Rap fantastic contents page analysis

The colour scheme of this magazine is almost all white. In doing this it immediately draws your attention to the artist, as the image and the writing are the only thing on the page to be in black and not white. This is a different approach to most hip hop/grime magazines as they usual use dull colours such as black, grey, brown etc. IN doing this it follows a similar approach to the Kendrick Lamar contents page, as it will stand out amongst other magazines of the same genre.

This has again followed the same pattern as all my previous analysis contents pages, as it features a large main image which takes up the majority of the page and also acts as a background for the writing, making it stand out more. Showing the importance of the artist on the cover. In doing this it makes the information on the page seems insignificant, however unlike most rap magazine contents pages it has used its colour scheme to account for this as it makes the writing stand out using a white background and bold black writing.
They have also chosen to dress the artist in all white clothing to blend in with the white background, using the exact shade of white to match.  In doing this they are emphasising the status of the artist. Using props such as gold chains is done to emphasise the importance of the rapper and state that he is a big celebrity. Also using sun glasses is done to hide emotion from the readers, making him seems hard and emotionless. They have done this to fit to the theme of the hip hop culture.   

To portray the artist on the page they have chosen to use a close- mid-shot. This allows for a false sense that the artist is bigger and more superior than the readers. They have also used a low angle again making the artist seems more powerful and have the target audience look up to him, as if his is someone to inspire to be, therefore making them want to read more about him.

source contents page analysis

 This contents page is by source and features Kendrick Lamar as the main attraction. The colour scheme used in association with the image is predominantly white and blue with bits of black and gold. This differs from usual hip hop magazines as they usual go for dull colours such as black and grey. In doing this it stands out from regular contents pages for hip hop. This is done to make it stand out from other magazines.

The image of Kendrick Lamar is captioned by a page number written in big bold writing so the audience can identify and find him within the magazine, therefore it is useful for navigation.

Direct address is shown as he is looking at the camera which makes a connection within the audience. The image dominates and fills the page, whilst acting as a background for the writing and title. Choosing a large image that automatically dominates the page, shows the importance of the artist. Giving the impression that we are to look up to him. This is done to act as a role model, making the readers think that if they buy the magazine they will become more like their favourite artist.

To portray Kendrick they used a medium long shot. This is used to show us the clothing Kendrick Lamar is wearing.  He is shown to be laid back in the way he poses. The baggy sweat top and blue jeans portray this artist dresses quite casual therefore it is conventional. This is done to reach out to the target audience, as they will be able to relate to what he wears. However they also chose to use a crown as prop. This has created a sense of power. Stating without stating that he is above the readers and other rappers. 

XXl contents page - the A-side analysis

The colour scheme used in this contents page, uses all black and white. This fits with the colour scheme of the cover page and also carries the theme for the magazine.In doing this they are creating a retro style to the magazine, following the trend of Hip Hop magazines making their magazines look old school.

The main focus however seems to be the title of the cover page 'The A-side' as it presented much bigger than any of the other writing including the 'xxl' title name. It even draws focus away from the main image as it is at the top of the page and stands out as it is on a different background to the rest of the magazine. This is done to make it stand out, drawing more focus towards it. The simplicity of the title and the main image is used most hip hop magazines. This is done to relate to the genre of music as hip hop is associated with ordinary people from less than average places, such as Compton (where Dr Dre is from).  This follows the trend of hip hop culture and therefore is able to reach out to the fans as it is easily recognisable as a certain genre of music and relates to their culture and life style of living.

 The magazine logo is shown on the top right hand side of this page next to the date/month where it says XXL. It uses red and white so that it stands out and it can be recognised by the readers.

The image chosen is in between a full body image and a mid-shot.  This image was then zoomed in and enlarged to cover the majority of the page. The artist in this image (Dr Dre) is shown wearing very dull and ordinary clothes. This is similar to the techniques used on the front covers of the Rolling stones magazine and the RWO Grime magazines. Again this is cleverly done to show the target audience that this great role model, is no different to anyone else. He is an ordinary individual wearing ordinary clothes. The angle used on this image is pretty flat, meaning when people are looking at Dr Dre they are on the same level as him. They are not looking up to him or down on him. This technique is also used on the tupac Rolling stones cover. I think that this is an effective technique and I will use it when designing the cover of my contents page. I have chosen to do this as I think it reaches out to the target audience and will make it a successful contents page.

 With the writing and information on the right hand side to the picture, it is presented as very insignificant to the image. As they have chosen to use a very small size of writing and therefore it doesn’t stand out to the reader. In doing this I think they are not providing much information as it doesn’t catch the reader’s eye. As well as this they have also used very dull colour of black and mostly white. This means it blends into the magazine but does not capture the reader attention. Therefore I will not be using this technique on my contents page as I do not think it Is very effective.

This contents page has used a similar style layout of images, titles and information. They have used a large main image, that fills the majority of the page. In doing this they are drawing attention to the artists as opposed to the information. This is done to show the importance of the artists. They have used a mid-shot shot as this allows the reader to see them in more detail. Showing the emotions of the artists as a close up image enables us to see the expressions on their faces, allowing the target audience to understand know the artists better.

The colour scheme of this page is brighter than the previous contents page, however it is still plain, simple and dumb. This is again done to follow the pattern of the hip hop themed magazines.  As most hip hop magazines use this technique as it relates to the history and background of the artists on these pages, it must be an effective and successful technique! Therefore I will use this to an extent on my magazine.

Although this is a different issue of ‘xxl’ they have used the exact same layout for the title, and have actually used the same title. In doing this it creates a theme for ‘xxl’ magazine as it shows repetition. Doing this creates recognition when buying magazines. If all these types of magazines use the same title it allows for the audience to know that if it has the title ‘the A-side’ it is another issue to one they have already read.  They have also used the same placement of the ‘xxl’ logo as this will be used on every issue, so that it can be easily recognised by the audience.

The writing and information on the left of the image is again very small and insignificant, next to the very large image. This seems to be a common trend on contents pages. As the information is necessary and doesn’t already need to be in your face as you go to the contents page for this information in particular.   

 

The colour scheme used in the contents page is mostly grey and white. This is a change from the usual black and white pattern used in previous xxl contents. However it is still following the theme of simple and dull colours and clothing to show again the ordinarily dressed artists. As this is used a lot and therefore must be popular and successful for rap/grime magazines I will ensure that the image I used for my contents page will match the theme of these magazines and of my cover page by having no gold and having the artists in my magazine wear no chains or gold, meaning they won’t come across as of more importance than the audience or more superior.

For the image they have followed the same layout as previous contents pages as they have used a large main image which covers most of the page leaving little room for the writing, making it significant to the large image again. This seems to be a recurring pattern for xxl magazines and therefore must be effective. Although I am not too keen on this technique my self, I may consider using it when designing my magazine as it is very popular and therefore must be successful for rap/grime magazine contents pages.  

They have used the same layout for the title again and have used the same title as this is the third in a series of ‘the A-side’ contents pages. This has followed the pattern and put the main focus on the title as it is what the target audience will look out for. This is done by making the writing bold and large. Also they made it stand out a lot by using black writing on a white background. Making it stand out over the rest of the contents page. 

The target audience for this magazine will be mainly aimed at 16 and above teens to 22/23 years of age. The way the artists on the front cover is presented suggests most of the viewers of this magazine will be teenagers. The clothes that he wears will relate to where he is from. Which is east London, in doing this the magazine is automatically drawing in the people of east London who will dress the same and can see one of their own on the front cover knowing the content of the magazine relates to them.

 This magazine follows the same pattern of colour scheme as most hip hop/ rap covers, using dark colours and a little range of different colours. The colours mostly used are dark blue, white and red. Again following a similar pattern as the other two magazines as the colours red and white seem too be popular colours used with this genre of music. As this seems too be a popular choice, I will continue this colour scheme to an extent in my magazine
The large image allows for a successful front cover. As it makes the magazine noticeable to readers. Also it allows regular customers to spot the brand.
    The type of brand constructed by this magazine is a quite rough brand. this is due to the facial expression and body language used by the artist on the cover. Giving off a careless, aggressive and unconventional vibe, which their audience can relate too, therefore making it successful.

The colour scheme for this XXL magazine, is predominately black and white. This is done to show it is old school and relates to the old style hip hop genre which was always seen as black and white. The Title of the magazine is orange, so tha it stands out from the theme of the magazine. Similar to the Rolling Stones magazine this only has a few colours which dominate the scheme of the magazines cover page.
      This is done as it is a simple and standard genre, and the magazine wants to fit this theme for the audience.

The image used on the cover is a mid-shot, from the torso upwards. Following the theme of hip hop magazines, the artist is shown with a bold, hateful expression, Also they have chosen to cover most of the magazine with this singular image to show its importance. As I like this i will be using a similar approach, with my magazine cover, for the same effect for the reader.

The cover shows a male African American producer/rapper, from LA/Compton. this reaches the magazines target audience as they will already be familiar with the artist and that alot of the audience will be from the same area as the artist. this magazine will be aiming its target audience at young teenagers to 35 years of age. Having a bold, black character will reach out to alot of its black ethnicity audiences, as although hip hop is popular with all races it is extremely popular amongst black people. Especially  those from the same west coats area.

Front Cover Rolling stones analysis's

The colour theme used in this magazine is red, gold, white and grey. the most used and dominate colour used is red and gold.  This is done to set the theme of the magazine, as this is a hardcore hip hip magazine and it wants to give off the impression that it is taken from the streets.
The use of gold is done to show the importance of the artist. Perhaps suggesting that that rapper is of royalty to this genre of music.

This magazine has chosen to use a close up of the artists face to fill to majority of the magazine, They have done this to show the emotions of the figure. This is done to relate to the type of music, and the culture and background of these artists. this is also done to relate to the audience of the magazine. As the majority of the readers for this magazine will be from a similar background, therefore enabling them to relate to the artist on the cover.
Using such a bold expression on the cover page sets the theme of the rest of the magazine. allowing the buyers of the magazine to understand the content of the magazine from the front cover.  
For my magazine I will use the same technique as I think it is effective for the genre of music being presented. using a close up of the main artists face, shows significance. I will also make my close up picture fill the page to draw attention to it.

In another issue of Rolling Stones, featuring popular Hip Hop artist Tupac Shakur, they used a similar technique as the Biggie smalls magazine. Both using the facial expressions of the artists, too reach out to the audience, allowing them to sense the theme of the magazine and be intrigued to read it.
As you can see both these magazines chose a rough, thug-ish facial expression. This relates to the background of the artists and also connects to the target audience as they will have also   have gone through this. This seems to be a popular approach for Hip Hop magazine and grime magazine as well.
The colour scheme for this magazine is singled to one main predominant colour. This is done to show the simplicity of the magazine. By doing this, it allows the readers to know that this artist is just a normal person like them allowing them to feel inspired and buy the magazine to learn more. Unlike the most Hip Hop magazines, there is a lack of gold colours used. Normally the artist is wearing gold chains and flashy clothes to show their importance and that they are above most people, therefore having the audience look up to them and respect them.
However for this front cover they have decided to use no flashy clothes or gold chains or even fonts in the colour gold for the opposite reason. Doing this allows the audience too feel on the same level as the artist. Showing the readers they are not below or of less significance than them.
As i think this technique is simple but effective, i will use it for my magazine. When I take and select my pictures for my front cover i will include plane colours and no golden or yellow colours. As I will be creating a Grime magazine and this Genre of music was originated from London hoods it will look more genuine to the readers and will be more likely to make the front cover successful and sell well. 
Another technique repeated on this front cover is the use of a large main image that covers that entire page. This seems to be a very liked approach for Hip Hop & Grime magazines. However this image (unlike the close up of B.I.G) uses a mid-shot of the artist, revealing that he is not wearing a shirt. This is done so that it appeals to men by showing them he is nothing special and has no leverage, and it also appeals to women as they will be drawn in my is muscular body and will be urged to read more.
Doing this also coveys a rough brand/image for the magazine. This is done as the readers will often be of rough backgrounds and will be able to again relate to this. Having the main image of the artist topless, with tattoo's all over his body shows this too an extent, and reveals to the target audience the constructed nature of the magazine.          I will be using a similar technique with my front cover as I think this is successfully. However i will construct this brand by using bland ordinary clothes rather than a shirtless model. 

This magazine has used the style and clothing of the artist, to reach out to the target audience. They have used a similar approach to the Tupac front cover. However they have used the choice of clothing to get the same point and theme across to the readers!
This method includes using simplistic clothing choices for the artist, to show the audience they are nothing special.
This approach is the same as I will be using, as I stated in my previous Analysis. 
As this approach has been used on magazines with artists who are known as two of the greatest and most re-nound artists of the Hip Hop genre, it shows that this technique must be effective and successful.

This has inspired me more to used it for my front cover, as i want the target audience of my magazine, (which will be the same audience as the other magazines), too be able to relate to the artist on the cover. This should be effective & successful as it has been so far for these two magazines. 
Following the same pattern as most rolling stone Hip Hop/Grime magazines, it has chosen to use simple colours, like black and white too fill the page. As this appeals too their target audience. Similar to Dr Dre most of Kendricks fans are from Compton which is a fairly rough area, therefore theses colours will represent where they are from.

The artists facial expression suggests to the target audience that he is not very welcoming and that he is from a tough background, suggesting this is what the  type of people buying this magazine will be like. This in its self is creating a brand and a theme for the magazine. Overall making the front cover successful as this rough vibe will appeal to their target audience.

Preliminary task

For my preliminary task I was asked to create a whitely Bay high school magazine cover and contents page. we were shown how to use In-design and photo shop and were asked to predominantly use these.
For my cover page I Firstly took a photo of a happy Whitley Bay High School student, in front of a white background. I used a mid-shot and a rectangle frame too place this image. I then placed it in the centre of the page too show its importance. As this image is the biggest eye catcher on the cover, it sets the tone of the magazine, as a happy and relaxed setting where students work hard and enjoy doing it at the same time. Behind this image i placed a blue background which related to the theme of the school, therefore the people reading it will be able to immediately tell that this magazine is of  W.B.H.S. To make this image took as professional as possible I when on Photoshop and edited the white background out so that the image contained on the mid shot of the student and nothing else. I made this image the front of the magazine so that it goes in front of the background.

After this I selected the text tool in In-design and added the title of the magazine 'Bay's Business'  I used font size 47 too ensure that it stands out on the magazine from the other text. I also made this bold, ensuring that it is eye-catching. 

For my contents page I wanted too include all of the necessary information needed, so that you know where everything is, but I also tried to make it simple and basic to understand. Without much detail it is easy to understand and read. 
i used a variety of pictures in a hexagon shaped box. each picture is next to the set of pages it relates too, in doing this it gives them an example of what going to be on particular pages and it also allows you to identify it more easily. 

I also added a bigger picture at the bottom of the play, in a rectangle box, to highlight one of the main topics in my magazine and to create a relaxed vibe for it. 

Introduction

Hello,
welcome to my blog!
I am currently a student at Whitley Bay High School, I am studying As Media studies, Psychology and chemistry.