In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge form and conventions of real media products?

1. In what way does your
media product use, develop
or challenge form and
conventions of real media
products?
By: Adhan Nur

2. Front cover comparison, with case study 1
As you can see, there is a clearly some similarities and
difference in the layout of the front cover between the two
front pages. I was inspired by Kerrang to the main artist
looking directly in to the camera, this makes it look like he
is looking at the potential reader. My cover lines came
from this magazine as they encapsulated the content that
would be found in my magazine. This magazine helped me
to decide how to make the background look, but I decided
not to use the darker outlines on the edges as it made
mine look visually displeasing.
As you can see, I used a similar colour scheme as it relates
to my audience and the genre of music I’m featuring. The
use of black was an obvious choice for indie rock, then I
had to find some complimentary colours like; red, white
and orange. I used the same colours as Kerrang as it
looked to be effective as, personally, I was attracted to the
cover. I also decided to use white to make the pull quote
stand out more.
In my magazine I haven’t added a skyline as I felt it was
unnecessary due to the high amount of cover lines already
present. I felt that having the skyline would overwhelm
the readers and my peers agreed with me
I changed the placing of the bar code as I felt it would be
better on the left side and have the social media
information on the front. This allowed me to fit in more
cover lines, which would allow me to advertise my content
more effectively. I also added a QR code that would take
them to my blog. If I made the actual magazine I would
have it take them to the magazine’s website. I also, took
the pricing of my magazine from this magazine - £2.30.

3. Front cover comparison, with case study 2
From this magazine, I took the Masthead being at
the top of the page in a bright colour. I also decided
to impersonate the pose that is being used by the
cover star. Furthermore, I was inspired by this to
have the artist name next to his face with a
description under it. I also took the use of cover lines
and added to my magazine, but I was afraid to put
them as close together as it would make it look
clustered and difficult to read. This would repel my
audience. I also used the upper body shot and
decided to use that for mine. However, I made mine
more of a medium long shot, this is because it is
representative of the lack of information we know
about him. I was thinking to make the shoot look
darker to symbolise this, but I felt that a darker
image would limit my colour choices.
Much like in Kerrang the bar code is sideways and
on the right, I thought that since it was a minor
detail I would be able to modify it. I also decided not
to use the colour scheme seen her as it did not reflect
my audience well.

4. Contents page comparison, with case study 1
From the Kerrang magazine I took the
colour design for the name of the different
sections. The use of the orange and black
complement each other well. I inverted the
colours as I felt that using the orange text
would make it stand out more and be more
appealing. In addition I had a title that said
contents, but I didn’t make it as fancy. This
was because I felt that if it had too elaborate
of a design it would be over complicate the
page. As you can see there is no editor’s
letter in my contents page, I decided to this
because I felt that it was not a necessity. I
also added two *pop bubbles* to the images
of the artist. This was done to draw
attention to them, as one is the cover star
and the other is a famous person in that
genre of music.

5. Contents page comparison, with case study 2
From Uncut, I took the idea of having
a simple solid colour for the back
ground. I also added a short
description under the sub headings of
which stories will be featured. I took
these from Uncut because I felt that
it would make the content page look
better. In addition I decided to add
the subscription add at the bottom of
that page. This was because it is a
page every reader will definitely look
at so they will see. This will then
allow more people to subscribe to the
magazine, and bring in a more profit.
However, I decide to change the way
the page number is written because I
have used a different format for that
section of the contents page. I did
this to make it more understandable,
which page each story can be found
on.

6. DPS comparison, with case study 1
From the Kerrang magazine I took
the inspiration of the pull quote and
having the artist facing a way from
the camera. This is a powerful image
as I have chosen to have him facing
down so it feels like he is
disappointed. This makes the reader
feel like they will learn something
interesting about the artist. I also
added the page number and having
the magazine name at the bottom of
the page. This was done to make it
more profession. I also used the same
format of a Q and A. this was done as
it is the best way to conduct an
interview. However, unlike in the
Kerrang magazine, I didn’t extend
the image to both page. This was
because if I extended the image that
far it would distort and blur. I also
decided to out the writing on the
other page as it would give me more
space.

7. DPS comparison, with case study 2
From the Uncut magazine I took
the drop cap and the use of a
simplistic design. This meant that
I would be able to focus more on
the written aspect than the
appearance. I also decided to add
the artist name at the top of the
interviews section. I also had the
image of the artist on one of the
two pages with the interview
remaining on the other. However, I
did decide to put the pull quote I
bold and onto of the artist rather
than small and in the corner. I did
this because I felt that having a
powerful quote in the middle of the
page would be more beneficial.