2. Contents
3 - Magazine of Inspiration
4 - Mixer mind-map
5 - Xtra mind-map
6-9 - Graphic layout
10 - Hand drawn drafts
11 - Font styles
12 - Font styles conclusion
13 - What will you “repeat” (Steve Neale – 1980) Front cover
14 - What will you “repeat” (Steve Neale – 1980) Double page spread
15 - Mood board 1
16 - Mood board 2
17 - Mood board conclusions
18 - DPS inspiration
19 - Summary of ideas – Mixer
20 - Summary of ideas – Xtra
21 - Target audience
22 - Form and style
23 - Conclusion
3. Magazine of Inspiration
My masthead will be very
similar to the way that XXL have
laid there's out. As I want to
keep it as close to my magazine
of inspiration as possible, as this
is the magazine that I want mine
to look like.
The main image will be in the
middle of the front cover as it is
the main focus of the magazine.
I want my artist to be in the
centre of the page because it
also allows me to put stuff
behind it.
I want my cover stories to
be on either side of the
main image. This then
allows the other space
where I will put my cover
stories so the reader can
also see that there are
other stories in the
magazine.
The main headline is where
they have put the main story in
the biggest text as it is what is
focused on in this magazine
copy. I want my main headline
to be in this format because it
shows the main focus of the
magazine.
The barcode has the date, issue
and price on it.
4. 15-24 years old (Hartley) as I
feel that this age range are
still involved with this type
of music and will enjoy the
magazine a lot. I’m basing
my magazine around the
magazine of inspiration
which is XXL and this is
because I want to have a
similar target audience
because its my magazine of
inspiration and I want to
relate it to their magazine.
• Cost of Magazine: £3.50
Black, grey and red are my colours of
choice for my magazine. The colour
scheme that I have chosen depicts to
the reader that it is urgent that they
read this magazine. One of my
magazines is going to have a light grey
and the other is going to be dark grey.
The reason for this is because I like
simple colours and the colour red has
ben taken from inspiration from XXL
magazine.
Mixer
Colour
scheme
Masthead
Target
audience
Frequency
Types of
Images
Masthead names
• Playlist
• Mixer
• Xtra
I like all three of these names as I
feel they are very catchy and will
catch the eye of the target
audience.
The denotation of the masthead
Mixer connotes that there is
going to be a “mix” of different
music genres within my
magazine.
The denotation of the masthead
Xtra connotes that there is going
to be “extra” news, facts and
many more.
The main image will be
a close up but will be
cut off at the shoulder.
This image will be
related to what my
magazine is based on
e.g. the way they
present themselves,
there style etc.
The frequency of the magazine will be
monthly as I want my audience to see and
read as much as possibly in the space of
one year, for the likes of there enjoyment.
5. 15-24 years old as I feel
that this age range are
still involved with this
type of music and will
enjoy the magazine a lot.
I’m basing my magazine
around the magazine of
inspiration which is XXL
and this is because I want
to have a similar target
audience because its my
magazine of inspiration
and I want to relate it to
their magazine.
Black, dark grey and red are my
colours of choice for my magazine. The
colour scheme that I have chosen
depicts to the reader that it is urgent
that they read this magazine. The
colour red connotes the passion I as
producer of the magazine have for
music and also the audiences passion
for the magazine. Dark grey will also
stand out to a pass along audience.
Xtra
Colour
scheme
Masthead
Target
audience
Frequency
Types of
Images
Masthead names
• Xtra
• Flame – the magazine is on
‘fire’ updating you with
great music content.
I like both of these names as I
feel they are very catchy and
will catch the eye of the target
audience.
.
The denotation of the
masthead Xtra connotes that
there is going to be “extra”
news, facts and many more.
The main image will be
a close up but will be
cut off at the shoulder.
This image will be
related to what my
magazine is based on
e.g. the way they
present themselves,
there style etc.
The frequency of the magazine will be
monthly as I want my audience to see and
read as much as possibly in the space of
one year, for the likes of there enjoyment.
6. Graphic Layout for Mixer – Front Cover
Barcode
Masthead
Strapline
Artist
photo
Social media
Cover stories
Quote
Info about main
image
Masthead
Strapline
Quote
Cover stories Cover stories
Barcode
Social media
Info about main
image
Artist
photo
11. Font styles
Reckoner by Alex Dale
Stentiga by
Typodermic Fonts
Blackout Sunrise by Tyler Finck
The Outbox
St by Southype
NFL Broncos by WA DesignsFE-Font
http://www.dafont.com
12. Font styles conclusion
This is my favourite font style out of
the three for mixer, as I feel this
stands out more and will catch the
publics eye with its bold text. The
name Mixer connotes the fact that
you can mix up various different
tracks for them to interlink with one
another. The font also looks high tech
connoting that my magazine will be
of high tech. furthermore, this is a
‘difference’ (Steve Neale 1980) as
there aren't really any fonts out
there on hip-hop magazines like this.
The only one I can think of is ‘The
Source’.
This is my favourite font style out of
the three for Xtra, this has a different
look to it and I wanted to try
something different with the styles
for Xtra. The name Xtra connotes
that can listen to extra tracks from an
artists album. This font is very similar
to XXL font style however slightly
slimmer. It is simple and bold so easy
to catch a pass along audiences eye
and easy to read.
13. What will you “repeat” (Steve Neale – 1980)
In the two magazines, I will keep the layout the same as my magazine of
inspiration. The way the magazine will be laid out will be very easy for the
reader to read as I want the magazine to catch the eye of the reader.
Throughout both front covers of my magazines there will be little changes to
the magazine front covers such as the main change being the name of the
magazine. Also the background colours and the font of the magazine name.
The top left of the magazine is where XXL have put
there name and this is very similar to where I want
to put mine. I will also have my main image going
through the centre of the cover.
Therefore I am going to be using all the important
conventions of a music magazine such as the
masthead, cover lines, main headline and strapline.
14. What will you “repeat” (Steve Neale – 1980)
In the two magazines, I will keep the layout the same as my magazine of
inspiration. The way the magazine will be laid out will be very easy for the
reader to read as I want the magazine to catch the eye of the reader.
Throughout both double page spreads of my magazines there will be little
changes to the magazine such as the main change being the name of the
magazine. Also the background colours and the font of the magazine name.
I am going repeat using the drop capital, pull quote, main image, page
number for example.
17. Mood board conclusions
I have used this image because I feel that this
Rolex shows that I want my magazine to be
well known throughout all countries. If
everyone had the money for a gold Rolex,
everyone would be getting one, what I'm
saying is everyone will have the money to buy
my magazine. This will appeal to the older
generation especially the A category of the
socio economic needs who will be able to
afford a Rolex.
I have used this image because I want my
magazine to be a fast selling magazine, I want it
to run out of stock so quickly because it shows
that my magazine is so successfully, for
example, the Yeezys are a very successful style
of shoe and every wants a pair of these shoes.
These shoes will appeal to the ‘digital natives’
(Prensky 2001) who want to keep up with the
latest trends and who are social climbers
(Maslow) as want to improve their status in
society so if they buy these they will feel like
this will happen.
18. DPS Inspiration
The main image shows who
the interview is based around
Bow Wow in this issue and he
gives you a sight into what
others think of him. He also
within in this interview which
is pretty lengthy he may
reveal some childhood
memories or childhood
questions that may be asked.
The drop capital is where
the magazine has outlined
where you should start
reading from. The drop
capital is used to make the
interview stand out, putting
a drop capital in makes the
reader want to read it as
they may think it is very
interesting.
This is a pull quote indicating what he think of something in his life.
“you just have to give them a little edge. Cause if I keep making bounce
with me. They’re gonna keep putting me in that category of kiddie
rapper. I’m 18 now.” these are thoughts as he thinks people are judging
him on his past in the movies
The page number is at the
bottom of the to indicate
obviously if you were to go
back to this page you can
find this page easier.
19. Summary of Ideas – Mixer
The different between the magazines
PROPOSAL
The genre of my magazine is going to be R&B with bits of hip hop in it, as I feel that this genre will
attract a lot of people towards my magazine and this is essential in the popularity of a magazine.
The hip hop artists are going to be different to XTRA. On MIXER I will have artists such as Kanye
West who has been in the music industry for a long time. Furthermore, it will be different to
XTRA as you will be able to win ‘BEATS’ headphones which will appeal to the younger
demographic of my audience especially ‘digital natives’ (Prensky 2001). I will have synergy with
other social media such as Facebook to help sell the magazine.
The colours of my magazine are black, grey and red are my colours of choice for my magazine.
The colour scheme that I have chosen depicts to the reader that it is urgent that they read this
magazine. They grey on the magazine is to connote a sophisticated and that I don’t want to go
over the top with my magazine colours and keep them natural.
The price of my magazine will be £3.50 as I feel this is a perfect price for my magazine as it is new
to the market and don’t know whether a lot of people will buy my magazine. As I will be in
competition with other magazines such as ‘The Source’ and XXL I do not want to make my
magazine to expensive otherwise it will not sell especially to the D/E category of the socio-
economic needs table. Furthermore, the difference between this magazine is that I want to aim a
slightly older target audience as hopefully I can do this by using older artists such as Kanye West.
The strapline of this magazine is going to be ‘MIX WITH THE UK’S BEST MAGAZINE’ this is short
and snappy and also uses language from the masthead. Lastly, the masthead will be at the top of
the page filled in, in bright red, red is a brilliant colour to catch an audiences eye and also
connotes the passion the magazine has for its audience and love of music.
20. Summary of Ideas – Xtra
PROPOSAL
The genre of this magazine is going to be mainly R&B with some eclectic aspects meaning it will
be open to a few different genres. Although the colour scheme is very similar to MIXER (as I do
not like too many big bold colours as I feel the magazines wouldn’t look professional) I have
decided to go for a slightly lighter grey. Grey is neutral colour which gives off connotations of
‘coolness’ but also a sophisticated colour and this is definitely something I want my magazine to
give off a very formal look. The puff promotion on this magazine is going to be different as I want
to the magazine to appeal to a slightly younger audience than MIXER between the ages of 16-25
therefore I will do a WIN TICKETS to someone like SKEPTA. The artists are going to be a lot more
contempoary on the front cover of the magazine. For example I will use NOTES who is a brand
new artist out there and GIGGS who males will especially like. Again I will have synergy with other
social medias such as Snapchat which is becoming a very popular social media with ‘digital
natives’ (Prensky 2001). Using Facebook for MIXER will appeal to a more wide range audience
whereas Snapchat will appeal to the younger audience. The price of the magazine will be the
same as MIXER or slightly cheaper as I want to target a more younger audience. The format and
syyle will be simple and I will follow conventions such as the masthead, cover lines down the left
and right hand side. I will have the masthead similar to XXL on the left hand side. The masthead
will be black with a white outlining to make sure it stands out on the shop shelf.
21. Target Audience
Katz
The audience can relate to the artist that I am going to have on my front cover through the clothing that they are
wearing, also the way that they are positioned can connote there hierarchy that they have in the music industry. The
‘star’ (Dyer 1980) on the front cover is going to be wearing brands such as NORTH FACE therefore the younger audience
will be able to ‘personally identify’ (Katz) with him on the front cover.
Hartley
Age: The age range that I am going to focus my magazine on is 15-24. As I feel that this age range are starting to get into
or currently into this style of music, basing my magazine around R&B will mean that I am going to sell many issues of my
magazine. However, MIXER will have a slightly older target audience as I will use artists such as Kanye West who has
been in the music industry for a long time.
Gender: The gender that the magazine is mainly aimed at is males, as I feel males are more into this style of music. This
is not saying that it isn't available to females as I feel females are also going to like reading about this magazine, as I plan
to feature female R&B artists in it in the future.
Maslow
When my target audience is reading about there favourite artists they will be then immediately wanting to improve
their status in society as they will want to be more like them. Due to social-climbing it is important that in todays society
we give the audience a sense of confidence when wanting to change their image or character.
Psychographics
The audience will be aspires and mainstreamers as they will like to keep up to date with the latest music out there and
also the latest fashion trends therefore I have to make sure I dress my model accordingly.
22. Form and style
The layout of the magazine is going to be well presented. As I want it to clearly show the main focus of
the magazine, having the main image through the centre of the front cover will show the focal point of
the magazine. Both of the magazines I aiming to be formal and sophisticated.
MIXER will be bright red and will be at the top in the middle of the page with the artist overlapping a
convention I want to ‘repeat’ (Neale 1980) from professional music magazines that are already out there
such as XXL. XTRA will be on the left hand side like XXL and will be black with a white stroke. The white
stroke will give it that sophisticated look and will help the black text to stand out.
I’ll use the colours black, grey and red for Mixer magazine. The colour scheme that I have chosen depicts
to the reader that it is urgent that they read this magazine. They grey on the magazine is to connote a
sophisticated and that I don’t want to go over the top with my magazine colours and keep them natural.
Like I said I want the magazines to reflect my taste and I do not like bright and bold colours therefore
have only decided to change the greys. The greys have connotations of ‘coolness’ and I want my magazine
to be ‘cool’ to target youths but also sophisticated to target the older audience.
I am also going to use black and red for my Xtra magazine but instead of grey use dark grey to add in a
tiny bit of change. The dark grey will illustrate boldness and issues something that you would usually
associate with the business world.
23. Conclusion
Overall, this document has all of my ideas on with firstly, the mind maps. Showing all
my ideas of what I may want to incorporate into the magazine. Also I analysed my
magazine front cover and double page spread of inspiration. Also writing about the
target audience that I am aiming it at and the different colour schemes that I am going
to be using.
