Evaluation

Looking back at you preliminary task. What do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Evaluation

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have learnt how to use adobe photoshop as I didn't no how to use it before. Things like cutting out images and changing the size was hard at first but now I am able to perform these task within a small time frame. I have learnt how to use tools such as gradients, and have used it throughout my magazine. I also now know what each tool does and what they can be used for.

Microsoft word was easy for me as I have been using it for a long time but I recently found out how to use columns as this was the first time I had to use them for my work.

This is how manipulated the image by changing the colour of an item.



This is how i manipulated the image by smoothening the artist face.

Evaluation

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Evaluation

How did you attract/ address your audience?

View more presentations from guest3162d6a.

Evaluation

Who would be the audience for your media product?

· Teenagers between the ages 15-19.

· Male and Female

· All races

· Interested in the Hip-hop culture

· Aspiring artists

The audience for my magazine is teenagers as they are the people who buy such magazines and have interest for Hip-hop magazines. The magazine is for both genders as it includes both men and women in the Hip-Hop industry. There is no race barriers in my magazine as its for all races to read and enjoy. People who are also wanting to be rappers will also be my audience for the magazine.

Evaluation

what kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I think that IPC might distribute my media product as they distribute magazines to a nice audience. Hip - hop is not part of their niche categories but will expand their audience as they currently don't sell a magazine of this genre.

Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Double page spread

Double page spread

Front Cover

contents page

This is my contents page

Production Cover

Front Cover props

Mise En Scene

contents page props

Contents

Production log

Today i finished my double page spread. I had to edit my main article. I used photoshop to make my double page spread, photoshop allowed me to write around the images placed in the spread.

double page spread images

This image was taken from a picture on my bedroom wall.

These are the two images I used for the double page spread. I used them as i felt that the props were suitable.

Double page spread sketch

Questionnaire Results

As well as the previous question of how often would you buy a magazine question this question also allowed me to sort out a price for magazine. As you can see, most of my audience are willing to pay £3 on a magazine therefore i will set my magazine to be priced at £2.99.

Questionnaire Results

This is one of many questions i included in my questionnaire. This question was used so that i could have an understanding of how often my audience would buy magazines it also influenced the price of my magazine. As you can see, the results show that people usually buy magazines once a month therefore my price range will be between £2.99 - £4.99.

Questionnaire Results

This is one of many of the questions that were included in my questionnaire. From the results you can see that Hip-Hop was the genre of music most people enjoyed listening to. As this magazine was to be made to suit my target audiences preferences i suited my magazine to a urban hip-hop style/context.

Questionnaire Results

This is one of many questions that was in my questionnaire from the bar chart you can see that the majority of the people i handed the questionnaire out to preferred to have a free CD with their magazine as part of a freebie. As my results show that a CD is the best option i will include this in my magazine by showing it on my front cover.

Production log 17/03/10

this is not my final magazine this is just to show you the stage i am at now.

Production log

Today I was at the city learning centre finishing of my first draft for the double page spread. Overall everything is going according to plan. The sketch I made for my double page spread really helped me in terms of figuring out the structure.

Production log

Today I wrote the 1st draft article for my magazines double page spread.

Main article 1st draft

MUSIC IS MY LIFE

T-Millz (Main Artist)

From a hit single in the UK charts to several nominations for the MOBO awards, T-Millz without a doubt is the hottest new rapper in the game. With the South Londoners debut album ‘Rags to Riches’ approaching its release date, other rappers may experience a decline in their record sales. Having already performed alongside the likes of 50cent and Eminem he recently teamed up with Kanye West for the mind-bogglingly catchy single ‘T-Millionaire’. Many Critics are predicting his album will be the highest selling album from an artist of such a young age. Life for T-Millz was a bit of a struggle, growing up in the streets of Peckham with no father figure to support him he was left with no alternative as he was kicked out of 3 different schools by the early age of 14. He turned to music out of boredom only to find out that he had great talent. Hearing his latest singles ‘Hood Struggle’ and ‘T-Millionaire’ we can surely say that this youngster has a bright future ahead of him.

Island record is a big record label, how does it feel to be signed to the same label as reggae legend Bob Marley?

I grew up listening to Bob Marley at my grandma’s so I was introduced to reggae at an early age. I didn’t really know much about Island records until the singing with UK artists Tinchy Stryder and Sugababes, when I was told Bob Marley was signed to this label it was a big deal for me as he had achieved a lot through his ability to uplift and inspire different types of people across the globe. The day I got a phone call from Alan Ridge an Island Records executive, I thought it was a prank one of my friends was playing [laughs] that’s how much I couldn’t believe it.

You have faced many criticisms from different music press, what has kept you focused?

I believe that God is my motivation therefore what ever gets thrown at me I will forever still stay focused and put in the work. Behind every successful person whether you’re male or female you will always have a pack of haters, so I use this to my advantage as I know that I must be doing something right. The main thing is to always be focused. I always feel like I’m at the start of my career so that’s in my head everyday when I wake up, I think that have to do something and I’m forever listening to everyone, everyone’s competition so I don’t ever think right now I’m at this stage of my career and all that, I’m always trying.

You started at a very young age how did it feel performing on stage for the 1^st time with Dizee?

Growing up I had experienced rapping in front of small groups of people and was involved in a lot of rap battles in my local youth club, but I had never had an experience on being on stage to a crowd of 30,000+. It was defiantly a shock when I first went on the stage, Dizzee brought me along and at first it was like a whole new world, exciting but When I was on stage I didn’t realise I jus said some lyrics head down and said what I had to say, when I went home I realised it was a big thing.

A lot of people are using different sounds, experimenting on different types of music what are your views on this?

Yeah, I think everyone’s just growing, maturing I know a lot people think music artist are changing but its just growth. I do music, I love rap but it doesn’t mean I’m always going to do rap, if you give me a beat that I like I’ll use it, that’s the type of person I am. Most artists have tried different genres of music, there’s nothing wrong with that. Before I got signed I thought that I was only going to do rap, but along the way I have learnt that life’s too short to limit yourself and your ideas.

Your latest single has been at the top of the UK charts for a week now how did you come up with the concept?

Basically, I came off tour with Dizzee and was filled with adrenalin to make something new, so I phoned up producer Divinche who recently made beats for big artist such as Skepta, Chipmunk and N-dubz. After the call I met up with him in his studio and he said ‘what do you want to do?’ and I was like ‘what do you what to do? [Laughs] I didn’t want to bring any ideas to the table as I knew he was the best at making his own beats. I wanted a challenge and promised myself that whatever beat he made I will use. After 2 days he sent me the beat and I jumped on it straight after, my personal assistant heard it was like wouldn’t it be superior if it was featuring an American artist. So we sent the track to Kanye for a feature on the track and he sent it back with his verse on it and the track just so happened to be a hit.

Where did the name T-Millz come from?

Well the letter ‘T’ is an initial of my first name Tyrone, coincidently a lot of people think ‘Millz’ is from my last name Miller but It really came from my cousin joking around with me at an early age saying that I got kicked out of a million schools. From then to now T-Millz has stuck to me.

Do you see yourself as a role model for young people?

What do you say to politicians who criticise hip-hop music for promoting violence?

I think that you can’t point fingers and say that Hip-Hop is the reason for the increasing numbers of crimes in London where there’s things such as media where films show shootings and Knife crimes. Although artists talk about negative things in their music it’s just a snippet of their struggle. So you can’t blame us for violence as violence is a lot deeper than that.

You get a lot of digital downloads on iTunes what methods do you use to promote your new music and keep in touch with your fans?

Pictures

These are the images I took today.

these are the rejected images as most of the images are not giving direct address and they don't have a effective pose.

production log

Today I went out with a friend and took pictures of the artist that will be featured in my contents page. the pictures I took were from locals in my area. I managed to get a picture with an expensive car and two other pictures of friends.

Preliminary work

This is what i produced as part of my preliminary work . I created this using adobe photoshop as this is the type of software i know how to use. The front cover consists of the mast head, barcode and sell lines as these are what every magazine must include. My contents page is plain and simple sharing the same colour scheme as the front cover. i used white text as i though it would be the best colour to stand out in front of the dark blue.

Contents page sketch

This is the sketch I made before making my actual.

Focus Group

production log

Today I recorded my focus group questions and answers, when I go home I am going to edit the the recording to make it sound better.

1ST DRAFT MAGAZINE COVER 03/03/10

This is the first draft of my front cover of my magazine . I decided to stick with the colour scheme of blue and grey after trying out a variety of different colour schemes. this is only the 1st draft so i think i need to make a lot of changes in terms of making my magazine look professional and making the text stand out. In my final draft i will also smoothing the face of the main image as way of image manipulation. As part of the image manipulation i changed the colour of his clothing and hat from black to a navy blue as this was my colour scheme. So far i think a lot of development needs to be made this week.

PICTURES

This is the picture i decided to use for my front cover as it reflects music with the simple prop of a microphone. this image also shows direct address as he is looking at he audience therefor engaging them to read/ buy the magazine. I am to manipulate this image for my front cover so that my front cover looks professional. I will also cut out the image using the magic tool so that the image is left without a background.

Rejected images

This image doesn't work simple because the camera was out of focus and the artist is not giving direct address so it wouldn't appeal to the reader if include this picture. This image also has a small number of props the hat, chain and ring. Although these props have the connotations of wealth it doesn't look like it could be related to music.

Rejected images

This is one of the rejected images for my front cover. Although the props (speakers, hat, chain and microphone) work with the picture i still think it looks a bit to simple in relation the image i took forward for my front cover.

Front Cover typeface

these are the fonts i tried out for the front cover of my magazine. The 1st font is too simple and for this reason I didn't use it.

The second font is too fancy as it looks like neat handwriting. It doesn't look like it will attract the audience.

I think that the third is very effective. It looks like it will appeal to the younger generation as it is a graffiti like typeface. For these reason i used this font and developed it using software such as adobe photoshop and illustrator.

This is the last font I tried out. This font didn't work as well as the previous one. It also looked a bit too plain and wasn't attractive.

production log

Today I started making my front cover of my magazine, I used adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. I used adobe illustrator for the 3d effect on my front cover.

production log

Today I took pictures of the main artist of my magazine at the city learning centre. I took as many images as possible so that i could have a variety of images. I Only took pictures for the front cover so I will I am to take pictures for the rest of my magazine some other time.

First draft of my magazine cover

This is the first draft of my magazine cover I have chosen a name for my magazine but as I go along I may decide to change the name. The name I have chosen is 'Sreet Ent'. I have chosen this name as I feel that the name fits in with the genre of my magazine. As you can see my first draft has the typical conventions of a music magazine, for example it includes a barcode, date of issue, issue number and a large area for a main image. This first draft look quite plain as I aim to produce more drafts and develop a lot more ideas.

Questionnaire Results

I gathered these results from my questionnaire and selected a few questions so that i could input the data into a chart.

My Questionnaire

This is my questionnaire; I gave it out to people between the ages of 14 and 20. My questionnaire included 10 questions with most of the questions being closed questions so that I could transfer the data into a graph/chart and it would be quicker for my target audience to fill in. The questionnaire allowed me to get a greater understanding of peoples tastes and what the enjoy most about magazines. The results from my magazine will aid me in what features I will include in my magazine and what features will be included to allow my magazine to be both unique and appealing to the younger generation.

Textual Analysis Of Double Page Spread

This is a double page spread from an NME magazine, in which the British pop/rock artist Lilly Allen is being interviewed. In this double page spread Lilly Allen is represented as a stereotypical rock star. This is shown through the use of dark makeup around the eyes and jet-black hair. The type of clothing she is wearing is associated with rock rather than pop as it is not colorful. The mise en scene of this image allows us to have an understanding of what type of magazine this is. Lilly Allen is also posing in an unusual way, her body language suggests that she doesn’t care; this is the stereotypical attitude of a rocker. Although it looks like she doesn’t care, there is still direct address as she is looking at the audience.

This double page spread has unconventional features. One of the unconventional features is that it only has one image. The image is very large as it takes up a whole page. This could have been made to show the audience that Lilly Allen is very important. NME have also made the double page spread look a lot like a poster. This could have been deliberate, as it will attract their audience to read it. The big image mean that the interview is limited to a small amount of space therefore it may attract a lot of readers as too much information could get boring. The title of the magazine looks very attractive as it the text is laid out in blocks. The double page spread is very visual with large images to take up space. There is probably more of the interview on the next page, if so this is a very good way to lie out a double page spread, as it is very visually entertaining. This double page also has conventional features as the text is laid out in columns; this is seen in every professional double page spread, making the text easier to read.

Another conventional feature of the magazine is that it has a direct mode of address. This is very important, as the correct mode of address will keep the audience reading. The text has to shut the audience preferences and should be writing n a way that the target audience can read. For example if a pop magazine interviews were writing as if it were to be in a Hip-hop magazine a lot of the audience would find it hard to understand therefore the magazine will loose a lot of their target audience.

This double page spread is also conventional as it has a floating quote. The floating quote in this magazine is “People think I’m an attention seeker, but I’m just honest” this a very effective quote as it what an artist would say as they say what every they want to say. The quote also allows the audience to know a bit more about the person the magazine is interviewing. In this double page spread the quote is at the top of the interview, which takes up a lot of space. This is very unusual as quotes tend to a lot smaller than the main image taking little space. The use of colors in this magazine is very limited to about three colors white, black and red. These are very dull colors and there aren’t any bright colors to attract the young audience.

Overall I think that the magazines unconventional features overweigh the conventional aspects. The use of the layout looks attractive and looks as if it will attract the target audience.

Textual Analysis Of Double Page Spread

This is a double page spread from Karrang magazine. From looking at this magazine you can come to an assumption that it is a rock magazine. This magazine looks very convention in terms of the use of colours. Black and red are strong bold colours, these colours are usually seen with rockers as they have dark hair and wear dark makeup such as eyeliner. This title of this article is “were being the best MCR we can be” this suggest that they are doing there best whether you like it or not. This title is very effective as this is the type of attitude of a stereotypical rock star. The colour red in the title could have connotations of blood, suggesting that they put their blood, sweat and tears in their music.

The article is presented in columns making it look conventional and professional. There are a lot of images on both pages. These images take up most of the space so there is a limited amount of text, although there is a limited amount of text on this page there is probably a whole page filled with questions and answers on the next page. The pictures subvert typical conventions as none of the images are giving direct address; none of the images are looking at the audience. This is very common in most rock magazine as this represents their attitudes toward rock.

The title of the magazine is also a floating quote. This is conventional in most double page spreads as it gives an insight of the type of people they are interviewing. The aim of floating quotes is to attract the audience so they have to be interesting to be successful in attracting the audience. In spite of this floating quote is unconventional as it takes up a lot of space in the magazine. It is also unconventional as it is the titles of the magazine you wont see this in a lot of magazines.

Overall I think that this magazine subverts a lot of conventions. Without the direct mode of address less people will feel involved whilst reading. This could be good for the readers that understand the rock star stereotype and attitudes to life.

Textual Analysis Of Contents Page

This is the contents page from Vibe magazine. As you can see this magazine is quite plain and simple with very little going on, although it is very plain vibe can afford to make it look like his as it has 3 pages worth of contents pages instead of having al the information within one page. Vibe has laid out there contents page to take about 3 pages, this image shows the second page of the contents 2/3. The use of plain contents pages are used a large number of times and is very common with vibe magazines.

The way the word CONTENTS is laid out is also very common and effective with Vibe magazines, it is sort of like a trademark as you can always remember it as a part of a Vibe magazine. Vibe has also includes an image of the front cover of the magazine, this is very useful as you don’t have to turn the page to view the contents page again although many other magazines don’t tend to do this (unconventional) it is very effective. The main focal image of this contents page is of an artist called ‘Movado” who makes Jamaican dancehall music. This is very unusual as vibe magazines tend to have R&B and Hip-Hop artist featured within the magazine. The image of Movado is symbolic of wealth as he is wearing a Gucci belt, diamond bracelets and a diamond chain. The use of the image being black and white is very effective as it suited with the background atmosphere of poverty.

Vibes have used contrasting images for their contents page. The image of Movado has connotations of wealth whilst the background image is off a ghetto in Jamaica. Using these two types of images is symbolic as it shows the transition from living in poverty to being wealthy due to his talent in music. The background image also shows that he hasn’t forgotten where he came from and his struggle t get where he is at now. The contents page doesn’t subverts typical as it has the page numbers of information held in each page, it also includes an image. Although is doesn’t subvert typical conventions it does in a way as it has the image of the front cover.

The use of typography is very unique and looks like it will appeal to the younger generation although it has a serif type of typography. The use of the colour black for the typography fits in well with the dull atmosphere of the background image and the colour of the clothing the main image is wearing. Although the typography appeals more to the younger generation the contents page as a whole looks like it if for the older generation as it has no bright colours witch is mostly common with teenage magazines.

Textual Analysis Of Contents Page

This is a contents page from a magazine known as ‘in the mix’ . The contents page subverts typical conventions of magazine contents. This is shown through the use of an image and most importantly the page numbers. The page numbers are highlighted in a bright colour so that it stands out and is easier to read. The main purpose of a contents page is to allow the reader to find what they a re looking for, this is achieved by being user friendly and uncomplicated. This contents page is also satisfying as it has a brief description of what each page is about this is very effective as you don’t have to waste time going to page to find what your looking for. The contents page has a limited amount of colours which is effective as it wouldn’t suit the genre if it was colourful. Content pages also tend to mostly use the colour white in the background to make everything on top stand out a lot more.

An additional convention that is found in a majority of contents pages is an image(s) this is important as it draws the readers attention as it is usually someone who is associated with the genre of the magazine. This contents page includes an image of a Hip-Hop icon 50cent. Although it is a medium long shot of a side image he still uses direct address to engage the readers. On the other hand most contents pages do not include a issue number and date this could be a good idea as it allows us to understand when it was made without going back to the front cover it can also be argued as a downfall as it can be annoying to the reader as it looks like an addition piece of text.

Textual Analysis Of Image

Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine which was launched in 1993 by its founder producer Quincy Jones. It is a widely known mainstream magazine and has previously had features of many famous music artists for example Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Chris Brown and Kanye West. From the front cover of this magazine you can see that the target audience ranges from the ages of 16-25. The magazine also looks as if it is mainly targeted at men; this is shown through the main focal image of an R&B singer Mariah Carey in a 2-piece bikini. The main focal image also portrays sexual connotations as bikinis often represent a sexy image. The main focal image of Mariah Carey is also effective as she is using direct address by looking at us to engage with the audience. Although the main focal image is appealing to men, feminist wouldn’t share the same opinion as they would think the image is too revealing and is representing women in a negative manner. The magazine also is a summer addition as it was issued in June and has an image of a beach in the background.

The front cover of this magazine has a lot of sell lines. The sell lines include a fashion section; this is very appealing for the younger generation as they are mostly the ones that are known to be fashion conscious. On the right side of the front cover the sell lines include a couples section for example Jay-Z & Beyonce do the ‘I do’ and Are Chris Brown and Rihanna next? These sell lines are valuable as the younger audience like to know gossip on celebrities. The right side also includes sell lines of music artist which more or less produces the same genre of music.

This specific front cover uses bright vibrant colours which correspond with the background image of a beach. The layout also only has a few colours: yellow, orange, red and white, although only 4 types of colours are used the text is clear and standout in front of the background image. The typography in this front cover varies as the main focal images name ‘Mariah Carey’ is in a much stronger and bolder typeface which is easy to spot. The numbers are clearly in a different type of typeface which Vibe magazine editors tend to apply in most of their magazines.

The front cover also subverts typical conventions of magazine front covers as the masthead is placed behind the focal image and has a conventional layout with a limited amount of colours. Another way in which it adheres to typical conventions is through the use of barcode and website.

Textual Analysis Of Image

This is another cover from XXL. XXL magazine is an urban lifestyle magazine which specialises in the Hip-hop and R&B culture. From the front cover of this magazine you can see that the target audience ranges from the ages of 16 to 35. There are very few sell lines included in this specific magazine cover this could of been triggered by the limited amount of space on the page. The sell lines include famous artist of the Hip-hop culture and also tell us about exclusive interviews (unique selling point)featured in the magazine, this is very effective as it makes the audience want to buy the magazine for inside information on celebrities. The layout of this magazine is pretty much the same as all of the other magazine made by XXL as they all employ typical conventions of magazine front covers, for example the masthead is placed behind the main focal image so that the image is visible but is less visible in comparison to the main focal image which is the main attraction.

This magazine includes a main focal image of Hip-hop icons Lil Wayne and Birdman(Baby). Birdman is 1/2 founders of Cash Money records, Lil Wayne is a also a part of Birdman's label as he was signed at a very young age. The reason why Birdman has his arm around Lil Wayne is due Birdman being a father figure which Lil Wayne never had. The editor's have deliberately used an image of a poor neighborhood/ghetto as a background image to show us that the rappers went from rags to riches. This image is very effective as the majority of rappers wear baseball caps and have a collection of diamond jewelry. Jewelry usually represents success, wealth and trend both rappers in this image are wear similar items as these add to stereotypes of rappers. From this magazine cover we can also see that the both rappers are covered in tattoo's these also add to the stereotypes of rappers as most of the tattoo's have no meaning, tattoo's also have to connotation of strength and power and is usually use to enhance the appearance of rappers.

The designer has been specifically chosen to link with the background image of a broken/damaged house

production log

Today I got my results back from the questionaires i gave out. The questionnaires were all complete with my target audiences views.

Production log

Today I produced my questionnaire and gave it out to people between the ages of 16 and 18. This questionnaire is part of my audience research. The results that come back will decide how my magazine would look like and what it will include.

Production log

I change the name of my magazine to 'SO- ICEY' as it has conotations of diamond jewellery. The reason why i change the name of magazine from STREET ENT to SO- ICEY s because So -Icey sound allot more catchy and will stick in peoples heads where as Street Ent is suggest that the magazine talks about the streets.

Production log

Today I made a sketch/plan of how I want my mgasine to look like. I also included the name of my magazine 'STREET ENT'. I made a sketch so that it would be easier for me to make the actual magazine. The sketch includes were i want the main image to be, barcode, masthead, barcode, and sell lines structure.

Textual Analysis Of Image

XXL magazine is an urban lifestyle magazine which specialises in the Hip-hop and R&B culture. From the front cover of this magazine you can see that the target audience ranges from the ages of 16 to 35 as they are most likely to take pleasure in this genre of music.From this specific article there are very few sell lines however we still get an understanding of who and what the magazine is about. The front cover is also very effective as it includes an image of a hip-hop icon which goes by the name of Lil Wayne. The phrase “I am hip-hop” on Lil Wayne's t-shirt also symbolizes the influences of the hip-hop culture. The layout of the front cover is reasonably straight forward therefore it's easy to understand and allows the target audience to get a vibe of what's featured in this magazine. The magazine front cover is very effectual as the colours are very bold and standout and the typography are limited to only two different fonts.
The main image is a wide shot of Lil Wayne. The connotation of this image is that he is very successful and wealthy. This is showed through the mise-en-scene of his diamond ring. The baseball cap and the tattoo's are also important as it takes its part in the whole hip-hop and R&B culture also portraying the hip-hop look and swagger. The front cover also subverts typical conventions of magazine front covers as influential wording is featured on the t-shirt of the music artist. Another way in which the front cover subverts typical convention is through the use of the masthead as this is placed behind the main image/focal point the magazine also includes a slogan "HIP-HOP ON A HIGHER LEVEL" suggesting that this is the perfect magazine for supporters of hip-hop. The use of alliteration in the slogan is verry effective as it is easier for the audience to understand in a instance.
Harris publications is the publisher of XXL magazine aswell as the publisher of Scratch Magazine. Both magazines are hip-hop based.