1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media
products?
2. 1. The masthead
The masthead of a magazine is usually one of the clearest and prominent pieces
of text on the page. It is used to grab the attention of new readers as well as
helping it's main readership to find it on shelves with ease.
3. 1. The masthead
The style of magazine I wanted to achieve is quite cheap to produce, but had a lot
of content in. The way I tried to show this through my masthead is firstly the
name 'RUST' conveys that the magazine is not concerned with looking glossy or
expensive. Also I layered the cover image over the top of the masthead to
portray the idea that the magazine's number 1 priority is the content
And not publicising our magazine.
4. 2. Cover lines
The cover lines act as a very brief contents page, they show people what they
can expect to find in the magazine. Usually you would have the exclusives on
this page (articles specific to this edition of the magazine). It is also very common
to have one of the most important cover lines highlighted in some way
Iron fist has been coloured in yellow to
make it stand out. If this magazine were
On a shelf in a shop, the yellow would
grab the attention of potential readers.
Anyone that is interested in any of the
bands displayed in these cover lines (our
target audience) would be tempted to buy
this magazine to learn more about them.
5. 3. Main image
The main image is good for attracting attention on shelves. A good main image
can be a lot more eye-catching than some highlighted cover lines
To fit with the cover
line “Get out of our
faces” the people on
the main image are
making eye contact
to show they're the
ones saying it.
The expressions and
the hoods being up
convey antisocial
behaviour from these
2 which fits with the
general stereotype of
metal music.
6. 4. Pull quote
The pull quote is there to entice people to stay on the page and read the article.
It is usually one of the most important lines of the article
Pull quotes usually try to generate questions so the audience would want to read
the full article to try to find the answers
7. 4. Pull quote
With the title of “is metal music on it's way out?” also seeing the pull quote of “a
tiny proportion of metal music” fans of the genre will want to read the entire article
to see if metal music will be around for much longer..
8. 5. Layout conventions
When flicking through a magazine it is very common that your eyes natural go
from the top left, to top right, across to the bottom left and ending at the bottom
right. This is known as the 'Z pattern'.
When designing the layout for
My double page spread I kept
This layout in mind. In the top
Left I started with a drop cap
Which emphasises the start of
The article. At the top right of
The page I put in an image of
Three people facing away from
The camera. The purpose of
This is to get the reader to
Wonder what the article is
About since it is quite a strange
Picture. Finally at the bottom is
The title which should help the
Reader realise why the people
In the picture are facing away
9. 6. Cover mount
Cover mounts are freebies that are found on the front of magazines to entice
them to buy it.
On my magazine I decided to put a cover
Mount of a guitar pick on the front. I used
The star graphic with the colour yellow to
Attract the attention of people if the
Magazine were sitting on a shelf in a shop.
My audience research showed me that the
Majority of my potential buyers played the
Guitar, so I thought a guitar pick was a good
Choice.
10. 7. Cover Lines
Cover lines act as a brief contents page, so when the magazine is on a shelf in a
shop, potential buyers can see what's in your magazine without picking it up.
They are usually the articles exclusive to this edition of the magazine.
The most important cover lines that would attract the largest number of buyers is
usually emphasised, such as my cover line about iron fist. This edition of kerrang
is another example, of having a main coverline followed by a few more smaller
ones.
