Colour scheme: The colour scheme for this magazine is subdued, The white in the background works efficiently with the artists as they are wearing black or dark colours. This could be so that they stand out so that they are the main focus in the magazine, this is also apparent because the artists seem to fill out the magazine. It is clear what genre is being represented as they are all wearing stereo-typical hip-hop or rap aesthetics.

Masthead: The masthead behind the artists is unconventional as there are only three letters, however it is catchy because it has a bold red box background and big white sans serif font. The letters ‘XXL’ refers to extra extra large this could intern be another way of boasting that the magazine is better than every other magazine, that it is ‘Larger’ than every other magazine. It is simple yet bold, this could appeal to its target audience being black males aged between 17- 40.

Layout: I could say that this magazine is unconventional, this is because it does not follow the basic conventions of a music magazine.

Main Image: These musicians/ rap artist all are positioned like they have some form of status by standing tall while directly addressing potential buyers, this allows the audience to see their importance, their poses could also potentially show or represent their attitudes, the way they are dressed also could give the audience a certain perspective of what we think of them; whilst their overall aesthetics works well with the genre hip- hop. They are wearing dark colours which allows them to stand out from the background, it also corresponds well with the colour scheme of the magazine. Eminem is wearing grey unlike the rest of the artists and is standing in the middle, he could be the unique selling point of this magazine as his name is the main cover line also. Skyline: Skyline is important in this magazine because

it is telling a potential audience what the magazine consists of, it is also important because it is placed right next to the masthead so it is one of the first things we see. By placing it directly right next to the masthead it has an effect of acting like a teaser, to reassure a potential buyer that the magazine consists of something of interest.

Strapline: By the magazine writing about other artists they are expanding their market, this is because other people would be interested in these people. This again has the effect of persuading a potential buyer

Masthead: The masthead is simple big bold and catchy and white in san-serif font. It stands out well from the background because it is red. The Masthead is spread across the magazine cover, this could be to show the importance of the masthead as it could be a well recognised magazine that specifically sells for it name as well the main image. White is a sticking colour on this magazine when the background is red, the colour red connotes danger, this could have been intentionally used because of the rap artist Rick Ross.

Colour scheme: The colour scheme is red, white and yellow. It is important that the colour scheme represents the mood of the magazine, whist making it stand out. The colour red used in the background works effectively with the white used for the masthead and cover lines, whilst the yellow also compliments the magazine subtly. It makes the centre image look catchier and coincides well with the catch lines. The colours used in this magazine all seems to attract attention to the main image, the white from masthead acts like a white light that is shining on the back of the artist, this has the effect of making the artist (Rick Ross) pop out of the magazine.

Main Image: Rick Ross is a well know rap artist, who can easily represent a genre however by having Rick Ross as the only person on the magazine could narrow the market for the magazine, however it could also imply the he is the best, the glow caused by the backlight confirms that, it gives the effect of him coming out of the magazine, making him look bigger and therefore stand out effectively. This picture is effective because of his hand gestures, tattoos and his overall apparel, we could easily link this to rap or RnB. This all links to the conventions and aesthetics of his genre, which then intern makes it simpler for a target audience.

Catch lines: The catch lines in this magazine is simple however, they are varied in size and the colours go according to the colour scheme. This has the affect of making the important catch lines stand out. The catch line ‘The Sexy Issue’ is catchy as the font is sans-serif and directly underneath the masthead, there is an element of sarcasm being used as we wouldn’t expect Rick Ross to be described as sexy, the already has the effect of involving the reader as humour is used.

Skyline: The Skyline in this magazine has obvious importance, this is because firstly it is positioned right at the top of the masthead, which means it has importance because the masthead is one of the first things a potential buyer sees and because the colour scheme of white and yellow makes it stand out. This was done to show potential buyers that there are other artists in the magazine that they would like or be interested in.

Masthead: The masthead behind the artist (Mariah Carey) has specifically been sliced in the middle, this relates well with the masthead name ‘Blender’. It has already been established that the magazine is well known, this is because the artist is covering the masthead. The colour of the masthead is orange, it relates well the rest of the theme in the magazine. It also works well with the main image.

Colour scheme: The colour scheme in this magazine is: orange, blue and white. This could represent the mood of the magazine being calm, yet bold because of the orange. The colour scheme also works accordingly with the artist, as it works well enough to grab your attention yet doesn’t draw attention away from the main image.

Main Image: The main image is of Mariah Carey a hip- hop and RnB singer; however she is not standing intimidatingly or standing tall like the males analysed in the previous magazines, but she is sitting down on a sofa promiscuously wearing what looks like a short sleeping dress. This is a huge contrast compared to hip-hop males artists who are all covered up and dressed for autumn. Mariah Carey looks airbrushed smoothening her skin, it makes her look appealing to an audiences and could lead to other females aspiring to be like her as the magazine is selling her qualities, this could be the magazines primary audience teenage girls and women, however men would want to buy this magazine because they find Mariah Carey attractive.

Skyline: The skyline in this magazine consists of a line insisting that they have 228 must have downloads, this is another way of persuading the potential consumers that the magazine is worth buying

Layout: The layout of this magazine is simple as the catch lines are on both sides and the main cover line is the name of the main cover line is the artists name. I like this layout because it does not overpower the main image, and the colours used correspond accordingly to with the magazine in general.

Font

Size

Colour relates to genre

Conventions

The Masthead is one that is very catchy as the colour yellow is used against a grey background, this enables the masthead to stand out to a potential audience and customer because a dark

coloured background is used against a yellow masthead, The colour is bright, vibrant and out there- this could indirectly link back to what hip hop stands for, which is ‘being outspoken and

expressive’. The size of the masthead is large and is spread across the magazine page, this could be to show the importance of the masthead as it could be a well recognised magazine that specifically sells for its name as well the main image. This could be a reason why the artists on this magazines heads overlap the

masthead, because it is already well known and established. The name ‘VIBE’ is a suitable simple name, however I don’t think it

directly links to hip-hop as a genre this is because when the word ‘VIBE’ is used you would normally think of music not that specific genre. Hip hop is expressive music often serious , in the

front of magazines it is noted that artists have stern looking expressions, or quite stern facial expressions, this could be so consumers can take their music seriously. Artist posing with

serious expressions could also connote mysteriousness, which intern could make a potential buyer more interested about them, this seems to be a quite conventional form hip- hop

magazines.

The masthead on this magazine is not spread across the front cover unlike ‘VIBE’ however I believe it is just as catchy. The masthead is unconventional as there are only three letters, however it is catchy because it has a bold red box background and big white sans serif font. The letters ‘XXL’ refers to extra extra large this could intern be another way of boasting that the magazine is better than every other magazine, this could be a hip new word trend that might appeal to a target audience of mid teenagers to late 40 year old adults . ‘XXL’ s connotation could be that that it is ‘Larger’ than every other magazine, it has a bigger and better status compared to another magazines and therefore the consumers should be interested in this particular magazine if they want the latest in hip-hop. It is simple yet bold, this again could appeal to its target audience being black males as hip- hop’s music market normally appeals to black males. In both hip-hop magazines the artists have serious looking expressions on their faces this could also represent their music. In both magazines the artists angles are different however they are showing direct address to potential buyers, this is another convention in a magazine.

After analysing the ‘Blender’ magazine with the main image being of the artist ‘Mariah Carey’ I have come to the conclusion that I will take a feminist approach and create a magazine based around women. After careful but brief analysis of hip-hop magazines I have noticed that magazines tend to be aimed mainly at men with the secondary audience being women. When women are placed on hip-hop magazines, most of the time they are dressed provocatively, this is not a very good example to a younger generation, I aim to create a magazine to inspire my young female hip-hop audience. I have found a magazine that demonstrates what I am against (see bellow) This magazine is called ‘King’. Although King magazine features only women, they seem to only be projected in a sexy and provocative light, this is to attract the magazine male audience.

The masthead on this magazine is called ‘The women of King’ this again supports my theory that this magazine makes women seem in-superior to men. Never-the-less this is a successful magazine, I aim to make a similar magazine, however I am mainly going to change the audience.

My Masthead

Based on my research my masthead will reflect my feminist perspective on the theme of my magazine. Previously my magazine masthead was called ‘hoops’ but due to student opinions I realised this name does not connotate effectively that my magazine is for women.

The new name of my masthead will be called ‘Queen’ . As you can see I have been inspired by ‘King’ magazine. However when designing my magazine I want to use attractive colours for my female audience, also because of the name I could add a crown on the Q to reinforce my idea and make my masthead more catchy or I could just call my magazine Q with a crown.