The document outlines several conventions commonly used in billboard design including: - Using a large, bold masthead at the top to identify the product or brand. - Employing bright, complementary colors that attract attention and link to the brand. - Including a catchy strapline or slogan below the masthead that briefly summarizes the message. - Providing essential contact details like a web address at the bottom. - Centering a unique, creative image that dominates the page without clashing with the text. - Positioning text at the top and bottom around the central image.

1. BILLBOARD GENERIC
CONVENTIONS
MEGAN SHERATON

2. Masthead
o Biggest font on the page
o Should be bold and easy to read
o E.g. the name of a product, artist or magazine depending on what is being
advertised
o Can be positioned anywhere but mainly at the top of the page so it is one of
the first things the audience look at.

3. Colour Scheme
o Bright and bold to attract the audience
o Complementing colours
o Link directly to the magazine and house image
o Contrasting colours to allow certain conventions to stand out more than others

4. Strapline/Slogan
o Catchy
o Straight to the point
o Briefly sums the billboard or what is being advertised
o Confirms the context of the advert to the reader
o Similar to a strapline used on a magazine
o Should be below the masthead
o Clear and easy to read

5. Essential Information
o Web address
o Contact details such as phone number etc
o Social media links
o Location of where it is if for an event
o Link to app store or online purchasing
o QR Codes

6. Image
o Should dominant the page
o Often used as the entire backdrop and setting off the billboard
o Needs to be unique and creative so that it stands out
o Bright colours
o Doesn’t overcrowd or clash with the font

7. Anchoring
o Image can be anchored to support what it is
o E.g. if it is an artist there name must be present
o Genres of a magazine can be advertised or shops where the product can be
bought

8. Layout
o Layout of a billboard has no specific conventions as they all vary in
composition and structure.
o However they are predominantly image led.
o Image needs to be central.
o Text located at tops and bottoms.
o Contact details at the bottom.
o Logo in the bottom right alongside any web address.

9. Logo
o Positioned in the bottom right
o Needs to be memorable
o Links straight back to the product
o Bright colours
o Symbolic of what the company/brand stands for

10. Typography
o Large
o Easy to read
o Clear
o Central focus
o Relevant
o Short and snappy
o Straight to the point
o Direct address
o Informative
o Sub-heading style

11. Conventions I will use
o Large masthead
o Image led style
o Contact information if needed
o Social media links
o Informal and straight to the point (typography)
o Bold colours that contrast

12. Conventions I will challenge
o I don’t want to use anchorage as I will only be having one image and therefore
would rather direct my text at the audience and at describing my magazine.
My image is instead its own anchor to my magazine brand.
o I don’t want to include an image logo as I feel my masthead proves to be a
logo in itself.
o My design will be unique and unconventional.