The document evaluates the design elements of a media product, analyzing how various features like the masthead, cover image, and article layout utilize and challenge conventions found in real media products. It discusses thematic influences from retro styles associated with artists of the '50s, while comparing its elements to established magazines like Rolling Stone and Q. Additionally, it highlights specific design choices intended to attract readers and maintain brand identity.

1. AS Media Studies
Evaluation
Q1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR
CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?

2. Cover

3. Masthead
 The font size of the masthead is the largest
on the cover, filling about a 1/5th of the page
for the name to be clear to the reader.
 A stroke line and drop shadow is used to lift
the text from the white background.
 The font used is of a retro 50's style and
represents an American diner theme, linking
to the artists of the decade such as Elvis
Presley and Roy Orbison.
 Located at the top of the page to provide an
'umbrella' statement for the content covered.
 The centre of the text is slightly obstructed by
the artist's head to aid the appearance of the
cover image and highlight the importance of
the artist.

4. Cover Image
 The artist is making eye contact with the
camera lens in order to make a
connection with the reader and sell his
story.
 The artist is placed within the centre of
the page and covers the majority of the
white background in a contrasting black
jacket.
 Brightness and contrast have been
increased to enhance the reflection of
light.
 The top of the artist's head is partly
obstructing the masthead, however the
selling line cannot be placed behind the
artist as it would be impossible to read.

5. Headline
 The second largest font on the page
which simply states the artist's name.
This lack of information should
encourage the reader to read the
contents and find out why he is
featured.
 Positioned about 3/4 of the page
down to describe the featured artist.
 A pull quote follows to give a small
less informative insight into the type
of article featured.

6. Strap Line
 Located at the above the masthead
on a blue box graphic, to add a sense
of good value in featuring an opinion
poll.
 The font used is taken from a 70's
disco ball idea and like the 'exclusive'
content, this font is rarely seen
anywhere else in the magazine,
unless when presenting a unique offer
e.g. ipad competition.

7. Coverlines
 Aligned to the right margin with a
small space from the edge of the
page, to ensure no information is cut
off.
 Positioned on the right hand side of
the artist, to prevent covering the
main selling statement of the cover.
 Last names are in Italic to provide
contrast and make the text more
appealing.
 A drop shadow has been used so the
text is easier to read on a white
background.

8. Selling Line
 Positioned below the masthead to
provide a slogan for the magazine.
 A grey to black gradient is used to
provide a chrome effect to blend with
the red masthead.
 Slightly obstructs the artist's hand as
it would be impossible to read behind
the artist.

9. Contents

10. Column Layout
 This contents page has been separated into 3
columns to emphasise how much content has been
placed into this issue ensuring good value for
money.
 The first column includes the featured content which
is exclusive to this issue. An editor's note is present
at the footer of the column.
 The second and third column are underneath the
feature article.
 The second column features images of two artists
with a varied style of music based on the use of a
piano and trumpet. Page numbers are shown in the
top corner of each feature on a gold box graphic to
contrast with the red and blue colour scheme. Pull
quotes taken from their fictional article hint their
personality and interests in music.
 The third column features a list of articles with a
signature style of article only available in this
magazine.

11. Featured Article
 Positioned in the top right hand corner
of the page to make the artist clear
and the first highlight the reader sees
when turning the page.
 The artist is central in the image taken
mid-shot to show his style of fashion
relatable to 50's music.
 Rule of three used to persuade and
excite the reader to read his article.

12. Title and Date Line
 Positioned as a header to define the
page.
 The text used for 'Contents' is the
largest font on the page, stretching
1/2 the width of the page.
 Colour of the text is black with an
inner glow to create a polished
appearance.
 Date line is positioned on a red
underline as a reference to this issue.

13. Masthead Logo
 Masthead from cover reused in the
features column.
 Positioned above the editor's note on
a red underline, to direct the reader's
attention to editor explaining the main
purpose of the magazine.

14. Page Numbers
 Split into uneven proportion to allow
for sponsorship and advertisement.
 Highlighted in red in the columns to
ensure efficient navigation to the
article of interest.
 In the feature articles, the colour is
black on a gold box graphic to
contrast with the red and blue scheme
and stand out from the neutral
background of the images.

15. Article

16. Columns for Body Text
 Printed on the second page to allow
the featured artist to cover the entirety
of the first page.
 Body text is split over three columns
to divide the text into equal proportion
across the page.
 Use of a drop cap to guide the
reader's attention to the start of the
body text.
 The background shows through the
boundaries between each column to
add a lively black and white contrast.

17. Footer
 Cyan blue box graphic with a Bevel
effect added to lift the colour with a
three dimensional effect.
 Positioned beneath the image and
body text across both pages.
 Name of magazine and page
numbers linking to contents page
used in symmetry on the left and right
edges.

18. Headline
 Positioned 3/4 of the page down as
not to obstruct the artist mid-shot.
 Central alignment to clearly define the
objective of the article.
 Inner glow illuminates the text and
symbolises the street lights of Las
Vegas.
 Drop shadow prevents the text from
blending with the white shirt.

19. Lead In
 Positioned beneath the headline as a
brief statement about the purpose of
the article before the reader's eye is
drawn to the drop cap on the second
page.
 Red box graphic behind the artist's
name highlights their importance and
high status.

20. Pull Quote
 Placed in the centre of the second
column to add detail.
 White rectangle box graphic with a
red stroke borders the quote. Small
circle graphics with a strong outer
glow are used.

21. Photoshoot Image
 Covers approx. 4/5ths of the first
page within the centre to emphasise
the appearance of the artist.
 Studio image taken mid shot to
portray the artist as a style icon as
well as a musician.
 Checkerboard background relates to
the 50's diner theme.
 In a unique font, the artist's name is
splashed across the gutter and
columns as an umbrella statement for
the article.

22. Index Tab and Caption
 Positioned near the top left corner of
the first page as a reference to the
article.
 The colour scheme and bevel effect
relate to the footer to balanc the use
of colours in the article.
 Caption gives a brief statement to
describe the studio image. Alliteration
is used to make the statement catchy
and memorable.

23. Byline
 Positioned vertically from the third
column to credit the writer of the
article.
 A contrasting red colour with a black
stroke effect ensures the text does not
blend into the background.

24. Developing Ideas

25. Cover
 Many conventions I have used on my cover
were developed from this issue of Rolling
Stone magazine. Although this magazine is
based on popular culture, many articles
featured are of retro artists such as Bob
Dylan and Rod Stewart, which relate to the
genre of my magazine.
 The large red font with a drop shadow on the
masthead I have developed from the Rolling
Stone logo, but the font itself is not as sleek
as Rolling Stone, with sharp corners and a
black stroke effect to appear more edgy and
menacing.
 The position and margin of my coverlines are
also aligned in a similar format to Rolling
Stone, but in a smoother font and linking to
the cyan blue colour scheme used on the
strap line, as with the white colour scheme in
Rolling Stone.

26. Cover
 The position of the masthead and use
of certain graphics were developed
from this issue of Mojo.
 A red box graphic in the top left hand
corner of Mojo provides an incentive
with the offer of a free CD. I have
taken this idea but altered the
message for a competition.
Furthermore, I created a black circle
graphic in the lower left hand corner
to symbolise a CD/Vinyl. The font
used is independent to the main
layout of fonts to highlight exclusivity.

27. Contents Page
 The column layout for my contents
page had influence from different
genres of magazines.
 Columns and featured article images
are in separate partitions developed
from Vintage Rock's cluster of
reduced scale to main feature
images.
 The position of the feature image in
the right hand corner dividing two
columns was developed from Q
magazine and the main artist Adele.

28. Article
 Elements of the body text columns and
the caption have been developed from
this issue of Q magazine featuring Ed
Sheeran.
 A pull quote insert is used in the centre
of the middle column as opposed to the
insert placed between the two columns
in Q.
 I've used the position of the headline
and lead in below the artist in Q and
restructured the font and colour scheme
for my genre. These fonts have a
vintage appearance compared to the
sleek text in Q.
 A red box graphic is placed behind the
artist's name in the lead in to suggest
authority.

29. Challenging Ideas - Cover
 I have used a footer to describe the
type of content the reader will expect
see in this issue.
 A black circular graphic with a red
stroke effect and competition details
stands out with an unrelatable colour
scheme of gold and black. This
directs the reader's eye to the
statement 'Win' and encourage the
reader to see how to apply.

30. Challenging Ideas - Contents Page
 I have created a red neon light effect
on the dividing lines of the columns.
This illuminates the images which
surround to create an 80's ambience
and symbolise the variety of genres
featured.

31. Challenging Ideas - Article
 The artist's name is splashed across
the two pages in the largest font size
on the page. This statement
enhances the artist's celebrity status
to encourage the reader to see why
the magazine is promoting him.
 The byline is positioned vertically
against the third column to separate
the writer's credit from the body text.