers into reading further as the target audience is aimed at a males perspective.

In addition, the lack of detail on the page puts emphasis on the female and the text. The content itself is featured at the right hand side of the page, emphasis is automatically on the text due to the lack of textual detail on the page.

The first few pages usually have similar layout structure to this one on the left.  One page solely focuses on the artist and his appearance, facial expression or posture which could suggest many things without actually mentioning it. Then you have the masthead in bold font size, underneath is where the text is laid out.

Brief Analysis of the two pages:

·         Central figure on the left posing with expensive champagne and glass, wearing a suit – presents wealth and luxury

·         Balloons on the background suggest celebration

·         Lacks variety of colours; only black and white which compliments visual aspects in the sense that the text is dominating and clear

Title Block

Analysing Music Magazine Title Blocks

 

The title block in this magazine is large, bold and clear. This allows the title to maintain its bold and outstanding look, in contrast to the background which changes from time to time. The title itself being an abbreviation for extra large, allows the audience to remember and recognize the name with ease. However the title doesn’t reveal the genre of the magazine but suggests that there could be plenty of appealing and exclusive news inside.

The font of the title is stocky and bold, creating an outstanding personality about it, purposely to catch the reader’s attention. The colour of the title is based on the colour scheme used for this issue in particular; normally it’s in contrast to the background which makes its clearer to read. ‘The’ in The Source has been cornered into the side in small font, giving greater emphasis to the main part of the title. The microphone used as the hole in ‘O’ strongly suggests that the genre of the magazine is hip hop related

The colour of the title block is bright and contrasts the background colour, giving the title a clear and distinct appearance. The title being a single letter doesn’t give away the genre of music in the magazine, although would be easy to remember the name due to the bold and simplistic image it displays. This magazine may be targeting an older audience, considering the type of font the title is presented in, which gives it an old fashioned, prominent feature to it; this would fail to attract a younger audience in my opinion.

Designing Title Blocks

Seeing as the title would be the first thing the audience would look at, I intend to create a bold, stylish and modern design for me title in order to represent my magazine in.  The title I’m going to have should be suitable for the type of magazine that it is as it will ultimately be the largest font and the source of attraction. The name vision doesn’t give away too much about it being music based magazine but simultaneously connotes the relevance it has in regards to music song structure. Font 1 is too basic, very old school but wouldn’t consider it to be suitable. Font 2 has a comic look to it, which would fail to attract my target audience. Font 3 is bold and well structured, most suitable for my magazine. Font 4 well structured but not bold enough for my liking.

Reader Profile

‘VERSE’ Reader Profile

Desmond is 19 and lives in North London. He has a passion for hip hop music and without fail, engages with music every day. He goes to college where he’s studying music technology; he seems to be very interested in modern technology and devices in which he has used that to his advantage for. He has invested in dozens of albums and mixtapes of old-school and new rappers including noticeable ones such as Biggie, 2pac, Nas, Wu-tang clan, whom he’s inspired by, due to the positive effect they’ve had in the hip hop industry. Desmond spends most his spare time in the local music studio, producing beats or enhancing his knowledge, if not he’s with his mates listening to music or out partying all night. He also enjoys the exhilarating thrills when attending live concerts to see his favourite artists. His fashion style has clearly had some kind of influence from stereotypical hip-hop rappers attire; Nike trainers, jumper and jeans. Regardless of his music interests, he faces long term commitments for his football team; his ambition is to become a professional footballer in the near future. Desmond lives with his mother and two younger brothers, being brought up in a deprived area, he sees lyrics as a way to express and relate to people in similar situation to himself.

JAD Feedback

Josh, complete the following tasks and post on your blog immediately:

Cover analysis

Contents page analysis

DPS analysis

Key conventions analysis             

Focus group video

Reader profile

Title block analysis and design

Costume/props planning

Drafting

You have failed to meet all deadlines set.

Also, your school magazine cover and contents page is missing. If this is not completed, you will lose 25% of marks from the main task.