My media product uses some conventions of a real magazine contents page but also challenges some conventions. It is similar to a professional magazine in having the title at the top, two columns separating articles, and page numbers. However, it has a plain white background, smaller images, and lacks an issue date or large cover image. It also includes competitions and subscriptions at the bottom, which is unconventional. While the organization and navigation aids make it functional, the plain presentation could be improved with more varied fonts, colors, and filling empty space.

1. My media product uses the forms and conventions of a real magazine contents page but also challenges them in some features.
When comparing my product to that of a professional magazine contents page it is clear to see that in some areas they are similar and uses the forms and
conventions. The title of the page is right at the top and makes it very clear what the page is, this makes it easy to navigate through. The text also has a
contrasting colour to the background which again, clearly states what page it is making it easier for the reader to navigate through. My product as well as the
professional one have separated the articles into 2 columns and titles them what would be regular articles and one-time articles, this is much easier for the
reader to find the information they want to read about. The page numbers and information are present on both which allows the reader to find the exact article
they want to read about and what page they can find it on (extremely easy to navigate through). However, it challenges the usual forms and conventions in
multiple ways. The background is a very plain background being solid white which is not very appealing to the audience and may make it look boring to the
reader. The images on my product are much smaller than the professional contents page and does not contain a main image that the reader would be forced to
look at first. My magazine does not say the issue date on the contents page which most professional magazines do. My product also has competitions and
subscriptions at the bottom of the page which most professional magazine contents pages do not have, this challenges to forms and conventions as it is not
usually seen. The text on my page is very simple and may look quite boring to the audience as they are all the same colour and font, the numbers could also be
a different colour or font to make them stand out more making it look more appealing.

2. How did you use new media technologies in the construction of your media product?
I used the text box for the title of the page that says
“contents” and changed the size and colour of the
text to make it stand out.
I used the insert tool to put the images on the
page. I then used the cropping tool to select the
part of the image that I wanted to use cropping
out the rest. I overlapped the images by inserting
one image on top of the other. I also used the
rotating option so I could put the photos on an
angle adding a better effect. I did the same with
the image at the bottom right of my magazine
rotating it and making it smaller.
I again used the text box tool to insert the
headlines “news” and “features” along with all
the information underneath it. I adjusted the
size of all the text so they were all the same
size and in the same font.
I used the guideline tool to align all of the text in order
for it to look neat and organised. The columns are rows
were made symmetrical to one another and have the
same distance apart so it makes it easy to read.
When using the text boxes, I made the outline of the
text boxes red so I could organise and align the page
after. I then removed the outline to make it look neater.
I used 2 larger text boxes at the bottom to insert more
text and but it in a different font/darker colour. I also
made a gap between them so they did not overlap
making it difficult to read.

3. Strengths
My product has many areas that I believe make
it look realistic and of a professional standard.
The title of the page is correctly positioned at
the top attracting attention to it and clearly
states what that page is so the reader can find it
quickly.
The two columns of information are separated
and titled according to regular information and
featured information for that one magazine and
it is clear to the reader which one is which. It
also has page numbers correctly positioned by
the side of the information so that the reader
can find the specific piece of information they
want and what page it is on so they do not have
trouble navigating through the magazine.
The colour scheme makes the magazine look
very clear in which there is not too much on it
making it difficult to see certain parts, the
contrasting colours such as the title on the
white background are very easy to see so the
reader will not have difficulty.
The font used is very professional and easy to
see so the audience can clearly find the article
they want to read about.
Whilst it does not have the magazine name, it
has a small image of the magazine front cover at
the bottom clearly showing what magazine it is
and is less boring to the reader as it is an image.
Weaknesses
My product also has many features that are not as
realistic or professional and could be improved.
It looks very basic as it is all written in the same font
and colour, I could have made the page numbers one
colour and the text another to make it look more
interesting and appealing to the audience.
The background colour is a solid white which makes
the magazine look very plain, I could have put a large
image across the page or possibly put a different
coloured background so it does not look as plain,
some audience members may find this look boring
and not want to read on.
The images I have chosen do not really anchor the
topics that are found within the rest of magazine and
are just of areas around college, I could have possibly
got some more interesting photos that have a
connection to the content in the magazine.
I also have left quite a bit of space on my contents
page that could have been filled with more
information or images which would make it more
interesting as it looks very simple.
Strengths and weaknesses of product

4. Strengths and weaknesses: use of new media technology
Strengths Weaknesses
The font of the page title is very basic and simple
as there was not a huge variety of fonts and none
were very original and unique so the title looks
quite boring. This also goes for the text at the
bottom that is offering the audience something
as the variety of fonts were limited making it look
very simple and not very unique.
There is quite a bit of space that is wasted on the
page as I tried to stay within the guidelines which
made the page smaller and gave me less to work
with. This makes it look like there is less
information and could make it look quite boring
also as there is not much to look at.
I used the cropping tool well to crop the
images to the correct and appropriate size so
that they fit on the page well giving it a unique
look as the way the images are positioned is
different from most magazines.
The text that I chose to use for the information
makes the magazine look professional and
realistic.
The use of the guideline tool that I used when
putting the information in made everything
line up correctly so it looks neat and well
organised – this makes it easier to read and
navigate through.