1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media products?
My media product uses forms of real media products such as Time
Out magazine and Around Ealing magazine. Using feedback and
research I also went against certain conventions so that I could appeal
to wider target audiences. These are the conventions I used and didn’t
use.
2. Main image.
Celebrities with
blank or
expressionless faces.
Controversy using
two models instead
of one, and both
models of different
class and race in
comparison to
David Tenant.
Central image.
Controversial using
a background in
comparison to the
plain background
of Time Out.
Date shown to make obvious what edition it is, but also that the magazine is delivered weekly.
Website address so audiences feel included in the making of the magazine. Positioned in the upper
left corner as this is a conventional placing for audiences to recognise.
Positioning the
name of the
magazine in
the upper left
hand corner,
as that is a
stereotypical
placing of
titles. The
Masthead
going over the
image as the
magazine is
not established
yet.
Cover lines.
Used big and
bold, mostly
not covering
the image.
Eye
catching, and
in line with
the colour
scheme.
Naming the
celebrity
with catchy
phrases.
Punctuation
to show
inflection.
Advert at the bottom to reflect something within the magazine, use of ‘freebie’ to attract audiences and appeal to the ‘greedy’
nature of London culture. Bright and bold but in line with the colour scheme.
3. Use of heading to show the audience what they are reading and masthead because my
magazine is not yet that established. Main image large so the audience understand that it
is the main article within the magazine.
Subheadings/article
names to attract and
direct the audience to
specific articles.
Pictures that
apply to
certain texts
and appeal to
audiences. I
put mine next
to the articles
instead of
numbering
them so the
audience do
not get
distracted by
images.
Credits notes so that the audience can find further information on the creation of the magazine. Contact information
so the audience can take part in the creation of the magazine.
House style so
audiences know
what magazine the
contents page
belongs to and
what page the are
on.
Numbered articles so
the audience know
what page to look at
for the article.
Editors notes
and
information
to make the
audience feel
connected to
the magazine
and included
in the creation
of it
4. Headline – catchy and appealing to entice audience to read what is inside.
Subheadings to summarise what the article is about.
Main
image to
appeal to
audiences
and attract
them to
enquire
what is
inside the
article.
Sub-images to make the audience understand what is inside the article and appeal better to them.
Using images of the model I made mine appeal to the audience and the article, but also look
promotional for what he is doing.
House style
so audiences
understand
the article is a
part of the
magazine as
well as know
what page it
is. Masthead
because my
magazine is
not yet
established,
used as a
typical
magazine
convention
Question in
bold point
and answer
in plain text
so that the
audience can
differentiate
the two.
Drop cap to
show audiences
where the
article begins.
Pull quote to
attract
audiences and
make them feel
they are being
spoken too.
Personal idiolect so
the audience feel
spoken too and not at
and so the article
does not show a bias
opinion.
5. Large title.
Attracts
audiences and
makes them
want to read
the advert.
Catchy slogan
– entices
audiences to
want to
participate.
Additional pictures – to advertise to the audience what they can be doing. My
use of sporadic pictures at angles to appeal to ‘quirky’ audiences
Main image to attract audiences to the advert. My use of a celebrity to entice the audience to
take the offer.
Additional
information to
let the audience
know what is
being advertised.
Contact
information so
the audience
can find out
more
information
about what is
being
advertised.
Promotiona
l text so
that
audiences
are more
drawn to
what is
being
advertised.
Name of the
sponsor/
company so the
audience are
able to trust the
information
given.
Additional
borough
logo, so the
audience
understand it
is a regional
advert that
applies
specifically to
them.
6. Codes and Conventions Glossary
• Masthead - Main title section and name at the front of a publication.
• Centre of visual interest (CVI) - The prominent item on a page usually a headline, picture or graphic.
• Boost - Picture boost (usually front page) pic promoting a feature or story in later pages
• Headline/Coverline - The main title of the article. Should be in present or future tense to add to
urgency
Must fit the space provided. If it doesn’t, you are using the wrong words.
• Body or body copy: (typesetting) the main text of the work but not including headlines.
• House style - A publication's guide to style, spelling and use of grammar, designed to help journalists
write and present in a consistent way for their target audience.
• Conclusion
7. Masthead
• Mastheads are generically big and bold, used as an item of attraction in order
to make audiences familiarise with and recognise the magazine. Taking
inspiration from Time Out magazine, I decided to create a similar masthead
and alter it going against typical conventions. The purpose of a masthead, is
not only to inform the reader of the name of the magazine, but also to
create a type of logo for them to identify with.
8. Masthead
Use of two different styles of fonts.
Both sans serif fonts
Bold font. Typical convention
that magazines use to attract
attention.
Use of regional (London)
colours, this is recognisable to
British audience. Typical of a
regional magazine.
9. • Placing my masthead in the upper left hand
corner is a typical magazine convention, as it
is big and bold and stands out from the other
words on the front cover audiences are
automatically drawn to it, but placing it in the
specific and universally known corner, the
masthead itself becomes an entity that applies
to the typical conventions. My masthead
going over the main image challenges these
conventions as it shows that my magazine is
not as well established as other because
audiences will not recognise it unless it is fully
visible.
Choosing to use the typical regional
colours of red and blue the masthead then
becomes a sign of London creating an
iconography that is easily applicable to
London culture.
GLOSSARY
10. Centre of visual interest (CVI)
• The centre of visual interest in a magazine is used as a target of interest.
This specific convention is a way of getting an audience to feel intrigued and
also to create a specific representation of a magazine, article or other media
product.
Pull quote: A brief phrase (not necessarily an actual quotation) from the body text, enlarged
and set off from the text with rules, a box, and/or a screen. It is from a part of the text set
previously, and is set in the middle of a paragraph, to add emphasis and interest.
A quote or excerpt from an article that is used as display text on the same page to entice the
reader, highlight a topic or break up linearity.
11. Centre of visual interest (CVI)
Larger image, usually a
person or object
applicable to the main
topic of interest.
Large or bold font, used as a
way to make obvious what
the topic of interest is
about.
Masthead, large and at
the top of the page as
a type of logo.
Specifically coloured
text as a way to
distinguish the
separation of text.
12. Magazines will typically have an image that will take up the whole of the magazine. I decided that
taking three separate images and putting them together would create a version of London that would
suit the target audience's perception of the region. These images became my C.V.I. Using two females
meant that I took in the feedback from my target audience and applied it too my work. This takes in
the conventional element of females as powerful beings and not just objects, going against Mulvey’s
theory of ‘the male gaze,’ by creating an artist, that although is urban is fully clothed and respectful,
shown powerful not passive and partially aggressive but not de-womanised. However I am also going
against specific stereotypes, such as Bell Hook’s ‘commodified blackness’ theory, that black women are
objectified and sexualised keeping my artist fully clothed, using black as a form of power and status
and the beige coat as a form of etiquette and mystery. By using the image of the London eye, I was also
able to use the iconography of London that is visually familiar to a range of different people meaning
my audience will identify better with my magazine. Centring the two images is a typical convention for
a regional magazine, but using two models instead of one is not. This is so that the audience are drawn
to and understand that these people are the main topic within the magazine, and main item of interest.
Compared to magazine's such as Time Out, my main image reflects the same type of representation of
London as a lively place using celebrities to entice the audience, but appealing to my target audience by
using younger models and hybridizing my magazine to fit with regional and gossip. This links in with
theorist Steve Neale that says 'difference is essential to genre' and I took this theory and applied it so
that I could appeal to a target audience of Mainstreamers and Aspirers according to 'Young and
Rubicam's' audience reception theory.
In terms of my contents page, I used images as a centre of visual interest. Using these images I was able to
reflect the element of my magazine, making the main image the young white educated male, this meant that
my magazine gave off the educational vibe as another hybrid convention. Depicting him in a shirt and chino’s
so that he is viewed in a ‘smart casual’ formal/informal dress, so as not to alienate my target audience and
appeal to all types of social classes. But also including the landmark of Big Ben as a regional icon, so that my
audience understand that this is still a regional magazine and to create a feeling of identity within the magazine
so that the audience familiarise with the sight of the landmark. By also including the image of the young black
female on the front cover, I also add a sense of diversity to the magazine and create the link from the front
cover to the contents page. By making the magazine editor black as well links in with this idea, and including
her smiling, means that my audience feel welcomed and invited to read what is inside of the magazine. I
decided not to number the images as I did not feel it was needed and instead put the images next to the
articles that they apply too so that my audience did not feel ‘babied,’ but also had the choice of filtering
through the magazine to find what they are looking for.
13. The images I used within the article are all supposed to present the model as a passive but humble character,
someone who cares for the community and is not fraught with all the gossip and ‘turf’ wars. This is supposed to
present a young person in a positive light and is a contrast from the front cover because it is not gossip and
rumours. This is also supposed to be a juxtaposition because the celebrity is known for violence but promoting
passive thought.
Placing the main image as a medium portfolio shot in the top left hand corner, means the audience are able to
receive the model full on. This mainly applies to the female subset, but males that idolise the celebrity as well.
This image in large is a means to attract the audience as a centre of visual interest. The audience are
automatically drawn to the larger picture of the young male. Following the convention of a pull-quote in an
article, is a way of interesting the reader in the article. The inspirational words are something audiences can
relate too or identify with, but also so that they recognise it as something the celebrity would say. Using this
convention also means that I am able to attract audiences with something big and bold. Catchy words and large
writing is a convention that always attracts the eye of the audience, and in doing so I can attract audiences with
inspirational quotes that portray the celebrity in a positive light and goes against typical conventions.
Using the young man in my advert as a centre of visual interest, I made the entire background a large image of
him, something that audiences cannot ignore because of the subversion from the rest of the magazine. Creating
this character meant that I had to keep my magazine completely neutral so that it was not specific to any team and
did not show support or favouritism too a team. I did this by keeping with the colours of the magazine and using
blank and plain clothes, this meant I was able to achieve a neutral ground. Making sure to keep my model in
football clothes, I also added the use of a football to make more obvious that he is a footballer and put him in a
field to make obvious to the audience that this is his comfort zone and this is a football advert. Putting him in
clothes that show off his physique also makes audiences aspire to be like him by working out. This entices them to
join the gym and sells the idea of a celebrity taking interest in them making the audience feel invited and welcome,
but also makes the magazine look communal and also fun. This produces the idea that London is a lively place
with great opportunities and using an Asian model, it also portrays it as culturally diverse and different. Also
making the heading/slogan two toned colours in bold Sans-Serif font, makes this another form of interest so the
audience have another reason to gain interest in the image being advertised to them.
GLOSSARY
14. Boost
• A picture boost is a convention typically used as a picture promoting a
feature story in later pages. These images are always relatable to the main
story-line that the magazine want to cover. They can also be connected with
a : Subhead: A secondary phrase usually following a headline. Display line(s)
of lesser size and importance than the main headline(s).
• These conventions can both apply, especially in magazines, as the image and
strapline will usually be on the front page of a magazine.
15. Large image of two
females within the
magazine. These
females are not
included within the
shown pages of my
product. Large image of
David Tennant.
Used as a way to
advertise a
theatre
production.
Specific headline/strapline
that entices the reader. Larger
than the other straplines.
GLOSSARY
16. Headline/Coverline
• The headline also known as Coverline, (when on the front page of a
magazine) as a typical convention of a magazine, is important to let the
audience know what it is they are viewing but also meant to be bold enough
to attract them. The headline is the main source of information for
audiences as most audiences will ‘judge a book by its cover’ so to speak. This
must be used to create a meaning for the article at hand and is usually closely
followed by a: Deck - Part of the headline which summarises the story. Also
known as deck copy or bank, or a: Standfirst - Lines of text after the
headline that gives more information about the article, or about the author.
17. Taking inspiration from Time Out and Around Ealing magazine, I was able to create headlines
that I thought would attract readers. Using words that sounded similar “books and boxers” as a
catchy way of getting readers attention, and ‘recognisable names’ such as “ Lady T and Sistah
D” as a bolder way of getting readers attention. The headlines being stereotypically convention,
using these ideas, bold text, the specific house style and recognisable words so that my audience
aren’t intimidated. I used this convention so that my magazine did not stray far away from the
typical regional genre, especially as it is a hybrid magazine. I did not want to make my magazine
explicitly incongruous because I did not want to alienate my audience.
Getting feedback on this helped me to better understand that my audience needed more
information when reading magazines as they prefer to be informed before viewing. This meant
that I had to incorporate the use of a ‘deck’ or ‘standfirst’ so that my audience could understand
the subtext behind the article, and also the deeper meaning of the image on the front cover.
18. I ensured my main cover-line was large and centred to link
with Time Out and ES magazine. The idea was to advertise
the story of the two models depicted, and make it appealing
to an audience. This is so that audiences can recognise the
words and respond to that by picking it up to get a closer
look. I also used bright red letters with a white outline, to
reflect the St George's cross but also to catch audience's
attention. Centring the letters means that it is also a focal
point for the readers, and goes with the typical convention of
a magazine. Using catchy phrases and the artists name,
audiences are drawn to that which they familiarise with and
are subliminally subjected too each and every day. Using bold
letters means audiences are generally more likely to read the
word. Using exclamatory punctuation, audiences are
understanding of the inflection given but also universally
perceive the sentence as exciting and new. This applies to
typical magazine conventions because it entices the reader
and makes them want to be informed as to what's so exciting
about it.
Following the subheading/strapline convention, my
magazine then becomes recognisable as a magazine
as this convention introduces topics and entices
readers. This follows the typical conventions that
you would find on a magazine front cover and
always applies to a specific audience.
GLOSSARY
19. Body or body copy
• The body of the product is what brings it all together. Without this
convention the product would not be complete and audiences would feel
confused and uninformed. This mostly applies to articles in magazines as a
lot of magazine front covers do not have to include text in order for people
to feel interested in reading them (much like ES magazine) and can function
fully on the main image.
• This also includes conventions such as a: Drop cap - a large initial letter at
the start of the text that drops into the line or lines of text below.
20. Text that applies
to the specific
topic of interest.
Using bold fonts to gain
information or drop caps
to direct the reader.
Pull quotes to attract
attention.
Images relating to
the topic of
interest.
Logo’s relating to the
article or magazine.
21. The mode of address within my article is meant to invite the reader and make them feel as though they are
a part of the interview. I have decided to use the interview type of address so that my audience get more
information and actual quotes from the celebrity instead of having a biased recount of what a journalist
might think of this celebrity. Doing this means that my audience are able to decide for themselves what they
feel about this person which in turn would make them feel empowered and a part of the magazine. Keeping
the interview informal also means the audience begin to understand how the celebrity speaks and how they
would come across in a conversation meaning the audience feels closer too the celebrity and are not
ostracised from the magazine.
I also used a drop cap so that the audience knew where the article began and could find their way through
the rest on their own. This way the audience do not feel confused or disorientated, but also so that they are
able to understand the layout of the magazine and its article. This is a typical convention in terms of most
magazines so that audiences can find their way through articles. Further analysing this work, I realise there
are no children within the article, but that was hard to require given my time and resources and therefore I
was not able too, along with this, finding younger students and getting permission from their parents would
be something I am willing to change if I ever got a chance to improve my work.
The main body of my product is the article in which I have created, using a specific mode
of address, a pull quote, picture and drop cap. Typical conventions of an article that always
appear. Using these specific conventions I was able to develop my article so that it followed
real media products and the conventions they have used.
GLOSSARY
22. House style
• The house style of a magazine is a way for a magazine to make its mark. The
use of colours, text, font and styles of creation is a way to make obvious
what the magazine is and how it want to present itself. For example:
professional magazines on business and economics would use a lot of bland
colours and serif font, whilst a teen pop magazine would use bright colours
and fancy sans-serif font. This is typically found more obvious in the layout
of the magazine contents page or article, showing different types of text,
images fonts and colours to present itself.
23. Double lines at the top
of the page, each
reflecting the colour in
the masthead.
Sans serif Calibri font,
attained from audience
research.
Headings/subheadings
matching the colour
scheme of the magazine.
Masthead, information
and page number as a
footer.
24. The house style of my magazine follows the typical
conventions of a magazine because it uses the colours
that would link the audience to the masthead, and the
regional colours of London itself. These particular
colours are seen all over the article and contents page,
but also throughout the magazine. Using these specific
colours, audiences are not bombarded with sight
affecting colour schemes and find the layout more
appealing.
Using a specific font I am following the conventions of
a typical regional magazine that appeals to the middle-
classed background, these specific people find this text
less intimidating and respond to it better.
The headings and subheadings match the colour scheme of
the logo and also the double line at the top of the page.
These apply to the house style keeping with the colour
scheme of the magazine, and make more recognisable to the
audience what presence the magazine makes within their
minds.
The information at the bottom of the page: the
page number, masthead and website information,
is another typical convention within the house
style that helps audience to identify the magazine
and the page they are looking for within it.
GLOSSARY
25. Conclusion
• In conclusion, my media product follows typical magazine conventions, this
is so that they audience recognise it as a magazine, also so that it is easy to
read, and so that it appeals to the target audiences needs and interests.
Challenging typical representational conventions, my magazine becomes a
target that should apply to a niche audience of aspirers, individualists or
mainstreamers, but being three sets of niche audiences, this means my
magazine then applies to a mass audience of new British culture. My media
product is a development of new media and representations using old media
conventions to do so.
GLOSSARY
