3. Masthead
Large & bold modern font, sans serif (due to the unconventional lettering).
Letters are stylized shapes made out of various circles and triangles to intrigue
the reader and to create a unique brand. Positioned over the image, as shown by
the hanging cable showing through the gaps in the ‘e’ of the masthead. Name of
‘TREMOLO’ automatically is related to music (Tremolo - a wavering effect in a
musical tone). Eye-catching nature of unique logo with gradient of colour makes
it easily noticeable and creates brand awareness. Similar to some existing media
like “Billboard” (due to the brand awareness through colour) and “Q” (due to
imagery as well as lettering) but generally doesn’t conform to the general codes
and conventions of existing music magazines.
Similar:
Conventional Masthead:
4. Sell Line
My magazine conforms to the common convention of using a sell line on
the its cover. I did this as it acts as an introduction to the magazine by
summing up what it contains. I gave it a 3D effect by using blue and red
duplicates of the black text and layering them under it.While it is
conventionally placed under the masthead, I placed mine on the right side
of the page reading vertically. Sell lines are effective as it informs the
reader (uses and grats).
Magazines that use this convention:
NME – New Musical Express
Q –The World’s
Greatest Music Magazine
5. Main Image
My main image is a mid shot using indirect mode of address, which creates a
confident and bold appearance, which would be what my audience is
interested in (uses and grats). Models used are in my target audience’s age
range so would attract readers as models are easier to relate to. One model’s
face is obscured with sunglasses, which makes the reader want to see more
and gives a sense of confidence. In terms of mise-en-scene, the writing on my
models’ shirts are either red or blue on white; and the ukuleles are blue and
red respectively.
Similar:
6. Main Cover Line/AnchorText
Common convention used to give a title to the cover or to show the name of
the artist(s)/band in the main image. Keeps with the house style (blue and in
the Labtop Warp 2 font) which makes the page look more approachable and
eye-catching thus bringing in more readers; with the same applying for the
name in the main cover line, as fans of the band would want to read the
magazine due to this. Informs the reader (uses and grats) – entices the reader
to find out what’s inside the magazine.
Magazines that use this convention:
Kerrang!
Billboard
7. Main Cover Line/AnchorText
The house style I chose challenges conventions used by most music
magazines. I used the colours blue and red on a white background, as I liked
how it was a relatively lesser used colour scheme and I preferred it over the
very common red and black house style. In terms of mise-en-scene, the
writing on my models’ shirts are either red or blue on white; and the ukuleles
are blue and red respectively.All text is either red, blue, or a gradient of both.
Magazines that challenge the red+black convention:
Magazines that use the red+black convention:
8. In what ways does your
media product use, develop
or challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
Uses/develops:
• The masthead is the most prominent feature on the page, placed in
the top left corner. Similar placements can be found in NME,
CLASH, SPIN and Rolling Stone.
• A single large image used on front cover and takes up entire page.
Every magazine I looked at follows this convention.
• I inserted a barcode, date and price in the bottom right corner, like
every magazine I have looked at does.
Challenges:
• My models are either looking away from the camera or have their
eyes obscured.
• I didn’t insert any more images on the cover, unlike most of the
magazines I looked at.
• I used text at a different orientation as usual text.
10. Date and Masthead
Informative (uses and grats) – tells readers what page they are on and
when the issue was released. Does this using large black text, making the
information clear and noticeable. Positioned at the top of page to show
clear importance.
Magazines that use this convention:
Q
NME
11. Image, Cover Feature Numbering
The image I took of my models is a medium close-up, and both models
are covering their faces with their ukuleles. I chose this so the image
would be unconventional and therefore would receive attention.The
image keeps in with the house style. I placed a large number five on the
image to let readers know that the feature is on page 5.
Magazines that use this convention:
NME Q Kerrang!
12. Columns
I used columns for my list of pages as they are an effective and easy to
process way of gathering information. Although columns are a widely-
used convention in existing media, I had not found any that had used the
2 columns and black & white theme quite like I had. Features/pages
alternated on having a black or white background, which I feel applied to
my audience as they want something new and unique; and it allows for
easy navigation for my audience’s needs (uses and grats).
Magazines that use this convention:
NME Kerrang! Q
13. Editor’s Note
I decided to include an editor’s note to my contents page, to give a
personal feel and relationship to the magazine and the audience. I also
felt it was a good way to inform (uses and grats) my audience on what’s
in my magazine on a more human level, rather than solely through the
contents list.
I could not find any existing media products (music magazines) that
included an editor’s note, so I feel like my target audience would see this
as an advantage as it’s different and unique.
14. Social Media Links and Example of Recent Music
I decided to include links to the magazine’s various social media pages,
because this would affect my target audience; with them being a younger
generation and social media is predominantly used by the younger
generation. It would also be beneficial to the magazine as it would allow
for quick updates to be made without having to print anything, and would
add another method of connection between media production and
audience. I couldn’t find any other magazines that used this feature.
I included the example of recent music (under “What we’re spinning this
week”) because I wanted another element of relatability for my audience.
The album pictured is After Laughter by American rock band Paramore,
which is an indie-rock album so my audience will likely enjoy this. I
couldn’t find any other magazines that used this feature.
15. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
Uses/develops:
• I included a note from the editor as many magazines do.
• I gave certain features of the magazine (namely what was on
the cover) a more prominent element in the contents page.
• I advertised the magazine’s social media pages, which most
magazines do.
Challenges:
• I stuck to a black and white colour scheme with some
elements featuring bright colours to contrast.
• I went with a modular-like design as I thought it’d be unique
and effective.
17. Layout
On my double-page spread I made my image spread
across both pages, challenging the convention of have
the image accommodate only one page. I did this to
maintain focus on the image.Where it covers my model’s
dark jacket, I made the text white instead of black so
everything was still clearly legible.With this being the
only thing that obscures/overlaps anything else, I feel
that none of the attention is derailed from the text and
models.The layout bares some resemblance to one from
Rolling Stone magazine (left).
18. Image
I used a rather unconventional image in terms of pose.
With the physical closeness of the two models and the
direct mode of address given by them, there is a real feel
of personality and informality created; making it personal
to the audience (uses and grats).The models’ clothing
(mise-en-scene) would be seen as basic apparel worn by
people of my target audience.
Similar magazines that use this convention:
19. Text and Pull Quote
For the main body I used two columns of text wrapped
around a pull quote taken directly from the text, I did this
to add onto the personal feel already present from the
appearance of the spread. I used the Labtop font
throughout to keep to the house style.
These magazines also use a column format in the text,
with the final one using the same pull quote format:
20. Introduction
I decided to use an introductory paragraph preceding the
main body of text/interview to further the personal feel
of the double-page spread by adding another way of
connecting with the band for the audience. It also creates
anticipation for the actual interview.
Magazines that use this convention:
21. Masthead, Splash and Header
The masthead I used – “MONEY? POWER? FAME? – poses a
question about the band (Hypodermic NeedleTheory)
which would intrigue my readers as it gives an insight to the
band’s future.
I used the Labtop font in an italic style to differentiate it
from the rest of the text used. It is conventionally placed at
the top of the page, but is unconventionally not the
artist’s/band’s name or a quote.
The splash shows readers that the interview is exclusive to
my magazine.This is written in Stijla, the font used for titles
and is in the magazine’s house colours. The header simply
says Interview, and is featured in some conventional
magazines.
Magazines that don’t use artist’s
name or a quote for the masthead:
22. In what ways does
your media product
use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real
media products?
Uses/develops:
• I used a large title, a short introduction
paragraph and a main text body in a
column form.
• I used an image that covers the entirety
of both pages.
• I inserted a quote from the interview and
placed it amongst the text, so that
readers could get a feel of what the
interview is about and want to read on.
Challenges:
• While my models did look at the camera, their pose is quite
unusual and whimsical compared to conventional images used in
double-page spreads.
• I reused the monochromatic colour scheme from the front cover
here, making the little colour used more prominent.
