1. 1.) In what ways does your
magazine use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real
magazines?

2. Masthead: The masthead is
Similarities: the biggest text on the page
which is used to clearly shows
the name of the publication
and to attract the audience to
buy the magazine. In addition
Prop: Both artists are wearing a the magazine has an image of
prop, my artist is wearing a microphone which has a
sunglasses which has reference to hip hop which
reinforces to the target
connotations of “coolness” which
audience that this is a hip hop
from my research proves what magazine.
artists are stereotypical viewed
as. The other artist as uses a
prop, which is a religious crucifix.
Image: The image shows who the
magazine is revolved around and
who is featured in the magazine. In
addition both images us affects
which is done to make the magazine
stand out from the text and
background in order for the target
audience to see the artist which may
then lure them into buying the
magazine
Background Colour: Both
magazines use a background
Colour scheme: Both magazines use the same colour
colour to make the text around it
scheme throughout which makes the magazine seems
stand out more in order to catch
more professional which will lead to the target audience
the target audiences eye which
having a positive view on the magazine. This may attract
will lead to them reading the text
them to buy the magazine as psychologically them believe
which may then lead the target
they will be receiving the same high quality and
audience into purchasing the
professionalism in the features of the magazine. In addition,
magazine.
this will lead to the magazine having it’s own individual
identity which will separate them other magazine making it
unique which will encourage the target audience to buy this
magazine now and in the future.

3. Pull quote: The professional magazine uses a convention
called a pull quote, this is a something that an artist has
said somewhere in the interview. A pull quote particularly in
the hip hop magazine genre usually has something that is
really unorthodox, the reason it has been put on the front
cover as it is the only thing the audience can see and by
seeing something unconventional they will be enticed to
buy the magazine in order to see why the artist has said
this.
Header: The professional magazine uses a convention called a
header. I have not used a header for numerous reason one
being I had many cover lines and I also used a footer which
gave the target audience plenty of information on what features
are inside the magazine. Therefore there was no reasons for
me to include a header in my magazine. Another reason was
because it would take up a lot of space on my magazine and I
would therefore have to make my surrounding conventions
such as my cover lines, masthead and image smaller which
would make my magazine seem amateurish and less
professional which would repeal the target audience from
wanting to buy the magazine.
Barcode/ Price: The barcode must appear Camera shots: The camera shot of the
on any magazine so that the retailer is able artists are different as my magazine
to sell the magazine to the public. Issue/Website information: The uses a close whereas the professional
professional magazine has a magazine uses a mid shot to show a
The price must appear also appear on any large proportion of the artist.
issue date which is used in nearly
magazine so that the potential costume
all professional magazines in
knows how much the magazine is costs.
order to show the audience that it
is a recent magazine which will
encourage them to buy the
Footer: In my magazine I use a convention magazine
called a footer located at the bottom of the
page. I decided to use a footer as I wanted to
give the audience a greater insight into what
is in the magazine and the target audience
are likely to find at least one thing that is
appealing which may persuade them to buy
Differences:
the magazine.

4. Similarities: Contents title: Both contents page
have the title ‘Contents’ this is
done to inform the reader that this
is where he/she can go find topics
Logo: Both magazines use a logo which is an
that are in the magazine plus, it
abbreviation or symbol of the masthead. I used
also provides the page numbers in
this because most music magazines have this
order for them to find the topic.
so I wanted to try and use as many conventions
as I could in order to make my contents page
appear professional which would therefore lead
to a larger percentage of my target audience Reviews: Both magazines offer
wanting to buy my magazine. the target audience reviews on
the latest artists and albums. I
decided to use this convention
as it would lead the target
Cover line: My contents page along with audience to believe they are
the professional Q contents page both use getting the latest reviews of the
cover lines. The example in both of these in hip hop genre, encouraging
the text ‘FEATURE’ These shows the target them to buy the magazine.
audience what topics are inside the
magazine in order to persuade them to read
them.
Magazine Information: Both magazines offer
the reader a website to visit in order to get
more information on hip hop. I decided to use
Main Image: Both contents pages use a this convention as it is present in most
image of a music artist in order to attract the magazines so I wanted to make my magazines
target audiences eye towards the page. The have the highest amount of professionalism
image of the artist is present of the contents possible as it would lead to more of my target
page as conventionally it is of the artists audience wanting to purchase my magazine.
which is the interview who is revolving.
I chose this convention for many reasons,
one being the colour of the image differed
greatly from the background colour and Colour scheme: Colour schemes are used in both
surrounding text which caused the image to magazines as it makes the page stand out and the
stand out from the page and appear more surrounding text becomes more visible. I decided to use
visible. Furthermore, the main image is an this convention as it found in most music magazines so I
important convention to have on the contents wanted to use as many traditional conventions as
page because from my research I discovered possible in order to make my magazine appear
that if a magazine has a well known it entices professional which would lure my target audience to
the reader to go to read.
purchase the magazine

5. Differences:
Barcode scanner: My
magazines offers the reader
a barcode scanner to
access the website of my
magazine. The reason why
I decided to use this
convention as it is present
in nearly all music
magazines, so by using it I
thought it would make my
magazine to look
professional.
Issue data: One difference between these two
magazines is that the Q contents page gives the
reader the date and year in which the magazine
was issued in. I decided not to use this feature
as I found it to be irrelevant and who not
improve my contents page is any way.
Furthermore, I would had to adjust my whole
contents page in order for it to fit in which would
be time consuming and damage the image of
my contents page.

6. Similarities:
Text: Both double page spreads have
text of what has occurred in the
interview which is important as this is
one of the attracts of a magazine and
major cause for the target audience to
buy the magazine.
Pull quote: Both Double page spreads have
a pull quote this provides the audience with
something the artist has said, usually it is
something very controversial as it makes
the target audience want to know why the
artist has said that and therefore the pull
quote will lead to the target audience
wanting to buy the magazine.
Main Image: Both of these double
page spreads both share a main
image. This is because the main
image adds colour to the page, aids
the surrounding text to stand out more
and makes the page as a whole
become more visually appealing.

7. Company publication name: The professional magazine
mentions the name of the publication whereas with my
one it does not. The reason I did not mention the name
of my magazine was because I believe it was more
important to have it on the front cover rather than the
double page spread as the audience would know the
name of the magazine before they look inside. However,
I believe this is something I should have used but, I
could not even if I chose to as I did not have the space
and to find space would result in decreasing the size of
the text and main image which was lead the quality of
the magazine being tarnished along with the look of
professionalism
Differences:
Colour: These two double page spreads differ as with my
double page spread it uses different colours for the text
regarding the interview. I chose to do this as it brightens
the text and makes it more eye catching and clearly
differentiates the text spoke by the artist and the
interviewer. The professional double page spread uses the
small colour for the text about the interview which is in
black. This makes the magazine seem dull and because it
is one a light background it does the aid itself or the
surrounding text and images in becoming more visible

8. Text: The text was clearly the most important
thing to have as a double page spreads
purpose is to discuss an artist or band. My
double page spread along with the
professional one use the same font and size
throughout as this assist the professional look
which will lure my target audience to buy my
magazine. Furthermore the text is spilt into
different sections just like the professional
magazine, this makes the text easier for the
reader to see and understand and also
improves the presentation of the double page
spread which is a major factor target
audiences look at when buying a magazine
which I acquire from my questionnaire and
focus group research.
Similarities:
Main Image: My double page spread along with Title: Both double page spreads use a
the professional one both have a main image. title. This was important as it discussing
This was crucial to have as it would not seem right who the text is about and also mentions
to not have an image of the artist I am discussing which artist the magazine is choosing to
because when I looked at professional magazine, talk about. This adds to the professional
in there double page spread there was always an look of my double page spread as all the
image of the artist they are discussing. professional double page spread I
Furthermore, the image makes the page become analysed in my research had a title which
more noticeable as if there was only text this could shows that my magazine is using the
to the target audience not wanting to buy the conventions of real life magazines.
magazine as it would look more like a newspaper
rather than a magazine about their hobbies and
interests.

9. Differences:
Text wrap: The professional double
page spread uses a tool on In –
Design to wrap the text around the
image. I did not use this tool as I did
not feel that it looked good and
therefore decided not to do it
Colour: A difference between theses two double page spreads is that with
mine I use a mixture of darker and whereas with the other image it uses
a light image. The reason why I used a darker colour for my image is
because it makes it stand out from the light background colour which is
cream. The reason why I decided to use the colour black for my text is
because it makes with the image and colour of the title which keeps to the
colour scheme making the page look more professional. Furthermore , it
makes the text and image stand out and appear more presentable which
will lead to the target audience wanting to purchase my magazine.

10. 2.) How does your media product
represent particular social groups?
My magazine represents social groups through:
• Race
• Gender
• Age
•Social class.

11. Age:
Age is presented in my magazines as the image is of a artist ages of 16-19, this means that
only young people who fit into this age category are eligible to read this magazine or listen to
the hip hop. This therefore disregards and other aged audiences such as elderly or middle
aged people are to read the magazine. Furthermore, another way which age is presented is
that the hip hop artists are aged 28-35 year olds.
This leads to the stereotypical view that only people within this age can be hip hop artists, so
by using a young hip hop artist it challenges the ideology and emphasises that anyone no
matter what age can be hip hop artists.

12. Race:
Race is presented in my music magazine as on my front cover I have a close up of a white artists. From
my research on my chosen genre which is hip hop, I came to learn that hip hop was created by the
African American black community and even in the present day it is seen as a predominantly black art
form. However, there are some white hip hop artists and by using a white artist I am breaking the
stereotypical view that only black people are hip hop artists. Which is presenting the people with white
ethnicity to have the rights to listen and perform in hip hop as black people. Furthermore because I am
not using a stereotypical black artist as many other professional magazines do, I am showing my target
audience that this is a magazine for people of all colours therefore making it more appealing to the hip
hop and other audiences leading to the public wanting to buy my magazine.

13. Gender:
Gender is also represented as I use a male artist which is present on my front cover, contents
page and double page spread. Although hip hop is a genre shared by both male and female hip
hop artists it is stereotypically viewed to only inhabited by male artists. So by using a male artist I
am contributing to the ideology that this is a genre whose artists are only male.
Moreover, mise-en-scene is relevant when representing gender as the clothes used are hoodies
which is mainly worn by males so therefore this is another indication that my magazine is targeted
at male audiences. However, in my cover lines I do mention a few female hip hop artists which
emphasises that my magazine is not biased against females and that is represented both male
and female audiences.
Furthermore the colours used also represent this magazine add the sense that it is only for males
as the colours used which are dark blue, black, red and green are masculine colours leading to
my magazine to be aimed at male audiences.

14. Social Class:
Social class in presented in my magazine through mise-en-scene by the clothes that my artist is
wearing. Hoodies are stereotypical viewed to be for people of a low class such as C2, D and E,
therefore this leads to the stereotypical ideology that this magazine and the hip hop genre itself
is only for lower class individual.
Another way the clothes represent social class is the hats my artist is wearing called a snap
back. This is a very popular piece of clothing worn by hip hop artists and fans however,
stereotypes have emerged with lead to this type of hat being associated with the lower and
working class background and also hip hop. Therefore, this reflects the target audience, fans
and artists of hip hop to be of a low social class.

15. 3.) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product
The media institution that might distribute my media product is Harris
Publications. The reason why Harris Publications might distribute my magazine is
Because it is the genre that they have experienced in as they have publisher
Many magazines in this genre with is hip hop. Some hip hop magazines which
It is publishes are:
• King magazine
• Scratch magazine
• XXL magazine

16. Why might Harris Publications might distribute my magazine:
Harris publications might distribute my magazine as they have a publishers over
75 magazines titles who have been in the publishing business since the 1950’s.
Harris publications is an American publication company as mentioned publishes
magazines such as King, XXL and Scratch. These are very successful magazines
which are attracts hundreds of millions of readers a year.
As mentioned Harris publication as been publishing for 62 years. So from this it is
clear they have a wide knowledge of how to attract their target audience to buy
their magazine. Plus, as mentioned they own King, XXL and Scratch which are
successfully hip hop magazines which is the same genre of my magazine so they
will therefore know how to distribute it to the target audience.
Harris Publications already distributes hip hop music magazines so they would
have the knowledge and expertises to lure a wide and varied audience to buy their
magazines. Plus, even though Harris Publications is extremely good at targeting
the hip hop target audience, it is also good at targeting other genres of music and
other audiences as they had been previously publishing 20 years before the
creation of hip hop therefore, this is clear evidence that Harris publications can
lure and appeal other target audiences to buy there magazines.

17. 4.) Who would the audience be for your magazine?
My magazine focuses on the genre of hip hop which has a wide and varied audience of
different ages, social class, gender ethnicity and psychographic profile.
However, I needed to find the specific target audience for hip hop in order to make my
magazine appeal to them so they will be purchased to buy it. To do this I conducted
qualitative research in the form of a focus group and quantitative research in the form of a
questionnaire.
Age:
I discovered that my target audience for my magazine would be males aged 11 – 20. I
reason why my the age my target audience would be in this is a popular genre for young
teenagers as they are the main fans for this genre. However the reason why early adults in
their 20’s would be my target audience is because some of the artists are there own age so
they feel they can relate to them and their current lives and problems.
Social Class
There are many different social classes who listen to hip hop and buy hip hop magazines
but, from my research I discovered that these people are within the lower and middle class.
The reason why some of my audience would be in the located in low class is because some
artist discuss there problems living in poverty and how they turn turned their life from ‘rags
to riches’, this uses emotional manipulation to make the people within the lower class they
to can turn their lives around so they listen to hip hop and buy their magazines in the hope
of getting a better life. The demographics of my target audience would be located in Group
E which are students or Group D which are semi skilled manual workers.

18. Gender:
Any gender may like hip hop and hip hop magazines however, I needed to find the
gender that mostly buys hip hop magazines so that I could target my magazine
towards them so that they are lured to buy it. From my questionnaire I discovered
that it is mainly males who buy hip hop magazines so when constructing my
magazine I made sure that I used conventions that attracted the male audience so
that they would be persuade to buy my magazine. Although males are target
audience I also gathered information which was females also listen to hip hop and
buy hip hop magazines. So although my magazine did primarily aim at the male
audience I did add a few female conventions to ensure that my magazine appeals to
the whole audience so that they too would be persuaded to buy the magazine along
with the male audience.
Ethnicity:
Hip hop is presently one of the most popular and favoured music genres in the music
industry which appeals to make people with different ethnicities however, from my
research the main two ethnicities that listened to hip hop mostly were a audience
who were either white or black. The reason why hip hop is popular with black people
is because hip hop originated within the black community and hip hop is primarily
based with black hip hop artists therefore they can feel they can relate to them.
However, in recent years there has been an include in white hip hop artists and
therefore, whites audiences have increased. So I therefore had to include
conventions that appeal to both black and white audiences.

19. Psychographic profiling:
Another way my target audience was identified is through their psychographic profile, this is targeting
the audience directly through their needs and desires. After researching he age, gender, social class
and ethnicity of my target audience it was fairly to find out what they wanted in a hip hop magazine as I
was able to just ask them which made sure my results was correct and accurate.
To find out what my target audience wanted in a magazine I conducted primarily research in the form of
a focus group where I asked various questions such as: ‘Why do you like hip hop? What conventions do
you like about hip hop magazines? What conventions do you dislike about magazines?’ These
questions gave me clear and specific answers which was easy to interpret so I therefore used there
information so that my magazine would be more appealing towards the whole target audience.
The four Cs:
I believe that my target audience can be classed as mainstreamers. Mainstreamers are audiences who
are concerned with stability and security, they want to buy well recognised bands. This is an important
aspect of my target audience as they will only want to buy renowned and well know magazines, this
was important when I came to construct my own magazine as I would have to use the codes and
conventions of other professional magazines to ensure that it appealed to mainstreamers so that they
would then buy my magazine.
However my target audience could also be classed as aspires. Aspires are audiences who are seeking
to improve themselves and their lives. My evidence of this is from my research I discovered that people
listen to hip hop as they wish to be like the artist and get everything else that follows such as fame,
money and success. Therefore when constructing my magazine I wanted to some my target audience
how successful my artist is in order to send out a message that they too can be like him, which is
misleading them encouraging them to buy the magazine.

20. 5.) How did you attract your audience:
After conducting all my research it was information that I then used my research
findings in a way that would attract my target audience to buy my hip hop magazine.
One way I attract my audience was by using cover lines that had masculine colours
such as red, blue, green and black. As my target audience mainly consists of males I
needed to use colours that males generally like, so by using the colours they liked
which I found from my research this will lure they towards the magazine and could
then persuade them to buy the magazine.

21. The masthead ‘VOICE’ also attracts my target audience because from my focus group I discovered
that some people listen to hip hop because it creates a voice for their problems. So by me having the
masthead ‘VOICE’ it makes the target audience feel that the magazine can relate to them, this
technique is called emotional manipulation and will persuade the target audience to buy the
magazine. In addition the cover line ‘Latest news on artists’ makes the target audience feel they are
getting the most up-to-date news on their favourite artist, this will tempt will then tempt the target
audience to buy my magazine.
Another cover line that attracts my target audience is ‘Exclusive Interview: KANO’ The word exclusive
creates the impression that this interview can only be found in this magazine and also that the
magazine is so good the artist only wanted to talk to this magazine, this will encourage the target
audience to buy this magazine as the contents can only be found here and no where else. Moreover,
if the name of famous and well known artist in on the front cover this will immediately catch the target
audience’s eye as they will be familiar with seeing his name a lot, therefore this cover line will then
lead to the target audience taking an interest in my magazine and could possible lure them to
purchase the magazine.

22. Another way I attracted my target audience is by mentioning artists they like and know in my
cover lines, which I found out from my focus group and questionnaire. If they see artists they like
they will be encourage to take interest in my magazine and may lead to them buying my
magazine. I also mentioned a few female artists in my cover lines just to make sure that I also
target female audiences as they are also an important factor in terms of my audience.
An additional way I attracted my target audience was by adding a footer. The reason why this
would attract my target audience is because I am offering them additional things they can receive if
they buy this magazine and it is fairly logical that one out these six possible topics will persuade
them to take interest in this magazine and could potential lead them to buy the magazine.

23. 6.) What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?
I then edited my image by
I then made my masthead by using removing it from the background
Firstly I began constructing my the text tool to write of text. For the by using the filter extract tool. I
magazine by putting a colour on image of the fist and microphone then used the rubber tool to
my background. To do this I located inside the masthead I used remove any tiny traces of the
selected the background layer, the crop tool and linked the layers background. I then placed it
selected the paint bucket tool together and used the move tool to within the middle of the page by
and chose the colour I wanted. place it within the letter O. using the move tool

24. I then added a footer by the shape
tool and selecting a rectangle. I then
I then added a main cover outline it on the bottom of the page
I then added cover lines line. Again I achieved this by
onto my front cover by using and used the paint bucket tool to add
using the text tool and then the colour green to make it stand out
the text tool. I then used the moving it into the position I
move tool to position the from the surrounding texts and other
wanted by using the move colours.
text anywhere I wanted on tool. I then used the paint
the page. After I was bucket to add colour to the I then added writing to the rectangle
satisfied where the cover text. I then added an outline but selecting the text tool. After I was
line was located I used the to the main cover line by pleased with the size and font of the
paint bucket to add colour to adding an effect and going text I added the colour white by using
my text. to the stroke tool. the paint bucket tool and added a
black outline by using the stroke tool.

25. I then added a price and
barcode. For the price I
again used the text tool to
type of the text and then
used the paint bucket tool
to add the colour. For the
barcode I used one from
the internet as there was
no possible way for me to
make my own.

26. Technologies used whilst constructing your
magazine?

27. Internet:
The internet was one of the most important and useful pieces of software in
regards to constructing my magazine and searching for information about the hip
hop genre. The internet was effective as it allowed me use search engines such as
‘Google’ to look at professional magazines and decided what codes and
conventions to use and not use on my magazine. It also allowed me go onto
websites such as slide share and blogger so that I could upload my coursework.
Through the internet I was able to obtain information of the history of hip hop and
how it was created and by what community which aided me when I came to
construct my magazine. It also allowed me to get images of hip hop artist, bands
and magazines to put on my coursework.

28. Microsoft word 2003:
Microsoft word 2003 was another piece of software is used through my coursework. It
was effective as it allowed me to write my coursework on the computer so that I could
then upload on my account on blogger. Microsoft word was useful as it saved me the
time and effort on writing it on a piece of paper and then scanning it through the
scanner magazine and then uploading it onto blogger, so therefore it was a very time
saving, time efficient, faster and easier alternative.
Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003:
Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003 was also piece of softwareI used through my
coursework. This piece of technology was effective as it allowed me to put images
onto my coursework and to write text about the topic. Microsoft office PowerPoint is
very similar to Microsoft word 2003 expect this allowed me to use images which
looked more visually clear.

29. Abode Photoshop Cs3:
I used this piece of software to make my front cover of my magazine. From using it
piece of software I have learnt:
• How to use and search for different fonts
• How to edit images
• How to add effects onto my images
• How to add a background colour onto my page
• How to separate an image for the background

30. Computer:
The ‘stone’ computer is a piece of hardware I used for all tasks in my coursework
expect for the making drafts of my magazine. Which the computer I would be unable
to use it’s software such as the Internet and Abode Photoshop CS3 and therefore
could not make my magazine.
Abode In Design CS3:
Another piece of software is used was Abode In Design CS3 which was effective as
it allowed me to construct my contents page and double page spreads. For me this
was the most challenging piece of software as I had not used it every much and
therefore only knew how to use a few out of it’s many tools.. However, eventually I
did learn how to use this program which allowed my to create my contents and

31. Memory stick:
This is the memory stick I used to transport files I had done onto other
computers to upload them to my blog.
Lumix Panasonic DMC – FS62 digital camera:
This is the camera I used to take all of my original images to use on my
front cover, contents page and double page spreads.

32. Slide share:
I used slide share to convert my PowerPoint's onto my blog. This was effective as
without this piece of software I would be unable to post PowerPoint's onto my blog
could therefore not complete sessions of my coursework.
Blogger:
I used blogger in order to post my coursework onto the internet so that the examiner
and mark my coursework. This was effective as without it I would be unable to present
my coursework to him/her and could therefore not complete the course.

33. 7.) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you
have learnt in the progression from it to the full product ?
My skills and knowledge on the software and hardware have improved since the
preliminary. When using Photoshop for the preliminary task I did know have to use a few
tools but not as much as I now know, it I believe it is accurate to say that my knowledge of
Photoshop and my skills of using it’s tools have improved.

34. Extract tool:
A tool which I learnt whilst constructing my music magazine with the extract tool. This allowed me to easily
and quickly remove a section of the image I wanted from the background by simply highlighting the outline of
the image I wanted to be remove I believe it is evident that not only have I expanded on my knowledge of
Photoshop but I have also developed my skills since the preliminary as I was able to find this tool myself and
use it correctly for the first time which I believe shows that I generally have a good understanding of how to
use Photoshop and it’s programs. This tool is very accurate and the tool corrects itself if you have made a
mistake therefore eliminating any chances of error to occur.

35. Artist Tool:
Another tool I learnt how to use effectively and accurately was the artistic tool. I already knew how to use this
tool as I used it on when constructing my college magazine for my preliminary and used it my music magazine
however, I did not know you could use it on images. Above is an example of how I used it on my artist as his
face and clothing has an affect which I achieved by using the artistic tool and clicking on poster edges out of
the many other different affects. I believe this shows my knowledge has improved as I am now able to use
tools on a variety of thing which now include images, text and background.

36. Adjustments Tool:
Another tool I have learnt since my constructing my preliminary task is the adjustments tool. This tool
allows you to selected an image, background or text of your choosing and to change it’s colour whilst
since making it have a realistic effect. I never knew this tool existed when making my college magazine
at the preliminary so for me to now discover it shows that I have experimented with different tools and
therefore my skills and knowledge of Photoshop excelled. The images above show what the image of
my artist have originally looked like before I used the adjustments tool to change the colour and
appearance and I my opinion it makes the image become more noticeable and looks more visibly
appealing