Font Samples

I have went through various fonts and examined different ideas to which I can use for my magazine masthead or font within my front cover, contents page and double page spread. I decided on these kind of fonts as I believe they present the Hip Hop and Rap genre significantly and effectively and doesn't mislead it so that it could be recognized as a different musical genre. All of the fonts are bold, as I knew from my past research that most Hip Hop magazines have bold headlines or mastheads and gives the effect of the whole magazine and the subject of the magazine. Some fonts present a paint or graffiti type look. I chose to consider this as graffiti is in the Hip Hop nature and culture, and using this would allow readers or viewers to guess and notice the genre fairly quickly. Others look quite glamorized, which is significant as in the current Hip Hop era it is generally quite glamorous and fashionable but sticks to the music genre at the same time, therefore having an effective and glam font for a masthead would be effective.

Readers Profile

Another essential part of preparing to create my music magazine was to create a readers profile. This is what I created as my personal readers profile. I have added elements that add to the genre of my magazine, which is Hip Hop and Rap, and also aspects that could be included in the actual magazine. At the bottom I have added statistics and information that would be based on my music magazine, and what I would write if I had to produce a real readers profile on my magazine.

The magazine Institutions

This prezi contains my analysis and information I have gathered on Magazine institutions which own a range of current music magazines. I have also expressed and elaborated on the one that I would choose for my own magazine, and why I have chosen that particular company.

Assessment Feedback

In groups of four, we looked at different magazines that have been produced  by other students. We graded and gave our thoughts on the front cover, contents page, and double page spread. 

For the front cover, we believed that the material was appropriate for the target audience and task at a Proficient level, as there are many sell lines on the cover which would indicate who the possible target audience could be. However, we can clearly notice the genre of Rock music by the images and text. 

Also at a proficient level, it shows understanding of conventions of layout and page designs. We chose this level as the front cover could have included a more steadier layout, as not much further information about the magazine has been included, and a lot of the focus is on the main image, and sell lines could have been spread out more. 

However, we believed that the cover had excellent use of accurate language and register, as the cover includes language and vocabulary that would relate and connect to the Rock genre, and this also links to the target audience, as it is wording that they would understand and appreciate. 

We gave a proficient for the appropriately integrate illustration and text, as the text could have been used at a better level, as it could have had different fonts and sizes to make the front cover look more effective. Also the main image has been zoomed in quite a lot, and then small images have been put on the cover, which may look slightly odd or unprofessional. 

As the images look as if they have been took in different settings by looking at the small images on the cover, we gave this option an excellent, as this factor has clearly been shown, and adds variety to the front cover. 

Again, we gave an excellent for the manipulating of photographs as appropriate to the context, including cropping and resizing. We can clearly see that the main image has been zoomed in or cropped to make it fit the Rock genre in one form. This is effective as it contrasts to a selection of magazines, but still looks professional and suitable for the target audience.

We then analysed the contents page. We thought that the material produced was appropriate for the target audience and task at an excellent level as almost everything needed for a contents page was shown and effectively put together.
We also agreed that it had showed understanding of conventions of layout and page designs at an excellent level as the page was set out extremely clear and was easy to understand.
 However we gave a proficient for the awareness of the need for variety in fonts and text sizes, as this could have been extended further as most of the font was the same, and sizes were basic, however this was still presented appropriately.
Saying this, the use of language and register was definitely accurate, as grammar and wording of the contents page definitely displayed so that it represented the genre, and showed good understanding of the music choice.
We thought that the integration of the illustrations and text could have been expressed better, as images just look as if they have been placed there without any thought, and could have been placed differently to create a different effect, due to this, we gave it a proficient level.
 Another issue was the point to shoot a variety of material appropriate to the task set. We gave this a proficient as there wasn't a lot of variety to the photographs, as they all looked similar.
 We also gave a proficient to the point which includes resizing, cropping and editing images. The images shown weren't edited much and were set that they were the same size which added hardly any variety to the photo's or the layout of the page.

The last we thing we analysed was the double page spread. We believed that the creator produced material appropriate for the target audience and task at an excellent level, as the double page spread included every aspect that it needed to fulfil its purpose for the reader and target audience.
We also gave an excellent to the point to show understanding of conventions of layout and page design, as the layout has been set out effectively and is very appealing and professional.
Showing awareness of the need for variety in fonts and text sizes was at a proficient level as some aspects could have been different. Overall it was shown acceptably, however some of the texts could have been different sizes to represent difference of context or importance.
The use of language was proficient , as again, good context of the genre, however, more advanced use of language could have been used to allow it to sound more professional.
The integration of illustration and text was excellent, as we can see this thoroughly through the double page spread, as most readers  by looking at a spread can tell if it is professional or not, this particular piece of work definitely shown that as the ratios of text image looked appropriately set out.
The variety of material appropriate to the task set was at a proficient level, as there's seems to be only a small variety of different images, as the photo's look as if they've been taken all at once. However, they do still fit the genre, which makes them acceptable.
 As there is only one image shown on the page, the manipulation of photographs as appropriate to the context including cropping and resizing has been given a proficient as the image doesn't look greatly resized, and just been placed simply on one of the pages. However it does look slightly edited when looking at the colours to help it fit in with the colour scheme which is effective.

The Focus Group

The Focus Group 

I gained feedback through a focus group who gave me ideas, criticism and opinions on my current ideas for my Hip Hop magazine. We split up into groups and got and gave audience feedback to each other, in a way so that everyone can have new ideas and criticism for the magazine. Here is some of the feedback I received, and my own responses to them.


Georgia stated that the name of my magazine , BASS, 'links to the genre, as Hip Hop is generally loud, and has a lot of bass in it'. I totally agree with this, as these are some of the main reasons I chose the name as I thought that the name would link a lot to the Hip Hop genre, and is original but suits the target audience and genre well. As my magazine, in a way, is a hybrid print as it is Hip Hop and Rap together, the name is still suitable as both genres are vey alike, and having a sub genre will not effect how the name of the magazine reflects on the content or genre of the magazine.

Georgia also commented on the fact that having a new artist as the main image on the double page spread and front cover 'will attract attract target audience to the magazine'. I would think that this statement would be correct, as the main images and sub images I have took have been designed to try and fit into the Hip Hop genre, and hopefully this aspect would attract Hip Hop fans.

Bella commented on the colours, and stated that my chosen colour scheme of black, white and red are 'very contrasting'. Again, I would agree with this, however, another reason would be that these are the colours that are associated with the genre, and would therefore be appropriate to use for my Hip Hop theme. These particular colours are also suitable for my target audience which would be from 16 year olds to 35 year olds potentially as the colours could be classed as 'grown up' and not too young for the reader.

Another comment Bella made was the fact that 'with planned sell lines and images, a lot of focus would be on the made up artist' I believe this to be positive, as the point is to draw attention to the artist or feature on the double page spread and the font cover, and my use of images and text should do this. Other than putting all of the focus on the main feature, I will produce other effective aspects for the magazine , like including other made up articles that I would feature, and present them on my front cover and contents page.

One comment was about the target audience. Kaitlyn stated that '16-35 year olds is too big of a majority for just a  primary audience'. Even though this is correct, this majority is not just one audience or primary audience, but all of the age ranges that would be interested in my magazine. My primary audience, as stated in my magazine proposal, would be older teenagers to young adults, therefore this age range would be 16 to 25 year olds, and the 26 to 35 year olds would go into the secondary audience. Through this I will also be considering and keeping in mind the socio-economic code as part of my audience, as this aspect is important to identify what kinds of people and which groups of people in jobs or not in jobs would be interested in my magazine.


All this feedback is significant and useful, as I can look back, and find out information that will help improve my magazine and content. However, there are a few aspects that my focus group didn't really think about. None of the people in my group elaborated on the fact that I am producing a Hip Hop magazine, and if this is a suitable or popular genre. Even though Hip Hop and Rap is a big genre, al lot of people enjoy just the basic charts, and not a certain genre, therefore, if my magazine was a real print, the question would be, would people generally buy my magazine? Saying this, I believe that Hip Hop in general is a popular choice, and there would be a wide range of people interested. Another topic not brought up in my feedback was the fact that I am producing an interview on my made up artist on my double page spread. I thought this would be a significant subject, as different readers would prefer different kinds of articles. Hopefully, an interview would be enjoyed and appropriate for my spread, and for my target audience.

I can ensure that the feedback from my focus group will allow me to make my magazine a complete success as this information is giving me feedback and criticism in general, therefore I can find out what people think, and how people will find my magazine. This is just an aspect of my planning and organisation that should hopefully help me for when I come to designing and writing my magazine, and will ensure what kind of content I put out there. The idea of a focus group is to get key ideas for whether my

target audience would read the magazine that I will be creating, and I think my personal feedback will help me hugely during the process of creating BASS.

Questionnaire Results!

After I had collected back all of my questionnaires, I had created results, in which I can look back on to help me find inspiration, and to also give me an insight on what I should include in my magazine, as this information shows what people would expect and want to find in a normal magazine but also a Hip Hop magazine too, as that is what I will be creating.

Questionnaire

 

These pictures present my questionnaire I produced, to get feedback on music magazines in general, and also the Hip Hop genre. I did this to get other peoples views and also for research, as when I go onto producing my music magazine, I can look back onto this research to help me with my content and designing. 

Music Magazine Proposal

I have decided that the genre of my music magazine will be Rap and Hip-Hop. I have chosen this as I do have an interest in these particular genres, and I know a decent amount of information on the type of music.

Most Hip hop magazines hold different majorities of audiences classed by age gender and audience code, and this certain music genre will definitely have a mix of different people. I think my primary audience would be old teenagers, or young adults, as this majority of people do tend to enjoy Hip Hop compared to others, like adults in their forty’s. A secondary audience could be older people, perhaps in their twenty’s or early thirties. I don’t think there would be a main gender for Hip Hop, however, when I think about it, the genre may have more of a male audience, as a lot of the artists in Hip Hop are generally males and I know from fan accounts and social media that a lot of boys enjoy this genre, but it would definitely be a close percentage, because many females enjoy this genre also. Audience codes are also important to think about. I believe that my magazine would include the socio-economic groups that are: Group C1, C2, and D. These groups include students and younger people, from ages of 16-19, who possibly haven’t taken up work yet, however, it also includes adults who range from the ages up to their thirty’s, therefore they would be in my target audience.

Magazines including Vibe, The Source and Hip Hop all are similar to my chosen genre of magazine, as they are based around the Hip Hop genre. They include articles that are based around Hip Hop and Rap stars, and also include a lot of features like interviews. I have looked at these magazine and took inspiration from them, and they have also gave me a beginning idea of what a Hip Hop magazine would have to include and look like, which is definitely helpful to me once I start actually producing my front cover, contents page and double page spread.

I will research my magazine by looking at their current Hip Hop magazines from the Internet and off the shelves. I can also look at Hip Hop artists, and try and get more of an understanding from the topic of Hip Hop and keep up to date so I can know what is popular at the moment, as I could include certain topics or features in my magazine that is big in the media in the current time, to make my magazine look more professional. Another thing I could do is try and get the opinions and thoughts from other Hip Hop fans, to try and find out what they would expect and want from a Hip Hop magazine, and try to incorporate their requests in my own work. My focus group would definitely be fans of my chosen genre, but also the younger generation, as these are the people who know what is popular and what would be appropriate to talk about in a music magazine.  

I will hopefully take all my own images, and create my own idea of a Hip Hop star without making it look like a stereotype, but original instead. My images would be of potential ‘artists’ that would be included in the double page spread and on the cover. I could also include pictures of album covers from the Internet to include more of the genre.

I want the name of my magazine to be original but to also look professional. I have chosen to call it ‘BASS’ as it is a strong word, and is associated with the genre, and could be a representation of the genre, as potentially, Hip Hop does include a lot of bass. It is an easy title to remember, and it would catch the attention of readers and buyers.

I will ensure that my magazine looks both original and professional in many ways, like the use of Photoshop on my magazine will ensure that my print will look as professional as possible. The cover will not be over the top, and look too overloaded and cheesy, it needs to be mature and include sell lines and features that are significant to the genre, and that would appeal to readers. The image use must be of good quality too as this is an essential factor that would allow the magazine to look professional and more appealing to the reader, because if someone sees a magazine and the images look blurry or not of good quality, the magazine wouldn’t seem trustworthy or worth their money. It needs to be original in a way that I present it in the same way as other Hip Hop magazines but has to be different in the concept that I can not straight off copy from other companies. It needs to be imaginative and of my own creations and thoughts, but also suitable for the market and target audience. The front cover, contents page, and double page has to significantly look like a basic version of its purpose, in other words in needs to look like what it is, as the reader cannot be confused by it, and they need to understand what is what. All of these points made, are essential to ensure that my magazine will hopefully be suitable, professional and original; therefore it can be looked at and accepted as a real Hip Hop magazine.

Unused Images For My College Magazine

These two particular images were going to be used in my college magazine, however, I decided to refrain due to a few reasons.
I decided to not include the picture of the student as it doesn't look good quality, and the lighting could have been better. It also looks quite boring and doesn't have much colour, and this would affect the magazine in the concept that readers will look at it and not find it appealing.
However, the image of the building is quite appealing. Saying this, it wasn't as good as my other options, which is the main reason I didn't include this in my cover page or contents page. The fact that the picture looks slightly 'messy' at the fact that there are things in the image that don't really look appealing, like the barriers and the working in the background.

Analysis Of My College Magazine

In this Prezi presentation, I have analysed what I have learned during the process of creating my college magazine, and how I can incorporate some of my ideas and aspects I have learned into my music magazine when I come to producing it. 

Deconstructions Of Double Page Spreads

This slideshow presents my 3 deconstructions on 3 double page spreads. On each double page spread I have gone through analysis of features included in average double page spreads, and why they are used and included for readers.
I have learned the basics and essential conventions for double page spread, and I am now aware on what I need to include in my own work, to make it reliable to readers. For double page spreads in general, it is all about written content, and I will make sure to put this in account when creating mine.