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

2. Conventions Subjects face can be seen clearly with eye contact (there are exceptions to this convention, for example in this instance the subjects sunglasses very much coincide with his ‘rap star’ image) Large, dominant icon making the magazine title clear The main feature/article of the magazine shown prominently on the front cover (with image) Price/Barcode A simple, continued colour scheme Website address Date/Issue Number Language techniques used to anchor articles Teasing contents, in a banner style along the bottom of the front cover

3. How has my product used these conventions? I integrated my masthead to make sure it wasn’t too large but it is still a dominant icon making the magazine title clear Price/Barcode Website address Subjects face can be seen clearly with eye contact Date/Issue Number The main feature/article of the magazine shown prominently on the front cover (with image) A continuous colour scheme: red, white and black Teasing contents Language techniques used to anchor articles/ teasing contents Teasing contents, in a banner style along the bottom of the front cover

4. Conventions Page title at the top of page with date of issue Images from various articles Other regular sections listed. ‘Reviews’, ‘Radar’, ‘LIVE!’ and ‘News’ Continuous colour scheme throughout Images of artists performing, in a different setting ‘Features’ section Page numbers to indicate where the articles are inside the magazine Large, clear writing Advertising for magazine subscription

5. How have I used these conventions? Page title in a clear bold font Large image of the main artist featured in the magazine, the same as featured on the front cover ‘Features’ section of the main articles also shown on the front cover The same typography used for the title and ‘On The Cover’ as well as for the titles of different sections of the page. To create a strong identity. ‘Regulars’ section of features that will be in each issue of the magazine I have used the same typography for ‘Eclectic’ here to reinforce the identity of the magazine Page numbers in reference to where the article is in the magazine Images of other artists that are features in the magazine I have continued the colour scheme from the front cover

6. Conventions Page title in the top left of the page Title of the article in a large bold font to make an impact amongst other articles Introduction to article Article itself written in clear font, in columns Large image taking up one page Various other images Small ‘band profile’ style text box Some text highlighted using bright and bold colours A continuous colour scheme across both pages

7. How have I used or challenged these conventions? Introduction to the article Continuous colour scheme across both pages Some text highlighted in a bold colour Title of article large and bold, standing out amongst others More than one image, showing the artist in various scenarios Brand name in the corner with page number Q&A style interview in clear font in columns

8. What other Conventions have I used, developed or challenged?

9. Music magazines also have a tendency to create a brand identity. For example, ‘NME’ has developed it’s own brand which is followed by it’s readers. There is ‘NME Radio’, ‘NME TV’ and annual ‘NME Awards’. I have used this convention and created my own brand identity for my media product; ‘Eclectic’. My product would be a brand that is accessible across multi media platforms including Eclectic Radio, Eclectic TV. Fan pages such as facebook.com/eclecticuk, twitter.com/electicuk. Similarly to ‘NME Awards’, Eclectic would host live events such as Eclectic Selected - a live tour of various artists as voted for by readers across the UK and annual award ceremonies. I have also tried to create an identity by using the same typography for ‘Eclectic’ throughout the magazine. I also used a continued colour scheme of red, black and white which are typically conventional colours for a music magazine.

10. Another convention of real media products is that they are usually centered around one genre of music. For example ‘Kerrang’ mostly contains articles about rock music and rock artists. Also a magazine such as ‘Vibe’ focuses on R&B and Hip Hop music. Both these magazines also portray their chosen genre through their name. ‘Kerrang’ is quite an aggressive sound and ‘Vibe’ is more of an urban term. I decided to challenge this convention by choosing a name that could represent most genres of music therefore I chose the name ‘Eclectic’. I did this as to feature as many genres of music as possible that are relevant to my target demographic in my magazine. Eclectic means selecting what seems the best of various styles, methods, or ideas and something that is all-embracing – this is exactly what I want the identity of my magazine to be. I feel by doing this I have challenged the convention of selecting one style of music for the magazine. I also feel that I have challenged this convention because my name is not a short snappy name as most music magazines have. However, I do think it is an effective and memorable name.