Project 5: Open Project -Michala Grant

When given this open project, I knew pretty quickly what I wanted to do for it. I chose to continue with the "Destroy the Icon" project. I really liked that project and I wanted the message behind it to go further. I created a book with 10 rappers that I feel represent positive influence in rap. I wanted the reader to know that rap music can be positive and doesn't all promote drug use, violence, and other negativity. To start, I chose the 10 rappers and then I printed a small book to figure out the layout. It can sometimes be difficult to think about the physical form of a book when looking at a computer screen. I wanted to work out all of that confusion before diving in.

 I laid the pages out in InDesign and then printed it so I had something physical to go off of. This was also when I thought about what was going on each page.























After this, I started the edits. The rappers I chose were NF, Tupac, Eminem, Joyner Lucas, VI Seconds, CalenRaps, Jaden Smith, Brockhampton, Witt Lowry, and Kendrick Lamar. I wanted each of the edits to look similar and have an obvious connection so it comes across as a series.

 

 

 

 

 

After the edits, I designed a cover. The cover reaffirms the message that I want to send.

After that, I started designing the pages. I included an introduction that explained my message and the edits with some information. On each spread, I included background and information on the rapper and lyrics from one of their songs that are positive, influential, or thought provoking.

Here are a few spreads from the book:

Throughout the process, I spoke through ideas of form, concept, and layout with my peer mentor. I chose my friend Sam as my mentor. She listens to rap music and she has also listened to all of these artists, even the smaller ones. I thought this made her a good choice for my mentor. She responded well to my concept. She agreed that rap music is often viewed in the wrong light. I also talked to her to make sure that the message came across and she said that with the introduction and lyrics, my topic is made clear. I'm happy with the outcome and I enjoyed doing the open project and having freedom to choose a topic and execute it. 

Reflection: