Media evaluation q.1

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
By Phoebe McCarthy 12RP2

2. FRONT COVER

4. STRAP LINE
A continuous convention of a slogan/ phrase
used in many urban magazines- short and simple-
recognisable for audience- enables the magazine
to be easily remembered when slogan is seen-
informative towards audience- allows readers to
acknowledge what’s present inside magazine- [Uses
and Grats] – diagonal slash used and simple clear
text- to suit the ‘Urban’ look along with appearing
clearly towards the reader- each word sits on a letter
Of the masthead to maintain a modern, unique
design.
Other magazines that
feature this convention:
PAPER
NME
ROLLACOASTER

5. MASTHEAD
Large- bold- northerly placed as a common convention- placed
above image- usually placed behind image however was not
readable due to my image – (developed convention)- taking up
the width of the page- engages with reader- unique – easy to
detect- use of white- bold- recognisable- allows reader to see
both image and masthead clearly.
Other magazines use this convention as shown:

6. FEATURES
Insight into features included for
entertainment and informative needs (uses
and Grat)- slight left positioning-
development on the continuous convention
of left positioning- for a more unique ‘urban’
look- simple text used and large spacing
between artists- to clearly present what is
included in the magazine to the reader-
smaller font- not main selling point-
contrasts against background.
Other magazines that use this convention
are: (CLASH,OYSTER&
ROLLACOASTER)
A key point is that all
these magazines are
situated in the ‘urban’
genre of magazine.

7. MAIN IMAGE
Convention of a medium close up-
singular person to cover page- creates
direct mode of address with artists
and audience- personal relationships-
(Uses and Grats)- women is positioned
to appear as the main object- appear
as passive objects for males (Mulvey)-
use of bright lights to highlight models
face [MAIN IMAGE] - image contrasts
against background.
Other magazines that use this convention:
Use of medium
close up’s
Use of
Direct
Mode of
address
ROLLACOASTER & CLASH Q & VIBE

8. SELL LINE
I used the common convention of a sell
line- informative towards main headline
{Main Artist} [Uses and Grat]- sell line
usually below masthead- challenged by
featuring it above headline- contrasting
colour against image for enhancement –
repetitive clear font used- allows
audience to see the sell line clearly and
the use of white allows it to stand out.
Here are a few other magazines
That use this convention being
[from left to right] Q, BILLIBOARD
ROLLACOASTER & CLASH, this
Particular issue of Clash was the
Main magazine I looked at as it suited
my preferences of urban and unique
thoroughly.

9. HEADLINE/
ANCHOR TEXT
Cover artist- Name- unusual- entices
readers/ fans- anchors readers to image-
San Serif font used- bold, 3D appearance-
contrasts against background- purple/
pink links to house colour scheme- bold
inventive name use- pop of colour
encourages fans to buy.
Other examples of magazines
That use this convention: SAN
SERIF bold fonts
[From top to bottom]: CLASH,
ROLLACOASTER, Q AND BILLIBOARD

10. INFORMATION
Informative text- website/date/price-
Informs with reader- [Uses and Grat] –
Simple and clear text- white colour- contrasts
With background- typewriter font- urban look.
Other examples
Of magazines that
Use this convention:
[left to right] CLASH&
NME
BARCODE
Barcode situated upwards on the left hand sign-
Modern look- simple- effective.
Other examples
Of magazines that
Use this convention:
CLASH & NME

11. HOUSE COLOUR
Purple/pink/white within the front cover. I decided to use these colours as they suit the
‘urban feel of the magazine’. I developed this house colour scheme by adding the bold
colour of pink, I referred to this in my planning. I asked my focus group [of both genders]
if they would by the magazine or be interested in it if the headline was pink, 80% of
them said they would despite the colour however a few males said they would not.
From this feedback I took it into account by re searching and realised that there were no
music magazines on the market that were aimed to females, as NME and Q are mostly
targeted towards males. From this I decided I would develop from this and create one. I
chose the colour of a lilac pink as it is very vibrant and bold and allowed the artists name
on the front cover to stand out, as well as the model. I suited the models mis en scene
costume to black and grey to allow the headline to stand out, along with the highlighting
on the models face to suit the mastheads bold colour of white.
Below are some images of magazines that also use this house colour scheme:

12. CONTENTS PAGE

14. DATE
Show recent information- informative towards reader [Uses and Grat]-
regular readers can keep up to date with what issue they need to buy-
generally allows readers to know what music is in each season.
Other magazines that use this convention:
(NME, Q & ROLLACOASTER)
SOCIAL MEDIA
The use of social media links- allows reader to connect
With magazine- informative [Uses and Grat]- engages with
Reader. Although I did not see this convention in other music magazines,
I thought it would be a positive to include so the audience can keep up
To date with with issues and it maintans the ‘urban’ look.

15. COLUMNS
Continuous convention of columns split into 3 columns- organised- no overlapping-
modern look- can clearly be read by audience- sorted into sections.
*DISCLAIMER: I included both Fashion and Life columns as well as music although they
are relate to music as a topic this is not a common convention for music magazines.
However after talking to my focus group the female participants said that most of the
magazines they read have all of these elements and topics and they would find it
beneficial to see a music magazine on the market that includes of three, as fashion and
life are becoming more dominant within the magazine industry.
Below are some magazines that follow this convention of columns & fashion/life:
Q &
NME CLASH

16. FEATURES
Headlines to present to reader what is in the
Magazine- organised- clear- instructive- [Uses
And Grat]- Italic font- bold- stands out
Numbering on the features- allows reader
To find story easily- in pink to stand out-
Links to house colour
Bold feature headlines- to allow the reader
To know that the feature is about- capitals to
Stand out- bold- recognisable
Small description of what’s included in
magazine- engages with reader- informative-
[Uses and Grat].
Features positioned to the left hand side-
convention- clear- no overlapping-
Informative to reader.
A few examples
Of magazines that
Use this convention:
CLASH, BILLIBOARD &
NME

17. NUMBERING
Continuous convention of page numbers- clear-
Allow reader to locate feature easily- bold font-
Capitals- Vibrant colour- pink- linking to house colour
Few other examples of magazines that use this convention:
BILLI-
BOARD,
Q & CLASH
WEBSITE
The insert of the web address is informative to the readers-
[Uses and Grat]- allows the reader to keep up to date with
The magazine and exclusive features online.
This is not a continuous convention however I included this element
As I thought it would be beneficial to the magazine as it is informative and unique.
Along with linking to the internet which is how most youths connect which suits my target audience.

18. SUBSCRIBE BOX
I inserted a subscribe box to add a professional feature to the
Magazine- making it recogniasble as a magazine- more modern look- the dotted line
around the box depicts an urban look- bold lettering to be easily seen by readers- an
offer on a magazine is proven to be a number one selling point- not an overly used
element within the music magazine but is upcoming and a positive feature
An example of a subscribe box used: NME
PAGE NUMBERS
Bold page numbers- easy navigation- a continuous convention
On various magazines- organised- clear – informative- [Uses
And Grat]

19. IMAGES
Into thumbnail positioning- cuboid shape- organised-
Clear- modern look- meets urban genre- multiple genre
Music included- whites, blues, yellows and blacks and
Pinkish tone colour scheme link to house colour scheme –
Stand out/ contrast against background- organised boxes-
Borders- professional look- not overlapping- not over
Whelming.
Other magazines using this thumbnail and
Organized mutiple image design:

20. DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD

22. HEADLINE
Bold font- San Serif- stands out immediately to reader-
Black colour- contrasts against background- links to
House colour scheme- informative to reader of who the
Article is about – [Uses and Grat]- takes up ¾ of page-
Engages with reader
Other magazines that use this
convention-[Top to bottom]- Q
AND NME
TEXT
A small amount of text to inform reader of who took the
interview and about the artist- [Uses and Grat]- bold
letters for writer- clearly seen by reader- a continuous
convention throughout magazines
An example of a magazine
That uses this convention-
INFORMATIVE-
NME

23. COLUMNS
Oragnised columns- clear interview- question
and answer- most common in female
magazines- questions in bold, vibrant,
Capital letters- immediately seen by readers.
Other examples of magazines that use this convention:
BOTH NME
ALBUM
Use of information of upcoming album by featured
Artist- Date on when it is released- informative-
[Uses and Grat]- even though in small print bold text
Used- clearly seen by reader
This is not a continuous convention
However I felt it would be beneficial
Due to the informative concept

24. PAGE NUMBERING
Bold page numbers- easy
navigation- a continuous
convention On various
magazines- organised- clear –
informative- [Uses And Grat]
Examples of magazines that use this
Convention : Q MAGAZINE

25. LAYOUT
I have decided to use the continuous convention of the main image being
located on the left page, taking up the whole page being the background. I
used a powerful image including a guitar and shallow focus behind of a drum
kit to depict the topic of music. I then decided to situate the headline coming
from the right hand side of the page which is unusual however I tried to fill
the whole top of the page with the headline but it did not look right. Finally I
located the text further down the right hand page which is not used
repeatedly, however I found the design on an NME page and felt it suited my
‘urban’ genre and design.
(Magazines below: NME, Q & BILLIBOARD)

26. DROPCAP
Drop cap- introduction to article- bold- engages with reader-
Entices them to read the article
Other magazines that use this convention are below:
NME, Q AND CLASH
PULL QUOTE
Pull quote- insight into rest of the story- makes audience
Want to read article- creates engagement and questions-
Personal relationships with artist and reader- [Uses and Grat]
Examples of magazines that use this
Convention: CLASH & NME

27. IMAGE
Mid shot of artist- Direct mode of
Address- connects artist and audience-
Personal Relationships (Uses and Grat)-
Medium/ long shot- expression becomes
Visual- projection of ‘indie’, ‘urban’
Artist- meets target audience- youth-
Guitar and drum kit present general
Music topic.
Other magazines that use this convention:
(Left to Right): Q & NME