This document summarizes how a media product called "Boom" uses and develops conventions of real pop music magazines. It follows conventions such as using pink and bubbly fonts for the masthead, pink/yellow/white color schemes associated with pop music, cover lines in bold to attract readers, categories to easily browse articles, and full-page images of artists. However, it challenges conventions by only including one large central image on the double page spread instead of multiple images. Overall, "Boom" adheres to typical codes for layout, design, and content while putting an innovative spin on conventions around image use.

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

2. Front Cover
I followed the typical codes and conventions of a pop
magazine by having my masthead in a hot pink, which is
seen in other pop magazines such as ‘Top of the Pops’ and
‘We Love Pop’. The masthead is also in a bold and bubbly
font, which again conforms to conventions. It stands out
against the background and due to the drop shadow.
The colour palette of pink, yellow and white are
colours that are often associated with pop music and
females, who are the main readers of pop
magazines. They are also often seen in other pop
magazines such as ‘Billboard’ and ‘Top of the Pops’.
‘Boom’ has followed and developed these
conventions.

3. Front Cover – Cover lines
Cover lines help to
appeal to the target
audience and attract
the audience. Words
such as ‘exclusive’,
‘shocking’ and ‘WIN!’
are in a bolder
typography that the
rest of the cover lines in
order to engage the
reader and these words
act as an incentive to
lure the reader into the
magazine. The drop
shadow also helps the
cover lines to stand out
against the background.
The content of the cover lines
follow codes and conventions of
pop music magazines. E.g. ‘Top of
the Pops’ include articles about
fashion and celebrity
confessions, which will
automatically engage the target
audience of female teenagers
aged 13-21.
‘Top of the Pops’

4. Front Cover
I have followed conventions by using a female
model for the front cover. This is commonly
seen in other pop music magazines. The
model is making direct mode of address and
the image is a medium close up, a common
convention of magazines.
Cover lines have followed conventions as they
have words and incentives that would lure
the audience in bold. They all have the same
typography which allows a house style to
form.
Inside section acts as an incentive to lure the reader into purchasing the magazine,
as it shows who is featured inside. It follows the house style and the colour palette.
Main feature article anchors
the central image. Placed in a
large, hot pink circle with the
largest typography to make it
aware to the reader that it is
the main cover line.
Top of the Pops

5. Contents
Having a small image of
front cover allows
house style and brand
identity to develop.
Follows conventions of
other pop magazines.
Masthead at the top of page and following the
colour palette helps demonstrate the house
style.
The different categories follow typical codes
and conventions of pop music magazines.
Allows readers to easily choose what they
want to read. Page numbers help show where
the articles are.
The images show a view of what is inside,
using conventions. The models are all making
direct mode of address helping to engage
audience.

6. Double Page Spread
Masthead at
bottom helps
to continue the
house style.
Page numbers
follow
conventions.
Social media
links at top
appeal to
target audience
who are
digitally native.
Drop caps are
used to break
up the copy,
easier to read
for the
audience. They
also conform
to codes and
conventions of
music
magazines.
Pull quotes
help to engage
the audience
and break up
the text
The models are making direct mode
of address and the layout follows
typical conventions as the image
bleeds across two pages. Also, the
text is positioned around the model’s
bodies.
The colour palette of pink,
white and yellow is
continued throughout the
whole magazine, creating a
brand identity and house
style.
The language used
appeals to the target
audience with words
such as ‘defo’ and
‘100%’ used.

7. Double Page Spread
The double page spread has followed
typical pop magazine codes and
conventions by having one central
image that bleeds across both pages.
This is commonly seen in other pop
magazines, such as ‘Top of the Pops’
and commonly seen when the article
is focused on a group or duo.
However, my double page spread has
also challenged pop magazine codes
and conventions by having only one
image in the article. Most pop
articles include one central image,
with a variety of smaller images as
well. I chose not to follow this
convention because it would take the
audience’s focus away from the
central image.