Charlotte Palmer created a music magazine called TAP TAP as part of her media studies evaluation. She used conventions from real magazines like NME, Kerrang!, Q, Empire and Rolling Stone to structure her magazine. While following conventions, she also challenged them by merging the URL into the masthead and adding a flower prop to the cover. She targeted her magazine at teenagers aged 16-20 based on a survey. Technologies like Photoshop, Paint.NET and Word helped her design and layout the magazine. Through the process, she improved at positioning images and creating a more professional appearance compared to her preliminary task.

1. AS Media Studies
Evaluation
G321
Foundation Portfolio
By Charlotte Palmer

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

3. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
Front Cover As a result of these exercises, I had a clear understanding
of the layout of a magazine as seen through this example:
Through out my magazine I used a
variety of generic conventions. I
became familiar with these through
the generic conventions task:
Link
Then I put this into context by using
existing magazines as templates in
order to familiarise myself with
these features:
I took into consideration how each convention (circled)
should be typically displayed therefore following the
rules of conventions. This is achieved with the ‘left-third’
rule for the masthead (Tap Tap masthead) and how the
main cover line should take the attention compared to the
cover lines. Additionally the important conventions such
as barcode and price are laid out in a familiar way.
However I decided to merge the URL with the masthead
giving it further interest to the design.

4. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
Challenges and developments
Some of these conventions I challenged and
added my own interpretation to give the
magazine it’s own identity. Instead of the
URL being displayed separately on the
cover, I made it a part of the masthead
therefore giving it extra purpose to the
design.
Unfamiliar to a music magazine, I provided
a flower branch as a prop in order to give
the cover star some beauty and character as
well as emphasis to the colour red. This is
not common for a music magazine therefore
it gives the cover something iconic.
The main cover line is given a black border
and an underline which is not often done.
This again gives the magazine an
uniqueness as well as providing emphasis
on the main cover line.

5. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
In addition to this,
Rolling Stone’s layout
gave me inspiration of
how the cover lines frame
the cover star as well as
the main cover line’s
positioning.
My magazine cover also
supported the use of
direct address which
provides a connection
between the cover star
Influences and the audience.
The layout of my front To give the cover star
cover came from a variety enhancement, I placed her
of magazines including in front of the masthead,
NME, Karrang! and this is used within NME
Rolling Stone. This also and Kerrang!.
upheld my genre of The background in
magazine (Rock and Pop). Rolling Stone and
I liked the design of Karrang! typically is a
NME’s masthead with a single colour therefore
bold white outline providing emphasis to the
providing it with a strong star and cover lines. This
attention. The design of I also used in my
Karrang!’s cover lines I magazine which also
adapted into my became a part of the
magazine’s top cover lines. house colours.

6. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
Contents
The layout of the contents was
initially inspired from aspects of
Q magazines’ and Empire
magazines’ contents.
Then I began drafting my
contents page as two designs:
The large numbers, bold titles and organised structure was
what I liked about these two magazines. I also adapted the
red, black and white house colours into my own contents
page. The variation and sizes of the photographs made the
contents pages stimulating and attractive which I also
included in my contents page.

7. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
My contents continued the house
colours and the cover story which links
with the front cover. The addition of
advertisements based on the magazine
and special effects on the headings was
what made the contents page different
from those that influenced me.
However, Q and Empire influenced
areas such as the idea of the issue
number and date information being
displayed, the variations of fonts and
number colours.
To keep the attention focused on the
cover star, I grey scaled the additional
photo’s so that the house colours stay
consistent. I decided to develop the
contents heading to ‘What’s inside?’
which lingers the question in the
readers mind and at the same time it
remains clear that it is a contents page.

8. Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions
Double page spread The cover stars name is laid out as a large black and white title
with the addition of a quote from the article as a quick preview for
My first influence of the layout of the the reader. The article is written as a Q and A format with an
double page was from Empire introduction and concluding paragraph. Similarly to the Empire
magazine, the beginning of the article is introduced with a large
magazine:
letter. I made my letter not so large since the title should keep the
engagement. The house colours of red, black and white stay
constant within the DPS which brings together the cover and
contents page collectively. Instead of one column, I used two with
the image at the centre which differs to the Empire magazine
layout therefore developed into my own version. In addition, the
props of flowers is consistent with the cover star therefore keeping
her the icon of the magazine.
I planned that my double page
will look similar to this since I
liked the idea of a large image
and columns of text. Though this
is not from a music magazine, it
was something that I could
develop into my own.

9. Question 2.
How does your media product represent
particular social groups?

10. Question 2. Representing particular social groups
My magazine’s focus is towards teenagers,
old and young, who enjoy popular pop music
or rough rock music. The magazines Q,
Karrang! and NME helped me to understand
how to fit this genre into my magazine as
well as how to target it to a teenage audience.
Cover star
The cover star ‘Love and
Death’ demonstrates a sweet,
unique yet strong willed
young lady who’s very
opinionated and won’t often
give up nor be told what to
do. This shows similarity to
typical teenagers who can be
rebellious and adventurous.
However this character
challenges the stereotypical
female image as a small,
fragile lady who is often
protected by a strong male.

11. Question 2. Representing particular social groups
Other photos used gave the magazine a youthful, mysterious and rustic
sense which continues this ‘Rock and Pop’ trend.
The females and the males show equal attention therefore the images of
females become very shady and intense. This will fit with my target
audience since the images will imitate similarly with their usual
appearance.

12. Question 3.
What kind of media institution might distribute
your media product and why?

13. Question 3. Media Institution
The genre and audience of TAP TAP magazine is similar to ones of NME and Q
which are from major distribution companies. I can see TAP TAP working well
for a major distributer as a fresh type of magazine displaying a lot of new
visions and new faces, therefore a top seller.
The distributer I’ve chosen is IPC Media:
I have chosen them for their range of magazines, including NME, and their
variety of ways to advertise on different platforms including websites, printing
and on modern technology such as mobiles and tablets. TAP TAP magazine can
merge well with this modern company as a new magazine for young music
lovers.

14. Question 4.
Who would be the audience for your media
product?

15. Question 4. The audience for your media product
My magazine will target both boys and girls
between the ages of 16 to 20 years of age.
The link will display my questionnaire with
responses. I asked people between 16 to 20
years old relevant questions involving their
thoughts of music magazines:
The result helped me with the development
so that the magazine will aim at this
audience.
NME also has a similar target audience to my magazine as their audience
surrounds teenagers and 20 to 21 year olds who enjoy a variety of the latest
music.

16. Question 5.
How did you attract/address your audience?

17. Question 5. Attract/address your audience
Masthead
The name TAP TAP is a catchy reference to a beat or rhythm
therefore it can appeal to various types of music. As for the
target audience, the simplicity and memory of the name works
well for older teenagers during their hectic lives. The colour
black with the white boarder encourages the name to stand out,
plus with the shadow effect supplies a modern lift to the
masthead. Additionally with the long black lines being formed,
they could be a base to add extra information on such as the
URL, Slogans, season specials, designs. This gives the
masthead purpose and visual interest.
Colours Similarly to NME and Rolling Stone, the
Mature colours of black, red and white colours chosen suited my target audience for
appeared to be the end result of my it’s clarity, contrast and uses. For a Pop and
questionnaire: Rock magazine: black provides a dark,
sinister meaning; white gives purity as well as
a good base colour; and red can be used for
text needing special attention plus to give a
sense of romance or warning.
As a theme to each issue of the magazine,
?
another colour shall be used to give it identity
and added curiosity. In this case, I used blue.

18. Question 5. Attract/address your audience
Cover lines
The cover lines show persuasive phrases like
‘Exclusive’ and ‘New’. Emphasis is given to certain
words through colour and size which gives another
element of influence. The register is informal, to the
point, quick to read and with the addition of a quote
from the cover star leaves the reader interested.
The language of the magazine fits with the age group
being easy to understand, a down to earth tone and
enjoyable to read due to some creative imagery. The
attitude is encouraging and informal but not too
rebellious therefore it keeps open to new Rock and
Pop readers as well as regulars.
Images
Majority of the images are of the cover star in her strong,
proud and confident character. Other images taken relate to
cover stories but also fit the young, striking attitude of the
magazine.
I made this the cover image as the way the flowers frame the
face and provide the girl a ‘warrior’ impression; as if she’ll
fight for her objective. The use of direct address enhances this
idea of aggressing to be the best as well as connecting with
the audience.

19. Question 6.
What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing the product?

20. Question 6. The technologies from the process
During the process, I used various programs to construct my magazine
including Paint.Net, Photoshop and Microsoft Word.
Here are the strengths of each program:
Microsoft Word Photoshop Paint.Net
Easy and logical to use. A variety of ways to Easy to use and understand.
transform and manipulate
images.
Able to transform and add Able to add text, shapes and Able to change images with
text or images onto the effects. effects and tools.
document.
Flexibility with changing With the use of layers, you Able to add text and add
fonts, sizes and colour. can return to a layer and shapes.
change, edit or delete it at any
time.
Prevents mistakes with the Additional tools such as
use of spell check. zooming in and out, paint
brushes, gradient and paint
bucket.
Clear and accurate print Able to save as JPG or PSD
previews. so you can return and change
the file.

21. Question 6. The technologies from the process
Weaknesses:
Microsoft Word Photoshop Paint.Net
Unable to save Inexperienced users can The effects do not
document as a JPG or find it a complicated appear as good a quality.
image format. program to use.
Difficult and fiddly to Can be difficult to Unable to edit text after
change image or text ‘lasso’ sections of an unselecting layer so it
placements. image. can be frustrating.
With a wide choice of Limited choice of shapes
effects, it is likely to and brush effects.
over use them.
Each program had its uses in the development of my magazine, like Microsoft
word was helpful to add text to the DPS and the effects on Photoshop helped
me to create a professional impression to the cover.

22. Question 6. The technologies from the process
Drafting and Planning A variety of situations was dealt with
During the assembly of my before the cover, contents and DPS was
magazine, I took snap shots of completed. Through comparing with
features that I liked or used. existing magazines and forming a
This is featured as drafting and layout, my magazine began to take
planning: shape. A difficulty I had to face was
contrasting colours with the
background ensuring that the text was
still clear and readable. Additionally, to
provide the effect of the cover star over
lapping the masthead meant a detailed
process with the ‘lasso tool’.

23. Question 6. The technologies from the process
Photographic choices
Before I focused on taking
photographs for my front cover, I
began drafting different ways I
could lay out the cover star with
the cover lines, I also did this with
the contents page:
By doing this allowed me the
freedom to make changes without
effecting the final piece and to
become familiar with the cover
layout.
Eventually I discovered a design
and reasons for the photos I
selected. Little improvements
were made to the photo’s such as
brightness and colour adjustments.

24. Question 6. The technologies from the process
Blogger
Blogger became a way to display the process of my magazine and an effective
method to upload and search for my work.
I can access my blog anytime and compared to storing and organising my work
in a folder, it is a much lighter and simpler form. Additionally the freedom to
post, delete and edit post is much more efficient compared to re-writing or
erasing written work.

25. Question 7.
Looking back to your preliminary task, what do
you feel that you have learnt in the progression
from it to the full product?

26. Question 7. Looking back to the preliminary task
In the preliminary task, the cover lines do not surround the cover well and it appears very
simple yet a severe layout; not a lot of freedom with the cover lines..
PRELIMINARY TASK MAIN TASK FINAL

27. Question 7. Looking back to the preliminary task
Considering I used 2 different programs (Microsoft word for Preliminary and Photoshop for main task),
I think I’ve done well for a first attempt. But I can tell that I have improved with the layout and
positioning of images in the main task which created a professional appearance.
PRELIMINARY TASK MAIN TASK FINAL

28. Overall
Overall I am very happy with the final result and I think I have fulfilled the brief
of making a music magazine. Through my tougher research of music magazines
and with the help of coming to terms with what attracts older teenagers; I had
created a Rock and Pop magazine with a unique appearance, a bold style and a
brand that flows from page to page. I feel my strongest page is the contents due
to the bright colours and, in particular, the photography which I feel turned out
very successful.