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

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

2. Front Cover Conventions

3. - Masthead at the top of the page where it is
easily seen (full width of page or top left corner)
along with a slogan
- Models face is clear and there is eye contact,
usually a midshot or closeup
- Central image taking up whole page for full
engagement
- Central image shot in a studio, where the
lighting can be controlled
- Short title to keep it memorable
When I looked at the generic conventions of my competitions front covers, I
found these similarities:
Conventions

4. - Many coverlines detailing what content can be
found inside of the magazine – usually 5 or 6
- Coverlines in same/similar font to create
distinctive design
- Main coverline is larger text
- Strip along top or bottom listing band names
or feature of magazine
- A simple colour scheme
Other conventions I found when I looked at other magazines were:
Conventions

5. - Main image relates to the main feature article
- Direct mode of address
- A trademark unique masthead font
- Power words alongside the main feature
article such as EXCLUSIVE, FREE
- Barcode in a bottom corner
Other conventions I found when I looked at other magazines were:
Conventions

6. I placed my masthead at the top of my page where it was clearly visible
alongside a slogan. However, it was placed in the top right.
Masthead
Magazines never seem to have a title at the
bottom of the page. This is because it stands out
the most at the top of page and attracts the
most attention. This is because the main image
and the masthead are the two first things that a
potential reader should see. Therefore, it needs
to be eye-catching and visible. I also placed it in
the corner to make it resemble real products of
the same genre. This also meant that both the
image and the title were fully visible as neither
had to overlay the other. I did have the image
overlap the magazine sell line to bring it forward.
My slogan also would help to sell the magazine
as it brags that the magazine only has the best
content. On top of this, it helps to achieve brand
recognition as it is fairly memorable.

7. I placed my masthead at the top of my page where it was clearly visible
alongside a slogan. However, it was placed in the top right.
Masthead
With this, I both used and defied
conventions. I placed it where it was clearly
visible so that it would blend in with
similar products and to make my magazine
look better and establish a brand via the
masthead – however, placed it on the right
instead of left for two reasons.
1. It worked better with the image. I
could have flipped the image however
that didn’t look as aesthetically
pleasing.
2. This minor change makes my
magazine stand out from it’s
competition as it looks very slightly
different but not in a way that is
unprofessional.
Flipping the image did not
look natural or pleasing.

8. My magazine has a short, one word title
Masthead
My competitors both had short titles.
Under The Radar was three words and Q
was one letter. Most magazines have
either a one word title or a few short
words. When I chose my name, I
brainstormed words associated with music.
I limited myself to a one word title as I
wanted to have a title that was very
memorable to make my magazine more
memorable and give it brand recognition.

9. I used a fairly standard and plain font for my masthead but used it continuously
to make it feel trademarked.
Masthead
Whilst some magazines can afford to have
mastheads made for them, I had to use a
pre-existing one so it could not be totally
unique – though I could’ve found one on
DaFont or a similar website. I chose a
relatively minimalistic font, Arimo, so that I
could blend in with my competition and
meet the conventions of my genre. I used
it throughout my magazine – when it was
put in the corner to specify page number –
and, if my product was real, I would’ve
used it on other covers to establish brand
recognition and trademark the font.

10. My shot is a midshot and the face is mostly visible though not completely clear
but and models eyes are closed
Main image
The shot I chose for my front cover is powerful
because it is an action shot. My model had her
eyes closed and her face is not totally clear but
this increases the excitement and action
prevalent in this image. Having her eyes closed
shows engagement in the music she is listening
to and her complete focus on what she is doing.
It also creates a sense of mystery as the usual
connection created via eye contact between
subject and audience is broken. I chose a
midshot because it is close enough to the face
that there is a focus on the facial expression
however the body language can be seen, which
emphasises the action in this action shot.

11. My shot is a midshot and the face is mostly visible though not completely clear
but and models eyes are closed
Main image
I also know that one o my
competitors, Under The Radar
has done similar covers – which
remained powerful and sold well.
Therefore, when I subverted this
convention I was sure that it
would not affect how
professional, powerful or sellable.

12. My central image was shot in a studio where I could control the lighting
Main image
I chose to shoot my photos in a studio like
so many other magazines do. I did this to
achieve the most professional effect and
also so that I was in total control. Weather,
crowds and background were not a
problem. I could totally control the lighting
as it was controlled three point lighting. I
feel as if this made my magazine seem
morel like a real magazine as it improved
the quality of my photos dramatically.

13. My main image relates to the main feature article
Main image
My main image directly correlates to my main
feature article because the main imae on my
front cover is of the main vocalist in the girl
band ‘Platinum City’ of whom the article focuses
on. It also relates to the article because of the
props use – headphones – which shows the
article is about music (which should be obvious
in a music magazine anyway but may not be
instantly obvious to someone who just saw the
magazine on a rack in public) and also carries a
feel of excitement – which is the main tone that
my article carries due to the ‘big news’ being
revealed.

14. I used a direct mode of address on my front cover.
Coverlines
I used a direct mode of address to
create a personal feel – as if we were
talking directly to the audience. This
can not only inspire a potential reader
to buy the magazine but also to
subscribe is done right. It’s effective
in the real market and done
frequently to boost sales. Mirroring
this language technique makes my
magazine seem more like a real
product that would survive and sell.

15. I used power words alongside the main feature article such as EXCLUSIVE and
FREE
Coverlines
When researching language and
register, I made sure to look at which
words and phrases were considered
powerful. I used these: ‘Discover what
happened behind the cameras.’
‘Your’ chance to win.’ ‘Exclusive
interview.’ 10 FREE song downloads.’
This means that I used 5 different
power words/phrases to mirror
language and register in real
products.

16. I have coverlines in the same font to create distinctive design. My main
coverlines font is bigger and a different font.
Coverlines
For four of my coverlines, I used the
same font to create a distinctive
design unique to my product. I also
made my main coverline bigger so
that it would stand out and so that it
was clear which article was the main
story. I kept the same colour scheme
within these articles to connect them
all together for distinctive design.

17. I used a total of 5 cover lines – which is around average
Coverlines
I used five different coverlines to
show the most exciting content inside
my magazine. Having multiple
coverlines shows that your magazine
is packed full of interesting content –
however, I only used five because I
didn’t want my page to seem
cluttered.

18. My barcode is in the left hand corner
Layout
The barcode on magazines is usually
in the bottom corner so that is where
I placed mine – to ensure that my
magazine looked like a real product. I
also put price and issue number
above the barcode as it’s all relevant
information that must be present on
the front cover.

19. I used a simple colour scheme.
Layout
My colour scheme was red, white
and black. I also threw in a splash
of yellow. The reason to use a
simple colour scheme was so that
it doesn’t overpower the rest of
the features on the page. A colour
scheme should be used though to
tie everything on the page
together and make it look
aesthetically pleasing.

20. I had a strip along top of the page listing band names and a strip at the bottom
with a feature
Layout
At the top of my page, I listed
recognisable band names. This would draw
attention in for anyone who recognised
those names. My strip at the bottom
contains yellow which draws in a lot of
attention, it also tells a potential reader
about a special feature – a competition
being run. Most magazines have a strip
along the bottom or the top and I feel this
makes my magazine blend in and look
more professional and more like a real
product that could exist.

21. My central image takes up whole page
Layout
My main image takes up the majority
of the page. It reaches from the
bottom of the page to the top and
from the left to the right. When the
image takes up the entirety of the
page, this ensures full engagement.
Some room is left for my sell lines but
my page is completely filled – this
makes my magazine seem more
exciting and helps it blend in with
similar magazine covers.

22. Contents Page Conventions

23. - Title at the top alongside issue date
-Features section listing articles
- Continuous colour scheme
When I looked at the generic conventions of my competitions contents pages, I
found these similarities:
Conventions

24. - One main image relating to a feature article
- Other smaller images
- Subscription information
- An editors note
I also found these conventions across various contents pages
Conventions

25. My title is at the top alongside issue date
Layout
Having the title at the top looks best.
It also makes the page most efficient
as it shows the pages purpose in the
most obvious way. Having the
relevant information alongside the
title also increases the efficiency of
the page. This important information
can be found incredibly quickly this
way.

26. I had a features section listing articles
Layout
The entire purpose of a contents page
is to list the articles that are available
to read. Having them all together in
one section increases the efficiency of
the page and makes it easier to
access information very quickly. All
contents pages have a features
section or they would not serve their
purpose.

27. I used a continuous colour scheme
Layout
The simple colour scheme from the
front cover is carried over onto the
contents page to link the two pages
together and give the magazine a
distinctive design that works as a
whole.

28. My main image relates to my main article
Images
The main image on the page
correlates to my main article and this
is noted in the corner on Leah’s hip
(where it is easy to see and find.) This
creates interest in the main article.

29. I did not use subimages.
Images
There are no smaller images
correlating to other articles. This is
because I felt as if they’d clutter the
page too much and, also, because
subimages appeal to a younger
audience and I didn’t want to make
my page seem too immature.

30. I included subscription information
Extra
I included subscription information
and included a fake number and fake
contact information. This helps make
my magazine look more professional
and, if my product were real and
available to purchase, I’d make the
most money through subscriptions so
I’d need to push for people to
subscribe to me.

31. I included an editors note
Extra
An editors note helps to push for
subscription and makes the magazine
seem more personal, as if it is
speaking directly to the reader. This
would help boost sales and ensure
engagement from the reader.
Imitating this technique in my
magazine makes it seem more like a
real product.

32. Double Page Spread Conventions

33. - Pull quotes separate from the text to interest the
reader
- Article written in columns for clarity
- One large, dominant image of artist so it's easy
to tell the subject
When I looked at the generic conventions of my competitions double page
spreads, I found these similarities:
Conventions

34. - One large quote from the article
- A stand first describing the article
- Short headline
- Informal mode of address
I also found these conventions across various pages
Conventions

35. - Follows same colour scheme as throughout
the magazine
- Smaller sub images
- Main image/text may ‘bleed’ across pages
- Vague headline that does not give all
information away
I also found these conventions across various pages
Conventions

36. I included multiple pull quotes
Layout
Pull quotes can help draw
attention to the article. They’re
eye grabbing and sum up the
most attention-worthy parts of
the paragraph they’re part of.
They can greatly increase
interest and intrigue for an
article such as this one.

37. I wrote my article in columns
Layout
Most articles are written in
columns – so to ensure that
my magazine looked like a real
product, I also had to write an
article in columns. More so,
they aid readability and the
article’s clarity. If the text were
to exist in one large clump, it
would be unreadable.

38. I used a ‘quote’ as the title but did not overlap the image with one
Layout
My article title is a ‘quote’
though it’s paraphrased and
changed to attract readers. I
could’ve included another
quote overlapping Leah
however I preferred the way
the image looked clean
without it. I felt as if the pull
quotes within the article did
enough.

39. I used one large dominant image
Image
This is striking and
attracts/interests a potential
readers attention. It also makes
it obvious who the article is
about. There are little to no
magazine that do not include
an image of the articles
subject. Thus, to ensure that
my magazine looks real, I had
to include one.

40. I did not use subimages
Image
I felt as if the page looked
cluttered with subimages and
preferred the clean way that
it looks without them. I also
thought it would not appeal
to my older T.A if I used
subimages.

41. I kept the colour scheme
Image
I tied all my pieces together
by using a continuous colour
scheme throughout my
magazine, this made it work
as a whole rather than as
three separate pieces of
work.

42. My images does bleed across the page but my text does not
Layout
I felt that text bleeding across
the page made it harder to
reader and I wanted
maximum clarity within my
article. My image does bleed
across the page which seems
to fill the space more and is
more visually interesting.

43. I used a stand first before my article began
Text
I used a stand first before my
article began to try and draw
interest to my article. Upon
reading that, a buyer would
decide if they wanted to read
the article or not.

44. I kept my headline short
Text
This ensured maximum
interest as it is short and
snappy and memorable. It
also allowed me to fit in in a
compact way on my DPS that
is aesthetically pleasing.

45. I used an informal mode of address
Text
My mode of address was
informal and direct to sustain
audience interest – however I
made sure that it was not so
informal that it would alienate an
older audience as I know my
audience is very mixed. This
informal way of writing makes
my magazine seem more
personal and creates a bond
between reader and writer. This
could inspire a reader to
subscribe.

46. My headline is quite vague and does not give away information
Text
A headline that tells you what
the article about does not
inspire you to read an article
because you already know
what it will tell you. I kept
mine vague to increase
intrigue and mystery. This
would make a reader more
likely to read my article.