- The document evaluates how a student media product called "Tune" uses and develops conventions of real music magazines. - It compares Tune's front cover, contents page, and double page article spread layout and design to the established music magazine NME. - There are similarities like using images and quotes to engage readers, but also differences in things like layout, use of additional information, and tailoring to the specific band or magazine's audience.

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

2. The masthead is in the middle and has a unique font which will be its trademark. The use of drop shadow helps it stand out to the audience The main image is dominant to the middle of the page. The eye contact used by the band gives a direct feel. The bar code makes the magazine looks professional. The main cover line is over the artists so it is clear that it is related to them. Also, the cover line is the biggest of all the headlines which shows it is the most important. The smaller cover lines are short and to the point and have sub-lines explaining them The puff offers something extra to the magazine and highlights what genre the music is the magazine is representing The drop quote offers something extra to the magazine and intrigues the readers or potential buyer to buy the magazine The date and the price give the magazine a professional feel and is also only size 10 font so it discreet . The header shows that this edition of ‘Tune’ is a special edition which grabs the readers attention and seems like good value for money Front Cover

3. Similarities Drop quote used on both magazines to entices the reader and grab their attention so they will want to read the main cover story. NME and Tune use both similar colour schemes – red, white and black. I chose to keep to use the same colour scheme throughout the magazine for a sense of brand identity. Both magazines use a footer in a different colour to the background to make it seem bold and suggest it is important. The image used in both magazines is similar by using two males on a plain background and them wearing relatively moody expressions. I did this because I wanted to keep the magazine relatively simple but also show that it is representing indie. Name of the band in both magazines is in capitals and bold to make it stand out

4. Differences The masthead in tune is in the centre and uses drop shadow to help it stand out whereas the masthead on NME is to the left and uses a white and black border to attract the reader The image used in Tune is dominant and takes up all the magazine however in NME, although still dominant, the image is more off centre and to the right. In addition to that, the pose both the artists are doing are different. This is due to the fact I had difficulty taking images so if I did it again I would think more about rule of thirds like NME has done. Tune uses a lot less headlines than NME does. On Tune’s front cover there are 3 main headlines whereas NME uses 5 in which 4 of them are taking up the left third of the magazine, however Tune could not to this due to the image. Tune uses a footer to mention other bands in the magazine and also highlight the genre it is going for however NME does not do this. This may be because of NME being a established magazine so the genre is clear however this is the first edition of Tune so therefore it needs to make it clear it is a indie magazine. NME uses a flasher in a different colour for some extra information about the artists in the magazine which stands out however Tune does not have this

5. Contains subscription information Simple colour scheme using black, white and red to match the front cover and gives a continuous feel. The name of artists are in bold so it is easy to navigate through the magazine and also shows what type of genre the magazine is The Tune masthead is the same as on the front cover to remind the reader what magazine they are reading The contents is set out in to sub sections which are in black to again help the reader find what they are purposely looking for The font is size 12 so it is too distracting Contents written at the top which stands out Two images are used varying in size and colour. Both images have a frame around them to help them stand out. The drop quote used on the photograph entices the reader to want to find out more Contents Page

6. Similarities Both contents pages use the same masthead from the front cover. Also, they both use a black banner with a white ‘contents’. This is done to make it stand out to the reader and also remind them of the magazine they are reading. Tune and NME use both one dominant image to attract their readers. They both also use a smaller image however in show them different way for example NME has a written paragraph about the feature of the Arctic Monkeys whereas Tune uses a pull quote to entice the reader. Both use black to highlight the sub headings of the contents and make them stand out Tune and NME have band names and artists in bold to make it easier to find. Tune and NME both only use one column to tell the reader what is in the magazine

7. Differences NME has a introduction about one main band to entice the reader whereas Tune does not do this as Tune wanted to a achieve a uncluttered feel to the contents page and from my questionnaire many didn’t want a ‘editors note’ etc Both magazines advertise subscriptions however NME use a yellow font which isn’t normally in their colour scheme to help it stand out however Tune uses a red box on the white background to grab the readers attention. NME has a band index on the far left of the contents to notify the reader about all the bands mentioned in the specific issue whereas Tune does not due to it being a first edition of the magazine so therefore doesn’t have a established band list. The layout of both contents is different. Tune is split into two main columns whereas NME is split into three. Tune may not be able to do this because of the position of the images.

8. The use of a drop capital draws the reader to the start of the article and is a conventional of a magazine The use of quotes entices and engages the reader to the article as the quote ‘we are the next big thing’ suggests that the reader need to know who this band is The image takes up the left hand side of the page, and shows the band in a personal setting. Also, it gives a direct feel The colour scheme again is continuous to the front cover, contents and double page spreads. The article is laid out in two columns and the opening paragraph is in a different colour and bold to be visually appealing The font in the article is 12pt The black banner at the top of the left page uses drop shadow and stands out against the white background The opening sentences is short, snappy and is meant to entice the reader Double Page Spread

9. Similarities Tune and NME use the same layout with one dominant image on the left hand side of the double page spread to help it stand out and grab the attention of readers that are just flicking through the magazine. Tune and NME have a opening statement underneath the headline to introduce the band and attract the reader so therefore entices them to read on Both Tune and NME use a drop capital at the start of the articles to make it seem professional and help it stand out.

10. Differences Tune uses a quote to attract the reader whereas NME uses a phrase which would be relatable to the bands fans. The quote Tune uses suggests that the band is not well know so therefore they could not have done a phrase that it is related to them and their fans. Although both on the left hand side, the image in Tune uses musical instrument and the artists don’t engage in eye contact whereas in NME there are no signs the band is a musical band. This maybe due to the fact NME is a established magazine so therefore their readers know it represents a indie genre and know that the artic monkeys follow that criteria. Tune’s double page spread uses quotes to entice the readers whereas NME do not use any quotes. The layout of the NME article is set out in three columns whereas Tune has set the article in to two columns and uses a bigger font than NME.