EvaluationQuestion 1

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

A typical convention of a music magazine is for the main image to cover some of the masthead. Mine slightly does, but not enough so you can’t read it, as this is the first issue.

Another convention is that the main cover line is a lot larger than the rest and so makes it clear, but I have challenged conventions by tilting it so that it looks more unique from other magazines.

A convention of front cover pages is usually other images being shown to show what else is inside and to act as a puff.

Magazines typically also contain footers and so I used a footer to show what else is inside of the magazine

Encouraging language is typically used to encourage the audience to buy it.

I have used the rule of thirds to make my front page clear as well as aesthetically pleasing. This is typically used on magazines.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My masthead challenges typical conventions as I have used an image of a guitar as one of my letters, which is uncommon in well known music magazines such as Kerrang!

I added the date line and issue number directly under the masthead which challenges the conventions as usually they appear along with the barcode, but I wanted to make sure that it was clear as it is the first issue.

I have used a number of different fonts for my cover lines to make each one stand out, where as Kerrang! Has used only one font for their cover line to keep it consistent.

I have used a medium shot of the artiste so that the expression is clear as well as natural lighting being used which is typical of magazine front covers.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Typical magazines use puffs to draw the audience in and encourage them to buy the magazine. These usually appear in coloured boxes so that they are obvious on the page.

Pull quotes are typically used to give the audience an insight into what the article is going to be about and to make it sound interesting and appealing.

I have challenged conventions as I have not used a header because I felt like it would take away the effect of the masthead.

Typically magazines use a barcode on the front page so that it is easy to locate and scan, as well as the price usually being found here too.

Throughout my magazine I have used a clear colour scheme of black, white and purple, and so all pages link together and look aesthetically appealing. This is a typical convention of a magazine.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My magazine challenges the convention of the title at the top of the page as mine appears in the middle and therefore makes it unique.

A typical convention is multiple images being used to show different features inside the magazine.

Features are clearly labelled along with page numbers so that the audience know exactly where to find the pages.

The name of the magazine has also been placed on the contents page. This is a typical convention of a magazine.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

A typical convention of a magazine is for every image to be present with a page number, so that the audience know exactly where to find each feature inside.

There are typically performance images shown either on the contents page or double page spread to show an artiste when they are on stage or with a particular prop to create a more exciting image.

A letter from the editor is a typical feature as it introduces the magazine and makes a personal connection with the audience.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I have used sub headings to order the features as this is a typical convention of magazines.

A typical convention is to also mention the date on the contents page.

I used a reference line to mention the photographer used as this is a typical convention on contents pages.

An offer or competition is a typical feature on a magazine contents page.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I challenged the features of double page spreads by placing an image behind the text as this isn’t common in famous magazines. However, I liked the way that Q Magazine uses a letter behind the article and so I was influenced by this to add an image of a member of the main artiste behind my article.

I followed a typical convention by placing the text mostly on one page and the main image on the opposite page so that it looks organized and the article is easy to read and the fold in the page would not affect it.

I used drop capitals which are a typical convention of magazine articles.

Most magazines use columns and so I used this in my own magazine to make it easy to read and aesthetically pleasing.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

A pull quote is typically used to give the audience an insight into what is inside the magazine.

My magazine challenges typical conventions of music magazines as the title has been tilted to look more interesting and link with the front cover where it has also been tilted.

The subheading of articles are typically in bold or in a separate text box so that they stand out from the rest of the font on the page.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The main image is usually a lot bigger than the other images on the page.

Smaller images have been used to further make the page look like there is a lot going on and so that the page is more visually attractive.

A typical convention of a magazine is to have the magazine name on every page and so therefore I have positioned it so that the audience is frequently reminded of what they are reading.