The document discusses the conventions used in different sections of magazines, including the front cover, double page spreads, table of contents, and advertisements. It then analyzes the author's media product and how it does or does not follow certain conventions. The author discusses placing the brand identity in the conventional location but using an unconventional color. For double page spreads and tables of contents, some conventions were followed for layout while others were challenged. The author also discusses targeting teenage girls from ABC1 and C2 social grades with a magazine distributed by Prometheus focusing on popular culture.

1. Evaluation
By Chantal Richardson

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

3. Front Cover- Conventions
1. The Brand Identity at the top of the magazine,
mainly in the centre or at the left hand side of the
magazine
2. Cove lines and Hybrids are usually on the left side
of the magazine or sometimes on both sides of a
magazine, especially in fashion magazines
3. Picture usually covers most of the front cover, and
the image can be at a mid-shot or either a close-
up
4. Headlines can be anywhere on the page, but
they are just made different through the size and
font of the text. But sometimes they are mostly at
the bottom middle
5. Barcodes can be placed anywhere around the
magazine, because it depends what the design
is like, but the conventional placement is at the
bottom of the magazine
6. Exclusives are also on the left hand side with the
hybrids and cover lines, to attract the attentions
of the readers

4. My Front Cover
1. Brand Identify- I have followed the conventional
placement for the brand identity, because it is
extremely important that your target audience are
able to spot your magazine straight away. I used a
pink colour, as I have taken the colour from my
models dress to show similarity
2. Cover lines & Hybrids- I have followed the
conventional placement of the hybrids and cover
lines, and have put the most important ones on the
left side of the magazine, because the eye-line of
the reader is in a “Z”. Therefore, it is important that
they see all the features that are appealing to them
first.
3. Picture- Music magazines usually use medium shots,
close ups or long shots, depending on what they are
trying to promote/advertise on their front cover. I
have two models, and want their personalities/style
and a musical instrument to be shown. Therefore,
the best shot would be a long shot, as my model’s
personality on the right seems to have a presences,
therefore I wanted to covey this by her leaning on
the guitar to show this dominant side. Whilst the
model style on the left is usually quite quirky so I
wanted her to pose in a playful way. So, the only
way I could show this is by using a conventional long
shot
4. Headline: I have followed the conventional
placement of the headline, as my headline is as the
bottom of the page in the middle. This is because I
didn’t want to cover the musicians too much, but I
used a contrasting colour to the picture, to make my
headline stand out.
5. Barcode: My barcode is at the bottom, so that it
does not take any attention away from the features
on the front cover, as well as being too distracting if
it was at the top. Therefore I have followed the
conventional placement of a barcode

5. Double Page Spread-
Conventions
1. Article Title- is mainly placed somewhere
along the “C” shape eye-line. Which this
magazine has done, as the readers eye-
line will flow to this article title.
2. Layout- the conventional layout for a
double page spread is that they place an
A4 picture on one side, of the article, side
bar, etc…. On the other side. This is so that
the DPS doesn't feel to busy, and it is eye
catching
3. Drop Cap- They have used the
conventional drop cap, where it placeless
itself into the text format. It is also larger, in
a different font and different colour to the
article to make it stand out
4. Side bar- The side bar itself is usually a
convection, and is placed normally in the
article, on the side. It is also normally a
different colour to the article page with a
picture, so that it stands out
5. By-line- Just like the article title by-line's can
be placed anywhere on the DPS, as long
as it is in line with the “C” shaped eye-line.
However, even though it can go
anywhere on the page, the designers do
mainly place it at the top, so it is the first
part that is read. Also, they usually insert
the reporters name.

6. My Double Page Spread
1. Article Title- I haven't kept to conventions with the
placement of an article title, this is because I have
added many different pictures on my DPS, so that if I
placed it along the “C” shaped eye-line, it would
cover most of the pictures. But because I placed it
in the middle of the DPS, it does not really cover
most of their clothing or faces
2. Layout- I have again not kept to the conventional
placement, but I have seen a similar layout in the
third magazine I analysed, so it is sometimes used. I
did this because, I wanted to add many pictures to
visually show my target audience what these two
musicians lives are like. Rather than having most of
the interview take a whole page. Plus my target
audience like unique designs, so not keeping to
conventions was necessary for parts of my DPS
layout
3. Drop Cap- I have created a conventional drop cap
in the sense that it is a different size and font, making
it stand out. However, it may not be a conventional
drop cap, due to the placement of it. As it is not fully
embedded into the article with the text around it
4. Side bar- I included a side bar in my previous drafts.
However due to this design and layout of my DPS, I
found that adding a side bar will make my DPS too
busy, plus there wouldn’t really be any space on the
page due to the pictures.
5. By-line- Again I haven't kept to the conventions of
the placement of my by-line, as it would look out of
place if it wasn’t near to the article title, because
the only other place is at the bottom or the top. This
would make my page look to busy.

7. Table of Contents (TOC)-
conventions
1. Article Title- They usually have this size slightly large, as
long as it stands out on the page. They can be
placed anywhere on the page, but the article titles
are usually on one side together, whether that is at
the bottom of the page or at the sides
2. Graphics- it is conventional for designers to add
boxes round numbers, or to cut the model out of the
picture, as it just makes the TOC more interesting. Or
they add unique graphics, such a lighting in the
background.
3. Layout- There is not really a conventional layout of a
TOC, as it depends on what each magazine’s target
audience is like, e.g. Q’s magazine is quite rock and
pop based, therefore they have scattered the
pictures around. However, what is conventional is
that place the different sections together, as even
though Q’s pictures are scattered they are still on
one side, and the article titles, leading texts on the
other, to give some structure
4. Editorial Pillars- this is essential for the Table of
contents, as this is what the target audience will look
at to find the different articles, etc…. They are usually
placed above the article title’s in their category, so it
is easy for the reader to find the article they want to
read.

8. Table of Contents
1. Article Title- I haven’t kept to conventions with the
article title, as I have instead placed the article
title within the first line of my leading texts. This is
because I know that my target audience would
be more intrigued if there was a build up
(summary) in the leading text/article title
2. Graphics- I have added graphics to make my TOC
interesting, so I have kept to conventions. I have
used a water mark, to give a little colour to the
background. Also, I have used frames, with strings,
to create the 3D illusion that they are hanging, as
this would attract my target audience, as it is
unique, as well as 3D
3. Layout- I have kept to conventions in the sense
that I have kept most of my leading texts on one
side. However, I started to make them go under
the frames, for aesthetic purposes. Also, keeping
the pictures and frames on one side of the TOC
which is conventional
4. Editorial pillars- I have placed them in a
conventional way, which is above the article
title/leading text, so that the reader can easily
identify what the article is about from its
category/editorial pillar

9. Advert- Conventions
1. Layout:
 if the advert is selling a bottled product, the product
is usually placed to the side of the model, so that
they both do not over power one another, as the
consumer needs to see what the product can do
(model) and what it looks like (bottle).
 If the product is something on the model or the
product present in the picture with a model, e.g.
fusion. Then that piece of clothing is usually the
centre of focus. This can be through lighting the
product or merely having it standout
2. Adverb Title: Even though the product and sometimes
a model (if present) must both standout, the advert title
must too. This is why they usually put the advert title in
front of the model to slightly cover them, and use a
contrasting colour, usually something dark on a light
background, as this allows the advert title to standout
3. Graphics/ backgrounds: there are two conventions
 Firstly designers can use background graphics to
represent what they want their product to convey.
For example, the advertisement above is trying to
convey perfection and beauty, so they tools like
glow and blur to create this heavenly background.
Whilst they also use a pink rose, as roses are a
symbol of beauty.
 However, some designer also choose the other
conventional layout of an advert. This is where
institutions usually use natural setting backgrounds
rather than graphics (added effects), such as using
a garden, forest or white studio backgrounds, etc….
This is because the in situations/designers do not
want to detract attention away from the product

10. Advert 1
 Layout: I have used a very conventional layout, as I
merely have a model and placed the product and
advert title together in front o the model. The reason I
did this is because, I am trying to promote elegance,
therefore I wanted everything to be very simply,
therefore the less busy the page is, the more I can
transmit the idea that beauty is simplicity, which is my
connotation
 Adverb Title: I have kept to conventions and placed
my advert title in front of both the model and the
product, as I wanted the font to be quite thin not
bold, therefore if it wasn’t placed where it was, it
would not be noticeable. Especially because I have
to use a white font to contrast to the pink shades
 Graphics/ Background: I do have a background so I
have kept to the conventional style of an advert. The
reason I have done this is because I wanted to
create this effect of silk curtains in the background,
because I’m trying to convey a luxurious life. So to
create this silk effect, I merely used a the smudge
tool to blend in dark and light shades.

11. Advert 2
1. Layout: I have kept to the conventions of an
advert layout, through the pose my model is in.
This is because she is placed in the centre of the
page, and due to the positioning, the clothing is
taking up most of the page, therefore, when my
target audience see this advert they will be drawn
to the clothing.
2. Advert title: I have challenged conventions with
my advert title, as most designers for fashion,
would place their name at the bottom of the
page, in a large font. But I have placed the advert
title at the top of the page. I did this because, the
title is quite long, and if I had to place it in the
conventional placement at the bottom, that
would mean a smaller font. This is because I would
have to put the “Fashion” underneath
“Hepburn’s” so that the clothes are not being over
lapped. Then make it smaller than it should
conventionally be, because if its at the bottom it
will cover most of the dress.
3. Graphics/ background: my background is very
conventional, as I have used a natural setting. I
only needed a medium shot of my model
because if I took a long shot, I would then bed
advertising shoes or tights, etc…. Therefore, I
wanted the background to be quite light so the
dark clothing could standout from the
background.

12. How does your
media product
represent
particular social
groups?

13. Social grade
 As my target audience are mainly
teenage girls, my magazine really
targets many social groups. However,
due to the price and what my magazine
provides, the main social grade for my
magazine would be: ABC1C2. this is
because the my targeted social group
depends on the income, class of my
target audience's parents.
 A: higher middle class, who have high
positions, are office workers or
professional
 B: middle class, who live manageable
lives, office workers and are professional
 C1: lower middle class, who are
supervisors, office workers, junior
managers or professional
 C2: skilled working class, who are
manual workers

14.  The reason my social grade
is ABC1 is due to….
 Price: £1.50, is very
comfortable for those in the
middle class region,
because they are in secure
positions in their jobs
 Adverts: the products my
magazine advertises are at
average prices of teenage
perfumes and teenage
clothing, so they are
affordable. And because I
am advertising these
products, this explains what
social groups I am targeting

15. What kind of
media
institution might
distribute your
media product
and why?

16. Bauer
 Bauer is an media institution made
from Bauer Media Group. This is the
largest privately owned magazine
publishing Group in the whole of
Europe. Bauer Media Group offers 15
different countries, 300 magazine.
Also, they offer these countries online
services, TV channels, and radio
stations.
 Bauer offers brands that are influential,
meaning brands with millions of
followers, that are engaged by what
the magazine tells them. Bauer states
that their strategy , is to connect the
magazines target audiences, through
creating engaging content their
“multi-touch point brand platforms”,
whenever they want. They claim that
their unique brands, help them to be
dominant within the media.
 Magazines they offer: Q Magazine

17. IPC
 IPC Media, is a institution that is known
for it’s 60 iconic media brands. The
reason they are iconic is because, IPC it
has created content for multiple
platforms through mobiles, tablets
online, print and events
 It is the leading consumer magazine
publisher within the UK, where they
engage 26 million adults in the UK. That is
around two thirds of women in the UK,
and 42% of men in the UK. IPC Media’s
award winning websites have reached
over 25 million user at a global scale,
every month
 IPC also states that they are fully
committed to work in partnership with its
advertisers, business partner, consumers
and employees, to be able to create
media products with phenomenal
value, innovation, service and creativity.
 Magazine they offer: NME

18. Prometheus
 Prometheus is an
institution that promotes
music (Billboard), Film
(Hollywood Reporter and
Backstage), plus
Advertising and
Marketing (Adweek).
 Prometheus targets their
audience, through
marketing at “culture’s
most power forces”:
Media, Music and
Entertainment. This they
claim makes their
institution a “catalyst” for
influencing popular
culture

19. I have chosen….
 I have been looking at Billboard
Magazine which is owned by
Prometheus Global Media:
 Artists: my magazine is country
pop, and Billboard does many
different types of genres,
whatever is the most popular in
the week, as they are a weekly
magazine
 Design: Billboard make every front
cover unique and sometimes do
not follow conventions. I think
they would distribute my
magazine because, our
magazines are quite similar in the
sense that we play around with
colour, and don’t just use the
same colours for every front cover
 Themes: they also like to make
their magazine fun, through the
use of set and clothing

20. Who would be
the audience
for your media
product?

21. My Target Audience
 The main target audience that I
picked are teenage girls. The reason I
chose this particular group is
because, I feel that marketing wise,
there are a lot of new teenage as
well as adult musicians that teenage
girls tend to relate to e.g. Justin
Bieber, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Ed
Sheeran
 Due to my magazine being £1.50, as
well as looking at what I have been
advertising in my adverts. The social
grade would probably be ABC1C2.
This is because these social groups
would be comfortable with this price,
but also, my adverts promote
perfume, which sell around £8-£12, as
I am basing them around the price of
“Britney Spears fantasy perfume”. As
well as the clothing, in my second
advert, which would be sold for £15-
£20.

22. How did you
attract/address
your audience?

23. Adverts
 1st Advert (Rosé)- I have
created simplicity and
used shades of pink and
white colours. Plus, I am
advertising perfume. This
would attract my target
audience because firstly,
the colours and simplicity,
is to create a sense of
elegance, which is eye-
catching to my target
audience, as teenage
girls seem to aspire to that
image. Which is shown
through many teenage
perfume adverts, such as
“Fantasy” by Britney
Spears, and “Miss Dior
Chérie” perfumes

24. Pictures used
 The pictures that I have mainly
used throughout my magazine, of
my two featured musicians are
basically fun. This is clearly shown
in my top picture, as I began to
play around with props. This
would attract my target
audience, as they are very lively,
plus my target audience like
uniqueness, so by making them
pose with certain props makes
the picture quite individual.
 Also I have tried to show their
personalities through the
musicians posing, such as the
picture at the bottom, because
my target audience are
attracted more to magazines
that they can have a personal
connection with. This is also why I
made my article an interview, as
this would make my double page
spread more intriguing

25. Genre of Music
 When my target audience
filled out my questionnaire,
their main choice was
country-pop. Therefore, I
have kept to what they
have chosen, to be able to
relate to them. Also, the
percentage for pop (20%)
and R&B (10%) were quite
large, so I chose to include
these genres, through my
contents page (hybrids).
Therefore, I was able to not
only attract my main target
audience, but also widen
my target audience (those
whole like pop and R&B)

26. What have you
learnt about
technologies
from the
process of
constructing
this product?

27. Best software for designing
 The designing of my Table of
contents on my preliminary
task was done on Microsoft
PowerPoint, this is because I
felt it had good effects that
Photoshop didn’t have.
However, I have come to
realise that all the designing
sections should be done on
Photoshop, as even though
Microsoft PowerPoint had
specific effects that I
needed, it still made my
TOC look amateur. Whilst,
there are effects on
Photoshop that would have
made my TOC look
professional

28. Software for blog
 Additionally, on my
website for my school
magazine, I mainly used
issuu. From uploading my
music magazine sections
I began to use slide share
for my PowerPoint files,
this is because on my
blog this makes them
more presentable. As if
you use issuu for a
PowerPoint file, it makes
the picture (file) look very
small on my blog, and
not aesthetically
pleasing

29. Photoshop
 I have learnt how to manipulate images
more from the use of Photoshop, in
comparison to the preliminary task. This is
because I have used many face tools,
such as a burn tool for eyelashes. But not
only have I found these new tools, but I
have learnt how to manipulate them
too, through the use of opacity and
hardness
 Furthermore, I have learnt how to handle
Photoshop better. Meaning, I have learnt
how to manipulate the layers, so that I
can get certain parts of the picture in
front of certain features. E.g. my front
cover picture and background are all
one photo, but I needed the text to go
on the background, but have the
musicians in front of it. Therefore I
cropped the musicians out of the
background on to a new layer. Then
placed the layer in front of the
background and text to create this
effect.

30. Looking back
at your
preliminary
task, what do
you feel you
have learnt in
the progression
from it to the
full product?

31. Time Management
 Time management- In the
preliminary task, I wasn’t
really following my project
plan, but just mainly doing
the tasks in advance, or
slightly behind. This began
to effect my time in doing
other homework, which
made me fall behind
slightly at some points.
Therefore, I have realised
that keeping to the time of
project plan is imperative,
especially if it says spend
(x) amount of days on this
(y) task, because I spent to
much time on some
sections, which showed in
my other work

32. How to analyse sections of
magazines
 I did compare two
magazines in my
preliminary task, however
when I compared my
second magazine to the
first magazine I analysed, I
never explained why they
made theirs different.
Instead, I merely stated
what the other magazine
different differently.
Therefore, when I created
my music magazine
analysis, I made sure I
stated why they made their
magazine different e.g.
due to their target
audience

33. Engaging with my target
audience
 In my preliminary task, I
didn’t create a
questionnaire to find out
what my target audience
like. This I felt would have
benefited me, this is
because it was hard to
pick fonts/colours that
would suite both girls and
boys. If I made a
questionnaire, where my
target audience would
choose their favourite
fonts and colours, it would
have made the designing
and decisions on features
much easier

34. How to take pictures
 From the previous task when we
had to take pictures of our
magazines, I did plan what to
do, but I wasn’t thinking about
the technical parts of taking a
picture. Meaning, I just took
pictures that would look good
on my front cover and TOC, but
I never thought about lighting,
or manipulating the camera
lens, or thinking about the rule
of thirds. Therefore when it
came to taking pictures for my
music magazine, I went in a lot
of depth in my planning, talking
about the lens size, when I need
natural light or flash. Plus before
I took my pictures, I thought
about where the text would go
e.g. around the picture