Initial Concepts and Directions

One initial design concept is to base the design decisions such as layout, colour, dimensions and page numbers on the Roland TR-808 rhythm composer, which was one of the first instruments used to create the sound of hip hop and brought the influence of reggae which is what influenced hip hop, especially so in the UK. Therefore basing the publication design on this piece of tech will not only add a sense of pastiche not only in the design but also inform the content of the design. For example the yellow, oranges, white and reds against the dull greys and black are the contrast that the client wants between the text and the photography. Also the layout of the buttons and sockets can inform the grid layout, of placing the text within a column grid. The shapes and objects found within the piece of tech can also inform the dimensions of the photographs and how the text is laid out. The number of beats within a rhythm and also the number of steps and sub steps can inform the number of pages and the dimensions of the kit can inform the dimensions of the publication itself.

Keywords-

Roots
Roland TR-808
Colour
Contrast
Dimensions

A second concept is to create a very uncommercialised piece of design, stepping away from what has been done before and producing a publication which is taken down a more handmade approach, going back to the roots of hip hop, specifically the use and style of graffiti. Using actual spray paint on the from of the publication, making each one unique to the reader who purchases it. Adding that humanised element to the pice which is what started hip hop, as the commodification of it now has taken over and the real depth and meaning of it has been forgotten about. There are also too many publications out there that look the same, therefore the creation of something very unique and where the stock, bounding and creation of it has been considered very carefully and carried out by the designer themselves. Obviously the layout would be very photography heavy, giving the reader a visual exploration with minimal text. Each artist's page would be personal to them using a different graffiti tag. The paper stock would be quite tactile, therefore spray paint would be able to be used on it, specifically the front cover. However still sticking to the client's brief of a modern and minimal layout of text and grids. 

Keywords -

Graffiti
Handmade
Human Quality
Spray Paint
Personal
Unique
Layering

The third concept is to produce a a very high quality, modern and minimalistic publication, where only one main colour is used. The rest of the colour comes from the photographs, which will be laid out in a kind of editorial layout. The grid will be very structured with column text and the photographs will be enlarged and it will be very visual but also informative. The stock and binding will be professional using glossy, high shine paper to print and a professional biding method. This unlike the other concepts will be very commercialised and fit with how hip hop is now, but contrasting to the trashy look and busy hip hop magazines from the past. However this concept is quite and maybe too similar to the likes of Wordplay Magazine and Dazed Magazine.

Keywords -

Minimal
Modern
Monochromatic
High Finish
Gloss