What I have learnt throughout this process

As you can see from my very first posts, I have improved a huge amount from not being able to explain my decisions and thought processes clearly, to being able to easily do so now. I have learnt to use different software’s to manipulate, edit and sharpen my images such as Photoshop and Picasa. I believe my final outcome has been successful as it not only uses, but also challenges conventions of existing Hip Hop magazine.

Music magazine Evaluation

Copy of Media evaluation on Prezi

Evaluation for my music magazine

(1)    In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My music magazine ‘Press Play’ is conventional as its uses aspects from other existing Hip Hop and R&B magazines, such as ‘XXL’ and ‘VIBE’. During the task, I analysed several Hip Hop magazine front covers and noticed that they usually use black, red and white for the colour scheme. I thought that these three colours work very well together and create a strong combination.  The colour scheme stood out to me the most, because red connotes danger, whilst black and white contrasts each other; this is why I decided to use it in my own music magazine. My artist is positioned in the centre of the front cover with an angry look on his face, which is also demonstrated in many covers of ‘XXL’. XXL use a medium shot of the artist, with the camera focused on their face, this shows their expression which is usually aggressive, serious or angry; suggesting danger and therefore relating to the red in the colour scheme. My contents page and double page spread (dps) also follows conventions of a real life magazine. For the contents page, there is a mid-long shot of my artist and he is positioned on the left side of the page, whilst the text and features are displayed on the right side in a column and my double page spread (DPS) consists of two images on either pages. These layouts are shown in real life magazines like ‘top billin’ and ‘Vibe’.

(2)    How does your media product represent particular social groups?

From looking at my front cover, contents page and double page spread, I believe I have achieved this from the strong choice of colour scheme, language, layout and images.  Throughout the pages, my artist is wearing the colours red and black which, not only matches the colour scheme, but also suggests that the magazine is male orientated. The layout on the front cover is basic, which is demonstrated in other Rap magazines such as ‘The Source’. From looking at Rap and Hip Hop music videos on YouTube, I noticed the mise en scene was simple and the artist’s wore thick jewellery such as chains and watches, which immediately suggests a sense of power and wealth. I realised that this is the stereotypical look for rappers, so in order to represent the Hip-Hop social group, I took this idea and included it my magazine; my artists is wearing a chain around his neck and a watch.

During the research, I saw that the use of slang is common in Hip Hop magazines. This reflects the language that Rap artists speak occasionally, and is evident in their music. However, formal English is also used to balance it out, because too much slang would look unprofessional. This is something I also considered in my interview on the DPS.

(3)    What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

IPC Media produces over 60 iconic media brands (including NME music magazine), reaching almost 26 million UK adults, so this fits in with my target audience. Their website collectively reaches over 20 million users every month, so my magazine could be accessed very easily online.  

While I was researching into Vibe and XXL, I saw that they both have online versions of their magazines and so therefore, I can distribute my magazine online too. I could also distribute my magazine in music stores such as HMV and Zavvi, where the buyers are interested in music, so customers can easily purchase my magazine if they want to.

Social networking, such as Facebook and Twitter are also great ways to distribute my magazine, for example Twitter now has over 140 active users around the globe, so from this I would easily be able to target my audience, even internationally. 

(4)    Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience ranges from teenagers to young adults (ages 16-30) who listen to Hip Hop/Rap music. Hip Hop artists rap about their life and their struggle through it, and I believe my target audience would be able to relate to this too as their struggle. According to research, 97% of hip hop music listeners are aged 12-34, which my target audience fits into.

My target audience for my magazine would be mostly males, considering the simple layout, language and the colour scheme of red, black and white. However, the colour red can be symbolised for ‘love’ but in my magazine it represents danger.  Furthermore, research has shown that 42% of hip hop music listeners are female, whereas 58% are male.

(5)    How did you attract/address your audience?

In order to attract my target audience, I created an online questionnaire using ‘Survey Monkey’ which was a quick and easy way to create open ended or closed ended questions. Examples of my questions were ‘what colour scheme would attract you the most’ and what ‘type of cover stories would interest you.’

After creating the questionnaire, Survey Monkey provided me with a web link, which I could post to my audience on social networking sites. I posted the questionnaire link onto my Twitter page, where my ‘followers’ can click on and complete. Several people completed the questionnaires. I also printed of the questionnaires to hand out in my Sixth form College, where there are 16-18 year old students. Later, I gathered the results and created separate pie charts, these results helped me with considering the price of my magazine, creating the cover story on my front page and what to include as my features on my contents page. However, the results suggested a colour scheme of black and red, and even though these are bold colours I chose to add white to the colour scheme to balance it out. The fonts that I have used are strong and bold and are conventional for a Hip Hop magazine, so therefore it would also attract my target audience.

(6)    What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

My skills have developed throughout the process of constructing magazine; this is evident from comparing my music magazine to my preliminary task. Even though I had used Photoshop in the past (for subjects such as Art), I believe my ability to manipulate and cut out images using the magic wand and lasso tool has definitely improved. I also discovered the blur tool with helps to smooth out the cut image, so it looks natural and not just cut out.

Unlike in my preliminary task, I decided to use Picassa (which is a programme that edits photos) to edit my images before i manipulated them on Photoshop. In Picassa, I could change the contrast and brightness levels which I found extremely helpful because some on my original images were dark.

My blogging skills have also developed, as I have learnt how to import pictures and videos from YouTube onto my blog.

(7)    Looking back at the preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

From looking back at my preliminary task I feel that I haven learnt a huge amount; from manipulating images, to learning more about the Hip Hop industry. From reading articles in Hip Hop magazines such as ‘The Source’,  I have learnt that most rappers seem genuine who live a normal lifestyle, unlike how the media portray them and how they are portrayed in music videos. This helped me with one of my questions that I asked my artist in the interview for my double page spread.

I have also learnt that before you take an image, you have to carefully think about the shot for example the mise en scene and what the artist would wear, and the semiotics behind it. This is something I did not think about in my preliminary task, but I now understand how important it is to consider the littlest detail, as it can make a huge impact on the design. I believe I have managed my time conveniently whilst editing photos and importing them onto my blog to explain them.

FINAL: Front cover, Contents page, Double page spread

Front cover

Contents page

Double page spread

Double page spread (dps)

Using Picasa
As you can see from using Picasa, the colours stand out more than in the original picture, it also sharpens the image slightly.












Process;

Here is my completed DPS;

Questions for my double page spread

Hello, it’s great having you here! Now let’s crack on shall we...Firstly, for those who don’t yet know, how did you build the foundation to your music career?
Well it basically started back when I was a teenager; I remember I used to create mix tapes in my room at the bottom of my bunk bed that I shared with my lil’ bro! I used to upload some tracks on my Facebook page and I remember I would get 35 likes within 10 minutes Zain begins to smirk slightly); ha, most of them were from the ladies of course. People used to tell the others about my tracks and so word got around. 

That sounds promising! So where have you gotten your inspiration from?
There are so many artists out there that have exploded in the Hip Hop scene! So many rappers have inspired me throughout my journey. To name a few, I would definitely say DMX and Snoop Dogg. They rap about situations where you, me and everyone can relate to; and that’s what I’m all about. When people listen to my music, they feel were I am coming from and I no that some may be able to relate to my situations too.  

Oh we’re huge fans of DMX! In what ways has he inspired you then?
I remember DMX’s album ‘The Great Depression’ came out in 2001 and I would listen to it when I came back from school. He raps about his past life and the mistakes that he is not proud of. The lyrics were too deep, and they would really get to me. As a person he inspires me and he has shown that there is no time to give up. I have to keep carrying on and keep my chin up if I want to be successful.

Ah, I see. Do you think the Hip Hop world has changed the whole of the music industry?
Hmm...(Zain looks up towards the Biggie Smalls poster) yeah definitely, I mean look at the current artists, their mixing Rap music with Indie which is a completely different genre, and so this collabo creates a whole new genre and brings a different sort of vibe to it to.  The industry is changing day by day.



I saw you looking at Biggie’s poster, so I’m guessing rappers such as Tupac and Biggie Smalls motivate you to create music?

Tupac and Biggie are the Hip Hop legends; they speak about their struggles and how life in the hood. It’s sad though cos’ they were heading towards the right path, and died trying to make it big. 

So do you see yourself different to other rappers?

I like to keep myself original. If you’re not original with your music, then what’s the point in creating tracks. 

That’s so original! What kinds of challenges do you face on a daily basis?

It’s only been a year since I made it to number 1 in the UK Hip Hop charts, and after that I’ve been receiving phone calls from record producers such as Def Jam, asking me to come to their studios and do a lil’ something for them. I have to take some time out to go and visit them, it’s crazy!

You said in one of your interviews on MTV that people usually think of you as a street-wise kind of guy, how do you feel about this statement?

Yeah, I’ve heard that so many times. It’s wrong for people to judge others straight away, but we all do it. People don’t know that I’m an educated man with 12 GCSES, (Zain laughs quietly), they just see me as a rapper of course; and we all know the stereotypes that rappers have.

Describe your type of rap music in three words.

Fresh, current and old-school

That sounds great! How do you manage to keep your tracks current?

Sometimes I visit the local youth club, and chat to the youngsters to get an idea of what type of music they are interested in. This helps me with the lyrics I write and directs me to create current music. 

Now, lets move onto the relationships and love shall we...is there anyone who you’ve got an eye on?
Ha, I’m not really a relationship sort of guy. But of course, one day I want to get married...just give it about ten years from now and I’ll have two kids by my side! Time will tell I guess...


You must have a busy schedule, but I’m sure your fans would love to know what you do in your free time?
I just do normal things, I guess. When I come home from the studio I just relax and spend time with my dog, Spikes. Sometimes, I visit the local gym and try working out my biceps, to keep myself fit. But that’s it really. 


Would you like to give your fans a little message?
Yeah definitely ...I love my fans like crazy; if it wasn’t for y’all then I would still be making my mix tapes in my mum’s house. Thanks for supporting me , I love you all!

Anything else that you would like to add on before you go?
Well, make sure y’all keep updated because my new album ‘Chapter III’ is coming out on May 10th! Make sure you buy yourself a copy too.

Contents page

Using Picasa

Here is the difference between the brighting levels and contrast from before and after using Picasa.









Process;

This is my completed contents page;