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

2. Conventions of a front cover
When designing my magazine I decided to keep to comply with
as many conventions as possible that are displayed in music
magazines of my genre. I felt this was important so that my
magazine would be easily recognised as a music magazine of
the genre I have chosen.

3. My Front Cover

4. A common convention of music
magazines is to have a large masthead
usually positioned at the upper left of the
cover. I have followed this convention as
my title is a large bold font. It is black so as
to be clearly read from a distance.
Another convention for the masthead is to
stand out, it is evident that I have followed
this convention as the black font
dramatically stands out from the pale
background that lies behind it.
The image featured on my cover is a mid
shot, so as to follow conventions. The artist
is looking straight down the camera and
has a very serious facial expression which
is commonly seen on covers on
magazines in my music genre. The
clothing worn by the artist too fits
conventions of artist outfits on covers, he is
wearing a black coat which is plain.
The artist looking straight down the
camera both follows conventions and
adds to the feel of a direct approach to
the reader.
I have challenged conventions in regards
to the position of my image. It is positioned
left of centre and lower down that images
usually are positioned. I did this so as not
to block my title so that it could be visibly
recognisable whilst positioned on a shelf.

5. I have used included the title of one of the
main artists included in the magazine so
as to draw attention of the reader. This is a
typical convention of music magazines as
it would automatically draw fans of the
artist into purchasing the magazine.
Another typical convention I have
followed is that of the barcode and price.
This is a key convention of any magazines.
I have however challenged conventions
by placing it at the top right hand corner
of my cover. I have positioned it here as
this is where it best fit onto my cover, and i
felt it important to have the price near the
top where it could easily be viewed.
The colour scheme that I have used
challenges conventions as it is one that
would appeal to not only a male
audience but that of females also.
Magazines of this genre usually only
appeal to male audiences, and although
the content of the magazine still appeals
to both genders, the cover makes it
apparent that it is aimed at all, this
therefore widening my target audience.

6. My Contents Page

7. I have followed conventions in the sense
that I have included images of the artists
featured throughout the magazine on my
contents page. I have done this so that
from only a quick glance at my cover, the
readers can be aware of the artists
mentioned throughout my magazine.
I have challenged conventions slightly by
including a band index in my contents
page. I was inspired by the use of this in
one particular magazine however it is not
something thought to be commonly used.
I felt as though this was a valuable asset to
my page as it mentions all the artists
included in my magazine.
I have followed the convention of
including the title logo on my contents
page, but instead of using the whole title i
have just used the initial logo.
I have used the convention of the
inclusion of a chance to win tickets as this
would make someone want to purchase it
and is a persuasive technique.

8. I have followed conventions also by
arranging my contents page into sections.
I have added titles above the lists of
pages so as to organise them and make
the reader able to tell easily where the
pages are, relating to the topic that they
are most interested about reading first.
Another convention that I have followed is
the inclusion of images with the page
number that they are featured on. This is a
common convention of not only
magazines of this genre but of magazines
in general.
I too followed conventions of having the
page numbers in a bold font, this helps
the page numbers to stand out and make
it easy for the reader to locate the article
in the magazine.
Another convention I have roughly
followed is that of the positioning being in
columns.
I have also followed conventions of
continuing the colour scheme throughout
the magazine. For this reason it keeps the
magazine tied together.

9. My double page spread

10. One convention that I have
challenged is that of the artist
looking directly at the
camera therefore creating
direct address with the
reader. I have challenged
this as I feel the image of the
artist that I have chosen adds
more to his particular
character and his persona
A convention that I have
followed is that of a quote
featured from the text
positioned separately from it
and in bold. This quote is
usually one which would
entice the reader to read the
article. For this reason I have
used a quote which would
provoke the reader to read
the article, especially if they
are fans of the artist, as it is
important news of a tour that
they would be interested in.
Another conventions that I
followed was the use of the
artists name in bold to make
the reader immediately
aware of who the article is
based on.
Another convention followed is that of the article text being
positioned into columns. This makes it clearer and easier to read. It
also helps to keep the article looking tidy and look organised
The image is positioned on the left, following conventions,
however it does not follow across to the other
page which is sometimes thought common
The article is written in inform mode of address so as to
relax the reader and make them feel as though it has
an almost conversational tone
The article follows the colour scheme of the cover
page and contents page helping the magazine tie
together