The student used several conventions from the magazine Q in designing their magazine cover, while also challenging some conventions:
1. Elements like the master head, primary image, and secondary stories emulate conventions from Q, while using a guitar-shaped master head tailored to their music theme.
2. Some conventions were developed, like placing the issue number prominently under the master head rather than by the barcode. A purple box was also used to make secondary stories more visible.
3. Conventions were challenged, such as using three colors instead of Q's four, and including a free giveaway on the cover despite Q not doing so. Individual outfits on the primary image were also used to show uniqueness over Q's
2. Question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
3. Master head: I used a big master head and
put it in the shape or the guitar to make it
more suited to the theme of the magazine. Q
magazine also uses its simple yet effective
name which is short and bold with the bright
red background.
Main image: I used young adults to appeal to
an audience of a similar age but they are also
very popular as artists, Q so the same with
their choice of artists on the front, in this case
they use Take that who are a well known band
that are a similar age or a bit older than their
target market.
Barcode: I have used a barcode because all
magazine that are being sold have one for
shops so since my magazine will be sold its
vital that it has a barcode
Secondary stories: I have 2 secondary stories
on the cover of my magazine which will be in
the magazine, Q only use 1 and the main story
on the cover but also have the banner at the
bottom about artists and I have something
similar but its about a festival.
Use
4. Colour scheme: Q uses 4 colours on the
front of its magazine, however I kept mine
simple and kept it to 3 which are black
white and purple. These colours are not
bright but still stand out because of the
purple but Q has bright red which makes it
stand out significantly.
Main image: I wanted my main image to
have a white background but it was too
hard for me to remove the background
without effecting the band however I like
how none of my band members in the
main image are looking at the camera
because it makes more mysterious of an
image and want to know what they are like
which they can do by reading the
magazine.
Main image: in the main image my band
are wearing individual pieces of clothing
whereas in Q magazine they are all wearing
the same thing, I prefer mine because I feel
they show how they are unique individually
but Q shows that they are a group.
Develop
5. Issue number and date: Q magazine have
used this about their barcode but I
decided that having it underneath the
master head as its more visible so if
people wanted to quickly see what issue it
was and the date it is easily visible which
is one thing I have challenged.
Secondary Stories: I have used a box
behind my text for this so they stand out
with the purple behind it because
otherwise you wouldn’t be able to see
them very well on the background.
However Q magazine had decided not to
use these because they’re text is quite
visible without because of the white
background.
Giveaways: Q magazine hasn’t used a free
giveaway on the front cover but I have
because I think it’s a good way to attract
people to the magazine if its something
they will be interested in like an iTunes
giveaway. If people see this they will want
to get that as well as the stories.
Challenge