This document discusses how the student's media product uses and develops conventions of real music magazines. It analyzes the layout, images, text, and audience profile of the magazine "Classic Rock" as a point of reference. Key elements that conform to conventions include the masthead design, cover lines, model photography, and two-column text layout. Some conventions are challenged, like an original contents page design and added QR code. Overall, the goal is to create a recognizable brand while drawing from typical magazine structures.

1. In what ways does your media product use,
develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?
Question1
NinoFrattolillo
Cover Advert and Contents Double page spread

2. Research
• From doing research into music magazines, I have found
that there are four elements in the convention of magazines,
these are layout, image, text, and audience profile. From
looking at the magazine ‘Classic Rock’, which is a music
magazine that is very successful at the moment and has the
genre Rock, I have been able to see how my magazine
uses, develops and challenges conventions of their front
covers.
NinoFrattolillo

3. Linking
• From looking at the text used in Classic Rock magazine I
was able to find an alternative font that mimicked the one it
used. The font that’s used for the title has sharp, crisp lines
which helps give the magazine a stylish/neat look. The text
used throughout the cover links in well with the style of the
magazine because the same font is used throughout the
magazine to keep a good house style which suits the genre.
NinoFrattolillo

4. Analysis
NinoFrattolillo
Masthead covers from left to right
Punch text above the masthead
Cover lines

5. Front cover
• The masthead ‘LuciD’ conforms to the conventions of music magazines and general
magazines alike. It uses two colours: Black and white which helps to make the text
clear. Also with the text being very distinct from the background I believe it helps to
attract the reader’s attention very well. From developing my magazine I added the
white outline to the black text ‘LuciD’ as I feel it helps make it bold and sharp. Looking
at the Classic Rock front cover we can see that they have used the colours white to
write the masthead. I used this first as my first cover photo was dark but as my cover
developed I changed the cover photo and change the main colour to black to make it
more readable. The crisp, sharp lines are also displayed here and this clearly shows
that my magazine cover conforms to the conventions used here.
• The text, ‘MUSIC MAGAZINE’ which is placed above the masthead in a smaller size
can help draw the attention of the reader and then make them purchase it as they will
notice it’s a music magazine which will interest them more if its what they’re looking for.
• The cover lines that are positioned on the left hand side and the right hand side of my
magazine cover conform to the conventions of music magazines and general
magazines. By looking at the cover of ’Classic Rock’ you can see that there are cover
lines positioned in the same areas as mine. This is the most effective positioning as it
will attract the readers to my magazine ‘LuciD’. The cover lines are expected to be
there and having them there will make it easy for the reader to view them.
NinoFrattolillo

6. Front cover
• The image of my model falls in the conventions of a music magazine as you can see
clearly when looking at both my cover and ‘Classic Rock’ cover. The model is standing
with open eyes gazing at the camera which will help to grad the eye of a consumer as
they feel there is eye contact. This is a typical convention and most music and general
magazine follow this idea.
• In the magazine cover for ‘Classic Rock’ you can see that the background Is all one
colour –grey. I decided to follow this convention as I believe that magazines with a
background that isn’t broken up and involves some sort of pattern work worst as it may
confuse the viewer or make it harder to read.
• My image is of a young male. The text is black, white, and red and the background is of
a neutral grey. This makes my magazine cover mainly appeal to the male audience
however the genre of music that my magazine is intended for also follows this sort of
style so I believe it won’t put females off from purchasing this magazine as the music
that they would be reading about would follow this.
• My magazine cover also includes a barcode which is a convention that most
magazines follow and so did ‘Classic Rock’ cover which I was using for inspiration. I
also added a QR code which ‘Classic Rock’ didn’t use to show I’m not dependant on
this magazine and can think of my own ideas.
NinoFrattolillo

7. Contents
• I have decided to use the name of my magazine ‘LuciD’ in the
contents title, ‘LuciD Content’ as I believe this allows the name
of my magazine to stay in peoples minds for longer and become
more recognisable as its short and simple. This will also help
my magazine establish a brand name. This is following a
convention of music and other magazines out there at the
moment.
• But I decided to not base my contents page around another
magazines because I felt I wanted to show off my own skills and
design eye.
• I placed the images around the text in an orderly fashion so
their eyes are drawn to the text. It makes it stand out more. I
also added red text and capitals to focus on the main point to
draw them into the full story.
NinoFrattolillo

8. Double Page Spread
• I placed my image so that it covered the whole page. The size of the image is of the same size that most music
magazines used. I have followed conventions as most of the time the background of the picture is the background that
is used to cover the whole of the 2 pages. I feel that it works well the way I laid mine out.
• I have kept my text in two columns which is commonly done and I didn’t want to challenge that as I feel it works well and
if you changed it around too much then the text could become quite difficult to read.
• I have also used the text wrap feature on InDesign to ‘wrap’ around the models arm which shows off technology skills
and it also gives the page a stylish yet sharp look. I felt I had to do this because it could make it hard for the reader to
read the text. I feel it makes the model become more important/relevant to the text as it is a part of it.
NinoFrattolillo

9. Double Page Spread
• The font used for the title is the same font used for the cover and contents page mastheads. In keeping
the font the same the reader won’t get confused with what magazine they are reading and it will help
create an image on font that people will remember with my magazine.
• My double page spread is typical of a music as it is an interview of the cover image model who is also
on my contents and is the same model as used in the double page spread. This shows importance of
them and may make the viewer feel more like they know him or understand the interview better.
• I used the image of the model because it has a plain background behind it to make the text easier to
read and clear. This is a convention which most magazines used and I followed this because I believe it
works best for a double page spread.
NinoFrattolillo