Analysis of Double Page Spread

  This is a double page spread from NME. The image of Lily Allen in the right hand side almost subverts the Male Gaze theory as she is covered up in a baggy shirt, although her top is unbuttoned fairly low and she has 'just rolled out of bed' hair.
  The headline consumes the majority of the page, this is obviously only the first page of the feature. This is in the format of a threatening letter, one that the police would see so the person couldnt be identified. This connotes Lily's rebellion further.
  The colours used are black, white and red which connote rebellion and are rather gothic.
   There is a small introduction, where Lily's name, as in Solange Knowles Vibe article clearly stands out.
 The text is columned in to four and the break in the pages is clearly visible.
  Folio's including the page number, issue and magazine name are in the conventional places besides the journalists name by the title

Analysis of Contents page

  This contents page differs a lot in comparison to VIBE's simplistic guide.  Billboard's readers are a wide range of people, due to the fact it is not aimed at one specific genre as it is based upon the Billboard 100 - this is similar to the Top 40 charts in the UK. Because it is aimed at a wide audience the housestyle, colours and style all seem to be fairly universal and could appeal to all.
   The masthead "Contents" appears across the top and is very similar to the masthead on the cover, which would be "BILLBOARD", this shows synergy to show the two pages relate to eachother, what is shown on the cover is only further explained in the contents. The connotations of this font are edgy and loud. It is simplistic though fairly dramatic.
   The Billboard 100 is listed down the side of the contents in the exact format it appears on the website, also showing synergy. This initally relates to all readers as almost everyone will have a song or artist in the charts that they enjoy because the figures are calculated through public legal purchases.
   There are page breakers of the colour blue, which relates to the colours used. There are conventionally three colours used on a page, these are blue, gleen and black - this could relate to the Autumn season or the artist featured on the cover. The same colours will be used on the front. Four very different images are used on this contents page with the page number listed on it, this is shared understanding between the reader and the magazine that they understand a feature about this person is on that page. Each image has the mise en scene and connotions of their relavant genre. For example, the rapper in the top right image is wearing all black and sunglasses. This does not reveal a lot of the person which connotes mystery and the sunglasses almost connote rebellion and glamour. The leather jacket connotes a biker, although we understand that this rapper probably isn't a biker we understand the rebellion and how in modern day fashion has adapted itself to achieve the connotations necessary. Before I even know who this person is I'm quite aware he is a rapper.
  Keri Hilson appears with a chain wrapped around her, this could be percieved either way; vulnerability or power. I notice she is wearing quite nude shades with one statement colour of her hair which I noted in previous posts.
   The girl country star has the mise en scene of the country in the background.
   All text in the contents is listed under subheadings showing the relevant parts to the reader. The titles of the article are in colour (either blue, green or black) and many are bold with the page number beside them. While the short extract that follows is in smaller black text and italic.
   The folio, including the page number, issue and magazine name are conventionally in the corner.

Possible Mastheads

  After considering how I want my magazine to eventually become and ideas of costumes and shots for images, I stated creating a masthead. The first text I created is at the top and the last at the bottom therefore they get progressively better.
  At first I chose the name VIVA for my magazine, which is spanish for living. I also looked for other translations but came upon none suitable nor sounding right. I also realised I could face copyright issues as there is already a music channel called viva.
  I then opted for the name rehab. The connotations of the word represent what I want my magazine to represent. It is taboo and slightly rebelious, this is why I have chosen capital letters and an "elephant" font because my magazine will make a statement.
  The second font and colour I chose I felt was completely wrong for my magazine, the actual text and font holds the right connotations however it was not right for my magazine.
  The colours I chose, being oranges, red and pink are summer colours. As I have already stated many magazines adapt their housestyle seasonally. I thought the blue looked very suitable for winter however but I will not be using this in my magazine.
   I chose to change the name to REBEL, using an elephant, italic font with bright pink letters. I felt this more appropriate for the audience of teenage girls.

Preliminary Task - School Magazine

I decided after my first attempt of creating my school magazine that I would have another attempt. After learning more and having more experience using the different programmes I knew that I could definitely improve upon my work. Here is the mock up and eventual product below:

Photoshop - Practising Using Photoshop

       Before starting my preliminary task of actually creating the school magazine, I first practised using photoshop. Editing photos is extremely common, particularly in magazines and on covers. There has been much debate over young girls being too heavily influenced over perfect looking models on front covers and how image manipulation should be banned. However, the reality is that most magazine editors will never stop editing there images. As I've stated in previous posts, they will want to use a flawless person for their cover, they won't actually get these flawless images without image manipulation. In these pictures of Megan Fox, I will explain how I used image manipulation to modify the image.

Original Image:

Edit 1

As you can see from the first image, using photoshop I was able to remove all of the blemishes from Megan Fox's chin to make her skin look flawless as most people would not see spots as attractive or making someone classically beautiful.

 Edit 2:

In this image I was able to remove the shadow from under Megan's nose as this may have been a lighting error.I also made her hair look more smooth and sleek by removing stray hairs around her head, Megan would aim to have a flawless image without a hair out of place.

 Edit

Photoshop allowed me to make the image black and white as this makes the image very classical and connotates old film and classic hollywood beauty. I added a red lip on top to add a pop of colour, similar use has been used in Vibe magazine on the Kanye contents page I analysed. This use of a red lip draws the viewers eye and connotates sexuality which as previously stated sells magazines.

Music Magazine Mock-Ups

After analysing music magazines I was able to identify many conventions to therefore use in creating my own. Here are my mock ups below:
Front Cover:

Mood Board

After analysing music magazines of a similar genre to the one I have chosen, I created this mood board in order to give me a base to work from and refer to. It shows what to me represents hip-hop. I see natural and real people that have had fame and glamour thrust upon them. It is all very expensive looking and something I identified from analysing Vibe magazine was that neutral colours are often used with a pop of colour on important and relevant objects, it can also connotate and contrast the real people and their glamorous lifestyle, which is something most rappers and singers in the industry love to show for their brand image.