Flat plans for contents page

For my final magazine cover I have chosen my flat plan number 5 to appear on the final publication. The reason being is because the majority of my target audience feel that it is the most successful one which follows the common codes and conventions of a typical Hip Hop genre magazine. Furthermore, as I have previously analysed the contents page of Vibe, one of the leading magazine sellers within the Hip Hop industry, it also follows a house style similar to that of my magazine therefore I have selected flat plan number 5 as the most representative of a Hip Hop magazine and to appear in my final magazine publication.

Flat plans for front cover

Double page spread flat plans

Colours

Moodboards

Moodboards are used commonly within the media industry to connote different moods and emotions in relation to the company`s latest product. For example, my mood boards presented are all based on a Hip- Hop genre and I have done this successfully by including things which are associated within the culture. I believe that the red mood board best connotes what is commonly associated with the hip hop culture and industry today. I believe this because red connotes blood, love, violence, sex and passion; which are common themes thoughout the hip hop industry which get publisized alot to consumers today. For example blood and violence can be linked to the amount of hip hop artists in gangs who come into conflict today and are identified by the colour of bandana's worn by each member of the gang.

Typeface and fonts - 2

Typeface and fonts analysis- 1

Evaluation of my chosen genre ( Hip- Hop)

I have chosen to evaluate a hip- hop magazine ( Vibe) because it matches my AS Media final magazine project. The common codes and conventions which are used by Vibe magazine will also be identified in my magazine as this would be ideal to fit in with the genre. Furthermore, the images which I select to use in my final magazine will include a mid-shot of an iconic figure and he will be represented through stereotypes of a typical male such as:

- Strong: This will be shown through the " money rules society" pose by having the male dressed lavishly and looking carefree. 

- Getting all the girls: This will be identified by having the male surrounded by females who are commonly used by hip-hop magazines to show that males have the control over women. The iconic figure will be touched by the female, which shows his high status over women and that all the women love men with money and power. Furthermore, many theories within media suggest that females are used for sexual purposes and seen as sexual objects to men, this will also be highlighted within the magazine. 

If I manage to successfully follow all of the common codes and conventions of a hip-hop magazine which I have identified through my analysis,  I believe this will gain my magazine a positive final grade.

Hip Hop genre contents page analysis 2

Hip Hop genre contents page analysis 1

Magazine analysis

Double page spread analysis of a Hip Hop magazine- 2

Double page spread analysis of a Hip Hop magazine -1

Stereotypes, Archytypes, and Counter-types

In magazine covers a common convention is stereotypes. A stereotype is a common judgement with some element of truth in them, brought up through society. For example, many people today associate someone wearing a hoodie as a thug or a trouble maker. This may not be the case however due the recent disturbances occuring in soceiety with people wearing hoodies, this could be true. An Archytype is a more developed version of a stereotype. For example, if a man was to be represented as strong, an archytype version on a front cover of a magazine cover would be a male with possibly a gang and with weapons. Lastly, a countertype is another convention used on magazines to go against a typical stereotype. An example of this would be a female magazine trying to show its target audience that not all females are weak and this may be represented through the woman having weapons alongside her. Furthermore, the woman may be driving a " male" car like a Ferarri.

Magazine Radial analysis of Vibe magazine cover

Preliminary Task

1.       Describe the preliminary task and what you hope to achieve/learn

Our preliminary task is to design a newsletter which will be distributed to a school of our choice.  My newsletter will be distributed among the target audience of my choice who are; year 9-13.  I will hope to improve my photography skills by using the Photoshop software to minipulize my work.

2.       What are the requirements and how will you use them? The requirements are to include atleast a mid- shot of a student and to include a topic which relates to school life.

3.       Discuss your ideas so far and your thoughts on the project.

My ideas for this project are to make my topic about the school going bankrupt and bust.  I will do this successfully by including shots  of a deserted classroom with a student looking upset.

4.       Discuss who your specific target audience is going to be and why you have made this choice.

My target audience for my preliminary task are the students from year 9 – 11. I will aim to target both sexes and intend to draw them in with a wide variety of colours, fonts, pictures etc.

5.       Describe the overall idea for your school magazine and what hope the style will be e.g. funky, trendy, slick. 

My overall idea for my magazine will be funky and slick to appeal to my younger variety of my target audience, however I will also include a more mature type of theme to suit the older ages of my target audience. The different font sizes will  also draw the different age groups in.

6.       What is the purpose of your publication? To inform to entertain?

My  purpose for my magazine is to inform my target audience on the school going bankrupt and how they could help.  Therefore my magazine will be a one off issue.

7.       How do you hope to attract your audience?  Why would students want to read it?

I will attract my audience through the codes and conventions used on a typical magazine such as bright  and bold fonts, large masthead, freebies, buttons etc.

8.       What elements will you experiment with in order to reach your full creative potential?

Photoshop

AS mock work