Exam question 1 - media studies

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

2. FRONT COVER Masthead
Main
image
Main cover line
Anchor Text
Features
Issue number & date

3. Masthead I used a Large and bold (Rockwell extra bold) in as this is a
common convention of magazines, I used the colour purple in
my masthead to bring colour into the magazine, as clash
usually use colour and billboard use colour in their title. I have
placed the masthead behind the main image, as this puts
emphasis on the artist and shows the importance of the artist.
The masthead is simple, but affective and causes contrast
between the background colour and the text colour.

4. Sell Line I went against the common convention of using a sell
line, due to the fact that CLASH doesn’t use a sell
line on their magazine. This being unique, I decided
to also follow this and not have a sell line. Most indie
magazines, don’t follow along the normal codes and
conventions, but use a unique design.

5. Main Image The main image is a medium close up, this is a common
convention for front cover images, the model uses direct mode
of address, which creates a personal relationship between the
model and the reader (uses and gratification). The fact that the
model is placed in front of the masthead is showing that she is
important and most prominent on the page. Her clothing being
dark means that she stands out from the white background. The
models more aggressive facial expression goes against the
convention of female models usually being sexualised
(challenges make gaze).

6. Header Magazines that use headers, such as
VIBE and NME. This helps grab
attention from the reader and draw
them in.
I have decided not to use a header for my magazine as
the magazines I have been looking at do not have a
header, e.g. clash. This magazine is very much aimed at
a set audience, who will regularly buy this magazine
and will enjoy the content, so will most likely not need
to be enticed by a header.

7. Features These are an insight into features that
are inside the magazine, used to entice
audience, same font used through out
the magazine and stands out against
the background. I have placed all these
on one side of the front cover which
goes against conventions, however I
have done this as this is a common
convention for CLASH and since this is a
representative magazine for my target
audience I decided to follow this
convention.

8. Anchor text The artists name is big and bold,
stands out from the rest of the
writing and also stands out against
the dark background. This also
entices fans, this is a common
convention of magazines. Magazines
such as NME, CLASH, RollingStones
and Billboard use this convention.

9. Cover lines This creates questions, makes the reader want to
find out more information and read more (uses and
gratifications). From the magazines I have looked at
I have kept them short and not given away a lot of
information.
It is a common convention to have this on a front
cover in order to give a small insight to the reader.
Magazines that use this convention..

10. Main cover line The main cover line is a common convention of magazines, this is
placed by the anchor text to show the connection between the main
cover line and anchor text, the main cover line stands out against
the background. This text is also informative (uses and gratification)
and entices the reader in.
Magazines that use this
convention are CLASH and
Rollingstones.

11. House style I chose white, black and purple as my house style. I have used
these colours throughout my magazine, this house style goes
against common conventions of house styles, as most magazines
tend to use Black, red and white.
Magazines that challenge this…
Magazines that conform to this…

12. Contents Page
Issue Number
Magazine Title
Features in this
issue
Numbering
Cover story
Album cover
Page title
Image

13. Issue Number and Release date
Tells the reader what magazine it is and keeps
them up to date. Good for collectors in order to
make sure that they have all issues and are up to
date on the issues. Its places at the top of the
page so that it will be one of the first pieces of
information you see. Written in smaller lettering
but a bold font like the titles (Fuse and
Contents) It is also in contrast with the white
background. The Release date is also written in
the same way as the issue number and is places
on the opposite side of the page, still at the top.
Magazines that use this are Q and Mojo…

14. Images This image is a long shot, I have used this image to show
that she is important being the main image on the page. She
has a more closed posture and a strong facial expression
which links to the double page spread and front cover
image. I have used this more non conventional presentation
of my image, using the whole page with 1 image. The album
cover in the bottom left hand corner goes against
conventions as most magazines do not do this. Magazines
that I use the one image conventions..

15. Columns
I have laid the information out like this as it is clear and
organised, this way of laying out the writing is a common
convention of music magazines as they tend to lay the
writing out in columns with titles above. Magazines such as
Vibe and Mojo use this convention.

16. Numbering
Bigger numbers mean that they stand out on the page and
against the rest of the writing. This is also means that it is
more convenient for the reader and Informs the reader on
information inside the magazine (uses and gratifications).I also
use a different colour for my numbers as this is a common
convention used by magazines I have looked at (uses and
gratifications. Numbers like this suit a younger audience. Mojo
use this convention.

17. Special features Titles are bold and show exactly what it is, easy to see
what is inside the magazine. Short descriptions for
special features doesn’t give away to much
information. Mojo a magazine that I have looked at for
the layout of my contents page, Mojo do not list their
regulars, but only list their special features and cover
story on their contents page.

18. Regular Features
I have not included regular features in my contents
page, this goes against most common conventions,
normally the contents will include regular features
and special features. Magazines such as Q magazine
and Billboard follow this common convention.
A magazine that goes against this common convention
is Mojo and Rolling Stone.

19. Album cover – (special feature)
This is not a convention for magazines to usually advertise an
album like this on the contents page, however I decided to do this
as I believe it connects with the audience, as I am targeting a
young audience showing that they can download the album on
iTunes will link with their generation as it revolves around
technology a lot more. I also included this as it links to the double
page spread and to have it on the contents page means that the
audience will be familiar with the album before they read the
double page article, which will then help the reader connect with
the article more.
Some magazines do add
sections such as competition
wins and other pieces of small
information for the reader on
the contents page occasionally.

20. Masthead
The masthead is bold, simple and easy to see, it
stands out against the white background. Most
magazines use this convention as it helps inform
the reader on what is on the page. I have however
made my masthead a lot smaller than most
magazines. Magazines such as NME, Q, Billboard
and CLASH follow this convention.

21. Magazine title
I have put the title of my magazine at the top of
my contents page like MOJO, many magazines
put the title of their magazine on the top of
their contents page, this is a common
convention. The title is bold and the main thing
you will see on the page as it is places right at
the top, this shows the importance.

22. Double Page Spread
Columns
Drop cap Page title
Artists
name
Image
Text

23. Layout I used a common convention of having a whole page for the image and then the page
on the right for the text. I did this so It is clear that the image is important as it is on
the left and the first page to turn on to, it is also clear and nothing is overlapping it.
My layout is similar to CLASH magazine.

24. Design
I have used a colour scheme of White, black and purple, I used lines in order to add to
the design of the page and show a separation between the photo and article.
I looked at this double page spread from
Clash when looking at my design and saw
that this is an unusual design of splitting the
page and setting out the writing (titles,
name and credits)

25. Image I have used a medium shot for my double page image, this is not as common
of a convention as using a medium close up or close up. Using direct mode of
address means that the audience can connect with the reader and allows
them to make a personal relationship (uses and gratification) this will entice
the reader.

26. Text I have used a Large capital S that is in a
different colour in order for it to stand out
and draw attention to the beginning of the
sentence, I have also laid my text out in
columns as this is a common convention and
used tombstoning which is a way of writing
your text which is also a common convention
of magazine articles. The font is bold and is
consistent throughout the magazine. I looked
at CLASH when designing my double page
spread and saw that this was a popular way to
lay out their text.

27. Columns This is a common convention of a magazine double page spread layout,
however most magazines tend to have a full page of writing and longer thinner
columns, they also tend to layout out their text with a question and answer
layout.
Clash is a magazine that lays out their
double page spread in a similar way.

28. Drop cap
The drop cap draws attention to the beginning of the section, it also introduces
the text and entices reader towards the article
It is a common convention to use a drop
cap on the double page spread. Magazines
that use this are Billboard, Clash, Q and
NME magazine.

29. Artists name
The artist name is big and bold which means it stands out over all the other
writing (except the title). The artists name being close to the title means that
attention will be draw to that area. It is a common convention for the artists
name to be bold and bigger on the double page spread in order to stand out.
Magazines that follow this convention
are Clash, NME and Billboard.

30. Title
Magazines such as Clash and Billboard use Titles on there double page spread, this catches the eye of the
reader and grabs the readers attention. The title will connect with the story and give the reader a small
key piece of information to draw them in to the story. Magazines tend to use this convention of having a
title on the double page spread, but some only used the artists name in the top right hand corner, I decided
from the magazines I have looked at to use this convention.