EvQ1

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

2. A magazine is defined as a periodical publication containing articles, new,
photographs etc. It’s main purpose is to inform and educate the public through a
variety of ways such as interviews and articles. Magazines usually appeal to a very
specific target audience.

3. Masthead
Used in print media to identify the
location, ownership and managements
of magazines
My magazine is on the right hand side
of the page. My masthead is large and
bright as in the magazine I used for
comparison. This is using convention.
Cover lines
Conventionally, cover lines on a
magazine are on the left hand third of
the front cover. In one of the
magazines I analysed, shown on the
left, they are challenging convention.
My initial intention, as shown by my
flat plans, was to use convention. After
taking my photos I had to alter my flat
plan as the cover lines wouldn’t fit in
with the image if they were located on
the left hand third.
While these may be obscured on a
shelf, the part of the image that will be
visible when the magazine is placed
on a shelf will be appealing to my
target audience as they will see the
chequered shirt and a guitar.Main image
Presented centrally, for maximum effect. It is used to attract the target audience for the
specific magazine. I chose for my model to wear a chequered shirt and pose with a guitar
which is very specific to the genre I have chosen. Photographs on a front cover are usually a
medium close-up or similar, such as in the magazine I have analysed. I felt using this
convention would be most effective for engaging with an audience.

4. Font
The contents font resembles the font on the
front cover. This creates an almost a “master”
theme which makes the magazine look more
uniform. I have also continued this theme
throughout my magazine. The font also helps to
engage with my audience by being an old style
traditional serif font.
Main image
I have used one main image which fits in with
the front cover and is a continuation of the
image on the front cover. It has a natural
outdoor background and the model is posing
with a guitar which appeals to my target
audience and is a good representation of my
genre.
The format I have used is challenging
convention as magazines conventionally have
a selection of photographs which are linked to
other articles. I think my format is effective
because it focuses and promotes the main
feature which helps as the artist is unknown. I
have also layered a quote over the top of the
image to provide a small insight to the
interview.
Overall Layout
As well as the points described above, I have also included a section “from the editor” and a column with the
magazine contents listed. I went for a simplistic approach and carried on with the theme of using the same font as on
the front cover for the main headers. I have placed the contents on a blue background with a fade on one edge, I
chose this as it fitted well with the image and the colours worn by the model in my photograph.
The section from the editor is very much using conventions. Both the magazines I analysed had this on the contents
page or on the page before. Many magazines I’ve read in the past have also used this format. I felt this was a good
way of engaging with my audience, especially by using direct address.

5. Image
The main image used in the country magazine I analysed is
spread over the whole two pages for maximum effect. The
picture setting I chose is apt as it is a natural setting and, as
before, the model is dressed as one would expect for the genre.
The pose is also quite relaxed which is fitting as the genre is
quite laid back and calm. The model is directly addressing the
audience by looking straight at the camera lens which helps
engage with the audience here.
This is very much fitting of convention as the majority of
magazines I have read, and both that I analysed, used this
format. The country magazine I analysed also used similar
poses to the model in my photograph.
Text
The country magazine I analysed placed the text at the bottom
of the page as this was the best way of making the text fit
around the image.
I chose to have a larger plain background and this would enable
me to place my text on one side of the double page spread
entirely. I have also used a shadowed text box to help the text
stand out and make it easy to read. The font choice also helps
make this easy to read.
This is still quite fitting with convention as most magazines have
text on one side of the image and the large proportion of the
image remains unobscured.