Urban Beat Double Page Spread

I think that my double page spread became successful as i think that the layout is very authentic. I think that the model here is very daring suitable for the R&B/Hip Hop theme. I added the masthead name on this page so that the reader can still remember what magazine they are reading. Also, i added 'Interview' so that the reader will know what this page is all about. The colours that I used are still the same: purple and black, so that the house style of this magazine is not different. I really like the way that the texts are laid out on the first page. however, i think that i should delete the 'Jason' bit because the model's name is already placed on the second page. On the second page, I might consider changing the title 'Jason'  to a more interesting text so that the layout does not look boring. I believe that I should add another picture on the second page so that the reader will not get bored of just one picture. I might change the colour of the introduction so that it stands out well on the page.

 I did this design on Picnik to edit the picture and the titles, and I also used Microsoft Word to add the texts.  

Urban Beat Contents Page

I think that my contents page became very successful as the use of colour went really well with the model, as the model is wearing a purple top and purple shoes. for the top image, i cropped some bits out of the picture as i only want the detailed bit of the picture. I overlayed the contents text to the picture by using the Picnik online editting website. I really like this page as it looks really professional. for the model, i used paint and sprayed a black colour on the left side of the picture as i think that it would be too simple if i left it straight. I did this, so that it will look like that the image is penetrating through the black. I added the masthead on the contents page so that the reader will always remember the magazine.

I might consider making the editors letter smaller so that i could add more features for the contents page. overall, im incredibly happy with the design.

This whole page was edited in the Picnik and i used Microsoft Word to add the texts.

Urban Beat Front Cover

I think that this cover is successful in many ways. I like the way that the masthead has came out and the way cover lines is laid out on the cover page. The use of the purple colour goes really well with the grey and black. I like the way i edited the picture by blurring the background image so that the reader can only focus on the model itself. However, i think that this too simple and unsophisticated compared to my other cover designs that i have done before. I might consider changing the image to a different model so that the reader doesnt have to see the same model all over again in the magazine. I also need to add more cover lines as i like the way that the cover has a lot of texts in it. In addition, I need to make the barcode more smaller as this is not really important for the reader.

I done this cover in the Picnik online editting website and also Microsoft Word to add the texts.

Mock-up design for my music magazine.

This is a computerised mock up design for my front page.

This is a mock up design for my contents page.

This is a mock up design for my double page spread.

i might consider some changes when i try to design my magazine but these drafts will help me design it.

Images

These are some random photos that I took a long time ago and I thought that its also suitable and useful for my music magazine.

I like this photo because it links to a type of Hip Hop where they usually do "B-Boy" dance as well.

These photos were taken on November 27 2010

These two photos can be considered as posters for my magazine.

I like the way that there are buildings shown behind him which relates to the type of urban atmosphere.

These photos were taken on November 28 2010

I like these two photos and i might consider using them for my Contents page.

The use of the buildings and cars in the background adds to the urban effect. And the way that the door behind the model has a touch of grafitti on it which adds to the Hip Hop culture.

I particularly picked this model because he currently owns 14 pairs of shoes that links to a type of Hip Hop clothing.

These are the shoes that he used during the photoshoot.

These shoes can be used for advertising as some readers likes to copy what the models are wearing.

The location is in Birmingham although the reader wouldnt notice this. There is no special props used but the costume is well thought out as the model is wearing high-top shoes which is very Hip Hop like.

These photos are taken from London 02 Arena.

I think that this can be applied on my magazine probably at the Front Cover or Contents page. Readers who usually goes to a concert would automatically know where this is. This could then capture them and would be eager to know who was performing at the Arena.  

These photos are taken on the 7th December 2010.

These photos were taken in Northfield town as we wait for the bus to come.

I like this picture because of the way that the background is in a different proportion.

These photos were taken inside my school.

I do not like these two photos because I do not like the way that the model is not looking to the camera. Also, the camera is already set on black and white which I believe that the colour is too dark.

These photos were taken on the 8th December 2010.

These were actually taken outside our school on the playground.

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These are some images that I could use for my magazine.

As you can see, I already experimented with some of the photos by setting the camera to be in black and white to add a classic touch to it.  

I barely used props during the photoshoot as I only want to focus on the location. I did not organise the photoshoot in the studio as I took the photos outside; to add life on the magazine.

The costume for my model is set to me in an R&B/HipHop style so that the magazine is obvious for the readers. As it is a December/January issue, his costume will be in winter fashion.

I might use the one with the buses on the background to add a touch of urban into it; and also my model's position is just right for a front cover. (see asterisk)

For the double page spread the photo that i might use is this one:

I really like this one because its daring and it reinforces to the theme of my magazine. I might consider editting this photo because i think that the colour is too plain.

My Music Magazine Logo - URBAN BEAT

 this is my first attempt of making the masthead.

I changed the colour in this one to show that the masthead colour can change depending on what the model is wearing to fit in with the house style.

I decided to change the BEAT style by adding some squares on top of the word. I like this idea because it looks like a equaliser which links to the music theme. Also, it looks like a building linking to an urban-like.

I did this masthead by using Paint and on a website called http://www.picnik.com/

I find this website to be very useful because it provides a variety of texts which is very useful in my design. The text that I used are: 'based 02', 'extravaganza' and 'you are loved' 

This would be my final masthead idea.



Vibe magazine Analysis

An example of an R&B/Hip Hop front magazine would look like this:

VIBE is an example of an R&B/Hip Hop magazine. I really like this front cover because of the house style. The use of colour is simple yet sophisticated. I could adopt this technique on my magazine.

The masthead is very bold and the colour contrasts to the grey. The cover line on the left "'AIN'T NO SUCH...SNITCH'", defines the simple red and black house style by making the apostrophe black and red for text. The puffs used are very clear and the the style font is in bold so that it can be easily seen by the readers. They placed their website on the bottom right hand corner of the magazine to give more information to the readers. The close up image defines the model's features which gives a harsh urban feel which also emphasises it as the model gives the reader a direct eye contact. The use of monochrome image helps the layout to be attractive and eye catching. In this case, they made the masthead red as it is eye catching for everyones eyes. As you can see, they did not placed the barcode on the front page, maybe they are suggesting that it is not very important so that it does not ruin the picture. The model is not wearing a typical Hip Hop clothing which subverts stereotype of rappers. They could have place the barcode inside the magazine or at the back. I could consider not placing any barcode aswell.  

 This is an example of an R&B/Hip Hop Contents Page magazine:

The contents page is very simple and clear as they placed the text on one side only. As you can see the letter "V" which stand for VIBE is placed behind the contents title so that the page can still be recognise by the reader. The use of typography for the title CONTENTS is very sophisticated as it is in block capital letters, it is also in black which draws attention to the page. I believe that they use this fragmented style throughout every issue in their magazines. The model gives a natural, ghetto which provides an urban feel. A random woman hand comes out behind his back which suggests that every girl/woman adores him as the woman touches the heart broche. The heart is left red so that it stands out on the page. The image is in black and white so that the house style stays the same.

For my contents page, I might also consider just adding one image just like this one so the reader can focus on that single photo. there are only little texts on this as i also might adopt it on my magazine.

This is an Example of an R&B/Hip Hop Double Page Spread magazine:

The black and white effect of the smaller images continues to follow the house style of the magazine. The texts are well organised using columns which showing professionalism as articles are usually in columns. The large image is particularly striking as the model gives an eye contact to the readers. The larger image is left in colour whereas other images are in black and white so that she stands out well on the page. This double page spread contains a blue colour which links to what the model is wearing.  The use of typography at the top left corner is fragmented just like at the contents page. I could also to this for my magazine to follow the house style of the magazine.
I like the way how this issue follows the house style of the magazine by having black and white throughout the magazine. I could adopt this on my magazine by using the same colours and house style on each pages.