Friday, 16 January 2015
Thursday, 15 January 2015
question 7
Question 7:
During the
process of making my magazine I have learnt many things. When we first began
our journey we were asked to create a college magazine. When we began the
construction of our college magazine my skills were very limited, I had just
about worked out how to use certain tools in both Photoshop and InDesign. We
were also very new to some of the terminologies such as anchorage, denotations,
connotations, drop caps etc. My college magazine did not have a dps, just a
front cover and contents page. Nearly all of the pictures used in the college
magazine were taken on my smart phone and the rest were taken off google (like
the college logo). The front cover of the college magazine was created on
Photoshop and had a good amount of information to draw the audience’s attention (anchorage) however it lacked in creativity as now when I
look back at it, it feels as though much of the information was all over the
place. The colour scheme too wasn't very suitable because it was very plain.
The contents page was one single page, mostly black and white and has a lot of
white space and the images used lacked in a creative flare and professionalism.
There was no use of drop caps however there was use of denotations: my main
feature was Taylor Mae who claimed a certain event began her life all over
again, and this goes well with the front cover which is of her smiling.
Comparing my
college magazine to my actual magazine there was massive improvement. It is
evident how much my skills in both Photoshop and InDesign developed, for
example before on Photoshop I could only insert and edit pictures but when I
created my magazine I was using the stroke tools, blur tool, text tool etc. I
was also using the terminologies when creating my magazines, for example in my
dps I used drop caps at the start of my article to indicate where the actual
interview began. I also used denotations and this is through my image to
portray a message of strength and courage however the images also allow the
reader/audience to make assumptions about it so the images do not place any
limitations. I have also used connotations through the use of the colour
scheme: black, white and red all colours which fit best the Hip Hop genre as
well as the images. The black shows the "darker side of Hip Hop", the
red represents "courage and strength" and the white shows how
"free" the Hip Hop genre is, it places no limitations. I used a lot
more pull quotes on my front cover, contents page and dps and I hadn't done
this in my college magazine. I believe I put far more work in my music
magazine, the time I spent just editing random pictures on Photoshop in my own
time helped a lot and this can be seen through the feedback I received as well
as what can be seen from the end product. For my college magazine, the feedback
I got from my peers was overall positive: “I really like the whole concept of the contents page. I think the colour
scheme and the images really suit your genre (hip hop) very well. I really like
how the social network logos are quiet big showing that your magazine is very
social in the media. I really like how the main image is in the centre and
directly looking towards the audience and obvious where to find the
article/DPS.” However they suggested I should
improve my work by: “Few things I would improve is to add
page 1 on the bottom left side of the contents page, maybe add a website
somewhere in the contents page and to also make the @BeatBox relate/similar to
the other fonts”. I did take these changes into
consideration and implemented them into my magazine. As suggested I made
BeatBox similar to the other fonts and changed my page numbers. The audience
feedback allowed me to see what worked and what didn’t and having the feedback made me improve my magazine to a great extent.
For example, my page numbers on the contents page were very closely linked,
however my magazine is a monthly so it was very much starting to look like a
weekly. Having had the feedback allowed me to realize that I needed to change
this, and due to the audience feedback I thought this through and put this
change and others like this in place.
question 6
Question 6:
During the
process of constructing my magazine I used many technologies. The technologies
I used in the process are: Photoshop, InDesign, Blogger, Illustrator, Time Toast
and a photography studio. Also I used power point for when I was pitching my
magazine. When I created my college magazine it wasn't up to the professional
standard, I only used Photoshop, InDesign and blogger and the rest we had to
used basic technologies we had access to like our smart phone cameras. It is
then when I realized that a lot more technologies had to be used to make my
media product as professional as possible. Below are a list of the technologies
I used and why: Photoshop: I used Photoshop because it is the best for image
manipulation and has specific tools that are needed when editing a picture.
Tools such as spot healing, brightness and contrast, text and color. In
addition to this, Photoshop is an industry standard software which means creators
of magazines like XXL use it to create the cover of their magazine and to edit
pictures which go within the magazine.
InDesign: InDesign like Photoshop is another industry
standard software. It's is also professional for page layout because like Photoshop
it has specific tools needed to create a contents page or dps, tools like
grids, rulers and text boxes. If I was to use any other technology to create my
contents page or dps it wouldn't look as professional as InDesign makes my work
look so InDesign is a key software.
Blogger: When we began our AS media course we were told
examiners like to see our "journey" throughout the course so we
needed a software which would allow us to post our progress on a daily basis.
Blogger allows us to track our process as well as "track our journey" (as said before). Blogger is
also a new media technology which is also appropriate because it is an online
platform for audience feedback which means it is interactive and allows you to
interact with other technologies.
Illustrator: Illustrator allows you to create unique fonts
which means it’s a software which allows your
magazine to have more of an authentic look.
Time Toast: Time
toast is an online platform which allows you to track your work. You are able
to plan events and can also add events as you go along so it helps you stay organized
and lists for you what needs to be done etc.
Photography studio: The photography studio allows you to get a
selection of professional pictures and also allows you to produce work that is
of industry standard. The studio also allows you to be creative with your work
as you can use equipment like reflectors to create different tones. The
photography studio allows you to take pictures most suitable to your magazines
and also allows your magazine to be more professional as this is one key step
in creating a magazine.
Power Point: As mentioned we had to present a magazine
proposal to our peers and could use any platform to present it on. I decided to
do mine on power point because it is easy and allows you to present a large
amount of information. For me it was more about focusing on getting my ideas
across to my peers than doing a "fancy" presentation. I also believe
trying to make your presentation look a certain way is very time consuming.
DSLR Camera: This is an industry standard camera allowing a
person using it to gather a collection of professional images and gives you
magazine a more professional look.
The technologies
I have listed above are the ones which I used when creating my magazine as I
wanted to use software which is of industry standard to insure my magazine is
as professional as possible.
question 5
Question 5:
Taking into consideration the amount of successful Hip Hop
magazines there are currently on the market I had to do more than just create a
new look for the magazine this is when I came up with the idea of "The
Box" and "The Box Challenge". "The Box" is a section
of the magazine in which a reader is chosen at random (this is done via a
unique and special selection code found within the magazine. If the reader’s
code matches the winning code they are to get in contact with the magazine to
take part). The reader is given the opportunity to test out and keep any
product being advertised in the magazine and write a short review about it.
They get to directly work with the BeatBox team. "The Box Challenge"
is a section of the magazine in which an artist chosen by the readers takes
part in the "fill it in challenge". This allows readers to be
involved in the creation of an issue as they are picking specifically who they
want to be in the magazine. This also helps the readers know a lot more about
their favourite artists. As well as having sections of the magazine dedicated
to the audience I also used other techniques to attract the audience. For
example I used both male and female models to attract both genders making it
accessible and diverse and not heavily dominated by one group. Other techniques
like language that the audience would be able to understand and connect to more
as this is how they would communicate with those around them on a daily basis.
Also the structure of the interview, I kept simple. Started the interview off
with question that may have been on the readers mind and finished it off with advice
and help so they can reconnect to the artist. Fonts and colour scheme too were
kept simple, what I wanted to portray I did through mainly the images because
in my opinion this is the best way to get a message through, have a strong
image and keep everything else simple so it's not too much to take in. I also
addressed the audience through the actual models in the magazine and what they
wore. If the audience see in the magazine that these people are like them (in
the way they dress, speak etc.) it would have easy for them to connect and see
these people as inspiration. I also mentioned in my magazine social media sites
and a website on which they can find many things like more news, competitions
or a copy of the magazine. Placing no limitations on accessibility of the
magazine and giving them access to more than just what was in the issue of the
magazine by putting it on multiple platforms.
question 4
|
Male
|
Female
|
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Ethnicity
& background:
The
magazine targets a wide range of audiences. The magazine is made to fit
people from all cultures but one thing they have in common is their love for
Hip Hop which links them all as one. Though the magazine would be popular
among the Afro/Caribbean it is intended for all who as mentioned have love
for the genre. These people would typically be from the working and middle
class background as these are the type of people who would be heavily
involved with the Hip Hop culture. This could be due to many reasons and one
of which could be due to them seeing Hip Hop artists as idols or inspiration.
|
Ethnicity
& background:
The
magazine targets a wide range of audiences. The magazine is made to fit
people from all cultures but one thing they have in common is their love for
Hip Hop which links them all as one. Though the magazine would be popular
among the Afro/Caribbean it is intended for all who as mentioned have love
for the genre. These people would typically be from the working and middle
class background as these are the type of people who would be heavily
involved with the Hip Hop culture. This could be due to many reasons and one
of which could be due to them seeing Hip Hop artists as idols or inspiration.
|
|
Age:
The
age of the readers range from 18-50 years old. With a median age of 27 and an
average age of 29.
|
Age:
The
age of the readers range from 18-50 years old. With a median age of 27 and an
average age of 29.
|
|
Career:
The
career of the readers could be from many different areas. Hip hop isn't a
genre which is fixed for one group of people, it is a genre that anyone could
listen to. The careers of these people could be anything from a bus driver,
banker sales person or a professional sportsmen.
Personal interests:
- Gadgets
(phones or game consoles)
- Apps
- Clothes
- Cars
- Shoes
|
Career:
Though
Hip Hop is a genre which can be heard by all it is very male dominated and
the world of Hip Hop to some extent is patriarchal, to find a female Hip Hop
artist doing as well as male Hip Hop Artists is very rare. However for those
female readers who take interest regardless of this could be from many
different fields such as beauticians, sportswomen, teachers or even a regular
sales women. Hip Hop is a genre without limitations.
Personal interests:
- Apps
- Clothes
- Shoes
- Jewellery
|
question 3
Question 3:
The media institution I believe would distribute my media product
is Dennis publishing. They are known to publish magazines which are based on
publishing magazines on cars, technology, current affairs and lifestyle. They
have not yet published a music magazine which is why I believe they would be
best to publish BeatBox. Dennis publishing is one media institution which is
very good in the field of modern technology and social media sites, they
promote their products heavily using social media sites which would mean that
they would promote BeatBox to a great extent. This would promote sales and give
the magazine the right amount of publicity. It also means that the magazine
would be available on many different platforms and not just in stores, there
would be a copy of it on apps, the Publication website, the magazine’s
websites and other platforms making it is easy to access. BeatBox would be sold
in stores such as WHSmith, Waterstones or just a Corner shop (BeatBox will not be using a sale or return policy) meaning it would
be easily accessible. The version of the magazine on the app and on social
media platforms will allow readers to respond to the article, once again
involving the readers as well as helping the creators of BeatBox work out
exactly what the audience like and dislike in the magazine. This would help in
the process of improving the magazine and would mean that every issue of the
magazine will be different and fit according to what the audience want to see
meaning they are getting what they believe is money’s
worth. To my knowledge, I have not come across magazines that do this which
means BeatBox for sure will be bringing in a revolutionary change to
relationship of the audience and the creators of the magazine. BeatBox would be
a revolutionary product because BeatBox isn't just a music magazine, it's a
product which directly involved its readers (as mentioned), this would mean a
lot of people would take interest in the magazine itself, raising sales which
would lead to success for the publication and the magazine itself.
question 2
Question 2:
My magazine is created for
a wide range of ages who all have one thing is common: Love for Hip Hop. Before
creating my magazine I had to do a lot of background research on the type of
people and ages read these magazines and found that Hip Hop magazines are aimed
at 2 social groups in particular: Those from a working class back ground. This
is because those from a working class background are heavily involved with Hip
Hop and it could be due to many reasons, one of which could be because they can
relate to the artists as I found that most hip hop artist came from a working
class background and worked to earn their fame so instantly those from a
working class background begin to idolise and "copy" these artists. I
start to look at magazines like XXL more in detail to see how they represent their
audience and I found that they did this mostly through:
XXL
Language: XXL throughout the magazine uses a mix of standard
English but mixes it with colloquial language as the audience can relate and
understand this more because that is the way they communicate on a daily basis
with others.
Models: XXL have use strong male and female characters in their
magazine especially those artist who are doing well in the industry currently
as this is more up to date and helps the reader keep on track with the current
Hip Hop world.
Clothing: XXL dressed both the male and female models almost
oppositely. While the male models wear a lot of the types of clothing the male
readers would wear (high tops, snap backs, baggy jeans) they have shown the
female models to be very feminine; Wearing dresses and high heels a more sort
of classic look
Posing: Again like the clothing of the models the posing too
differs majorly. While the male models pose to show a more rough and tough
nature the female models pose to show a more feminine and to some extent a
sexual nature.
Price: XXL have made their magazine £3 - £4
as this is what a person who is from the working class is most likely I pay for
a monthly magazine
When creating my magazine I had to in a way replicate what XXL
have done as it is one of the bestselling music magazines on the market and
explores the elements of Hip Hop so well in its actual magazine. So I decided
to use it as inspiration and decided to follow its "steps" to
represent my audience.
BeatBox
Language: I kept the language of my magazine standard yet
colloquial too as this would help the reader understand it more as this is the
way they speak on a daily basis.
Models: The models I have used for my magazine are those who are
currently doing well in the industry. I found that XXL was very male based so I
switched it around and made the main model a female which I believe makes my
magazine more authentic as I believe the world of hip hop is very patriarchal.
This would also help sales because men would see the female model and would
want to know more about her, see how they can relate and the female readers
would instantly idolise her and would want to find out ways in which they can
be like her.
Clothing: When taking pictures of my model I thought I would be
best if there wouldn't be such a big gap between how men dress and how women
dress. I wanted to bring more of an equal and balanced approach to this so, I
dressed my male model and female models alike. With a few adjustments but more
or less the same edgy look bringing out what I wanted to explore: "the
dark side of hip hop"
Posing: Like wise to the clothing I wanted this area to be alike
too so when taking pictures of my female model I told her to do a lot of the
things I instructed the male model to do. With a few minor changes to create a
little difference.
Price: I want my magazine to be accessible to all, it is a new
magazine so giving it a price of £3.99+
would not have been suitable. Plus I had to keep in mind how much those from a
working class would pay for a magazine.
question 1
Question 1:
My media product is a music magazine. The genre of music I
decided to focus my magazine on is Hip Hop. During my research process I found
that a lot of Hip Hop magazines like to use bright, eye catching colours
through out there magazines and have a very consistent colour scheme. One
magazine though which was very different from the rest of the music magazines I
looked at was XXL which is one of the bestselling Hip Hop magazine. I was
instantly inspired by this sort of darker and more mysterious side the magazine
has. This is heavily shown by the use of black and white images throughout the
magazine along with a consistent colour scheme, simple yet different sized
fonts and very short cover lines which give away just enough to make you want
to pick the magazine up and read it instantly. As mentioned I was inspired by
this, so I replicated some part and from my point of view made them better to
fit and attract everyone whom BeatBox is targeted at and I did this through:
Images: XXL used a lot
of images in a black and white form through out there magazine, though I
thought this was good I wanted to change it up a little bit as I thought having
images in black and white would to some extent make the reader lose done
interest as seeing the same type of content over and over again would make them
uninterested. Like XXL I made sure that the image I used on my front cover was
in black and white. I also made sure the model, like those used in XXL, was
giving some sort of a message through their facial expression, you could say I
kept the whole edgy front cover look but when it came to the rest of my
magazine I switched it up. Used a range of images which were in colour. Making
sure the models give a message through the image as well as welcome the reader
to their section of the magazine to make the reader feel more connected with
the magazine. The whole idea behind BeatBox is that it is heavily based on its
readers, giving them exactly what they want and involving them.
Colour scheme: XXL
uses a 3 colour scheme which is of red, black and white. I wanted to keep this
element of the magazine so like XXL throughout my magazine I used the colour
scheme of red, black and white and kept the consistency as well as a
"traditional" Hip Hop magazine look.
Cover lines: Like the colour
scheme I wanted to replicate this too. XXL does this really well, they make
their cover lines short but very informative which makes the reader want to
instantly pick up the magazine. I wanted to create the same affect so I too
kept my cover lines short but informative giving enough information to engage
the reader but not so much that the story is fully told.
Layout: Though XXL
uses simple language, they use a very complex/interesting layout. The creators
of the article always have a different layout every time and their layouts in
some way tend to represent the artist or model in the same way they have been
on the front cover. They keep the message they are trying to portray very
consistent through different means/elements. For example by using columns that
are the same size but including within them text that are of different sizes
adds a more creative flare to the magazine. Though I replicated some of these
elements such as the same size columns but different size fonts throughout, I
added my own ‘flare’ to it. XXL tends to place their pull
quotes at the centre of the article, however I began my article with a quote
from the artist and added the pull quote directly under the artist’s
name and I have finished my article with a quote, something XXL doesn’t
do, this is because I want BeatBox to very consistent and in some ways
different from other Hip Hop magazine. This also keeps the neat and orderly
making it easier for the audience to read.
Thursday, 8 January 2015
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