1. 1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media
products?
Lucy Williams
2. Front Cover
• When doing my research and planning, I found many
magazines had a black, white and red colour scheme.
Therefore, when I chose the colour scheme I chose
these specific colours. Therefore, I am conforming to
the conventions of a front cover, as clearly shown both
magazines share the same colours. Originally, when
undertaking my research and planning, a red, black and
white colour scheme did not prevail – instead
psychedelic deemed favourable. However, when I
created the questionnaires I was not certain as to what
colour scheme I wanted – thus resulting me to put
down colours that did not seem to benefit me when
creating the magazine as they were not relevant.
• I found that every magazine has a barcode, price and
issue number. I placed the barcode and the price on
the bottom, right hand side of the page – as shown
similar to the magazine on the right. Consequently,
providing evidence that I have stuck to the conventions
of front covers.
• Another factor I found when doing my research and
planning was the large use of eye contact to create
direct address. When it came to choosing an image for
my magazine, I intentionally wanted an image which
included eye contact as I wanted a more successful
outcome of creating an effect. Furthermore, this
shows how I stuck to the conventions of a front cover
in order to create an effective product.
3. Contents Page
• Comparable to NME, I added an editor’s letter
in the contents page of my music magazine –
showing that I have conformed to the
conventions of a contents page. From my
research and planning, I gathered my target
audience wanted to see authenticity and
originality; therefore, by adding this I believe
I have achieved this as I have incorporated
results from my task seven – audience
research task and turned it into a feature on
this page. Whilst still sticking to the
conventions of a contents page.
• Secondly, NME have included their title in their
contents page, as have I. I think that this
feature adds personalisation to the magazine
as it affirms what the magazine is throughout
the pages – whilst not letting the reader
forget. As I have included this feature in my
contents page, it confirms that I have stuck to
the conventions of a contents page. Although
I have used this form of media, from doing
research it is apparent that an editors letter
does not always appear in magazines – I have
only seen it in NME.
4. Double Page Spread
• The close up shot is similar to NME’s shot of Liam Gallagher. This feature is evidence for
another form of convention that I used for my media product. When creating this
product, I wanted the audience to feel like they had met the girls first hand – through
the images and the interview . I chose this image of the two girls laying down as I
thought it was very personal and something that only could be created if one was close
up to them in person. Therefore, I used this form of convention to create realism and
original.
• Finally, a simple convention that can be used for effect are pull quotes. I have
incorporated this in my magazine – as have NME, which shows that my double page
spread has used forms and conventions of real media products. From doing research, I
found out that many magazines included pull quotes in their articles or their front
cover. I have done it to attract my audience so they would want to read on and find out
more about the artists that are features in my magazine.
• The layout of my double page spread, juxtaposed with NME’s layout are very
similar. This confirms that I have stuck to the conventions of a front cover
when creating my final product as many magazines use this conventional
layout. Although, when undergoing research, I was presented with many
forms of double page spread ideas that I could have used for the layout of
my double page spread. I decided to chose this layout as it was
understandable, conventional and simple – what I was intended.
5. Front Cover
• On the left, the main image on the front cover is
consumed by coverlines, straplines and images.
Whereas, my front cover is less busy and organised.
Initially, when planning out my magazine I wanted to
keep it simple and ordered. I decided to lay it out like
this as I wanted a simplistic aesthetic. Therefore,
although I have included similar conventions to the
NME magazine, there is evidence as to how I have
challenged the conventions of a front cover as there are
many features such as puffs, additional images and a
sky line that I have not included.
• When I was research and planning for my magazine, I
noticed that many mastheads are horizontal – with the
exception of a few being vertical. As shown here, I am
challenging the conventions of a front cover as I am not
conforming to a horizontal masthead. Though, it is
arguable that I am developing the conventions of a
front cover as both titles are in the top third of the
page. I decided to place my title this way as I believe it
flows well with the main image and almost creates a
metaphorical arrow that leads the reader to the main
image.
• I have noticed that the main image of a front cover
normally is a close up shot of the artist(s) or a long shot
and my task seven – audience research confirms this.
The shot that I have chosen, however, changed the
conventions of a front cover as I have used a medium
close up shot as the main image. I think this works well
as the shot it self and the scale of the image fits in with
my coverlines and the title.
6. Contents Page • Like the front cover, when planning for this task
I wanted to keep the design simple – with
white backgrounds and one colour scheme. I
have noticed that magazines like to insert
images into their coverlines, to create a
better visual image for the audience so they
get a better understanding of what will be
included in the magazine. As my magazine
slightly focuses on nostalgia Rock , I wanted
to incorporate something that embodied this.
You can see this representation through the
use of real polaroids that I scanned and
imported into Photoshop. Instead of
challenging the conventions of a contents
page, I have developed them as I have taken
the original the idea of images and turned it
into real images to create a more realistic
page and sentimental product.
• As seen, NME has divided their page number
into specific categories. From not including
this, my media product challenges forms and
conventions of a real media product. You can
see this as I have just noted down the page
numbers and writing - which anchors to the
content of the articles.
• Lastly, by including my social network links in
the contents page, I am developing the forms
and conventions of a areal media product.
Although, I am not using the conventions as
ideally the links to online platforms are
normally on the front cover of the magazine.
When undergoing my research and planning I
noticed this convention was predominant on
the front cover .
7. Double Page Spread
• Secondly, similar to my other pages, I have kept the colours and the
layouts quite simple. Juxtapose with NMEs colour scheme which is
bright and stands out. This proves that I have challenged forms of
conventions of real media products as many magazines incorporate
colour into their articles in order to be bold and to project their
message to the readers. If I were to improve this aspect of my
magazine, I would have researched a bit more into colour schemes
when doing my research ands planning as I think I could of used colour
to highlight certain features.
• From doing research, I found that some magazines like to do their images in black
and white. When originally planning for my media magazine I considered
doing black and white images as I included this option when undergoing my
questionnaires. On the other hand, however, I decided against it as I wanted
to add colour into my magazine to connote certain messages (red represents
passion) – therefore, if comparing my double page spread to NME’s, I would
say that I have changed the conventions of front a front cover due to adding
colour for representation.
