2. 1.In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
I based and created my front cover, I included four cover lines on my magazine which is a very
contents page and double page spread conventional and an expected number. I do like the look of
with ideal magazine conventions in magazines that only use one or two cover lines, for example
mind. On my front cover, I included the like Clash magazine tend to do, but I felt that for my
obvious masthead which is pretty much coursework, I had to stick to the conventions to create a
essential for a magazine as it is what professional and legit look. Also, a larger amount of cover
makes the reader recognise and lines attract different readers and there is a higher chance
remember it. However, compared to they will want to read those certain featured articles and
most other magazines, my masthead is purchase the magazine. It also gives the reader more of an
rather complex and fancy. idea what is included within the magazine.
3. 1.In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
Also, I obviously included necessities like a barcode, price and issue number. One
thing that was slightly unconventional about my magazine cover is the cover
image. The background is a brick wall, compared to other magazines which often
only use one solid colour. The photograph also somewhat challenges the
conventions seeing as most people often except the cover image to be a mid shot
or medium close up. I used a close up of half of Dan’s face and lowered the
saturation, whilst keeping the brick wall coloured. I also left his eye coloured which
is slightly unconventional but different and eye catching. I think this is a positive
contrast, seeing as it makes ‘Vice’ magazine stand out and differentiate from other
magazines on the market.
4. 1.In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
In the same way, I also used established magazine conventions whilst creating my contents page. I
included a ‘contents’ title, subtitles to show different sections of the magazine, page numbers, a
photograph and an editors letter. I did slightly challenge conventions by only including one
photograph compared to other music magazines which tend to use a larger amount of photographs.
All the font on my contents page is black which is also different from other magazines, but I find it
made it look more sophisticated and serious.
5. 1.In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
The double page spread was also created based on conventions. I used a drop cap
which is used in almost all interviews in music magazines, a pull quote, a title and
images of the artist. I kept the colours simple so that the article is easy to read and easy
to focus on. My pull quote goes across two pages which makes it very noticeable, as
does the title. I didn’t just use pictures of the artists himself, but rather also things
relating to his musical life, for example the amp or sound desk.
6. 2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Checked ‘vintage’ shirt with a
wax coat. This image of Dan I
I tried to do Grace’s make up quite used for my double page
A denim shirt with a black coat dark. We used a lot of eyeliner and spread connotes and follows
on my front cover. Stylish haircut: red/black lipstick which connotes a the ‘indie’ style ideology
shaved on side with fringe. ‘rock’ style. Her dark hair and much more than the cover
Connotes an ‘indie’ or ‘alternative clothing also adds to the effect. She picture. This is because the
look’. I used this look on Dan instantly comes across as an artists article focuses only on this
because he is an ‘indie’ artists. who makes darker, rockier music, genre so more stereotypical
This image which I used on my rather than indie. clothing was more appropriate
front cover does connote an indie in this situation. I tried not to
style, however I tried not to use be too cliché though.
too many stereotypes, so we
kept the clothing pretty casual.
This is because ‘Vice’ doesn’t
just cover indie music but other
genres and sub genres too.
7. 3. What media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Bauer Media is already a very largely established publisher and has a vast
amount of publications on the market although I feel there is a real gap for
an alternative music magazine. Their existing music magazines include
Kerrang, Mojo and Q, none of which focus on alternative. It would be
effective to have an already well known publisher because the magazine
would get far more recognition. Look wise, the magazine also contrasts to
their other existing music magazines, with a much more sophisticated look
and less colour.
8. 4. Who would the audience be for your media product?
My target audience for Vice are late teens to young adults (from about 15 to
30 years). They would obviously have an interest in alternative music and its
sub genres and also have an interest in new and upcoming bands and going
to gigs and festivals. Most of the artists featured in my magazine are in their
mid twenties, but this does not particularly reflect my TA. Anyone who
listens and is interested in alternative, rock and indie music and likes finding
out about new bands and going to gigs would be an audience for my
magazine.
9. 5. How did you attract/address your audience?
The cover page is the first thing which
would attract my readers, so I made this
noticeable by having an unusual
masthead, an interesting and eye
catching photograph which contrasts with
the brick wall and large cover lines.
I address the reader with ‘you’ which
makes them feel as if the magazine is
directed completely at them. It sounds as
though Luke is telling only THEM his vices
and virtues. It also creates an informal and
easy going feel, which is often linked to the
alternative genre, compared to a, for
example, classical music magazine which
would most likely not address their readers
in such an informal way.
Very affordable and fair price.
The cover features an upcoming and
unsigned artist, as well as Luke Pritchard
who is very well known, so there is
something for everyone's taste. Whether it be
new music and well known bands.
10. The reader is attracted to this article by the pictures and
large pull quote which will make them want to read the
whole interview
The informal feel and language is used throughout the magazine. The
interview is very laid back and feels like an actual conversation. Curse
words are used which connotes the alternative genre.
11. The editors letter is another
thing which informally
addresses the reader in a
personal way. It feels as
though Jack is talking to
them and giving them a
deeper insight into the
magazine
12. 6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this
product?
13. Constructing my front cover on Adobe Photoshop
Firstly, I opened my chosen
image of Dan in an A4 Photo Using the text tool, I then
Shop document and then added my main cover line
cropped it so only his which links to the cover
shoulders and a close up of image. I used Arial font
half his face was visible. I then, making it quite large. The
using the magic wand tool, cut main title part is in caps to
Dan away from the brick wall make it stand out. I also
and lowered the saturation, filled it in with black which
leaving the brick wall its makes it stand out from
original colour. I then also the other cover lines
circled Dan’s eye using the which are all white. I
selection tool and bringing added a thick white stroke
back the saturation, making it on the title of the cover
its original colour. I also added line and a black stroke on
some blue on top to make the the pull quote.
eye more noticeable.
I then proceeded with adding Finally, I added my
in the other three cover lines. masthead in the right top
Again, adding black strokes to hand corner. I opened a
the white to make them easier new PS document and
to read and noticeable. I got pasted the screen shot of
an internet image of a bar the dafont.com ‘Broken
code which I opened in a Fluid’ font into it. Then
separate PS document, cropped just the words
cropped and then added onto out using the quick
my front cover, putting it in the selection tool and then
right hand bottom corner. I pasted it onto my front
also added a text of the price cover.
and issue number.
14. Constructing my contents page on Adobe InDesign
Firstly, I opened an A4
document in In
Design. I then made a
text box at the top of
Once I had finished
the page and typed
all the font and titles,
‘contents’ in Arial font,
I chose my favourite
in capital letters and
and most suitable
bold. I then added all
picture that I took of
the contents in New
Grace and added it
Times Roman, and the
onto the page
Editor’s Letter in Arial.
underneath the title.
I made all of the font
I made it large, so it
black to create a
consumed about one
simple, yet
third of the page. I
sophisticated look.
also added in the
The subtitles for the
small Editor’s picture
different contents had
of Jack at the
to be noticeable and
bottom.
easily accessible, so I
stretched them length
and width wise to
125%.
15. Constructing my double page spread on Adobe InDesign
In order to create my double page spread, I again used In Design. Firstly, I
pasted my chosen four photos into a double page document and set them up so
they were well aligned and looked good. I then used www.dafont.com to create
my ‘Dan O’Riordan’ title. I then cut that font out and pasted it into my document.
The pull quote is just simple Arial text with a black highlighted background. The
text is easy to read and quite small. All I did to create the drop cap was make
the first letter of the interview bold and much larger than the rest of the text. I am
please with how my double page spread turned out. It looks really professional
and interesting.
16. 7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Instead of using a standard word
font, I went on dafont.com and
used a customized masthead
instead.
I used half a face close up instead
of the common medium close up.
Larger main coverline
In the same way as my
preliminary task, I used
a brick wall for my real
magazine. I really liked
the look of it and
thought it was quite
different from other
magazine
backgrounds.
Instead of just leaving the
picture in its original form, I
used a more sophisticated
editing method, making the
picture half saturated and
colouring the eye. Creates a
more professional look
For my second cover, I used much less colour. For the
college magazine I used purple, green, blue. For my new
one I only used black and white and the brick wall.
17. 7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
For my preliminary, I
used three pictures,
whereas for my
coursework I only used
one.
Again, I used much more
colour in my preliminary. I
like a more simple and
formal look. I used only
black and white.
Contents list is much more
organized and easy to read.
More sub titles used to
categorize content.
My editors letter looks much
more professional. I have a
proper title, text and image. I
also like the placement at
the bottom of the page.
18. 7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Overall, I feel that I have learnt a lot from and since my preliminary task and have
gained a lot of new skills. When I started my preliminary, I had never properly used
Photo Shop or In Design, so I had to learn how to use these to create my magazine
cover and contents. Whilst creating my full product, I was much more confident
when using these and confidently used tools such as stroke, selection, magic wand,
saturation, image adjustments etc. etc. Through this knowledge, I feel like I was able
to create a better and more well produced end product. Through creating my
preliminary task, I also learnt a lot about magazine conventions and what readers
want and expect. For my full final product I used much less colour, seeing as the
college magazine was meant to look ‘fun’ and ‘studenty’ whereas my music
magazine is more serious and ‘moody’. The preliminary task definitely helped me
with my knowledge of magazines and editing programmes and helped me create a
final product that I am pleased with.
