Photoshoot Images

Peer Feedback

people in my target audience!



After recieving peer feedback, it is clear what attracted them the most is my colour scheme. some have said i maybe should have continued my colourscheme throught to the contents to create more of a house style however I still think it was a good choice. My peers also said that they think it is a intriguing way of presenting a magazine and they would give me full marks for choosing a difficult genre to present to the public. After asking those in my target audience, they believe it is something they would be very tempted to buy in stores.

FINAL Product

This is the final Cover of my magazine. In comparison to my draft i decided to chage the second picture. I think having a group photo on the magazine added to its overall look as the rest of the images are just of a single person at any one time.

The colour scheme is quite suttle with the choice of colours however the bold nature of the title means it is unlikely it will be mist on magazine racks.

This is my final Contents Page. After much thought i decided to not change anything on my contents page as i liked the contrast of colour from the cover. I thought it represented the culture of my magazine well in the sense that it can come accross as suttle and quite, or loud and bold.

This is my final DPS. I changed some part of my interview but like i mentioned i wasn't going to edit anything drastic. I am really happy with how my magazine has come out. I think it shows the gritty culture of my genre well and gives a good representation of Grime and UK Hip-Hop

DPS draft

This is my DPS draft. I dont think im going to change much of it, maybe some of the colour scheme but nothing drastic!

Preliminary Task

This is my Preliminary task; The front cover of a school magazine.

Contents Draft

This is a draft of my Contents Page. again, not much will change with this page as I am happy with the presentation of the page and its layout.

Cover Draft

This is my draft for my front cover. Not Much will change in my final front cover, this is pretty much exactly how i want my magazine to look; structured, gritty and 'straight from the street'.

IIWII Evaluation

In what ways does my media product develop forms and conventions?

My media product develops the forms and conventions set by leading Hip-Hop magazines. Hip-hop magazines heavily influence my magazine as it is seen as the foundation of all types of rap, including Grime. Therefore alot of my research was around Hip-Hop magazines and layouts to get an idea of what really sells. Most of my influencing was heavily from Vibe and King magazines although i have been a fan of Rolling Stone magazine.

My front page clearly took the look of King magazine. It has a bold, clear magazine title with one main subject. it features little information on inside features, leaving that all to the contents page. The housestyle is suttle yet it still manages to give a gritty edge to the magazine. This has then been further developed by making sponsors brazen on the cover in order to attract the eye of the targeted audience with companies that are familiar to them e.g. Grime Daily is a internet production line which is familiar to the urban public. In terms of image, i went with a complete opposite idea to what you could expect from Vibe or King. I decided to trade in 'glitz' and 'glam' for 'raw' and 'rugged' as i think it adds to the authenticity of the magazine.

My contents page seemed to merge the influences of Vibe and King magazine. It took the concept of having a different main subject on the contents page, however i decided that i wanted 2 main subjects on my contents page. this is because i wanted to add something extra to my layout as i felt something was missing. My contents follows a similar style to the contents in terms of colour scheme, however i decided to use a different colour scheme.

My double page spread is clearly influenced by Vibe, with the idea of having one page of the double page spread with just an image and the other with writing. It also has quotes in bold and singled out from the main body of the text. This is similar to my DPS however I decided I wanted to add some type of artist profile on my single page image as well as a interview quote. I think this develops typical conventions as i have taken the primary idea of a magazine which clearly knows how to attract its target audience and sell, and made the idea my own.

How does your product represent particular social groups?

My media product doesnt just represent one social group, it represents my current generation and also the working class. Yes, the target audience is inner-city teenagers but it a magazine with a culture that can embrace all walks of life. Therefore i think my magazine represent teenagers and young adults as a whole not just a particular social group.

What kind of media institution might distribute your product?

I believe an indipendent media institution would distribute my product such as Grime Daily, which has a huge Youtube following. This is because not only does it have its Youtube channel to promote the magazine, but it is also the only magazine in its nature.

Who would be the audience of your product?

My target audience are prodominately teens and young adults, however it is a magazine open to those who embrace good music and also embrace the urban culture. Within my target audience, the most likely buyer of my magazine are Males from around the ages of 15-21. This is because this scene is prodominately a scene of male artists. However because of the Penumbra Effect, many people will indirectly consume my magazine as it has a wide social audience. Many of the articles will be discussed openly in bulic and also the inclusion of posters will not damage the idea of recognisation through exposier. This does however have a negative effect, the magazine may be shared between people directly lowering sales.

How did you attract/adress your audience?

By using gritty imagery common to every city, bourough, estate e.g underpasses, this immediately makes the reader feel like there is a empathetic bond between themselves and the magazine. This because it is scenery they see day to day therefore they feel like it is something they can relate too. Also, if they see someone of a similar appearance to them they will automaticly be attracted to the magazine.

How have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have learnt to use hardware to a better advantage. I am now comfortable using high performance camera's in a way that allows me to take good quality images. Also I am now comfortable scanning documents into the computer, something I wasn't comfortable doing before hand.
I have also become more comfortable using software in order to enhance my images etc, such as using photoshop. Although I felt comfortable using the software before hand, I am now even more able to enhance and edit images.
In addition to software, I now feel able to use blogger confidently. Before the start of this course I had never heard of blogger, now i feel able enough to give tutorials in using it and keeping and maintaining a healthy blog.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression to a full product?

I feel like I have learnt to plan my work better and schedule my time. For my preliminary i didnt use a layout plan which meant i spent time flashing through variations, where as with this full product I had a clear outline of how I wanted my product to be percieved. I feel like i am now more creative with my photography than I was with my preliminary. This in turn leads to a better construction of my final production.

DPS Content

IIWII hooked up with the talented young London born artist ‘Narxx’ in the form of Antar Phipps-Norton for a one of interview, addressing issues such as other artists and his personal influences. The story goes as follows...

AntarPN: so thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today! I heard you’ve been tied down with some big projects?

NArxx: no worries! Yeah, I’ve been working on some pretty promising tracks and moves recently, you know, I do what I do, ain't no-one that can contest that!

APN: yeah we definitely know its what you do well! Is there any thing we should be looking out for?

NA: well I’m working with other talented artist in the scene, you know the likes of Dot Rotten and Maxsta who are both themselves breaking through in the scene. But also I’m still working with a small circle I came up with.

APN: oh really? That must be quite a triumph for you to be working with artists like that with the credentials they already have attained?

NA: yeah it is, I used to listen to these guys on my iPod only a year back and now I’m in the studio with them, its crazy!

APN; so what about the people in your ‘circle’? Who are they?

NA: see now that would be telling! No I’m joking, I have only a select few in my circle, such as Statik who I have known for years now!

APN: Static of Team East Midlands?

NA: yeah that’s him. I also work with Motion on a day-to -day basis without fail, He’s the next one to watch out for definitely.

APN: IIWII EXCLUSIVE!

NA: haha yeah definitely, but for real he’s the next to blow. I’m bringing the whole of my ends with me!

APN: you’ve got a real down to earth sense of personality about you, you seem well grounded?

NA: yeah I like to believe I am, its always important to remember where your from and who helped create the person you are.

APN: who influences you the most?

NA: definitely the likes of Ghetts and KA. Also guys like Devlin and Ice kid you know. Real gritty artists. But also 2Pac and Biggie. Rap giants!

NAME _ NARXX

ALIAS _

Mr. AUDIIO, AUDIIO- NARCOTIICS, N.A

SCENE_

GRIME/HIP-HOP/DUBSTEP

SPECIFICATION _ ARTIST

LABEL_

INDEPENDENT

INFLUENCES_

GHETTO, KANO, 2PAC, BIGGIE, DEVLIN, ICEKID

Risk Assessment

I am going to be taking photos in my local area in Northampton.
In order to become comfortable with my surroundings (lighting, positioning etc), i will need to take as many appropriate shots a possible to make sure. In order to do this successfully, there are a few criteria I need to abide by. Because my location is outdoors, I will need to make sure the weather is appropriate in every shoot. if weather is too extreme, e.g. heavy rain, not only could it damage the quality of the shoot, it could also damage my equipment.
Also, because these photoshoots are outside i will need as little interaction with the public as possible in order to avoid the hassle of having background interruption and to also avoid breeches of personal privacy, aiming to keep the confidentiallity of the public.

Evaluation Selection

I have decided that i am going to upload a video of myself evaluating my work. I believe this will be the best way for me to get reasons for my selection of work across to the viewer of the video. I am going to prepare a script in order to express my views in a structured manor. Hopefully, this will give a better outlook as to why I have chosen certain routes with my magazine creations.

Tropes and Memes

Tropes

A trope is a recurring element which is repeated over time and forms a common convention.

For example, there are typical vampire tropes:
- They sleep in coffins

- They decay in sunlight

- They have pale skin

- They can be killed with 'stake' through the heart

- They have the ability to shapeshift into bats and wolves

- They are allergic to garlic and crucifixes

More recently, these tropes have evolved as vampires have been introduced back into the film industry. For example,

- They no longer burn in the sun, they sparkle

- They have super strength and super speed

- They feed off animals to get rid of their thirst for human blood, sometimes not feeding at all; this differs from the 'original' vampire, who's health started to deteriate after periods of time without feeding.

- They live in the normal world with normal people

- They're not only seen as monsters but people who blend into society

This can be related tohip-hop music because it has ideological tropes of being a genre promoting the power and freedom of speech and also the daily struggle of the working class. It was supremely focused on being able to speak one's mind withought being labelled or judged. However in more recent times it has become a genre heavily related to violence and weapons, promotion of ill-behaviour to the youth and also a scene heavily dependent on the promotion of female sex appeal.

Memes

A meme is an idea or belief that occurs simultaneously to more than one person without any explanation. For example, Pixar released the film 'Finding Nemo' and several weeks later Dreamworks released the film 'Shark Tale', which was very similar, yet with no evidence of copying. In the hip-hop industry, Public Enemy and NWA both made their brake around similar stages of their career, both promoting similar messages. Although they're both recognised as highly influential groups of the hip-hop culture, many have made queries to their similarities and whether or not they are copies of eachother. However as far as memes go, it is clear that they are not copies of eachother, but a duo of ideas that happened simultaneously.

Planning Ideas

These are the basic 'blueprints' of my magazine. I have clear idea of how I want my magazine to look and come across therefore once I start to create my magazine i doubt there will be alot of editing and change of idea's. My colour scheme and house styles are not yet finalised however i want the colours to be suttle and bold both at the same time without being too cliche.

Various Photo Shoot Settings

Here are some pictures i have taken as ideas for my setting for the images in my magazine. These places are in Northampton and are my basic settings for my main Front Page subject, Contents Page subject and also Double-Page Spread subject.

I think the settings in these pictures demonstrate the culture of the genre. I chose to take my pictures in public settings because this is where Grime started, on the streets. I think nothing says streets better than public parks, busstops, underpasses and garrages.

Research methods

There are 4 different types of research methods:

- Primary

- Secondary

- Quantitative

- Qualitative

Primary

This is personal research that has been carried out through the use of surveys, questionnaires, letter, emails and textual analysis. I have used this type of research method in order to find out what type of magazine the public would want.

Secondary

This includes any research that has already been carried out. For example, the internet and books.i have used this research method in order to find out more on my chosen genre for my magazine, and also to research more about typical traits of magazines in this genre.

Quantitative

This type of research is to do with staistics and trends. for example, if questionaires are distributed and returned, data can then be collected from answers to define trends and statistics. I have used this research method in order to find a clear outline of favoured traits in magazines and favourite magazine genres.

Qualitative
This type of research is based on personal thoughts and feelings of other which can be collected by interviews. This can be the most helpful/meaningful type of research as you collect direct feedback. I have used this type of research method in order to gain direct feedback on the thoughts of my magazine look and content ideas.

My Magazine TA

The target audience of my magazine is based around many factors including age, gender and lifestyle. Because 'grime' is more of an underground genre than mainstream, the target audience is automaticly going to be based around youngsters from anywhere between 13-21. This is because this age group is targetted more by DJ's and artists in this genre, as it is this age group that ultimately dominates whats 'in' and whats 'out'.
Because of the 'nitty gritty' element of the genre, it has to be said that this magazine will predominately be targetted towards males. However because of nature of good music and also sex appeal, it can also attract females on a large scale.
Lifestyle will affect a large part of the target audience, for example, if the reader is more upperclass, this magazine will not appeal as much to them as the nature of this genre is about the struggle of life. However if the reader is a wroking class teen, the music may appeal more to their daily struggle.
I have chosen this audience group as this genre is something i am very heavily involved with. there has recently become a gap in this market due to this originally underground genre crossing over into mainstream. This gap is becoming more and more evident due to artists venturing over into the US and striking major record label deals. This means the ever hungry critics and mass audience who are just learning about Grime will be looking for source outlets to demonstrate the ways of this newly found culture.

Genres Of Music

Blues – Acid Blues, Country Blues, Boogie Woogie, Piano Blues, Rhythm and Blues.

Classical – Opera, Baroque, Renaissance, Western, Non-Western.

Country – Death Country, Hillbilly, Outlaw Country, Progressive Country, Rap Country, Red Dirt, Rock Country/Rockabilly, Bluegrass, Honky Tonk, Western Swing.

Dance – Techno, Trance, Goa Trance, House, Big Beat, Drum and Bass, Gabba, Happy Hardcore.

Hip Hop – Hard core, G-Funk, Electro, Crunk, Old School, New School.

Indie – this is mostly classed as a sub genre of rock

Jazz – Acid Jazz, Calypso Jazz, Jazz Funk, Jazz Fusion, Modal Jazz, Ragtime, Swing.

Metal – Thrash, Death, Heavy.

Pop – New Wave, Bubble gum Pop, Traditional Pop, Synth Pop, Power Pop, Pop Punk, Downtempo, Indie Pop, Pop Rap, Psychedelic Pop, Accoustic

Punk – Anarcho Punk, Cowpunk, Gypsy Punk, Hardcore, Psychobilly, Ska Punk, Street Punk, Dream Pop, Noise Pop, Riot Girl, Grunge.

Rap – Gangsta, Southern, Battle, Hyphy

Reggae – Ska, Rocksteady, Roots, Dub, Dancehall.

Rock – Melodic, Soft, Hard, Glam, Garage, Surf Rock, British Blues, Merseybeat, Mod, Skiffle, Math Rock.

R’n’B – Neo Soul, New Jack Swing, Quiet Storm.

Soul – Motown Soul, Deep Soul, Southern Soul, Psychedelic Soul, Blue-eyed Soul.

International/World – Bhangra, Salsa

Magazine Investigation

< Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The magazine predominantly features R&B and Hip-Hop music artists, actors and other entertainers.

The housestyle is a very bold and churpy look which is typical to Vibe magazine. The colour scheme is based around the same colour pallet e.g. yellow, white and orange are complimentary towards the same shades in the colour spectrum.

The name of the magazine is bold and clear with the biggest feature of the magazine centre of the page to attract its target audience.

Around the centre piece of the magazine are feature article involved throughout the magazine.

The typical reader of this magazine are those interested in the entertainment industry, especially those who are interested in the Hip-Hop and R'n'B, and also big hollywood blockbuster movies.
This magazine is published as a paperback magazine as well as having an online magazine.





> This is a typical front cover of another of the largest Hip-Hop magazines, King Magazine.
It features articles about Hip-Hop and R&B, as well as articles covering sports and fashion.

The housestyle for this magazine takes the path of a more smooth and elegent look using quite bold and complimentary colours such as black and gold.

The name of the magazine is big, bold and clear across the top of the cover with feature articles across the bottom of the main subject image.

This front cover is very similar to the type of look i want my magazine to have.

King is a monthly men's magazine targetting African American and urban audiences, so the typical reader of this magazine is someone who loves and embraces urban culture.

The magazine is published by Harris Publications, and also has an online magazine.

Deconstruction of a Rapper

Facial Expression - representative to the hip-hop culture. It shows a sense of toughness and pain which is what originally fueled the Hip-Hop genre.

Use of Props - the use of the american flag not only represents the birth of this rapper but also the birth of Hip-Hop.

Setting - shows the nature of the genre and the real life, 'nitty-gritty' side of america.

Apparel - having sleeves rolled up to show tattoo's and biceps seems to be done to increase sex appeal towards the female audience. Also he has his jewellery showing to maybe increase his sex appeal through material luxuries.

Magazine Title

I have decided I am going to use the title 'I.I.W.I.I' as it will fit best with my magazine layout and also it says everything I want said about my magazine in the space of 5 words.
On feedback from peers, this title seems to be of choice favourite and also the most catchy. One of my peers went as far as to say 'it sounds like a well established title, perfect for the style of magazine in mind'.

My choice of magazine title is also catchy and i can play around with title presentation in a many of ways, giving me the freedom of creation to put together the best front cover possible.

Preliminary Photo Ideas

The Origins Of Grime

Grime emerged from Bow, East London. The emergence of grime is intrinsically connected to its origins on UK pirate radio, with many performers honing their skills and achieving underground success before approaching the mainstream. Like other garage variants or mutations, pirate radio stations such as Rinse FM & MajorFm.com were essential to the evolution of the genre. MajorFm.com was the first online station to support grime music & gave grime its first recognition to the international market. Grime was still at this point known as a number of other terms, including "sublow" (a reference to the very low bassline frequencies, often around 40 Hz), as well as "eskibeat" (a term applied specifically to a style initially developed by Wiley and his collaborators). This indicated the movement of UK Garage away from its house influences towards darker themes and sounds. Among the first tracks to be labeled grime as a genre in itself were 'Eskimo' by Wiley and "Pulse X" by Musical Mob.

Title Ideas!

I'm doing a UK Genre based magazine, so my title needs to be a title that will relate to the public. The genre is a fairly new genre started in 2006 called GRIME. However there will be some cross overs into UK Hip-Hop.

My title could be the be-all or end-all of my magazine. It will determine whether my magazine is pushed to the back of the racks, or sold out. It needs to be relative to the music genre/culture but also relevant to my generation, the generation before, and the generations to follow. It needs to be a title which is suitable to be sold anywhere, from music stores, to music equipment shops, to corner shops and even to passers by in town centres!

Because of such a wide range of necessities to be crammed into a word or a short phrase, also taking into account what this genre means to my generation, I am struggling to find the perfect title.

Ideas:

The Catch Up

I.I.W.I.I (It Is What It Is)

My Hustle

D2D (Day 2 Day)

Omega

Alpha

Tenacity

At this moment in time I am not sure what will best suit my magazine. My ideas are based around words/phrases based around either power or how a magazine should relate to the intended audience. For example 'Alpha' & 'Omega' are words often associated with power. I want my magazine to be successful and an outlet of power to this genre of the music industry. 'I.I.W.I.I', 'My Hustle', 'D2D' & 'The Catch Up' are all titles that can either relate to the reader and construct a mild empathy because of the nature of the genre, or the title hints at what you can expect from the coverage of the magazine. The title 'Tenacity' however, shows another side to the urban genre as passion and raw emotion is something us 'urbanists' are renowned for.