The document summarizes the key design elements and conventions used in the student's music magazine project that aim to mimic a real music magazine. Some of the main conventions included are using the largest font for the title on the cover, including a main image on the cover and contents page that relates to the double page spread feature, and blending images and text on the double page spread. The student also challenges some conventions by only including one image on the cover, adding an additional section to the contents page, and using multiple images on the double page spread. The magazine is aimed at those who enjoy rap and drum and bass music between ages 16-25.

1. By Thomas Harvey

2.  My music magazine uses the same main features of a real music
magazine. For example, the title is the largest font on the page
and has a large main image on the front cover. The person
within the picture on the front is also the person starring on the
double page spread, mimicking a real music magazine. I chose
not to have any other pictures on the cover, challenging the
convention of normal magazines as I believe that having multiple
images on the cover page makes it become crowded and less
aesthetically pleasing. I have also implemented a barcode onto
the front cover so that it also mirrors a real music magazine.
Furthermore, I have used main cover line which is accompanied
by multiple other cover lines, once again mimicking a real music
magazine. I have developed my main image on my front cover,
changing the colour, as it makes the cover seem more to do with
the music it represents as it is very eccentric.

3.  Within my contents page, I have kept the convention of the word ‘contents’
being the largest font on the page. I have also used few colours, once again
keeping within the convention of a music magazine. Three pictures have
been used within my contents page, which is in line with a real magazine. I
have put the page numbers in the corners of each picture displaying what
page you can find information about them on which is often used in music
magazine contents pages. However, I have developed upon the standard
contents page as I have faded the magazine title into the background of the
page. I believe this gives a good effect and makes the page aesthetically
pleasing. I have challenged the convention of a contents page by adding in a
section called ‘What’s the word’ which is a section where I write an
interesting fact. I believe this will engage the audience and entertain them
whilst scanning through what the magazine contains.
 I have challenged the conventions of a music magazine’s double page
spread. Instead of putting all the text on the left/right hand side and a large
imagine on the opposite side, I have decide to blend both images and text
together. I believe this will maintain the reader’s attention as for every
certain amount read, there will be a picture to entertain them. I chose a plain
grey background which is a use of a real convention as on double page
spreads; the background colour is often plain in order to not distract the
reader from the actual information/pictures. I have developed upon the
standard one main image on a double page spread by using multiple images.
I believe this is better as it gives the reader more to look at and will help
engage them. Within my double page spread, I have created an interview with
my main artist, this should engage the reader as it allows them to find out
more about the artist.

4.  My music magazine is aimed at those who enjoy ‘rap’ and ‘drum
and bass’ music. The magazine MDMAybe is secondly aimed at
people aged between sixteen and twenty five. I based this upon
the fact during my research, I discovered that the rap genre is
enjoyed mainly by people within that age group.
People Who Enjoy Rap
Aged 11-18
Aged 18-25
Aged 25-32
Aged 32-39

5.  My colour scheme represents the social group that enjoys
listening to rap music as it is very ‘in-your-face’. I believe
this mirrors the ideas behind the creation of rap music, it has
enabled people to speak their minds through music. The
main image on my front cover is of my main artist who is
dressed in order to represent the rap image. He is wearing a
‘snapback’, a ‘Dope Chef’ t-shirt and a gold watch. I believe
this choice of clothing/accessories represents the social
group of those who listen to rap on a regular basis. My artist
also has a cigarette in his mouth on the cover and a pint of
beer on the double page spread, portraying an outlaw which
the rap genre is meant to represent. Tattoos have also been
edited onto my cover artist in order to connote the fact he is
an ‘outlaw’.

6.  An independent distribution company would suit my ‘rap’
magazine and I believe it would help maintain the urban feel of
the magazine. Furthermore, I believe it would represent the type
of people that would read my magazine.
 I believe a media institution such as ‘Vibe’ would be able to
distribute my music magazine. I have determined this due to the
fact it would grant a large amount of male attention as there is
more males than females that are interested in rap.
Furthermore, I mostly mention male artists within my magazine
and therefore Vibe distributing my magazine is a good way to
expand my male audience.