The document reflects on the analysis of front covers, contents pages, double page spreads, and audience research conducted for a magazine project. Key learnings include using bright colors and props to attract attention to the front cover image, employing a black and white image and muted colors for the contents page, and selecting a double page spread layout with a large image and 750+ words of text to properly represent the featured artist. The audience research revealed what attracts mass markets to covers and contents pages and perceptions of rap, informing design choices to create a consumer-friendly product.

1. PERSONAL LEARNING
AND REFLECTION

2. Reflection on Front Cover Analysis
• My analysis of front covers has taught me a lot about how to
produce my own front cover, for example I now know that bright
colours against a contrasting background are a necessity to attract
consumers. In addition I will be using particular props in my photo
shoot to convey the right things about my featured artist in relation
to the nature of the rap and hip-hop industries. I will also use a
bright costume on the central image to ensure that this is the focus
of a potential consumers attention as this was what most of the
responders to my survey said was what drew them to a particular
magazine. Otherwise I have observed that the less effective and
professional looking front covers were those that were cluttered
and as a result I will limit the number of cover lines on mine so that
they attract audiences and convey concisely the content of the
magazine, without giving excess and unnecessary information.

3. Reflection on Contents Page Analysis
• From my analysis of contents pages I have concluded that there is really
only one main layout of an image adjacent to the contents lines however I
have learnt that the size of this image as well as the mise en scene of it
and the colour scheme of the overall contents page are very important.
Therefore I will be shooting the contents page image for my magazine in
black and white and otherwise keeping the colour scheme mutes and
quiet to contrast with the bright front cover. I am also going to make the
image larger than the writing on the page, but not by a drastic amount
instead it will show the artists importance without overshadowing the
rest of the content of the magazine which I have seen happen in some of
the contents pages I have analysed. In addition because I am using a
female model for my photo shoot I will ensure that the representation of
gender is that which I want to convey – a counter-stereotype as opposed
to the industry standard perception of women and I will factor this into
the mise en scene and blocking in the image itself.

4. Reflection on Double Page Spread Analysis
• My double page spread analysis has revealed two layouts I could
use and what is conveyed through both, the first that includes more
text and a comparatively smaller image conveys more of what I
would like to convey than the alternative that reveals less about the
actual artist and person and more about others perceptions of
them. As a result I will be using the first layout, with one large or
two slightly smaller images and at least toughly 750 words of text
on the artist and their interview with the magazine. I will use two
images of the female artist working as this is what I would like to
represent – the hard work necessary to succeed etc. not just the
rewards at the end, I feel that the larger image combined with less
text reflects negatively on the artist and implies they aren’t
prepared to reveal themselves to their fans and because I don’t
want to show this I will not be using this type of layout for my
double page spread.

5. Reflection on Audience Research
• My audience research has taught me what the mass market looks
for in a front cover and what attracts them to a front cover as well
as what features would be most popular and therefore what to
include in my contents page and how important various other
aspects of the production of a magazine allowing me to prioritise
them in relation to the mass audiences preferences. In addition I
will be focusing on my photo shoot as the central image came back
as most the most important part of a front cover and the colour
scheme, the research also helped me understand the mass market
perception of rap and this will help me steer the content to them in
order to create the most consumer friendly product I can. My
contents page will be heavily influenced by the responses given the
understanding of peoples views on rap that the research has given
me as well as which target audience I am targeting in the first place.