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Evaluation

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

Front Cover

Firstly my magazine front cover can be seen to conform to typical magazine conventions through the use of the masthead. The masthead often always contains the magazine title, date, issue number and price therefore these conventions can be applied to my magazine as it includes all of these in the masthead. I have also included the website name within the title as this is a brand extension to the magazine which I would like readers to be aware about. A convention of a magazine title is often that it is bold and eye-catching, and can be considered as a symbol of identity for a brand. Although the title I have created appears simple, ‘Replay,’ I think the use of red makes it bold and could connote the idea that the readers of the magazine are passionate about music. The identity of the magazine is also reflected through the image used as the young model may show that this is a magazine for a young adult audience. The model’s appearance and the choice of using colours red, black and white may stereotypically suggests that the magazine is of the rock genre therefore whilst conforming to magazine conventions, Branston & Stafford’s stereotype theory can be applied as the front cover reflects a typically held image of rock music. Another convention of real media magazines is the use of a main cover line to attract readers therefore I have employed this convention by making the main cover line bigger than the others. Cover lines are often placed down one side of the magazine to appear structured and professional so in this sense my magazine applies to magazine conventions as I too have followed this form. My front cover also conforms to other magazine conventions such as the use of a strapline and an insert.Overall by following typical conventions of the front cover I feel that this helps to create a realistic and professional magazine look.

Contents Page

From doing some research into existing magazines I found that a convention of contents pages is to divide the listings into sections such as features and regulars. I have used this convention for my own contents page as I think that this is easier on the eye whilst making it

easier for a reader to find out what articles feature in the issue.

Another convention of the contents page is to have an editor’s letter and although not found in all music magazines, I thought that it was appropriate to include a letter seeing as this is the first issue of a new magazine. The editor’s letter addresses the audience and explains what Replay magazine can offer them each week compared to other similar magazines.

I have ensured that the features on the contents page are kept in numerical order as this is another convention of magazines which makes understanding the contents page easier and have also included a small blurb under several of the headings as this provides a reader with some additional information as to what to expect from the article; this is another convention of contents pages.

Many contents pages also include images as a visual aid to the text, linking selected images to one of the listings with a page number, for example this is found in Q magazine therefore it can be suggested that my magazine follows conventions in this sense as I have also applied this on my page.

Double Page Spread

A double page spread has many conventions which are often followed. I have aimed to apply many of the conventions to my double page spread to try to create a professional and realistic look. Firstly, in real media products the model featured on the front cover is used for the double page article therefore I have followed this convention for a professional feel. Many existing media products employ the use of pull quotes throughout their articles to entice the reader in. These pull quotes are often used as part of the main heading with smaller pull quotes placed throughout the feature. I have followed this convention by using several pull quotes on the page will are hopefully seen as interesting to a reader making it more likely for them to read the feature. Another convention of a double page is to include a standfirst. A standfirst is used to introduce the article to a reader providing a clue as to what to expect from the reader, used along with the pull quotes, together these entices a reader in to the article. Within the standfirst a byline is also including which shows the person who is involved in creating the article. My double page spread follows all of these conventions which create a sense of realism to the page. Drop caps are also another feature found on a double page spread to symbolize the start of the article which I have used in my own work. Images are also a major convention in making a double page spread which I have used my own original images to follow this convention.

Overall I think that all three of my pages link to typical magazine conventions which helps them to create a more realistic and professional feel rather as they follow conventions rather than challenge them.

Pull Quote Standfirst & Byline

End Blob

Picture Credit

Headline Crosshead

Drop Cap

Body Text

Main Image