QUESTION 1

In what ways does your media product develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

I have used a barcode at the bottom which is a common convention of a music magazine and where it would usually be found.

I added the date here as this is usual convention of a magazine & also informs the reader which issue the magazine is.

Another convention I’ve used is a flasher this helps to vary the layout and highlight a specific bit of text. Usually a competition which catches the eye hence the ‘win’ in mine.

Frontcover

I decided to use a header as it’s common convention and helps to make the magazine look professional and creates a break from the background.

I have used a mast head which follows the codes of conventions & is used so the target audience can identify the magazine also by positioning this in pride of place this important aspect cannot be missed.

My colour scheme is pink, white, grey & black this is because my target audience is females however keeping it basic to look simple and effective, without being too bright. These colours have connotations of femininity and fashion with fits with the genre of pop. These colours help to make the magazine eye catching and memorable.

I have used one dominating main image of the artist, it’s a medium long shot therefore using common conventions as this is what the magazines I researched were like. She is directly engaging with the audience with her eye contact. She is female and is wearing fashionable clothes therefore relating to the target audience and genre.

I have decided to use uppercase for the cover lines to create impact which through research I have learnt is a common convention and also makes it easier to read.

I have used three cover lines the same size as one another from research I have noticed this is a common feature giving the reader an insight into what is to come in the magazine.

I have increased the size of the font for the main cover line relating to the cover star so that it stands out the most as this will be a main feature of the magazine. Also positioning the text over the image of the girl creates more impact and drama.

I have used the same font for the mast head from the front cover but a smaller size following conventions of a magazines in the market. This is to keep a recognisable house style.

The contents title uses the same font, although larger than the masthead so the contents is more clear and can stand out. After research I’ve found this is a common convention in magazines.

I have used a variety of images on the contents page which is used to break up the copy which will help to appeal to the target audience. Also the images include a key board and headphones showing they are music orientated linking to the genre of the magazine and gives the audience an idea of what will be coming next.

Another common convention for the contents are the page numbers which correspond with the description at the side and the article in the magazine. This helps users to find what they are looking for.

I have used the same colour scheme as on the front cover to show continuity between the pages this is a common convention of magazines so the reader can tell they are all part of the same magazine. I have kept a house style by using the same fonts and the colours black, white, grey and pink.

I have used borders to create a break between copy this is also a common convention I noticed.

The mode of address for the contents page is the same as the front cover and double page spread which is fairly informal and chatty, such as: ‘top tips’ and ‘high street must haves’ which convey a sense of personality and is more welcoming for the target audience.

I have used a section down the left hand side which was something I noticed by researching into magazine, this helps to separate certain headings, with extra information included, also gives the page more style.

I have made the headings bigger so they jump out of the page at the reader and attracts them to the particular sections. I have also done them in bold for this reason.

ContentsPage

Double Page SpreadI have used the same font that I used for the cover lines on the front cover and the headings on the contents page, this is to show continuity. I found this was the same in all music magazines.

I have used the Rule of Thirds for the image which enables me to add the article on top of the image itself. This is a common convention within magazines so the images look professional not like the artists have been stuck in the middle.

I have used a pull quote from the article which is a common convention of music magazines and helps to attract the reader into reading the whole article.

I have used the exact same colour scheme as the other two pages again to maintain continuity. Pink was the favoured colour from my research for a girls magazine.

I have used a the colour pink for the introduction which is different to the rest of the copy. This helps the introduction to be separated from the rest of the interview. I have noticed the colour is either different or bold.

I have abbreviated the two artists’ names, Zara to Z and Rianna to an R, I noticed this as a common convention in magazines.

I’ve separated the copy into to different columns this makes it easier for the target audience to read also is more aesthetically pleasing. This is a common convention.