15 - Double Page Spread House Styles

These images and texts are all used to create convention/house style. On two of the magazines, the main images are on one side of the page, this creates an effect for the reader to onto the image on one page and the text on the other. On the other  magazine, the main image covers one and a half pages, this does not create a very good effect, as it is quite messy and also makes the reader focus more onto the main image than equally the text and image. Therefore, two of the double page spreads are effective, as they both set out to be attractive towards the reader, so that they are more likely to read the magazine. But one of the double page spreads are not effective, as it isn't as attractive towards the reader, because the image and text is not equal, therefore the reader may be less likely to read the magazine.

14 - Contents Page House Styles

These images and texts are all used to create convention/house style. Each of the main images are all in the center of the page, this creates an effect for the reader to focus onto the main image. The text is all on one side of the page too, this makes the page look tidy and is also easy to read. Therefore, each of the pages are effective, as they are all set out to be attractive towards the reader, so that they are more likely to read the magazine.

13 - Colour Scheme Ideas, Name Ideas and Feature Story Ideas

Colour Scheme Ideas

Name Ideas

• The Drop
•  Hip-Hop Latest
• Fresh Rappers
• Drop The Beat
• Holla
• Swag Mag
• Drop Mag
• Burst
• Explosion
• Blast
• Unplugged
• Beats

Feature Stories

• Eminem's Life Story
• Tupac-Dead or Alive?
• Lil Wayne-Starting Young
• Dr Dre-Beats 
• 50 Cent-Taking the Bullets
• 10 Richest Rappers

12 - Mise-En-Scene Location and Prop Ideas

Mise-en-scene - Location and Prop Ideas

Location Ideas

I feel that these ideas of locations would appeal to my audience. This is because they all represent rap. The music studios represent rap music, as this is where the rap artists record their music. The abandoned houses represent the dangerous lifestyle, as rappers usually rap about their past. The prisons also represent the rappers past, as most of them would have served time in prison, because of their past. The skate parks represent a casual scene, as it is covered in graffiti. Most rappers don't skateboard, but may hang around the parks. 

Prop Ideas

I feel that these ideas of props would appeal to my audience. This is because they all represent rap. The clothing represents how rappers dress. The weapons represent what they may use and carry to protect themselves. The jewelry represents how they wear it, this makes them look more wealthier the more they have. The sports balls represents the sports rappers may play. The musical instruments represents what the rapper use to make their music. The cars represent what the rappers have. All these props represents what rappers and also people who listen to rap may use in their everyday lives.

11 - Costume Designs

Costume Design

I have chosen this outfit as it is quite sporty. Every piece of clothing is from the same company; Nike, and also all black. This would appeal to my target audience as the genre of rap is seen as quite casual and laid-back and definitely not smart.

I have chosen this outfit as it is quite casual, and doesn't look like any effort has been made. Every piece of clothing is not from the same company, and are quite cheap, apart from the trainers; Nike, the outfit is black, grey and white. This would appeal to my target audience as the genre of rap is seen as quite casual and laid-back and definitely not smart.

I have chosen this outfit as it is very casual and also the hoodie has the name of a rapper on. Every piece of clothing is not from the same company, and are quite cheap, apart from the hoodie, as it is Eminem merchandise. This would appeal to my target audience as most rap fans would be wearing merchandise of their favorite rapper.

I have chosen a selection of hoodies in different colours, as they are all very casual. Each hoodie is quite cheap, this would appeal to my target audience as most rap fans would not be earning much money as they are of a lower class, so therefore cheaper clothing would definitely appeal to my target audience.

I have chosen a selection of earrings and chains, which are all in the same colour, gold with diamonds. This jewelry looks quite formal, and obviously shows that whoever's wearing it has a lot of money. The earrings and chains would not be cheap at all, therefore this would appeal to my target audience as very expensive jewelry creates a big statement and also a massive impact on the media, especially if a famous rapper is covered in expensive jewelry. So therefore gold earrings and chains would definitely appeal to my target audience.

I have chosen a selection of male and female tattoos, they're all different colours and different designs. The tattoos look very informal, which fit in a lot with the rap industry. It also shows that the person is very creative. Therefore, this would appeal to my target audience, as most of the rap fans will relate to tattooed rappers, and also it is very common for most adults to now have tattoos. . So therefore, tattoos would definitely appeal to my target audience.

I have chosen a selection of trainers, they're all different colours and brands. The trainers look very informal, which fit in a lot with the rap industry. Therefore, this would appeal to my target audience, as most of the rap fans will be wearing these brands of trainers, so  the rappers would have something in common. So therefore, trainers would definitely appeal to my target audience.

I have chosen a selection of locations, they're all different colours and designs. The locations look very urban and derelict, which fit in a lot with the rap industry. Therefore, this would appeal to my target audience, as most of the rap fans will be from quite derelict areas, usually quite industrial areas. So, the fans would have have something in common with their favourite rappers. So therefore, these locations would definitely appeal to my target audience. 

I have chosen a wide variety of hairstyles, they're all completely different colours and styles. The hairstyles look very urban and also stand out, which fits in a lot with the rap industry. Each hairstyle is unique. Therefore, this would appeal to my target audience, as most of the rap fans will be from quite unique themselves in the way they look and dress. So, the fans would have have something in common with their favourite rappers. So therefore, these hairstyles would definitely appeal to my target audience. 

I have chosen a wide variety of poses, they're all different with the type of pose and also whereabouts the lighting is placed too. The poses all look very urban and also immensely stand out, because of the lighting. Each pose is unique, therefore this would appeal to my target audience, as the lighting with these unique poses will catch the reader's eye, and will make the reader want to read more and more. So therefore, these poses would definitely appeal to my target audience. 

10 - Social Class and Demographic of my Product

I will aim my magazine at the D/E grade social class, for casual/lowest grade workers. The genre of music will be rap. My magazine will be priced at £2.50 and will be issued every 2 weeks, therefore this will be affordable for my audience. It will be placed in most supermarkets and corner shops, as that is where my reader audience would mostly shop from. My magazine would have around 180 pages and also wouldn't be made from the best paper. It will also be stapled together. The free gift from my magazine will be a free CD from a well known rap artist. The social class table will help me with my feature stories and target audience, as it tells me what my kind of audience will be, therefore i will then know what they would be interested in reading.

9 - Style/Iconography of my Product

My magazine will take a similar style of these magazines.

These fonts would all suit my magazine, as my magazine will be about rap.

I like the style of these images, as they're all to do with rap, some are rap fonts, some are rappers, some is suitable clothing for the music genre and some is the instruments used.

These are albums of existing artists. There are albums of Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Snopp Dogg, 2Pac and Dr Dre.

These are all imagery that i find interesting. They're all locations which would fit into my magazine front cover very well.

These are all posters from existing artists of rap. There are posters of Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Snopp Dogg, 2Pac and Dr Dre.

8 - Reader Profile

For my reader profile, i have chosen the colour scheme to be black and green. Black is associated with  power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery, which is how rap music is conveyed. Green is associated with growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment. which is the complete opposite of how rap music is conveyed. I have shown photos with related to rap, 3 of the biggest rappers; Dr Dre, Lil Wayne and Eminem. There is also alcohol and drugs, which is a common stereotype of what rap listeners use. A shot of one of the most famous rap films which Eminem has also starred in is in there, and also a microphone and a mixing desk, which link in with rappers and rap music. All of the contact information for the magazine is also on the reader profile, and also all of the information about the readers.

7 - Reader Profile Research

Existing Reader Profile

What is a reader profile?
A reader profile is a reflection of who you are as a reader. It is important to consider this in order to recognize your reading strengths and weaknesses, with this knowledge you can work on bettering your reading abilities.

Why is it important to have a reader profile?

A reader profile shows everything about the reader of the magazine. It's important to find out everything about the reader, so you know what kind of people read the magazine. With the knowledge of finding out who reads your magazine, you can work on bettering it to the reader's preferences. By considering the different types of readers, you can also consider the genres and types you are missing out on.

What does it tell you about your audience?

A reader profile tells you what kind of audience you have. What the average age group is, the average gender, the average profession and the average income. They also tell you the reader's interests, and also their dress sense.

How does it allow you to make choices in terms of content and advertising?

A reader profile tells you the reader's best interests, therefore it tells us what type of things their into and then put that interest as an advert. For example, they could love listening to rock music, but their best interest may be cars, therefore there would be car adverts put into the magazine.

How do they allow you to decide on a price point?

The average income of the reader shows what profession they have or how much they earn either weekly, monthly or yearly. Therefore, depending on how much the vast majority of the readers earn, depends of how much the magazine will cost.

How will looking at existing reader profiles help you when creating your product?

Because having examples of reader profiles would help with what i need to add for my reader profile. Also, having a variety of different reader profiles would make me compare each reader profile with the other, to see what i would need in mine, and also what would be correct and incorrect to put in it.

6 - Genre Research

5 - Summary of Conventions

Front Cover Key Words

• Strap line
• Masthead
• Feature stories
• Bar code
• Main image
• Main feature story
• Selling line
• Date line
• Headline
• Plug
• Banner

Contents Page Key Words

• Title
• Subheadings
• Main image
• Sub images
• Subscription
• Page numbers
• Colour scheme
• Page heading
• Issue release date
• Feature story quote
• Feature story page number

Double Page Spread Key Words

• Masthead
• Main image
• Columned text 
• Headline
• Sub images
• Feature story quote
• Drop capital
• Page number
• Magazine logo
• Issue date
• Strap line 

4 - Conventions Analysis Double Page Spread

Language-Simple, small text, bright letter in the heading, to make it stand out more

Institution-Double page spread of a music magazine

Ideology-Sporty, lazy, laid back

Audience-Rap fans

Representation-Entices the audience with the main image on the dark background, makes the main image stand out more, so it gives more effect towards the reader

3 - Conventions Analysis Contents Page

Language-Simple, small, bright subheadings which makes them stand out more than the rest of the text

Institution-Contents page of a music magazine

Ideology-Smart, evil, dangerous, dark

Audience-Rap fans

Representation-Entices the audience with dark colours and also with the main image looking direcftly into the reader's eyes

2 - Conventions Analysis Front Cover

Language-Simple, bright, bold, stands out

Institution-Front cover of a music magazine

Ideology-Music, rap, trouble, evil, danger

Audience-Rap fans

Representation-Entices the audience with bright colours and also with the main image

1 - Foundation Portfolio Brief

Main Brief

To design a front cover, content and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text used must be original, a minimum of four images must be used.