FRONT COVER DRAFT 1

Product

ORIGINAL PLAN

FRONT COVER DRAFT 2

DPS Final Draft

1) 

2) I made a few adjustments to my double page spread. First and foremost I aligned the guttering evenly to organise the layout. I also changed the colour of the questions from red to white because the red did not stand out as much as I'd hoped. 

3) Having asked my peers about any improvements I could make, the majority pointed out that the font used for the body text (Book Antiqua) did not suit the images. I realised they were correct; the serif font did not look modern enough so I changed it to Century Gothic - a sans serif font. However, it is suitable for the pulled quote as it gives off a genuine vibe. I also changed the colour of the headline so it looked more subtle as opposed to the bright red. I then varied the font type, colour and sizes used in the pulled quote within the article in order to emphasise the uncertainty of the artist.The column of words around the smaller images were moved closer to provide a tighter guttering.

Front Cover Analyses

Contents Analyses

Having analysed these contents pages, I was most intrigued by Q's layout because their style is unique and memorable. The wealth of images on the page draw the readers attention and engages the reader more than the other contents pages because they give a visual of what to expect as opposed to just reading - too many words can put the reader off and I believe Q have grasped the concept of balance between images and text. 

Double page spread drafts

IDEA 1 ARTICLE:

P-Z has chosen to confide and confess exclusively to MOTION magazine about becoming the world’s biggest Asian hip hop star and how it has indeed transformed his life; having brought fame and fortune to his fingertips along with the hardship of the ongoing internal disputes he faces with himself. MOTION mag’s Lisa Brown sat down with P-Z aka Patrick in the comfort of his $6.5m home to address the questions fans have been dying to know about the incredibly talented artist. The eighteen year old superstar had recently been photographed by paparazzi sitting on the sidewalk a few blocks away from his residence with his face buried in both of his hands; passers-by have stated that they heard the rapper asking himself if he should retire.

Is it true you want to retire so early in your career?
I LOVE my craft. Everything I do for a living makes me happy, I’ll retire when I’m dead.

Can you explain the photos of you sitting on the sidewalk?

I just needed some alone time to remind myself of my goals. I was lost then. I’m still a little lost now. These days I find that I often forget why I’m in this industry.  

What is the biggest challenge of your career so far?

Staying sane. I’m overwhelmed by MY fame and fortune. Music is what keeps me grounded but ever since becoming famous I… I’m not… comfortable with whom I’ve become. There’s a conflict manifesting in me. There are times when (PULLED QUOTE): "I wanna shoot myself in the head" 
What is your biggest achievement so far?
Being nominated for all these awards! I’m so stoked that even the harshest of critics have enjoyed my album; that’s all I want – for people to listen to my music and feel some type of way that allows them to enjoy life.

If you could be a fictional character who would you be?

Definitely Peter Pan; the guy will never get wrinkles and his state of mind will remain intact.
What do you like to do in your spare time?

I make music. It’s all I ever do. I’m not a regular eighteen year old guy, I don’t play video games. I’d rather play with my mixer and make beats in the studio. I also write and record demos in my room. That’s my idea of fun. 

IDEA 2  ARTICLE:

 "It makes no sense”, P-Z  explains, “I went to school. I attended college. I attained my degree in English Literature yet for some reason I still have people calling me dumb.” The LA born artist is exasperated about several previous encounters with ignorant people. MOTION have sat down with P-Z aka Patrick, in the comfort of his $6.5m mansion to address the underlying issues he believes affect a majority, if not all, artists. The least talked about prejudice seems to be the most serious as P-Z stresses how important it is to stamp the assumption, that artists lack intellect, out of the People. “If these people actually took the time to LISTEN to my music and the lyrics – or even better if they go buy Tupac or Biggie’s album, or ANY rapper in fact, they would get over their stubborn a**es and realise that the music we make is powerful, it’s innovative, it’s inspirational.” P-Z turned twenty-one in June and admits that balancing college and touring was difficult. “I was home schooled whilst I was on tour but prior to that, I attended the University of California, Berkeley and studied English Literature. In terms of making friends? Yeah I had a tough time, but I enjoyed studying, I always have. Even in middle school and high school I had good grades. I’m a straight A student for f*cks sake. I don’t deserve to be looked down upon. I’m probably more intelligent than those pretentious mother*ckers."

Music Magazine: Planning

MISE EN SCENE:
Having done the necessary research into my genres, to incorporate elements of my chosen music genre (hip hop and R&B) I will make sure to dress my models accordingly; this includes items of clothing that have been influenced by the hip hop and R&B culture such as baggy t-shirts, t-shirts with words/numbers printed on them, trainers, backpacks, beanies, chains - anything that is considered to be urban as it will help the reader identify the genre. To incorporate more soul and R&B into my magazine, I will dress my female model in simple clothing so the focus is more on her, and her statement jewellery. Her make up will be simple yet majestic so she looks as if she has been successful for a long time, similar to artists such as Mary J Blige and Toni Braxton. 

PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIRED FOR FRONT COVER
I'd like a female model to be on the front cover posing as an R&B artist. The key theme is regal so  I would like a mid-shot of the model, the camera will be looking up at her and will be a side profile of her shoulder but I want her to be facing the camera. There has to be good lighting so her skin appears to be glowing. This image of Mary J Blige stood out to me because it is very simplistic yet her facial expression and her jewellery and the overall filter of the photo is powerful.

SELL LINES: 
The sell lines listed below will entice my target audience because of the colloquial language that will be familiar to them only. It will also entice them because the articles featured are in trend and they will most likely know about them and would want to know about the topics in depth. As my magazine is an RnB magazine, I've made sure to include some classic RnB/Hip  Hop topics to entice the older audience so they can relate to the magazine. I've decided to call the magazine: 'MOTION' because the genre of hip hop is always evolving, with new sub-genres and artists that contribute to the genre. To entice the younger audience, the featured artist will be a new artist so that the magazine stays true to the connotations of the masthead.

• Rap never dies: 90s Hip Hop lives on
• Up n Coming: Jhené Aiko
• TOP 20 Zone Out Jams of this century 
• Leztalk controversy: Yeezus 
• Double page spread article artist (P-Z) 
• HEADLINE: MAJESTY (Pulled quote: "Nothing phases me")

SLOGAN:"Just go with it" this links with the idea of movement and progression and therefore suits the masthead "

CONTENTS PAGE: ITEMS AND FEATURE ARTICLES:

• The pages will go up to 110
• The contents will be split into a few sections such as popular news in the hip hop genre, a section on upcoming artists, a section for the history of RnB and hip hop and a section on controversial topics 
• The images on the contents page will include a photograph of the artist my dps will be
  dedicated to and some photos of the other artists my magazine will also talk about
• I will make sure to include promotion feature like a competition or a phone application of my magazine.

 FOCUS OF DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD (DPS) & WHY:
I have two ideas for my dps and both have a serious tone implemented in them because my magazine is not just about the
look, it is about the content and I want readers to feel engaged when reading my article.
My first idea is to address some discrimination/negative perception of music artists, especially those in the hip hop/rap genre.
This article will be in third person so it allows me to use a variety of adjectives to influence the reader and communicate the
artist's feelings so the reader understands the issue in the artist's perspective. 
My second idea is similar to my first one however it will be a straightforward Q&A interview so that the reader gets to know the
artist - this form will engage the reader too because it is not narrated to them like an article written in third person. It will be an
interview with a new, successful and refreshing male artist who has gained worldwide positive reception and the
troubles he faces. After being inspired by this photograph of Kurt Cobain, I wanted to put myself in the position of a troubled
artist who is finding it difficult to adjust to his new-found fame.

I feel that it is important to appreciate the contemporary artists of today because they all have the potential to become
legends in the future which is why my dps will focus on a new artist. 

PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIRED FOR DPS:
The filter will be black and white - the contrast will be strong as to express the serious nature of the article.
My magazine is called: 'MOTION' therefore a key convention I would like to make unique to my magazine is movement;
the model will be in motion so it links to the masthead and to intrigue the reader.
First of all I'd like an extreme close up of the artist's face to emphasise their expression - I want their expression to be
melancholy so it evokes sympathy within the reader when they see it. The chiaroscuro of the image is one of the key 
aspects I must focus on because it provides depth and dramatises the photograph. To intensify the close up even more, I
will sharpen and increase the contrast of the photograph. 

The second idea for the main image is my model will be sitting down with his legs out in a very relaxed pose and the camera
will be looking at him from a low angle, this emphasises his superiority and will make the reader think that he has authority.
As for his expression I want him to look curious - he should be lifting his hands to indicate hand gestures so it really seems as
if he is speaking to the reader - this in turn gives the reader a visual of how the artist is feeling.

I intend for the main image to dominate the left hand side of the dps (this applies to both of my ideas)
so it is the first thing the reader sees as we read from left to right.