The document discusses the musical genre, research, and design choices for a new music magazine. The author has chosen to focus on hip hop/R&B, as this is the genre they listen to and follow closely. They looked to existing magazines Vibe and XXL for inspiration on layout, masthead placement, skylines, cover lines, teasers, article style, images, and contents page design. The goal is to create a magazine that feels professional but also promotes new artists by including a free song download in each issue, differentiating it from other hip hop/R&B magazines.

2. Musical Genre
For my media product, I have decided to choose a musical genre of
hip-hop/RnB. I thought that this was an ideal choice for me, as
this is the main genre that I listen to, and I personally take it
upon myself to find out about the latest stories and issues within
hip-hop/RnB artist; therefore I believe that I have the needed
knowledge to carry out and create a magazine which consists of
accurate information. I also chose this genre, as it is a popular
genre within my generation, and this would then make my
magazine popular as I have chosen a popular music genre.

3. Magazine Research
For my magazine research, I decided to look closely at two already
existing magazines which are Vibe and XXL magazine. I found
inspiration in these magazines as we share the same music genre
and these magazines have been around for a long time and have
a large fan base, so evidently they are doing something right, so
if I gain inspiration from XXL and Vibe magazine, the that I have
created could be as successful. However, I do want my magazine
to standout from other existing magazines, so the way my
magazine will challenge other magazines, is by creating a
magazine that promotes new and upcoming artists, which will
give the artists exposure to the public. My magazine will do this
by giving out a free track from a chosen artist in every issue. I
believe that this is a good way to challenge other magazines, as
no hip-hop/RnB based magazine does this. Furthermore this
idea encourages members of the public to purchase the
magazine as everyone loves a ‘freebie’.

4. Masthead
While looking at the codes and conventions, I had to look at the
case studies that I have created. For the case studies, I looked at
Vibe magazine and Billboard magazine. For the masthead, I
looked at these two magazines and saw that they placed it
behind the main models head, to make the model the focus of
the magazine, as their magazine is already established and the
public would already know what magazine it is. Therefore I have
decided to place my masthead behind my model:
Vibe Magazine Masthead My Masthead Billboard Magazine
Masthead

5. Skylines
Also from the case studies, I realised that vibe magazine included a
skyline at the top of their magazine, whereas Billboard Magazine
did not. However I really liked the look of a skyline on my
magazine front cover and I also liked the purpose with having a
skyline (to further draw the customer to buy you magazine as
they will notice their favourite artists name), therefore I added
one:
Vibe Magazine’s Skyline My Skyline

6. Cover lines and Teasers
Also, when looking at cover lines and teasers, I found that in Vibe
magazine they normally list their cover lines on the right hand
side of the page and place their main cover line on the right hand
side. The main cover line is normally that second largest font on
the front cover after the masthead. I also noticed that Vibe
magazine plays with the wording of their teasers to engage the
reader and forces them to want to by the magazine, as they
would want to find out what is going to happen in the article
regarding their favourite artists. Therefore I decided to follow
this pattern within my own magazine.

7. My Main Cover line My Teasers Vibe Magazine’s Main
Cover line
Vibe
Magazine’s
Teasers

8. Colour Scheme
For my magazine’s colour scheme I have decided to draw
inspiration from Vibe magazine and XXL magazine, and used a
similar colour scheme: Red, Black and White. However, I did not
choose these colours because I wanted to make my magazine
look like XXL, I chose these colours because I thought that these
colours are quite basic but together the colours would make my
magazine look very professional and chic, as there is not a lot
going on with the colour scheme.

9. Article/Journalism
For my article, I have decided to follow a similar styling as Billboard
magazine and vibe magazine. In these articles, they have decided
to layout their article in two columns, to make their journalism
looks professional and clear to read and understand. They have
also used a drop cap at the beginning of their article, to give a
strong emphasis to the article visually. Also within their pieces of
journalism, they have written in a style that suits and relates to
their target audience. They have kept it quite formal, but have
also added a touch of colloquialism to keep the audience
interested. I have followed this pattern within my own article.

10. My Article
Billboard Magazine’s Article

11. Images
For my images, I have decided to draw inspiration from both of my
case studies that I have researched. I found that on this issues of
Billboard magazine, they have taken a image of Rihanna which is
quite sexy and very attractive, in the sense the is lures the reader to
pick up the magazine and read it. Therefore I thought it would be a
good idea for my magazine to use a similar kind of pose. The front
cover has been taken at a medium close-up shot. I have also made
my model look directly into the camera, to get the same effect on
the reader like Billboard’s magazine had

12. DPS Images
For my DPS I have decided to draw inspiration from Vibe
magazines front cover, but taking an image with the connotation of
the ‘hood’ and a feeling of determination within the artist. I found
that vibe used a image of TI facing the front staring right at the
audience, but because I wanted a similar image to his, I decided to
take a side profile image to try and make the image look softer, as
my artist is female, and also to try and change the connotation
from a gangster impression to a hopeful, determined artist.

13. Contents Page Image
Ways that I have challenge these two magazines is through my
contents page. I have decided to combine both of their ideas
together, by having one side that lists the regulars and the other
side with images for the features that references the pages
numbers. I have also used different technologies, such as, Twitter,
Instagram and Facebook to keep in touch with my music
magazine’s campaigns and gossip; this endorses my magazine
company. Billboard and Vibe magazine fails to do this.