Evaluation question #6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
The camera I used for the production of my magazine was a Nikon D40. I already knew how to use this camera to a basic level. But to create the photos that I desired I had to learn how to use some of the features which I wasn't too familiar with. To do this I spoke to friends with the same camera, and also googled questions that I was unsure of. I feel that this camera worked well to deliver a studio quality finish to my photos as well being easy to use. 
I used my macbook extensively throughout the production of my magazine. This has helped me extensively to create a brilliant finished product. Without this I would have been forced to work on one of the school computers which would have kept me behind quite a few hours. With having my own laptop I could work from home, when I wanted, which helped me to stay on top of production work.
I used my iPhone 4 a lot during production, this helped me to continue my work from home as well as on the move. I could constantly check and update my blog, as well as receive emails regarding posts and people posting on my blog. I could also send files from and to my phone to work on.
This is a screenshot during the production process on my mac using photoshop. As you can see I used grids to ensure that all of the words and the pictures lined up equally ensuring that professional finish.
I used the apple software included on my mac, Pages to write the script for my interview, this helped to make sure that all spelling and grammer was correct.
One of the most obvious pieces of technology I have used is Blogger. This helped me to create a blog and constantly updating it making my work accessible to teachers, myself and other students. I have also used it to see what others think of my work.
On my other original class blog I posted questions like the one seen above, this helped me to make further decisions on the basic ones I had.
The main thing that I have learnt though, is that although magazines on the shelves seem appear as an easy process, churned out month by month, they are in fact a lot more complex than that. Having to take hours myself perfecting just one photo I know understand and appreciate the amount of time and effort that is put into creating just a front cover, let alone various pages.
Evaluation question #5
How did you attract/address your audience?
I chose that to keep the particular house style that I was after, which is quite formal with a more upmarket feel i would address the audience very formally but also using as little words as possible, even for the headlines on the front cover. This worked well for various reasons, partly so that I didn’t write to much for and end up losing my house style as it could of been considered to formal, or in some respects quite feminine. I thought that keeping the words down will also make it a lot easier to read as you aren’t forever darting back and forth reading a lot. Also it left most of the words down to the readers interpretations, so if the reader themselves were quite formal then they might seen the magazine as a formal upmarket magazine, where as if they were more inner-city type youths they make read it and feel as though the magazine appeals to them with their use of language.
It also helped to tie in with the house theme of minimalism, creating clean spaces not only on the front cover but also in the contents as well as the double page spread.
Evaluation question #4
Who would be the audience for your media product?
I believe that the audience for my media product would mainly be males aged between 17-24 with a particular taste in street culture, fashion and of course hip hop music. This is due mainly to the genre of the magazine, but also that I would not expect an older reader to want to read about street art or sneakers.
I believe that the audience for my media product would mainly be males aged between 17-24 with a particular taste in street culture, fashion and of course hip hop music. This is due mainly to the genre of the magazine, but also that I would not expect an older reader to want to read about street art or sneakers.
This is the particular sort of person that I would expect to buy my magazine, from the image you can see that he is very clean cut with a well fitting t-shirt and short clean shorts. Both his shoes are clean with no dirt showing that he takes pride in his appearance, this would be the sort of person I would reach out to as they appear to have an interest in fashion trends and clearly sneakers. With this is they are more than likely going to have an interest in hip hop music (as this person does).
Evaluation question #3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I feel as though a more successful media institution would publish and distribute my magazine, one similar to Hearst. With a repertoire of other up-market magazine with a high volume of sales. I feel that this is down to the fact that my magazine would be a big seller within the new breed of hip hop fans, such as kanye and cudi fans. Having other up-market magazine in their repertoire shows that they have a history of creating formal magazine that work for the masses and not just the unique people.
Evaluation question #2
How does your media product represent particular social groups ?
I feel as though my magazine not only represents a particular group but it also challenges them. The particular group that I feel my magazine is aimed at is young ‘hip’ males aged between 17-24. With a particular interest in rap/hip-hop music, and are keen with popular street culture and fashion. I feel that my magazine is aimed at these people but is designed in a way which challenges them, rather than having a hooded youth on my front cover, or a black man in a puffed coat, I decided to go in the oposite direction but still with the same genre, aimed at the same social group. Similar to how Esquire works, I decided that I would do a up-market rap magazine. I dressed my models a lot more formal, similar to GQ and used more formal english, but with the use of rap artists and street slang. Creating a more formal rap artist. Showing that they don’t all have to be violent thugs.
Looking at a picture of both my artist and the rapper Mr Hudson, there are immediately quite a few similarities that can be seen. In both pictures the artists appear to be in deep thought, as though they are quite complex character, leading to the idea that there is more to them that meets the eye. The most obvious similarity is that both rappers are white, seemingly putting a stop to the stereotype that all rappers are black, along with Eminem. Both dressed very sharply then gives them their own stereotype, that if they want to succeed as white rappers they may feel as though they have to dress more formally to become a successful artist.The differences between these two photos and the artists I feel is the fact that my artist is looking into the camera, where as Mr Hudson isn't. To me this shows my artist as stronger figure, and possibly a bigger star than Hudson and therefore has more confidence.
Evaluation question #1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of music magazines)
My magazine uses many conventions similar to those seen in music magazine seen on stands. The name I have chosen to use for my magazine originates from Kanye West, a movement he created in 2010 which required artists under his label to smarten up, not only in the way they dressed but the way they acted. This of course follows many conventions of the hip hop genre as I am using something a hip hop artist has created themselves. The idea of the artists dressing a lot more formally and acting more maturely fits in well with the house theme of my magazine, as well as keeping it in the hip hop genre.
I feel that my page layouts seem to challenge other hip hop genre magazine but are in keeping with other gentleman magazine, developing both genres of magazines at the same time. I have tried to ensure that the page seems, clean and minimalistic, but at the same time not to appear empty and undesigned. I have inspiration from another hip hop magazine, Complex in the way that they include a large picture of their artist and ensure that the writing is clear and readable, but not taking up over half of the page. I have taken inspiration from Esquire in the headers and footers of the page to include the name of the magazine, the month and the story on the page. I feel this helps to create a more formal house style as well as making it clear for the reader. At the same time as making the pages more clear to read and making it more minimalistic.
I have tried to dress and design my artist, and the props included to appear quite minimalistic but also trying to make the artist seem quite complex. In keeping with the theme of the magazine, and that seen in Esquire I have dressed my artist in a suit, although on the cover he is wearing a tie, and on the DPS he has lost the tie. Making him appear more relaxed, of that he could be stressed, which is in keeping with the story on the same page surrounding the artist. The suit makes him appear formal, but at the same time seem quite easy and laid back, with it only being a single breasted suit we don’t immediately associate him with a business man or a country figure, but instead someone who appears to money. On the front cover the way his hands are placed we can see a watch, which I hope is shown in a way that looks like a high end watch such as a rolex or similar, linking in again with the fact that he has money, but also trying to show him as a arrogant man with money and not afraid of showing it.
I have incorporated playing cards on the table that he is sitting at, I added this in post production using photoshop. I felt these would help to show him as a more ‘gangster’ figure someone who has a lot of spare money, and isn’t afraid to spend it. I also hoped that the connotations associated who make it appear that he is gambling, possibly with his life or his career.
In the background of the DPS I have included photo frames that were originally in the room that I took the photo, but have multiplied these as there were only 2 frames on the wall. I have then included different parts of the artists body that I have cut out of various other pictures that I took during the photo shoot. I felt that this would help to create a better mise on scene for the artist, as well as giving the impression to the audience that he is in parts and we can see them all, as if he is apart for us all to see.
For the front cover the camera work and angle I feel have been used in a very strong manner to make it look as though we could be looking deeply into the artist, as if looking into his soul for explanations. I have used a mid shot, take directly on the artists level, with his hands together. In the double page spread the photo was taken from a slightly lower angle with the artist looking again directly into the camera. Now looking a bit more stressed from the front cover maybe showing that he might not be comfortable with the interview process. I feel that from the front cover to the contents and then ending with the double page spread there seems to be a change in the artist. Appearing more strong and unbreakable on the front cover, as if he could not be broken, to the contents where he seems more comfortable and ready to open up, to finally the double page spread where he seems to have given and deep interview that could have tired him out, and now sprawled across the table showing that he has fully opened up to readers.
This ties in well with how I have hoped to represent my artist, from the front cover as a strong man who appears to be unapproachable. I have changed his eye colour in post production to read which could have connotations that he or his music is associated with the devil, but this I feel conflicts with the idea that he is praying to the camera. This to me works well as I hoped the reader would see him as a man who could be seen as evil but praying as if he is hoping for change, and that only god can help him.
This then works with the double page spread as it could be seen that the artist has now been accepted by god and feels relieved, which would explain the sprawling across the table, but still doesn’t seem as though he is completely satisfied.
The fonts that I have used I feel work well with both the genre of the magazine as well as the artists style. The bold font used for the header, shows to me that the magazine is a strong one with a good reputation. But also with a heavy presence within magazines.
The font I feel gets thinner as it works its way down to the artist, becoming more artistic, and almost more welcoming, which i feel fits in with the artist. The tag line for the artist is that he is the new Goodfella, a mobster. Which I have used the same font as used for the promotional posters for the film. This fits in well with the artist as he is supposed to be an artist on the top of his game possibly the biggest artist right now, which the magazine claims he has been creating a whole new sound, which then ties in with the fact that he is a mobster, showing that he doesn’t follow conventions or rules and that he does as he pleases. In the music scene.
I have tried to use minimal tag lines on the front cover, to try and keep the minimalistic theme seen throughout the magazine, but at the same time filling the void on the cover. I have kept these related to the same genre of music, but not only that. I have included to other major artists, possibly the biggest hip hop artists around today, Jay Z and Kanye West. Placing my artists over the top of this and giving him a picture which takes up more space than these two giant artists shows that he is maybe more important and bigger in the rap game. I have also include three smaller tag lines at the top of the page, in a smaller thinner font, showing that these are either not major stories or that the stories or artists are not considered as big as my artist featured on the front cover. In the contents my artist is one again shown to be more important, although his picture is same size as the others, his number over his picture is highlighted by the only colour on the page, showing that his story is a bigger and more important read than the various other artists included.
In the double page spread the only title I have used is a small one at the two top corners of the page showing it is the cover story with ‘Mills’ I have taken inspiration for this idea from issues of Esquire.
I feel that although the way my magazine is laid out and designed may not usually be considered for a hip hop magazine, I still feel that the genre is obvious from the front cover throughout the pages. Comparing my magazine to Complex I feel as though I have developed the design that they started with the clean fresh look but only incorporating the idea of suits and more cleaner pages. The tag lines used on the front cover are the most obvious thing that make is distinctly a hip hop magazine with the use of well known hip hop artists. But also showing the artist isn’t completely formal, as well as showing him in a possible devil form but praying show that he isn’t a classical or acoustic star. In the contents once again the most obvious thing that give away the genre is the use of a lot of other well known hip hop artists that you would all associate together which help to show include my artist in this genre.
The colour scheme throughout my magazine I feel works well to create a hip hop theme as well as creating a minimalistic look. A lot of recent rap and hip hop music videos have been shot in black and white, giving them a more artistic feel, this is why I have made the majority of my magazine including images black and white. I have used read as a recurring colour only featuring minimally in areas that I felt would help to emphasise a certain thing, such as the red eyes on the front cover of the red photos/
One of the most obvious ways that i have challenged forms of real media publications is the house theme used throughout my magazine, I have tried to maintain a clean look throughout, similar to the house style seen in GQ and Esquire. I hope this has given my magazine a professional look, with a smart clean finish, making it a better read for the music fan.
I would argue that I have helped to develop conventions seen in magazines, by using a more simplistic look throughout it helps to show that a magazine doesn’t have to be busy and full of a lot of pictures and files. By using less images it helps to make the magazine an easier read, and a more enjoyable read.
My magazine uses many conventions similar to those seen in music magazine seen on stands. The name I have chosen to use for my magazine originates from Kanye West, a movement he created in 2010 which required artists under his label to smarten up, not only in the way they dressed but the way they acted. This of course follows many conventions of the hip hop genre as I am using something a hip hop artist has created themselves. The idea of the artists dressing a lot more formally and acting more maturely fits in well with the house theme of my magazine, as well as keeping it in the hip hop genre.
I feel that my page layouts seem to challenge other hip hop genre magazine but are in keeping with other gentleman magazine, developing both genres of magazines at the same time. I have tried to ensure that the page seems, clean and minimalistic, but at the same time not to appear empty and undesigned. I have inspiration from another hip hop magazine, Complex in the way that they include a large picture of their artist and ensure that the writing is clear and readable, but not taking up over half of the page. I have taken inspiration from Esquire in the headers and footers of the page to include the name of the magazine, the month and the story on the page. I feel this helps to create a more formal house style as well as making it clear for the reader. At the same time as making the pages more clear to read and making it more minimalistic.
I have tried to dress and design my artist, and the props included to appear quite minimalistic but also trying to make the artist seem quite complex. In keeping with the theme of the magazine, and that seen in Esquire I have dressed my artist in a suit, although on the cover he is wearing a tie, and on the DPS he has lost the tie. Making him appear more relaxed, of that he could be stressed, which is in keeping with the story on the same page surrounding the artist. The suit makes him appear formal, but at the same time seem quite easy and laid back, with it only being a single breasted suit we don’t immediately associate him with a business man or a country figure, but instead someone who appears to money. On the front cover the way his hands are placed we can see a watch, which I hope is shown in a way that looks like a high end watch such as a rolex or similar, linking in again with the fact that he has money, but also trying to show him as a arrogant man with money and not afraid of showing it.
I have incorporated playing cards on the table that he is sitting at, I added this in post production using photoshop. I felt these would help to show him as a more ‘gangster’ figure someone who has a lot of spare money, and isn’t afraid to spend it. I also hoped that the connotations associated who make it appear that he is gambling, possibly with his life or his career.
In the background of the DPS I have included photo frames that were originally in the room that I took the photo, but have multiplied these as there were only 2 frames on the wall. I have then included different parts of the artists body that I have cut out of various other pictures that I took during the photo shoot. I felt that this would help to create a better mise on scene for the artist, as well as giving the impression to the audience that he is in parts and we can see them all, as if he is apart for us all to see.
For the front cover the camera work and angle I feel have been used in a very strong manner to make it look as though we could be looking deeply into the artist, as if looking into his soul for explanations. I have used a mid shot, take directly on the artists level, with his hands together. In the double page spread the photo was taken from a slightly lower angle with the artist looking again directly into the camera. Now looking a bit more stressed from the front cover maybe showing that he might not be comfortable with the interview process. I feel that from the front cover to the contents and then ending with the double page spread there seems to be a change in the artist. Appearing more strong and unbreakable on the front cover, as if he could not be broken, to the contents where he seems more comfortable and ready to open up, to finally the double page spread where he seems to have given and deep interview that could have tired him out, and now sprawled across the table showing that he has fully opened up to readers.
This ties in well with how I have hoped to represent my artist, from the front cover as a strong man who appears to be unapproachable. I have changed his eye colour in post production to read which could have connotations that he or his music is associated with the devil, but this I feel conflicts with the idea that he is praying to the camera. This to me works well as I hoped the reader would see him as a man who could be seen as evil but praying as if he is hoping for change, and that only god can help him.
This then works with the double page spread as it could be seen that the artist has now been accepted by god and feels relieved, which would explain the sprawling across the table, but still doesn’t seem as though he is completely satisfied.
The fonts that I have used I feel work well with both the genre of the magazine as well as the artists style. The bold font used for the header, shows to me that the magazine is a strong one with a good reputation. But also with a heavy presence within magazines.
The font I feel gets thinner as it works its way down to the artist, becoming more artistic, and almost more welcoming, which i feel fits in with the artist. The tag line for the artist is that he is the new Goodfella, a mobster. Which I have used the same font as used for the promotional posters for the film. This fits in well with the artist as he is supposed to be an artist on the top of his game possibly the biggest artist right now, which the magazine claims he has been creating a whole new sound, which then ties in with the fact that he is a mobster, showing that he doesn’t follow conventions or rules and that he does as he pleases. In the music scene.
I have tried to use minimal tag lines on the front cover, to try and keep the minimalistic theme seen throughout the magazine, but at the same time filling the void on the cover. I have kept these related to the same genre of music, but not only that. I have included to other major artists, possibly the biggest hip hop artists around today, Jay Z and Kanye West. Placing my artists over the top of this and giving him a picture which takes up more space than these two giant artists shows that he is maybe more important and bigger in the rap game. I have also include three smaller tag lines at the top of the page, in a smaller thinner font, showing that these are either not major stories or that the stories or artists are not considered as big as my artist featured on the front cover. In the contents my artist is one again shown to be more important, although his picture is same size as the others, his number over his picture is highlighted by the only colour on the page, showing that his story is a bigger and more important read than the various other artists included.
In the double page spread the only title I have used is a small one at the two top corners of the page showing it is the cover story with ‘Mills’ I have taken inspiration for this idea from issues of Esquire.
I feel that although the way my magazine is laid out and designed may not usually be considered for a hip hop magazine, I still feel that the genre is obvious from the front cover throughout the pages. Comparing my magazine to Complex I feel as though I have developed the design that they started with the clean fresh look but only incorporating the idea of suits and more cleaner pages. The tag lines used on the front cover are the most obvious thing that make is distinctly a hip hop magazine with the use of well known hip hop artists. But also showing the artist isn’t completely formal, as well as showing him in a possible devil form but praying show that he isn’t a classical or acoustic star. In the contents once again the most obvious thing that give away the genre is the use of a lot of other well known hip hop artists that you would all associate together which help to show include my artist in this genre.
The colour scheme throughout my magazine I feel works well to create a hip hop theme as well as creating a minimalistic look. A lot of recent rap and hip hop music videos have been shot in black and white, giving them a more artistic feel, this is why I have made the majority of my magazine including images black and white. I have used read as a recurring colour only featuring minimally in areas that I felt would help to emphasise a certain thing, such as the red eyes on the front cover of the red photos/
One of the most obvious ways that i have challenged forms of real media publications is the house theme used throughout my magazine, I have tried to maintain a clean look throughout, similar to the house style seen in GQ and Esquire. I hope this has given my magazine a professional look, with a smart clean finish, making it a better read for the music fan.
I would argue that I have helped to develop conventions seen in magazines, by using a more simplistic look throughout it helps to show that a magazine doesn’t have to be busy and full of a lot of pictures and files. By using less images it helps to make the magazine an easier read, and a more enjoyable read.
evaluation draft
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of music magazines)
My magazine uses many conventions similar to those seen in music magazine seen on stands. One of the most obvious is the house theme used throughout my magazine, I have tried to maintain a clean look throughout, similar to the house style seen in GQ and Esquire. I hope this has given my magazine a professional look, with a smart clean finish, making it a better read for the music fan.
I would argue that I have helped to develop conventions seen in magazines, by using a more simplistic look throughout it helps to show that a magazine doesn’t have to be busy and full of a lot of pictures and files. By using less images it helps to make the magazine an easier read, and a more enjoyable read.
How does your media product represent particular social groups ?
I feel as though my magazine not only represents a particular group but it also challenges them. The particular group that I feel my magazine is aimed at is young ‘hip’ males aged between 17-24. With a particular interest in rap/hip-hop music, and are keen with popular street culture and fashion. I feel that my magazine is aimed at these people but is designed in a way which challenges them, rather than having a hooded youth on my front cover, or a black man in a puffed coat, I decided to go in the oposite direction but still with the same genre, aimed at the same social group. Similar to how Esquire works, I decided that I would do a up-market rap magazine. I dressed my models a lot more formal, similar to GQ and used more formal english, but with the use of rap artists and street slang. Creating a more formal rap artist. Showing that they don’t all have to be violent thugs.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I feel as though a more successful media institution would publish and distribute my magazine, one similar to Hearst. With a repertoire of other up-market magazine with a high volume of sales. I feel that this is down to the fact that my magazine would be a big seller within the new breed of hip hop fans, such as kanye and cudi fans. Having other up-market magazine in their repertoire shows that they have a history of creating formal magazine that work for the masses and not just the unique people.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
I believe that the audience for my media product would mainly be males aged between 17-24 with a particular taste in street culture, fashion and of course hip hop music. This is due mainly to the genre of the magazine, but also that I would not expect an older reader to want to read about street art or sneakers.
How did you attract/address your audience?
I chose that to keep the particular house style that I was after, which is quite formal with a more upmarket feel i would address the audience very formally but also using as little words as possible, even for the headlines on the front cover. This worked well for various reasons, partly so that I didn’t write to much for and end up losing my house style as it could of been considered to formal, or in some respects quite feminine. I thought that keeping the words down will also make it a lot easier to read as you aren’t forever darting back and forth reading a lot. Also it left most of the words down to the readers interpretations, so if the reader themselves were quite formal then they might seen the magazine as a formal upmarket magazine, where as if they were more inner-city type youths they make read it and feel as though the magazine appeals to them with their use of language.
It also helped to tie in with the house theme of minimalism, creating clean spaces not only on the front cover but also in the contents as well as the double page spread.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
The main technology that I have used throughout the production of my magazine is photoshop. Already having a basic knowledge of photo shop and a basic understanding it was quite easy for me to get stuck into my work and to try and create a decent magazine.
Although saying this I have advanced quite far in my photoshop skills, I have developed new skills and techniques that i didn’t before know how to do.
The main thing that I have learnt though, is that although magazines on the shelves seem appear as an easy process, churned out month by month, they are in fact a lot more complex than that. Having to take hours myself perfecting just one photo I know understand and appreciate the amount of time and effort that is put into creating just a front cover, let alone various pages.
Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?
I feel as though looking back at my preliminary task there is a clear sign that i have progressed, not only with my skills on photoshop, but also with my design perspective.
BURNHAM corporation - publishing house
Burnham Corporation is a privately-held American-based British media conglomerate based in the Burnham Tower in New York City, USA. Founded by Sam Burnham as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media.
Burnham is one of the largest diversified communications companies in the world. Its major interests include 18 daily and 18 weekly newspapers.
Burnham are currently the publishing house for Rosewood, the magazine, the monthly music magazine, with an upmarket audience aimed at hip hop and rap fans. Rosewood is one of Burnhams biggest magazines with a circulation over 600,000 in America alone, every month.
Burnham is one of the largest diversified communications companies in the world. Its major interests include 18 daily and 18 weekly newspapers.
Burnham are currently the publishing house for Rosewood, the magazine, the monthly music magazine, with an upmarket audience aimed at hip hop and rap fans. Rosewood is one of Burnhams biggest magazines with a circulation over 600,000 in America alone, every month.
Hearst Corporation - publishing house
Hearst Corporation is a privately-held American-based media conglomerate based in the Hearst Tower in New York City, USA. Founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, the company's holdings now include a wide variety of media.
Hearst is one of the largest diversified communications companies in the world. Its major interests include 15 daily and 38 weekly newspapers.
Hearst are currently the publishing house for Esquire, the magazine which I based much of my own on. Esquire is one of Hearts biggest magazines with a circulation over 700,000 in America, every month.
I believe that Hearst is a similar style publishing house to the one that would publish ROSEWOOD, as they have a keen interest in up market magazine, with a direct audience.
They also publish Cosmopoltan, a female version of Esquire.
ROSEWOOD would fit in well with a clear market towards the Rap music genre as well as being up market.
Double Page spread - mock ups
I used stock photo's of James Dean similar to the style of photo that I would like to create in a cafe or pub, using my model.
I like the use of the 'M' here, as it incorporates the artists name, it would be slightly difficult to fit 1000 words in though. I like the large photo and the title of the artists name covering the photo.
This is possibly my favourite design as it is quite plain and simple, i like the border around the photo as well, leaving room for comments of the photo.
I like the use of the different layout here, but would be difficult to keep it looking neat with the story on both sides.
Contents - Mock Ups
I like the use of the photo here and that the writing is to the left, I also believe the use of other photos of either the photo shoot or of other possible stories inside the magazine.
This is probably my favourite design as I like the wonky picture used as well as the large font used for the cover model. I also like how the contents shapes around the model
Cover - Mock ups
I like the minimalistic design used here as well as the cartoon style headphones with the scribble writing, it could be considered too empty. I will definitely consider this design when coming to my draft design as I believe it is effective.
I like the use of a lot of writing used here, but both the header and the writing itself seems to be to thin and therefore too weak for a magazine cover. If I was going to consider a design like this then I would do it using normal fonts, similar to the Robert Downey Jr Esquire cover.
This is one of my favourites in terms of shots and design, if I was to consider this design then I would need to use a better font and a better photo. But I do like the minimalistic design used with the line.
Character article - Mills
Having already had three multi platinum number 1 albums under his belt, not to mention the various Grammy and MTV nominations for this coming year alone. It comes as no surprise when we tell you that the man from 'the wrong side of the tracks' as he most delicately puts it, will be branching out further into producing as well as the promise of a fourth studio album, just for 2011.
Mills claims to have had a modest upbringing from what he likes to call a dark corner of LA, with a father that was in and out of prison on various occasions and a mother working three jobs to keep on the lights. It would of been easier for Mills, full name Patrick Oliver Millards, to have slipped beneath the system and quickly given up on life, become a cocaine dealer as many of his past school friends had. But he had his mind set on a better life right from the onset.
We speak to the man himself on his initial success as he takes us from his recording studio through the bustling streets of his new found home, New York City, to a quant little cafe, where he has been known to come to 'recover' and 'clear his mind'
New York being your new place of residence, do you not ever find that you miss your home in LA.
Well... It's easy to say i miss my 'home' and that I don't know these streets as well as LA, but to say I would want to go back, would be a lie.
why?
There are of course some good memories about my old home, but predominantly bad memories, it wasn't the nicest of areas.
Do you not feel as though these shaped you to be the person you are today?
No...
... I have become the person I am today through hard graft and determination, something people from where I am from would not understand.
Mills began working at Sony Records under the watchful eye of the Mr Simon Cowell 8 years ago, working as a junior copywriter. This catapulted him into the music industry, something which was non to familiar.
Do you feel as though people from LA would be offended by your comments?
I feel as though I spent 17 years of my life growing up in a neighbourhood where I had to constantly watch my back, I feel as though I owe nothing to them.
You began working at Simon Cowells record label, how did you first become interested in writing music?
I was working one night on a slogan for a new campaign for an artist, Simon had seen something I had written and felt that there was some sort of 'lyrical genius' behind it and that i had a 'natural talent' for writing verses.
And it took of from there?
The following month the campaign went global, and became an overnight success, from then I on I became a song writer.
From which point did you decide that you wanted to be an artist yourself?
After writing songs for various pop artists, I began to write songs that suited me.
And you showed these to Simon?
Oh god no... in fear of my voice I kept them to myself for over a year, I then had the minerals to finally record them, on my days off at work.
Did you feel as though you weren't vocally a strong artist?
I still do, I know theres a hundred better artists than me, and thats something I always worry about, but it's now got to the point where if people buy the music then it must mean something...
Simon accepted your music straight away?
It took some time for him to appreciate the lyrics, and the fact he would lose his writer, but he came around to the idea, and signed me.
Mills claims to have had a modest upbringing from what he likes to call a dark corner of LA, with a father that was in and out of prison on various occasions and a mother working three jobs to keep on the lights. It would of been easier for Mills, full name Patrick Oliver Millards, to have slipped beneath the system and quickly given up on life, become a cocaine dealer as many of his past school friends had. But he had his mind set on a better life right from the onset.
We speak to the man himself on his initial success as he takes us from his recording studio through the bustling streets of his new found home, New York City, to a quant little cafe, where he has been known to come to 'recover' and 'clear his mind'
New York being your new place of residence, do you not ever find that you miss your home in LA.
Well... It's easy to say i miss my 'home' and that I don't know these streets as well as LA, but to say I would want to go back, would be a lie.
why?
There are of course some good memories about my old home, but predominantly bad memories, it wasn't the nicest of areas.
Do you not feel as though these shaped you to be the person you are today?
No...
... I have become the person I am today through hard graft and determination, something people from where I am from would not understand.
Mills began working at Sony Records under the watchful eye of the Mr Simon Cowell 8 years ago, working as a junior copywriter. This catapulted him into the music industry, something which was non to familiar.
Do you feel as though people from LA would be offended by your comments?
I feel as though I spent 17 years of my life growing up in a neighbourhood where I had to constantly watch my back, I feel as though I owe nothing to them.
You began working at Simon Cowells record label, how did you first become interested in writing music?
I was working one night on a slogan for a new campaign for an artist, Simon had seen something I had written and felt that there was some sort of 'lyrical genius' behind it and that i had a 'natural talent' for writing verses.
And it took of from there?
The following month the campaign went global, and became an overnight success, from then I on I became a song writer.
From which point did you decide that you wanted to be an artist yourself?
After writing songs for various pop artists, I began to write songs that suited me.
And you showed these to Simon?
Oh god no... in fear of my voice I kept them to myself for over a year, I then had the minerals to finally record them, on my days off at work.
Did you feel as though you weren't vocally a strong artist?
I still do, I know theres a hundred better artists than me, and thats something I always worry about, but it's now got to the point where if people buy the music then it must mean something...
Mills' first studio album was not initially a commercial success, it later found notoriety when the single 'come back' was used as the theme song in the new Iron Man film.
Simon accepted your music straight away?
It took some time for him to appreciate the lyrics, and the fact he would lose his writer, but he came around to the idea, and signed me.
It was a bit of a rough start for you...
...to say the least, there was of course the awkwardness when few people bought my album and I had to go into the office to talk to Simon, which I presumed would be my demise. He assured me that this can be a common occurrence, and felt as though a second album would put me on the map.
And it did, four studio albums, three of which multi platinum, what can you tell us of your new album?
Well it's still early days, the majority of the songs are written, but few have hit the production stage yet. It will hopefully sound something new, but maybe with a touch of 80's new romantics aswell as an early Jay touch.
Having been compared to the likes of RUN D.M.C and Jay-Z, Mills has brought a new era upon the hip hop genre, creating a new wave of artists following in his path.
Thank you for your time
the pleasure is mine
Test Shots
Cover
This photo works well as a possible front cover image. The way that the model is placed makes him seem as if though he is in deep thought, or sad. He is looking down with no eye contact to the camera. The camera angle makes it appear as if though we are looking down on the model, this would work well with a good caption as to say that we are in the models mind. This would work better if the image was considerably closer, more of a close up just including his shoulders rather than a mid shot.
This is one of my favourites in terms of possible cover pictures. I like the way the model is positioned so that we can see his facial expression, his hair, and what he is wearing.
this works well so that we get a idea of the concept of the front cover, but also we question the models state of mind as he is looking away from the camera. This would work better if the photo was once again a lot closer, as it would be more detailed and make for a better cover.
This is one of my favourites in terms of possible cover pictures. I like the way the model is positioned so that we can see his facial expression, his hair, and what he is wearing.
this works well so that we get a idea of the concept of the front cover, but also we question the models state of mind as he is looking away from the camera. This would work better if the photo was once again a lot closer, as it would be more detailed and make for a better cover.
This is similar in concept to the first photo.
This is similar to the second photo but instead of showing the model looking straight ahead, away from the camera, he is instead leaning his head to a slight angle, giving the audience a clearer shot of his face. This would work slightly better if the model had his head straight up rather than looking down.
This is also one of my favourite photos taken as it is a clear straight on shoulder, close up. The model is looking straight into the camera which I feel works well to give the magazine a different look. We also get a better feel as to what the model is wearing, and we then get a sense of his style.
Contents
I like this photo that could be used for the contents, I am pretty set on the idea of a mid shot rather than a close up as it shows the majority of the model. I also like the idea of using an action shot as shown here as it makes it appear as though we took the picture when the character wasn't looking, which works well to give him a bit of a personality. Although I like the blurred affect seen, it may work better without it.
I like the camera angle used in this shot as it is at a slight angle, which seems to take the studio effect away slightly and give the model a less formal appearance, but still keeping it clean as he is in a studio. This may work better if the photo was taken a little further away.
This is probably my least favourite photo as too me it seems to staged as though i had been asking my model to say 'cheese' I feel as though this wouldn't work well in my style of magazine as people wouldn't be able to take it seriously, but instead believe that we are just mucking about rather than being professionals.
Although I don't like the stance that the model is in, I like the facial expression used as well as the blur, but it might work better if the model was set more to one side of the page, so that the writing is more clear.
Double Page Spread
I like the photo here as it appears to show the model in a deep thought, but also shows him outside of a studio, which gives the photo a more personal look. I have changed the saturation slightly which gives the photo a different feel altogether.
I also like this as it is similar to the first photo for my double page spread, I feel that this works better as the model is looking into the camera, which would contrast well to the cover.
I have come to the conclusion after looking after looking at various pictures in other locations, that I want to shoot my photos for my double page spread in a cafe. In similar style to the photo of James Dean in the cafe. I feel that this would work best to contrast with my front cover of my artist in a studio, to having him looking busy, as though it were taken in the interview itself.
Masthead - ideas
I have been looking at possible fonts and layouts for my mast head. One of the main fonts that I have been looking at is IMPACT, I have then edited the spacing to create the mastheads seen.
I have also looked at helvetica and compacta, but so far IMPACT seems to work best to create a bold but clean look that I am hoping to achieve.
I have also looked at possible layouts for my masthead, but as of right now I am undecided.
I have also looked at helvetica and compacta, but so far IMPACT seems to work best to create a bold but clean look that I am hoping to achieve.
I have also looked at possible layouts for my masthead, but as of right now I am undecided.
Controversial Magazine Covers
The New Yorker, Sept. 24, 2001: Twin Towers in Silhouette
This cover was a graphical as well as an editorial success. The magazine succeeded in creating a fitting and classic memorial to the victims of the tragedy and the buildings themselves in true upscale New Yorker fashion.
Time Magazine, April 8, 1966: Is God Dead?
This cover has been called the most controversial of all time. The related article concerned the “death of god movement” that had sprung up in the 1960′s.
Esquire, April 1968: The Passion of Ali
This smart rendition of Muhammad Ali was created to illustrate his martyrdom to his cause after he refused to join the US military due to his religious beliefs and was subsequently stripped of his heavyweight boxing title.
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