Subculture: Import Scene

So... what is Import Scene?

 http://www.modified.com/index.html

Import Scene is the subculture that revolves around modifying cars that are imported from large brands mostly from Japan, and then racing them on streets. Import Scene is mostly commonly called imports or Racing Import Scene, and Tuner Scene.

Import Scene can be held at published venues, or this can be spontaneous with illegal street racing. The most common is illegal street racing as you do not have to pay fees to enter, and with most youngsters joining Import Scene, they prefer the thrill of getting caught by the police.

History of Import Scene

Modifying cars is very popular with youths in America since hotrod cars were invented in the 1950's and 1960's. In the 1965 was the earliest reported import drag race in America, with Volkswagen Beetles, Sit-up-and-beg Ford Populars and Austin A40 Devons in Southern California. This was found by a published magazine article Hot Rod Magazine in August 1965.

Puerto Rico also has a long history of pioneering import drag racing in the mid 1970's and 1980's, and it is still a huge hobby on the island to this day. They also do road racing (street racing) and this has also been a sporting tradition. There are many important, and highlighted races that are run every year on Puerto Rico and many are drag racing. There is a whole website relating to all the events and races:
http://www.puertoricodragracing.com/blog/ 

http://funkyimg.com

In the 1980's, and early 90's front wheel drive cars started to be used more and more often and become more popular. This was mostly Honda's brand from Japan, and with this came Asian and American youngsters to race. Young Asian and Americans started the development of the early street racing scene.

http://greddy-usa.blogspot.com

As Import Scene started to become more and more popular, soon there was venues for Import Racing often packed with over 10,000 spectators. As Import Racing become so big import racing hosted a 'Batte of the Imports' championship in the mid 90's. Another major factor for Import Scene was clubs, and showrooms for the teams, and cars that compete in championships. To the right is a poster of BOTI (Battle of the Imports) of 2009, the poster is very simple, and shows exactly what this event is about.



Street Racing is illegal racing that takes place on public roads. This can be spontaneous, or planned out well with many competitors, and spectators to watch. If a street race is planned this often has a two way conversation with a police scanners and GPS units to locate hot spots for illegal street racing. If someone has reported the illegal street race, one of the spectators usually picks this up and broadcasts this to the rest of the street race public.
Street Racing has originated from 1930's and has been known for there repercussions from 'lack of saftey' and road incidents.

Aspects of Import Scene

There are so many aspects of Import Scene that have grown to become a important feature of Import Scene. Many of them have become a trend, and if you are in the culture of Import Scene then these are a must to be apart of it.

Import Scene dress code is whatever is in fashion at the time. The dress code can change dramatically from one look to the other within a matter of weeks due to what looks cool. This matters a lot in Import Scene, especially in Japan as the look of you and your car can mean different levels of respect you have.

The places Import Scene use are most likely streets, that gangs have coned off to race. This is called Illegal Street racing, and can be planned, and thought out very well. Another area that Import Scene would use is venues. These are championships that are events for people to race in; this is legal racing as this is published to the public to bring in spectators. Most Import Scene users would prefer to race illegally on the streets as this gives them more of a thrill, and could be caught by the police.

The graphics of Import Scene is very important, and signifies different gangs and different areas of ‘turf’. For example if there is a graphic of a on the side of the car, this can mean they are in the ‘Jadecrew’. Some designs can be very simple, or they can be covered with graphics. This can change the amount of respect you can have from other drivers. 

Import Scene use a lot of jargon, although they are very important in Import Scene. This is because they can mean different things, although can be very specific.

There are many words that Import Design use. These jargon words can distinguish what you are racing for, what type of course you are going to be racing on, and different items for your car. The most used words that racers use is;

Pink Slips: This can mean that you are racing for the opponents car, if you lose you lose your car.

Rice Burner: A derogatory term used to identify a vehicle, largely an import, that is focused on external customising that has no affect on performance.

Boost: Has two meanings: 1: To steal a vehicle or component from a vehicle 2: The increased pressure that is the result of a turbocharger or supercharger. Higher boost results in a more powerful engine.

Highway Running: An illegal street race, generally unplanned, where two or more cars encounter each other on the highway and race until one of the drivers gives up.  

Touge: A Japanese word that identifies the act of illegally street racing in the mountains/canyons on winding and narrow roads. Generally involves one vehicles at a time but can involve multiple vehicles at one time. 

http://www.evostreetracers.com/street_racing_terminology.html

What does it mean to be in this subculture?

If you are in this subculture it means that you are following the trend of Import Scene. This can also show how much respect you have depending on what car you drive, and also the design on the car. The age of people that are in this subculture is teens and young adults. They came in to this subculture so they came be respected by others, this is the main factor of why they entre this subculture.

http://speedhunters.com

Some drivers join this subculture, although do not race. These people are called Lowriders, they have a vehicle with a modified suspension that results in the lowest possible ground clearance. The Lowrider Subculture is often profiled as illegal street racers as their modified suspension may not be street legal and the vehicles are often found cruising/meeting in parking lots. They join Imprt Scene culture as they like the style, although they only watch races and do not race themselves.

Creative Review Inspiration

I have decided to find images of Creative Review to give me inspiration on laying out the front, and double page spread. This will be use full, as I will find out what works, and what looks professional. I can also find out what colours would work together, and how can the images be subtle. Creative Review is the company we are working with, so looking at previous designs will help to see what works well with in this magazine. As the magazine is square on each page, this will change the look of original layouts. As I have not created a imagine cover and a double page spread before so this project will be interesting to see what design I create.

Front Cover:

What I have noticed is that most of them have just an image on the front, with no title, I shall kep this in mind when I start creating designs. Another aspect that I have noticed is that the Creative Review always has a white border behind it, and the image is not merged behind the lettering. I shall try both methods with a title on the front, and without.

Double Page Spreads:

 

I am looking at how they have laid out there design in the new version of Creative Review. With this image there is a lot of images that have been placed round the edges of the magazine. The images are scattered, and I think this design looks a little messy. I don't think I will be using a similar layout to this. 

I think this one looks very neat, I like how the images are very neat and inline with the writing. I think this looks professional, and this will a possibility of making my own version of this layout.

I think this layout also looks professional, I like how it onlyshows important images that will interact with the reader, and make them want to read more. I think the magazine to the left has also a simular look to the magaize, although just used less images. I think both look very nice, and would look good in my magazine double page spread.

I really like this idea, I think it looks very attractive on the magazine, and reals in the reader. I think the images are nicely placed, and are all the same lenght and height as each other making the layout look neat and tidy. I also like the large title at the bootm left, this is an unusaly place, although looks very intresting. This would be my favourite layout at the moment, and will definalty be experimentling with this layout.

I choose this image as the picture was over both pages, and I thought this would look interesting. I wanted to try this idea beofre I saw this picture, although i thought that this would not mkae the magazine look neat, and professional. Looking at this layout I think this works very well, I like the two image added to the right of the magazine, I think this draws the viewer away from the middle image a little. I think the discicption to the left at the bottom makes the magazine layout look professional, and tidy. I liek this layout, and would like to experiment with my images.

I choose this one as I thought this looked very strange, and wacky. I really like how the images at strange shapes, and the titles at spread all over the magazine. This makes the layout look intersting, but neat at the same time. I thin the discription on the right of the magazine makes the layout look neat, although I dont think this would work with the subculture I will be working with.

http://www.creativereview.co.uk

Direction: Import Scene

I started thinking about the aspects of Import Scene and how to move forward with this subculture. I thought a good direction to take is the aspect of Import Scene that is the most important, illegal street racing. I thought that this would be a good direction to go, as this is a large aspect in Import Scene even today, and has been since Import Scene started. the governments have tried many different things to try and stop illegal street racing, although nothing seems to stop in completely. The only way they are able to catch illegal street racers is with speed cameras, police cars, and police helicopters, even thought they have these options available to them this does not mean they will catch the criminal all the time, as they have increase power to their car which allows them to get away. They are able to save the number plate to the police database, which will alert the police if they come across the illegal street race car again, and can go straight into pursuit again.
From this problem I have moved to computer games slightly. This would be saying why not race on a computer game instead. Another idea is what goes on in Import Scene, what are the venues like, what the car look like, and what is the atmosphere of a planned illegal street race like. This idea I thought can be the double page spread information, as this would be interesting, and I could create a good looking magazine layout.

How has it developed?

Import Scene has developed thought the general culture growing, and become more famous, and likable to the younger generation. This is no the only event that has helped it to become more widely known, films have started to come in to the equation, and being shown world wide. The Films that have helped this subculture to grow is;

http://tvtropes.org

- The Fast and the Furious (2001)
- 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
- Fast & Furious (2009)
- Fast Five (2011)
- Fast Six (2013)


These films are a series (although some are one offs), they show what Import Scene is like the best, as they go into detail about the cars, venues, and the atmosphere. These films are great if you want to know the basics of Import Scene as they show you what it is like in Japan (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) and in America.The films show the dress code, they also use the jargon they say in actual Import Scene subculture. Music is also shown in these films, thought out the films.


Here are a couple of images from the five films, showing you what Import Scene is like in North America. They
always seem to race at night, this is because there is less traffic on the roads. I think this also sets the atmosphere when entering on of these venues.

In the image below, you can see that most of the illegal street racing starts, and ends at different points. They also close/block all roads where the street racers race. This image shows the start, they usually have a 'Flagger'. This is the person responsible for starting the race or 'dig'. The flagger will start the race thought hand and head signals verifies each driver is ready and initiates the race.

Fast and Furious

Electronic games have also helped Import Scene develop around the world. There have been many games that have be released on different types of consoles showing Import Scene. Most of these closely follow The Fast and Furious films on how you can build on your car, although some of the story lines create their own ending. Many games like 'Need for Speed' started a franchise all over the world introducing people to Import Scene. in these games, you can cruse, race, design your car, add graphic designs to the body, and buy new cars. The game has allowed gamers to see what the atmosphere is like, and how they race.

psp.ign.com

Need for Speed Underground 2:
Released in 2004

ewandoo.com

Need for Speed Shift 2:
Released in 2011

Developing Ideas 1: Front Cover

Designing my front cover for my magazine (Creative Review) I was choosing images that would relate to Import Scene. This would be mostly something to do with cars.

For the first design I took a picture of a computer game. I took this image as I was thinking of heading to a direction of how to stop illegal street racing. Computer gaming came to mind, so to help promote this thought, I designed a front cover of a still image from 'Race 07' computer game to try and persuade street races to not race on public roads, and play on a computer. The computer has advantages as you can drive many different cars, and tracks. There are many downloadable addons you can play on the game. I tried to make the front cover as realistic as possible by changing the brightness/contrast, levels, curves, and changed the image to black & white. I think this image looks interesting, as I think it can show Import Scene due to the car 'sporty' wheel, and the tarmac in the distance. I think the image being in black & white really helps the image look professional, and makes it stand out. I thin the title on the front adds to the image so that people know what the article will be exactly about. The type face used on the front cover really looks interesting, and goes well with the image style.

I have done tow versions of this image, as I wanted to see what would look better. A black line under 'Creative Review' or without. I have also added a black gradient form the line to the image to make a nice fade from the image to the black line. Out of the two I think the second version looks better, as this looks neater, and more attractive.

Developing Ideas 2: Front Cover

 For my second design I started to look at 'tuned' and modified cars. I started to come up with ideas of cars on the front page, as this is what my subculture revolves around. I came up with many ideas, changing the lettering, or the look of the image to see what look the most interesting, and attractive. This is a photograph I took when I went a Brandshatch race, I edited it in Photoshop as I thought that this was a very good image to use.

 This was my first idea, seeing other front covers from previous Creative Review magazines, I noticed that most of them only have an image on the front, with no text. I tried this with my image, although found that it looks a little bear, and does not fully show Import Scene. I edited the image so that the contrast would show more, I think this is a great effect on the tarmac.

This was another version of the image I create, I changed the image to black and white and added text over the top of the image. I slightly faded the text so you could still see the image behind. I think this idea is not good, because I think the text is too big, and some people could get confused what the magazine is called, and what the main article is about.

Once I create the previous image I wanted to see what it would look like with the effect reversed. I think this makes the front cover look very interesting, and was closely picked out of all my designs to be my final piece. I like the the image is brighter inside the lettering, this focuses you to the text, and the image. I still think the text is too large though.

I like the previous idea so much that I decided to black the whole front cover, although only showing the image though the text. I thought that this would make a great effect to the image, and make the front cover look very interesting. The reason why I didn't further develop this idea was because I was worried that the front cover had to much black, and this looked very plain, and uneventful. I think if the text was larger and could cover the page more and showing the image of the car more, I think this would be a success. 

I then thought as they is too much black in the previous image, I would show the picture of the car, although fade it in slightly thought the black. I then outlined the writing with white so you could see the text clearly, and I also brightened up the image behind the text so this would create an interesting effect. I did not pick this version, because I thought that this did not catch my eye, and was not an attractive front cover.

 In this version I edited the background picture a lot, I first used the lasso tool around the car and duplicated the car to a new layer. I then used a filter to blue the background to look like the car was moving at high speed, then used the blur tool around the car to merge it in with the background. I then increased the contrast, and brightness with the background layer. I finally added the text, and slight made it opaque. I think the text is slight to large for the front cover.

This is another version of the previous image although i removed the text to see what it would look like. I think this front cover looks neat and professional, although I think it needs a title. I think the effects used on the image looks interesting, and makes the image stand out.

Developing Ideas 3: Front Cover

This is another design I created for the front cover. I have edited the front image to make the image look interesting, and really stand out. I made the image become black and white to crate more of a contrast to the image. I think this design looks very neat, and looks very professional. I like that the black fades to the image at the bottom left of the image, this looks very interesting. This is a possible final design piece.

Developing Ideas 4: Front Cover

This is another design which I created, this is similar to a previous design, although showing a computer game and many more cars in the image. I am showing this because this is different to the previous design. This is colour, and I wanted to see that front cover would look like with loads of colour. Would it stand out?, Would it look to over crowed?

I think this looks good, although I think the vibrant colour is too much for the black background. This design was just a tester to see how it would look like. I would not use this image or design because I don't not own this image. Link for image: www.raceroom.net. Another reason is because I don't think this idea works well against the black background.

Background image from: www.raceroom.net

Front Cover Design

Final Front Cover Design:

I have choose this to be my final front cover design, as I think the effect of the image draws peoples attention to the magazine. I also think the bright colours really help make the image look interesting and in a way beautiful. I also added text at the bottom right so this will give a little more information about the article. I edited the text so this would be slightly opaque. I think the size of the text is the right size, as this is not too big or too small. I didn't want the text to overlay the car, as this would draw attention to the text then the car. I also added a slight black line round the outside of the text so this would be seen slightly easier from the background of the image. I took this image at Brandshatch while watching the DTM (Dutch Touring Car Championship).

Developing Ideas 1: Double Page Cover

Here is my first design for the double page spread. I wanted to just complete my objective to look into how to stop illegal street racing. This is what I came up with, showing a computer game. I have used images off a computer game called 'RACE 07'. I think this layout looks very neat, although i think the double page spread is going to be about Import Scene, not how to stop it. This was just an idea to look into.

This is the full image together, below is the two individual pages.

Developing Ideas 2: Double Page Cover

This was the second design I created, trying to see what idea would look the best in the magazine. I wanted to go completely different, and add colour in the layout. I think this is a good layout, the only thing I think I would change is the text colour. I think this would be hard for some reader, although I have included a black outline to the text. I think it will be easier to read if I do print this version, as the text will be lager, if you click on the image, the text becomes a lot easier to read. I like white boarders round the images, I think this makes them stand out. I choose these images to compare the different type of cars America, and Asia use. I think the layout, could be placed better, as there is a large gap between the image on page 3 from 2. I think the image in the background really works, as this is about Import Scene (cars), and I thought getting a slow shutter speed image of cars driving past would suit the layout brilliantly.

This is the full image together, below is the two individual pages. 

Developing Ideas 3: Double Page Cover

This is another design I create for the double page spread. I wanted to make a very plain one, to see how this would look. I wanted to keep it simple, and pure, so I choose white and black only to really make the design look simple and easy to read. The part I don't like on this design is the title at the top left, I don't think this goes well with the rest of the magazine style.. I used images that shows the different between America, and Asia's cars, as I think this is one of the most important areas of the Subculture. I wont be using this design for my final piece because I think it is too simple, and there is not enough going on in the layout.

This is the full image together, below is the two individual pages. 

 

Double Page Cover Design

This is my final piece that I will be using for my double page spread. I think it look neat, although very important part is that I think it shows the difference between North America, and Asia's type of cars. I like how I created the title on the second page, I think this creates a great effect to the design. I think the font I choose for the second page goes well with the image, as it is very 'in your face' type of font, and is similar to the muscle car. I have added in lines to make the type face become part of the design. I enlarged the image slightly to the other side of the page, because I wanted to show the whole of the car, as I thought that this is a very American vehicle. I also think that this makes the layout slightly interesting and unusual.

This is the full image together, below is the two individual pages.