Conventions

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

2. The Front CoverI have put the masthead of the magazine at the top of
the page which is a convention for a music magazine.
The image, however, does not overlap the title as this
magazine is the first issue. Normally when an image
overlaps the title the brand is already well known and
recognised which is why I chose not to do overlap it. I
would have to build brand recognition before I did
that.
Other conventions that my magazine sticks to is
having the date, issue number and price on the
front cover. They are small so that they don’t
distract the reader from the main image and
cover lines.
I used a medium shot for the cover photo which is
also a convention of a music magazine. It shows off
the outfit of the person on the front cover. That is
important on my front cover as the featured artist is
wearing band merchandise which the target
audience would identify with.
My main cover line is a different colour and bigger
sized font than the other cover lines. You often see
this in music magazines as it draws attention to the
main article which is normally what gets people to
buy it, especially if it’s the first issue of magazine.
Seeing ‘exclusive’ on the front cover is also a
convention as music magazines often compete to get
the news first. Exclusives makes readers want to but a
magazine as they feel like they are the first to know.
My front cover follows a colour scheme of red,
white and black. You often see colour schemes
in magazines as it improves the overall
appearance.

3. The Front Cover (2)
Other conventions found in on
my front cover:
• The barcode
• Direct address of the cover
artist
• Buzz words such as
‘Exclusive’ and ‘Win’ to get
attention.
• Strip at the bottom- shows
the reader they are getting
value for money by showing
what’s inside.

4. Contents Page
It’s common for contents pages to have a
main image on the right side and the
contents on the left. I purposely laid it out
this way because it’s easy to read. As my
magazine would be significantly smaller
than some of the more recognised brands,
there is a lot less articles in the magazine.
This would suit the target audience as they
have a busy lifestyle and wont want to be
reading big magazines.
It’s not a convention to have the social media
information on a contents page but I decided
to add it in because the target readers are
young adults upwards, and social media is
such a huge part of their culture and lifestyle.
Putting this information is also good for the
advertising of the product, as if, for example,
someone from the target audience tweets
about the magazine, their following is likely
to also be interested.
The contents page sticks with the
colour scheme of red, white and
black. This gives the magazine a
sophisticated consistency and
helps to build brand recognition.

5. Contents Page (2)
Other conventions used in my
contents page:
• Subheadings for article types-
makes it easier to navigate and
find what you’re looking for.
• Main image without direct
address- more common for a
contents page as the focus isn’t
on that artist it’s on all the
articles but still shows the
cover star is the most
important.
• ‘Contents’ clearly positioned at
the top of the page.

6. Double Page SpreadOnce again, the
colour scheme of
the front cover
overlaps onto the
double page
spread. This idea
varies throughout
magazines as
some don’t follow
the colour scheme
on the article
pages. However
in this case I
think it’s effective
as the artist being
interviewed is
from an
upcoming band
and this is an
upcoming
magazine.
Pull quotes are
important and
are seen in
almost every
double page
spread article.
For my
magazine, it
helps to portray
the personality of
the artist, which
will help the
reader to relate.
My layout is also common for
a double page spread with the
body of article text at the
bottom of the page. The three
columns on each page is also a
convention as it portrays the
rule of threes which is
common in the production of
magazines.
The title of the article
is in a larger, bold font.
This is seen in all
magazines as it tells
the reader clearly what
the article is about.

7. Double Page Spread (2)
For the pull
quotes I put a
glowing effect
around the edge.
This draws
attention to the
quotes, as well as
fitting in with the
over all ‘new’
image of the
magazine and the
band artist being
interviewed.
I gave the article
an introduction
which is another
common feature
for an article. It
gives the reader
the initial
information
about who’s
being
interviewed and
I managed to use
the introduction
to portray the
artists
personality.
The main image has direct
address with the artist looking
into the camera. This gives a
down to earth vibe to the
artist, fitting in with the
bubbly personality seen
through the article. This
shows the readers a sense of
‘normal’ that they will be able
to relate too.