This document contains planning and research for a music magazine project by a student named Shaune Hazlehurst. It includes step-by-step descriptions and evidence of creating a front cover and contents page. It also contains research on the hip hop genre by analyzing magazine covers from 1986 and recent years. Additionally, it provides research on established music magazines including conventions, target audiences, and publishers.

1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Planning & Research
Name: Shaune Hazlehurst
Candidate Number: 3056
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number:64135
Set Brief - Print
Music Magazine – Production
Preliminary Task Progression and
Planning & Research

2. Section 1) –
Preliminary Task

3. Preliminary Task Progression–
Evidence
Front Cover
Step-by-step

4. Through the Gradient tool (G) I was able to
create a blue colour faded into a dark blue
for the background. This subtle change
from lighter to dark blue increased the
visual appeal of the background for the
reader.

5. Through the use of the shape tool I was
able to create a circle shape and using the
Paint Bucket tool I was able to fill the circle
with a yellow colour. I further used the
Text tool (T) to add the puff promotion
text.
I added ruler lines using the ruler tool so
that each convention would be lined up
properly.

6. Using the shape tool I was able to add the
yellow and dark blue rectangle at the top
of the page to keep the consistent house
style.

7. Using the shape tool I created a white
rectangle in which I added a screenshot of
a barcode. Furthermore I added
screenshots of the social media icons
above the barcode. I added the necessary
information for the magazine using the
Text tool (T).

8. Further using the shape tool I added more
rectangles connected to an image of the
school badge to make the magazine more
visually pleasing.

9. I used the Text tool to create the masthead
and then made the text white so that it
would stand out on the front cover.

10. I added screenshots of textbooks used in
school so that students know that the
magazine will contain information about
the school textbooks that are used.

11. I took photos of my teacher, used the
Quick selection tool (W) to remove the
background from the image and then I
added him into the magazine as the main
image.

12. Using the Text tool I was able to add in the
cover lines. I made them a yellow colour to
keep the consistent house style.

13. I added quotes from students using the
Text tool so that other students would be
able to relate to opinions of the students
on the cover.

14. I finally added in the cover stories to
attract the reader into reading the rest of
the magazine.

15. Preliminary Task Progression–
Evidence
Contents Page
Step-by-step
I further used the Gradient tool (G) to create a dark blue
background faded into a lighter blue. I have also used the
shape tool to create a yellow rectangle at the top of the page.

16. I again added the St Andrews logo to the top
left of the page to keep consistency and
added more rectangle shapes to connect
with the rest of the magazine.

17. Using the Text tool (T) I added the title
“Contents page” and made it white to keep
consistency.

18. Using the Text tool (T) I added the sub
headings and with the shape tool I added
rectangles to encase the sub headings. I
coloured these yellow to keep with the
house style.

19. Using the Text tool I further added sub lines
under the sub headings and the pages that
they are on. I coloured these white to stand
out on the page and make it easy for the
reader to read.

20. I further used the Text tool to create the
Welcoming message that wrapped around
the drop capital. I have done this using the
pen tool.

21. I have added the editors image to the
welcoming message so that the reader
knows who edited the magazine. I have
added social media icons to appeal to the
reader, reiterating that the school has pages
on all of these social media. Additionally I
have added the school website and the
page number.

22. I added a screenshot of the front cover to
the contents page, I have also taken images
from around the school to visually appeal to
the reader. I have also added the editors
signature and name beneath the message.

23. Section 2) – Log Book

24. Genre research- Hip Hop
Comparing two Magazines
The way in which hip hop has changed
throughout the years can be seen through
analysing these two magazine covers. The
first cover is from 1986 showing a very
famous rap group “RUN-D.M.C.” plastered
on the renowned Rolling Stone magazine.
The simplicity of the group members in the
foreground on a grey backing shows the
birth of a new style and genre present
which was hip-hop. This is contrasted from
the Billboard magazine which was
published in the last few years which
presents a few of the members of the hip-
hop collective Odd Future on the front
cover. In this magazine the members have
more of an abstract placement within the
limiting area of the covers boundaries; two
of the members (Tyler and Frank) are
placed higher than the rest while also
crowding the magazines title. This use of
space, placement and colour reveal how
hip hop has evolved throughout the years
from once simplicity to a more abstract and
expressive genre.
24 million confirmed people between the
ages of 19-34, from a range of nationalities,
ethnic groups and religions, are estimated
to make up the core hip hop demographic.
From this statistic we can see on
Spotify, the music software, that most
people preferred to download and
listen to heavy metal music.
Alternatively Hip-hop was the 6th most
downloaded genre.
• 24 million confirmed people between the
ages of 19-34, from a range of
nationalities, ethnic groups and religions,
are estimated to make up the core hip hop
demographic.
- This was sourced from
http://brandongaille.com/25-good-hip-hop-
demographics/.

25. Established Magazine for my Research
Masthead
Headline
Main headline
Cover line
Barcode
Price
Date
Issue
Main Image

26. Masthead: The square, red masthead in the top left hand corner of the magazine stands out the most to the reader and
the logo signifies the brand of the magazine. It is very big as it makes it easier for the reader to read what it says.
Headline: The quote “The music that changed my life” is enlarged so it is one of the first thing the readers reads when
they pick up the magazine and it makes the reader want to find out what music changed his life.
Main Headline: The main headline is the biggest bit of text on the front cover of the magazine, this signifies the most
important part of the magazine which is CeeLo Green. The headline text seems hand drawn and in a bright pink colour.
Connotations of this are that the magazine tries to familiarize the reader with CeeLo Green as well as only using his first
name. The bright pink colour stands out the most to the reader on the black clothes of the main image and so it makes it
easy for the reader to see the title. Furthermore the pink colour is stereotypically a girly colour and so it widens the
audience more towards women as well as the original fans of CeeLo.
Cover Line: The cover lines detail other artists featured in the magazine. This text is ordered and arranged at the bottom
of the magazine on the left, this shows the professionalism of the magazine and how they respect the other artists. The
text is also presented to be hand drawn which links to the main headline.
Barcode, Date, Issue, Price: These features are of the most important things about the magazine as it shows the reader
when the magazine was published, how much it costs to buy, the specific number of the magazine and the barcode for
purchase.
Main Image: The main Image of CeeLo Green draws fans of CeeLo’s music towards the magazine as he promotes star
appeal (Richard Dyer) is enlarged connoting he is the main subject of the article. The shot type of this main image is a
medium shot.
Strapline: Q magazines strapline is normally “Discover great music” but on this specific issue the strap line is not on the
front cover. This strapline connotes to Q magazine having inside knowledge on the best music around.
Established Magazine for my Research

27. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs
Relating Hartley’s 7 subjectivities to the Q magazine front cover of CeeLo Green, the age range of
the type of people who would buy the magazine would be around 15-30 as CeeLo Green is a very
popular artist and has a lot of old music and new music so he will have a broad range of listeners.
From the main headline being pink girls would be more attracted to the magazine as the colour
pink is stereotypically a girls colour so the audience will widen up more to girls as this magazine is
primarily targeted at males shown on the publisher research slide. This will ultimately increase
the views of the magazine.. As CeeLo is a pop star and sings people who normally listen to pop
will be attracted to the article.
With respect to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Explorers could be attracted towards the magazine
as they are influenced by social change and this links to CeeLo Greens eccentric outfit on the
cover of the magazine. This outfit of spiked shoulder pads and arm guards can connote an
influence of punk rock and may attract people from different genres towards the magazine.
Furthermore Survivors want the security of knowing that an issue will be released every month
Katz’ Uses & Gratification theory relates to the front cover of the magazine as the reader can
build up a personal relationship and have admiration for the artist on the front cover that is
CeeLo Green as he is a popular icon.
With respect to socio-economic needs, Q magazine appeals mostly to middle class and lower
class .
What is the USP of this magazine? YOU MUST refer to specific
conventions/stories from you research
I believe the Unique Selling Point of this article is the main image of CeeLo green as it
is a very eccentric array of clothing to be seen on a magazine front cover furthermore
he promotes star appeal (Richard Dyer). Also not many people would normally wear
clothes like those on the magazine front cover and so the reader would be attracted
more towards the magazine.

28. Publisher research
The “We think popular” slogan connotes
to Bauer keeping up with popular trends
and being able to adapt with new styles
and cultures so that they are always
appealing to the wider audience.
This pie chart from the Q reader details
the percentage of the two genders that
normally read their magazine. This
statistic connotes that the magazine
appeals more to males than females.
This audience
finder is used
on the Bauer
website so that
people can filter
their own
details to see
what magazine
would be best
suited to them.
The XXL strapline I have
found is “Hip-Hop on a
higher level”.

29. Conventions of a music Magazine
Masthead
Main headline
Cover line
Barcode
Price
Date
Issue
Main Image
Background Image

30. Masthead: The masthead is enlarged and in the top left part of the magazine and encompasses
the XXL logo which represents the brand. The Letters XXL connote to the magazine being bigger
and better than all the other magazines
Main Headline: the main headline titles Kanye West: swagger like a rockstar, as this is the largest
piece of text it connotes the importance of Kanye West and his status. Kanye is a famous artist
and portrays star appeal (Richard Dyer). Furthermore it is plastered over the main image in the
centre of the magazine so it is easy to find and for the reader to see it. The difference in font and
colour reiterates its importance on the front page of the magazine. Describing Kanye as having
“rock star swagger” slightly breaks the boundaries between the two genres of hip hop and rock,
revealing to the reader that there are some similarities between the two genres of music.
Cover Lines: The cover lines of the article entitle the name of other artists to reveal the reader
that there are topics of other artists inside the magazine and that they are important to some
extent as they are on the front of the magazine. The names are neatly ordered and every other
name is coloured differently to make them stand out.
Barcode, Price, Date, Issue: These features are the most important part of the magazine as it
allows the magazine to be sold and how much it costs. It reveals the reader what the date of the
magazine is and what the number of the issue is.
Main Image: The main image of the article is Kanye West a world renowned Hip-hop artist and he
is wearing very stylish clothes in which will attract the reader to read more into the article.
Background Image: The background image is a cartoon version of Tokyo as it reveals Kanye to be
standing under Tokyo tower. This use of cartoon drawing and placing Kanye in a foreign country
draws the reader to the magazine
Strapline: “Hip hop on a higher level” this connotes to XXL being the biggest hip hop magazine
and that it has the greatest knowledge of hip hop, due to it being “on a higher level”
Established Magazine for my Research

31. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs
Relating to Katz’ Uses & Gratification theory we can see that the magazine is used for the
reader to develop a personal relationship with the story and build up an admiration for the
subject, it may also allow the reader to immerse themselves with the article.
With respect to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs explorers would be attracted to the article as
Kanye West has brought in social change to the genre and culture that is hip-hop and so
readers would be influenced by Kanye’s change. Furthermore social climbers will be drawn
to the magazine as Kanyes style has evolved over the years and people who admire Kanye
will buy the same garments as those in this XXL magazine, additionally they may look closer
into the magazine to see if there are any more articles on stylish people.
Relating to Hartley’s 7 Subjectivities, males who are in the age range of 17-30 would be
attracted to the magazine as Kanye’s music is more attracted to this age range as well as
men.
With respect to Socio-economic needs. The hip hop demographic will be placed in the D or
E category as hip hop is the type of music that relates to people struggling with life
financially, emotionally and physically.
What is the USP of this magazine? YOU MUST refer to specific
conventions/stories from you research
The Unique Selling Point of this magazine would be the main image and the
background image which complement each other. The main image and background
work well together as Kanye West is a very intuitive and creative person and this is
reflected in the cartoon background. Furthermore many XXL magazines do not have as
interesting a background as this one does.

32. Publisher research
The publisher for XXL
magazine is Town Square
Media. Assets of Town
Square Media include 310
radio stations and more
than 325 local websites in
66 U.S. markets.
This statistic from the Townsquare
media website reveals that the
Townsquare publisher is very popular
and appeals to many highly-social
activators.
Townsquare Media also publishes Pop
Crush, the digital website that details
celebrity news, pop culture,
entertainment and music news about
upcoming artists and celebrity
scandals
http://www.townsquaremedia.com