1. In what ways does your
magazine use, challenge or
develop forms and
conventions of real life
media products?
2. Masthead in top left corner
Both follow the same colour
scheme (red, white, black)
USE DEVELOP CHALLENGE
3. Cover
Layout
USE On my cover the mast head is positioned in the top left hand corner similar to the masthead on the Q
cover, I used this idea as it follow the conventions of a magazine and makes it look more professional. Also I
liked how the different cover lines were separated with a line so I used this idea.
Develop Both magazines have columns of cover lines, however as Q magazine has only one column of
cover lines on the right hand side however I decided to develop this and have a column of cover lines on both
sides of the image. Also I have changed the positioning of the bar code and rotated it and placed the date and
price of the magazine in the white section next to the barcode.
Challenge The main article is positioned differently. On my magazine my main cover line is centered with
text underneath of the artist‟s name, however Q magazine‟s main cover line is to the left hand side.
Font/ Font sizes
USE I liked how the names of the artists or bands were made bolder and in capital letters so the names stood
out to sell the magazine, I used this idea on my cover.
Challenge The main cover lines font is different on both magazines as on my magazine it appear to be a
similar font to Arial and on the Q magazine the font looks like Times. The main cover line on my magazine
appears slightly bigger than on Q magazine.
4. Colour
USE Both follow the same colour scheme, as Q uses red, white and black, I thought these colours suited the
genre of my magazine so used the same colours.
Develop However even though both follow the same colour scheme some aspects of the magazine are
different colours, for example Q magazines cover line is black however mine is red. Also the shade of red used is
slightly different as Q magazine seems to be a more deeper red compared to my magazine.
Challenge My magazine follows the three colour rule however Q appears not to as they have used four
colours; red, white, black and gold.
Photographs
USE The costume of the two models are similar as on the Q magazine Noel Gallagher is wearing a leather
jacket, I used this idea for my model as suits the genre, however I developed this further as I used
sunglasses on my model my model, also he has a “scruffy look” as he is unshaven, and top buttons are undone
and his tie is loose
Challenge Different shot types have been used as on my cover page there is a medium close up however on
the Q cover there is a long shot of Noel Gallagher. I used a medium close up so the models facial expression is
much more clearer and you still see what the model is wearing. Also the models on the covers both have
different poses but both appear to show attitude. On the Q magazine they have used a speaker as a prop and
have placed text over it, I think this is a good idea however I have not used this idea on my magazine.
Text/ Language
USE On Q magazine the language is quite simple this is so it gets straight to the point and it will attract the
target audience, that is why I also used simple language on my cover page. I have highlighted artists/bands
names on the cover so it will also attract their fans and get more readers.
Challenge Q magazine has used quotes on their cover to attract their audience however I have used a few
words to sum up the article and makes the readers want to read more.
6. Contents Page
Layout
USE On the contents of Q magazine they have put the articles into sections such as features, regulars etc. I
though this made the contents look professional and makes it easier for the readers to locate the article they
want to read, this is why I used this idea.
Develop Both contents pages have the magazine logo on it, however on Q magazines contents the logo is
centred but mine is placed to the top left hand corner. Also I positioned the issue number under the
magazines logo and placed the date on the line under „This week…‟.
Challenge Q magazines contents page is a double page however mine is all on one page, this may be
because my magazine would be a weekly magazine but Q magazine is monthly therefore Q magazine will
have more articles. At the top of my contents page I decided to put „This week…‟ instead of contents as it
makes the reader aware that it is a weekly magazine.
Font/ Font sizes
USE On my magazine the articles and page numbers are of similar size to the ones in Q, I did this so my
magazine follows the codes and conventions of a magazines contents page. I used Times as it is much more
easier to read.
Challenge The text at the top of my contents page is slightly bigger than Q‟s as I wanted it to stand out to
the reader.
7. Colour
USE Q magazine carries the same colour scheme on throughout the magazine, I did this also as I kept the
three colour rule that I had on my cover page and continued it throughout. Both magazines have the same
colour scheme as they are both are of a similar genre that‟s why I used these colours.
Photographs
USE Q magazine has an image of their cover page on the contents, I liked this idea and placed an image of
my cover page next to „subscribe‟.
Challenge Q has used more photographs on their contents where as I have only used two and an image
of my cover. Also all of Q‟s photos are boxed however my image for the cover story, part of the background
has been cut out with the magnetic lasso tool and positioned slightly over the magazines logo and „This
week‟. Also on my contents page both the models used are male however on Q magazine they have a
mixture of males and females, their main image is of a female which contrasts my magazine. The main image
on both magazines is a different shot type as Q has used a close up but mine is a medium close up, I have
also used props.
Text/ Language
Use Both magazines give a brief overview of what is on what page, this helps the reader know what they
should expect on what page.
Challenge Both magazines have different articles as I thought of different stories than Q as both
magazines have different readers. My articles are suitable for my magazine genre and its target audience.
9. Double Page Spread
Layout
USE Q‟s article has three columns and is positioned on the right hand side of the page with the main image
on the left, I thought this looked good and set my double page spread layout in a similar way. Q also gave
credit to the writer under the headline in the byline section, I thought this was a good idea so copied it. Both
magazines have their page numbers in the bottom right hand corner with the date and name of the
magazine, I did this as it looks professional and follows the conventions of a magazine.
Develop Q has a caption next to the image, I used this idea however I changed it slightly by boxing the
caption in a red box which fits in with my colour scheme. Q used a pull quote which I also did, however I
positioned a red line under the quote. At the top of the article Q have boxed „cash for questions‟ which makes
it clear to the reader that the questions have been sent in, I used this idea however I wrote „Q&A‟.
Font/ Font sizes
USE Q have used a serif font which makes it easier to read, that‟s why I used Times font as it is readable.
The font sizes of the text on both double page spreads are of a suitable size.
Challenge The pull quotes on each magazine are different font sizes as on my magazine the text appears
to be bigger than on Q, I did this to make it stand out.
10. Colour
USE Both follow the three colour rule, which I have carried on throughout my magazine. Most of the text in
my article is black, however the questions from fans is highlighted in red so it stands out.
Develop Q has a drop letter at the start of the article I liked this so used it on my double page spread
however they are both different colours as mine is black and white and Q‟s is red and white.
Challenge Q‟s headline is red however mine is black, I did this so it stands out as the „Q&A‟ text is red.
Photographs
USE Q‟s photo has a black and white effect which I also used on my image. Both images are medium close
ups which shows the models facial expression much clearer.
Develop Both images have props. Q have recreated an image which was originally of The Smiths that is
why Harry Hill is holding a glass of milk, Q did this as in the article Harry says he is a big fan of The Smiths so
the image ties in with the article. However I have used a guitar, the photo suggests „its all about the music‟
which ties into the article.
Challenge My photo has a fade effect, however Q does not. Also Q has used three images, whereas I
have only used one main image. The mise-en-scene of both images are different as Q have a basic
background it appears to be a room as there is a door in the background, however the background of my
image is a street and a car, this is because it suit the article as my article mentions how the artist „used to live
out the back of his car‟.
Text/ Language
USE Q‟s article is a Q&A like mine, I like how they asked their readers to send in question which would be
answered by Harry Hill. I used this idea as I made it seem as the questions that I had wrote were sent in by
fans on social networking sites and answered by OMT.
