Day 48: Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience of my magazine is women aged between 17-21. I choose to do this age range because I felt people who are interested in a career in music, need encouragement in terms of chasing their dreams. Especially since some people are willing to compromise their dreams because of their parent’s wishes. I wanted Word on the Street to provide that base for people who are interested in music but can’t afford to go university or have a lack of confidence. This theme of giving people who’re struggling advice due to the economic conditions was reinforced in the features of my magazine but also the price, as students generally wouldn't pay a lot on a magazine.

I took advantage of social media by posting my survey I made with Survey monkey, on to Facebook and a forum to get interviewees. Alot of the fourm members are women between my target age range just likewith my friends on Facebook, so I thought it would be a perfect way to get my target audiences opinions on specific subjects.

My target audience are females due to the lack of attention on female rappers who don’t rely on their body get. My target audience in general relating back to survey monkey, believes that women should be taken seriously without the need for them to remove their clothes. The survey gave my target audience uniqueness since men generally dominate everything related to the Rap scene. In terms of music I feel like my target audience would cherish the quality of lyrics, since they appreciate artists like Lowkey, Tupac and Immortal technique who focus of politics and what is going on around the world. My target audience would also have a keen interest in fashion as just like in their taste in music, they like to stand out from everyone else with fashion which represents their character or makes a statement.

The main aim for my magazine is to bring together women who cherish being different, almost in a self-empowering feminist way since the current Rap industry in extremely degrading. This would encourage inspiring musicians as it would help them develop an image of their own.

Female Readers profile :

Day 48 : Question 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

My aim for the distribution of my magazine originally was to distribute my magazine to company which was different from other other companies e.g a record store, however that idea isn't realistic to sell alot of my magazine since there is only a small audience at most independent music stores, since they specialize in certain genres. To present my information I used Prezzi as I believe it is a creative and fun way to present information instead of just writing.

This Prezzi presentation covers my research and change in ideas when searching for a distributor.

Day 47 : Question 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?

This comic represents what I used to influence my media products, as the trials like making a mixed method survey helped to reinforce the target audience of my work. Doing research helped me represent my audience but also the colours I used.


  As you can see I used a comic because I thought it would be more exciting and unique in terms of the use of technology in my evaluation. Using loads of text is often boring so I thought using www.bitstrip.com would make me stand out from my peers.

Day 46 part 2 : Evaluation - Question 1

Evaluation - Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

This video includes information on the similarities and differences between Mise en scene, Representation of women , Font, Price and target audience in my magazine and other Rap music magazines. I choose to make a video with a voice over using windowns media maker, because I believe it shows I'm advanced with technology and am able to present information in several different ways.

The images below are comparing the similarities and differences between my magazine with other front covers, double page spreads and contents pages I have found. I will be talking about the conventions of the individual pages and whether I go against, develop or relate to these forms.

*Please click the images below to enlarge and view closer.

Overall in my magazine I follow most of the conventions of Rap magazines, however due to the difference in my audience and target population it differs compared to magazines like Vibe.

Day 46: Double Page Spread background

1.I used the box tool to make the purple border for my background

2. In my next tab in Paint* I made a plain grey background

3. I then used the fragment effect to make the border look more professional.

4. This is the finishing product I ended up with.

Day 45 : Change in my Double Page Spread

My double page overall wasn't working so I decided to make a dramatic change in terms of layout and main image. I decided to make this change due to peer and teacher feedback, but also self analysis as I printed it off and weighed out the negative and positives of the double page spread.

Here's my new double page spread and as you can see the layout looks much better as there's no brick wall holding my piece back in terms of readability  The purple background I made myself on photoshop using a paint brush tool and the box tool, it overall looks good as it reinforces the theme of purple in my magazine. My previous magazine lacked in layout and in style as it was hard to put diverse colours over a brick wall background, the transition emphasizes how unreadable it truly was. 

Day 44 : Editing background for DPS

I wanted to move the main image of Yezzi over, so I used the clone tool to add a part of the brick wall to the end of the photo. Throughout this process I used the blur tool aswell to maintain the blurred aspect of the previous double page spread image.

Day 43 : Change in Double Page Spread

 

 In my previous double page spread there was no eveidence of purple which meant it didn't link

to the contents page or front cover. Part of the mark scheme is too have similarities throughout all parts of the magazine, so they look like they're part of the same magazine.

 

I made a few changes with my new double page spread particually the background, as previously it was too hard to harmonize colours on a strong orange brick background. I got advice from Ms Burne that bluring the background would be clearer when adding fonts, so I trialed it and she was correct. I also added a drop cap and changed the style of my pullqoute which is conventional to some of the magazines I looked at. Also overall in terms of text my interview is way more in line now.

Day 42 : Change in Contents Page

There are a few spelling mistakes however overall the contents page layout looks better than before.

Spellings and corrections = Industry, British,the meet is not full capitals. There are loads of things that need to be improved, but this is just to give me and idea of how it looks with the changes applied.

Also I didn't use a page number on my contents page because I found it wasn't a connotation of Rap magazines when I was researching other magazines. There are some examples below.

Day 41 : Double Page Spread [DEVELOPMENT]

Previously I had the double page spread like the picture below, however it wasn't working due to the alignment of the text and the structure of the layout. So I've decided to make a new double page spread at school since my previous one doesn't open at school, just to test how aligned text would work and see if I can make it better.

Day 40 : Researching Editor's Note

My new editors letter.

Editors Letter

 

Hello  Reader, Thanks for picking up our June 2013 issue of Word On The Street. Inside the magazine there are some truly exciting and though provoking articles about pioneers in music, especially for people who are interested in a career in music. In this issue the one and only YEZZI will be sitting down for an interview with us exposing all her song writing secrets and opinions on the current music industry (see page  44). Also in the magazine is an interview with Jane C who is exposing the UK to Gospel Rap, join us as this extremely talented women tells us all about her life before music on pages 30-33. For British students there’s now a struggle in terms of furthering their education. Everything is overpriced and the pressure to get a job and get a good future from your parents is too much. Fear not Joseph Ryan is here to tell you all you need to know on page 46. To get exclusive advice and details for higher education, send a text to 43677 and we’ll send you updates on all the latest open days, students who have an opinion to share and information of the best music colleges and uni’s.

From researching my editors notes I realized that my original piece was not accurate in terms of the connotations I have to fulfil e.g explaining what they've included on the magazine. Getting feedback from people is helpful as it helps you develop your work.

Day 39 part 2 : My Double Page spread so far

In terms of my double page spread I have layed out the basic layer and structure, however I haven't chosen a pullqoute or a desired font for the interview. I plan to do this when I get home as I have a more diverse range of fonts.

Here's my double page spread :

I feel like it needs more work however I at least want to finish it in terms of colour and structure by the end of this week.

Day 39 : Feedback from updated front cover

Even though Rap magazines don't genrally use pullqoutes I've decided to use one still as my front cover looks too empty. I asked a peer to acess my front cover and they agreed that it looked better in the aspect of the pullqoute, however they liked the new structured feel I changed in the layout I plan to change my front cover see how it looks then make a post about it on my blog.

Day 38 part 2 : Pull qoutes and conventions

I made this video to show that Rap magazines don't technically use pull qoutes, however

my magazine is designed to have a unique feel to the norm as long as the main conventions

so I may change my mind.

*highlights

Day 38 : Feedback from todays lesson

Feedback on my Contents and Front Cover !!

 



• Save contents page image as PDF, Tiff or PGE so the image comes out in higher quality.
• Make a space between the title and the "The UK's Greatest Rap magazine" also make the font slightly smaller.
• "The June 2013" should be way smaller font, also put it over the barcode !!
• Move the "Fashion Tips - Featuring Jeremy Scott" a bit over
• Try the Signature "Samantha Jones" as a actual font to look more profesional.
• Make font sizes smaller on front cover e.g "Featuring" ext
• Make barcode smaller
• Make sure her face isn't crowded
• Move featuring YEZZI
• Make fonts on front cover in general smaller e.g "2013 is my year"
• Featuring YEZZI try it in the center
• Add more features make Bethany smaller



 

With this feedback I plan to improve the layout to the best of its ability. I plan to improve my contents page and front cover by using this critism.

Day 37 part 2 : Previous feeback for my Front cover & Contents page

• Change the numbers for the contents page to purple
• Make the white text bolder [Front cover]
• Make a shadow in the text so it doesn't get lost [Front cover]
• Make a link between the front cover and contents page
• Add word on the street logo somewhere [Contents page]
• WORD ON THE STREET IN ITALICS [Contents page]
• TITLES FOR CONTENTS IN THE MAGAZINE PURPLE
• "HELLO READERS" PURPLE [Front cover]
• Make the background a brick wall the editors note !!! [Contents page]

From these crtitisms I improved my magazine and made these changes.

Day 37 : Changes I've made on Contents page

This is my finished contensts page so far. In Tuesday's lesson Mrs is planning on reviewing our work so i'll type the feedback up and put it in a post. I liked the genreal structure however I think more stuff could be improved, this is why talking to Mrs will help me make progress in my work.

Day 36 : [NEW] Updated interview

The girl who will soon be on your radar YEZZI sits back and lays out everything she has got to offer in the name of her fans. Come and join us as she spills all of her music and song writing secrets.

 
Welcome Yezzi. Everyone including me is intrigued by your music, what was the first song you felt really touched by?

 
I can't exactly remember what it was, but it was most probably a Phil Collins song called "Another Day in Paradise". I deeply and truly love that song even up until today, the lyrics are out of this world and the message behind them is life changing, especially since in our day to day lives we take our blessings for granted.

 

I can tell meaningful lyrics are really important to you, so who would you say inspired you the most with this talent?

I think most of my poetic inspirations are rooted from my Dad. He always encouraged me to read and write poetry when I was younger, which resulted in me changing my poetry into song lyrics.
We all know you have a well known skill of song writing, so I was curious to know who or what has inspired you to write some of your songs ?

My past relationships and my crushes have inspired me, but also members of my family. Since I know everyone will be interested in the songs I wrote from my relationships, I will share this with my fans to celebrate my first interview. My song “Too Fine” and “No More” are the songs I based my experiences into, “Too Fine” is about a boy I liked for a really long time and “No More” is basically the rough ending of the unrequited love. Sounds sad but I’m just happy I was able to get a song out of it.

Every rapper has an artist who they’ve branched their style off of, who has inspired you as an artist?

I'm inspired by Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dog, Biggies Smalls, 2pac, Kanye West, Drake, India Arie, Musiq Soul Child and Beyonce. I could go on forever if I wanted to, but with these artists in particular there’s a special element to the way they approach their art which links solely to them. One day I hope I will achieve this star like quality.

 

Alot of people who read Word on the Street magazine aspire to become a songwriter just like you, so I’ll be speaking for everyone when I ask you where do you write your lyrics, is there any special time or place you write?

I write them whenever a bar or song hook pops up in my head. That can be anywhere from the shower, to even when I'm at work. When it does I just type it on my phone or save it as a voice note so I know exactly how I want my song to be.

 

You have a really unique and diverse sound. How do you produce your music? Do you do it all yourself?

Nope I don't do it all myself. I normally pick the beats that someone has previously made, then start writing my songs with a rap verse and a singing chorus then I would record it.

 

You’re a rookie and I’ve been cheering you on for a while. So what do you have going in the near future?

I have my competition "Yezzir Freestyles" running up until the summer. This is where people pick their favourite song clip, and then the song with the most votes I'll release as a full song and make it an E.P. "Who.What.Where" will be coming out soon.

 
You are super talented and any record label would be lucky to have you. How would it feel for you to get signed to a major record label in the future?

That would be nice as long as I'm put in a position where I still have control over my creativity. I would dislike if anyone tried to make me be something I'm not.

 

So you see originality as something necessary in yourself does that apply to other artists? What’s your opinion on the British rap scene?

I think there was a time when there wasn't one because people we were too caught up trying to copy the U.S rap scene, but now people are embracing being British more, it’s in a very good position right now and even the U.S rap scene are recognising the talent we have over here.

 

As a female artist making your mark in the mainstream Rap scene, how do you feel about the representation of female rap artists in today’s industry?

I feel that female artists should only portray themselves how they really are and not just for the sake of attention seeking, because doing that only devalues other female rap artist’s music.

 

We all know you as the conscious well rehearsed rapper however we want to know more about off stage you.

So if you could steal any artist’s clothes, whose wardrobe would it be?

Out of everyone I would definitely have to choose Rhianna. Rhianna has some awesome style, she’s a true fashionista. For Rhianna it would have to be her style from her “Good Girl Gone Bad” era when she finally grabbed attention with her track Umbrella, I would also have to work that signature short haircut she rocked at the time.

 

We all know your stage persona oozes street cred, attitude and confidence. However does your music taste take any embarrassing turns, what songs are your guilty pleasures?

Any songs from a soundtrack from the Disney movies either “The Lion King” or “The Jungle Book”. I know my fans wouldn’t expect me to listen to music like this because I’m a rap artist but that is why it truly is a GUILTY pleasure.

 

You are aware of other artists images but how do you see yourself, if you could pick one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

"Growing”. I know that sounds weird but I believe I'm not the same person I was yesterday, every day I believe I'm growing and my music is improving and changing for the better.

 

Show your support by opening iTunes and purchasing her latest single “Can Do”.


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In todays lesson I went through my interview with Ms Mottram and made some corrections, e.g how the tiltle of the magazine shuold be in italics and making sure the questions link.

 

Day 35 : Update on my Contents page

It's the end of the week and I have achieved my goal by finishing my contents page,  however I

feel like there's still some improvements which could be added e.g the boldness of chosen fonts and spelling. I plan to change and improve things later on in the creation process, as right now I want to get the double page spread to the same level as the front cover and contents page.