This is a Double Page Spread from Vibe Magazine. With background images of 'Solange' in several poses in black and white positioned on top of black lines, makes the page more aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching, it contrasts with the larger colour image, I would like to use this idea on my double page spread as I think such an interesting design would be effective for my magazine.
The images of Solange connotate that she is a loud and lively character, as she is dressed colourfully and also dancing around in different poses. There is a bold font positioned next to the colour image, used to display a direct quote from Solange Knowles, simular to XXL, there is a large sentence at the beginning of the article, the use of blue(which contrasts with the colours of the main image) is used to pick out the artists name. The layout of the article itself is very clear, with the use of three columns per page. The logo in the top left 'Volume' is the same as the title used for Vibe's contents pages, this gives the magazine a more uniformed look throughout.

This is a double page spread from Vibe magazine. there is a large side profile of 'Soulja Boy' who's face/neck is covered in graffiti-style doodles, making the image more artistic and creative. The picture itself is surrounded by a white border, in-keeping with the white background of the right hand page. The colors used on the image (black + red) have then been used in the title/text, making the page look uniformed. This may also give the reader a brief idea on the artists personality. The title of the article is very large and in the centre of the page, there is a lot of space sourrounding it which makes it stand out more to the reader. A graffiti style font has been used which is inkeeping with the style/theme of the artist. There is then a short phrase before above the article, encouraging the reader to read further by asking a question 'Can the king of Ringtones sell his tween following on the more mature Soulja Boy?'. The writing is spaced out over two articles, with the first letter enlarged and in the bold red colour.

Front Cover

Here are a few magazine covers I took an interest in. My theme is Hip-Hop and RnB. I researched a few artists that specialize in this genre and looked at a few magazine covers they featured in. From this, I took some ideas from the conventions such as the positioning of cover-lines, mastheads and colors and the size of images. I then used it on my own cover. This mood-board helped me a lot as it gave me a few ideas. I have noticed that many of these magazines have a head-shot image of the artist. My cover is different as it has a full body shot of the artist.

Here is a flatplan for my final front cover. This has idea has changed from my 'XXL Magazine' style I hoped to do. I have already created the front cover on photoshop and I am pleased with the result. At first I thought the layout looked too 'busy' but I moved the coverlines around and changed the color scheme which then made my magazine cover looked better. However I do not feel that my magazine challenges forms and conventions of media products. During my research, I wanted to see if any other magazines had a similar layout to my current front cover and I found a few. OK Magazine's 'body and soul' special issue had a very close layout in comparison to mine. Despite me not taking any inspiration from OK Magazine. The positioning of the cover-lines and main image are very similar, even the use of banners are accurate. Most magazines that had this type of layout concern  celebrity fashion and gossip, although my product is a music magazine. I have also noticed that music magazines do not really 'cram' their front covers with text unlike most magazines. I feel as if i am drawing towards this.

                                                                            

                                                               

Week 14

This week I have started my double page, on Emeli Sande. I have previously taken pictures of her from a concert I attended. The quality of the pictures are good enough. I have had many thoughts on changing my front cover idea. I have many different pictures of artists I would like to use for my magazine however the pictures I have of Emeli are the clearest, therefore suitable for my magazine.

 

Week 13

This week I went out in search of music magazines related to my genre. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful as they can only be found in America or sold only in specific shops in the UK. I also attempted at taking some pictures of friends and used them as potential models for my magazine for backup just incase I change my mind about anything. I also drew up some flat plans for my double page spread at home because I feel that this may be one of the hardest layouts to think of as there are so many ways you could lay it out. During the holiday, I also done some extra research on events surrounding music and magazines as I do not have assess to photoshop anywhere else.

Week 12

This week I looked at my artists profile. The artist I am studying is Kendrick Lamar. As he is a popular rapper which I had original images of, I thought that it would be a good idea to create a double page spread about him. I also worked my mood-board which focuses on elements such as rap/hip-hop artists and conventions of magazines of this genre. I want to publish this this week or next week so that I am up to date with everything.