The document summarizes the student's evaluation of their music magazine project. It describes how the magazine cover, contents page, and double-page interview layout follow media conventions to look professional. The magazine represents younger music fans by featuring bands and gossip. It would be distributed in stores like Tesco and via radio advertisements. The student learned how to use editing tools and followed real magazines' conventions to make their project more detailed and realistic compared to their previous school magazine.

1. Evaluation of my Music magazine Chris Smith Candidate Number: 4169 Centre Number: 22158

2. How my magazine follows Media Conventions: Front cover My magazine cover looks filled up and there is not much White Space on it. My Masthead is displayed clearly at the top of the page alligned to the left. This is the same location professional magazines, such as NME, have their masthead The masthead is short and memorable. The image covers the full page and has the band name in a clear large text, which stands out with the image. The strapline above highlights important words by having it written in a different font colour: “World Exclusive”. The font is very professional looking and appropriate for that particular headline. There are lots of features/thumbnails and photographs, which make it look colourful and interesting. I have delibertely made the image in the “[live…]” section look like an action clapper board as it relates to an act or performance. I have been consistent in keeping the same several fonts. I have used mainly red, black, white and yellow constantly. Red stands out well, the others i.e. white, yellow and black, all appear as a White On Black feature. This is where two completely different colours are used together to make a text stand out. For example: using black text with a white background. I have included a bar code and an appropriate price for the magazine. I have used professional programmes to edit the pictures. In the main picture, I have made a band member’s head appear infront part of the title and subtitle, whereas the rest of the image is behind all. I like the way the head covers the final word in the slogan. This suggests that my magazine is well known so people don’t need to see the full sentence. I have used language techniques to make the audience look at certain words i.e “REHAB Owen throws in the towel .. Again!”. When someone see’s the word “rREHAB” in large capitals, its grabs their attention straight away. Also the fact that it says “.. Again” makes the reader want to read more about this particular person and their troubled life.

3. How my magazine follows Media Conventions: Contents page The title “Contents page” is written in a large font which is very clear. All the listings are neatly on the page and I have used consitent fonts to keep it tidy. Date and website written at the top makes it look more professional. Sections are kept separatley instead of keeping everything together. Each small head line has its page number next to it and more information about the topic. There is an advertisement at the bottom saying how to subscribe to the magazine. I saw this in an NME contents.

4. How my magazine follows Media Conventions: Double spread The interview is constructed in a professional looking way. The text fits around the pictures and other obstacles. The title of the article is obvious as it is the largest text on the page. I have used alliteration in the title for more effect. Between some paragrapghs are quotes which stand out well. I have included the mugu logo (and website) and page numbers.

5. How my media product represents particular social groups. My products have pictures of young people on, so it is aimed at the youger population. Bands etc are mentioned so for people who are into music. Some gossip such as the “Rehab” feature on the cover. Gossip applies mostly to young people as well.

6. Where would I distribute my product? I would consider use a super store like Tesco or Asda to help me advertise the magazine. I would also produce a radio advert on BBC Radio, which has a wide audience.

7. What have I learnt? I have learnt how to use editing programs to change pictures and fonts. i.e. “sublime” on the cover is on a central slant and the main picture is infront of the slogan. I have learnt techniques on how to make my magazine look professional. I have done this by looking at real music magazines and following their conventions. Compared to the Preliminary task where I made a school magazine, I found the main task a lot more challenging. The school magazine is no where near as detailed as the music magazine I created as I did not follow many conventions to make it look realistic and professional.