Step 1:

A gradient using the colours light grey and black has been used on the front cover. This effect gives the magazine a professional and simple look and these factors are two of the main aims I intend to achieve when designing my magazine

The masthead has been decided as ‘U.T.I’ which is an abbreviation for ‘Under the Influence’. This was chosen purely on gut instinct and initiative as although some other names proved to be popular from market research, I feel this is a suitable, unique and ‘stand out’ masthead for my hip hop magazine