This is my first evaluation question.

1. Foundation Portfolio
317410 – Jacob Lawton

2. Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop and
challenge forms and conventions on real media products?

3. Use:
[using forms and conventions of real media products]
Pose / Body Language: These are similar as they don’t look straight at the camera, this is so they don’t create a personal
connection with the reader as the magazine can appeal to anyone who likes that genre or wants to try it. I have constructed
my model to have a smile and not just have a straight face. This is to invite people to the magazine but not in a forceful
way.
Cover Lines: I created a story or behind the scenes for my model on the front cover so it would relate to people with a good
level of understanding. This is similar to the NME magazine as they have used this as well. I have research that having a
close up of a male on the front of a magazine shows strength and makes you focus on that more as it Is in the center
creating a good atmosphere

4. Colour / Layout: I have used a strict 3 colour scheme so the front cover is not overpowered with colour, this also
creates a nice atmosphere as there are limited colours, but the colours go well with each other. The other magazine is
very similar as they have a 3 colour scheme to create the same effect. I have used red mainly because my target
audience chose red to be one of the main colours on my front cover, this was from the questionnaire.
I have aligned most of my text from left to right as that is the usual starting point to read, so it feels natural to the
reader, I have positioned my model to the right of the front cover because the image fits well, doesn’t take up most of
the space, and isn't over powering. This is different to the other magazine as I want my magazine to be unique to show
the independence of indie music.
Mast Head: For my mast head I have created a background for it so it isn't just letters on the background of my
magazine which also gives the front cover a unique feel whereas the other magazine has used one colour in a boring
sans serif font. I have incorporated all of my colours in my mast head to show what is expected throughout the
magazine.

5. Font: I have used a serif font for my magazine as it is easy to read, and because my target audience is 17-24 year olds;
a sans serif font feels more mature and not what would fit my style of magazine. By using a serif font, it conveys the
unique independent style that should be on an indie magazine front cover.
Barcode: The barcode is in one of the corners just like the magazine to the right.
Flash: On my magazine I have used a flash to state that something special is inside the magazine, on the example to the
left, they have two flashes to interest the viewers and I feel that I have creates the same effect.

6. Sell line: At the top right of my magazine I have a list of bands who may feature in the magazine, I have specifically
placed it there because it seems like the convention to do so, as you can see on the magazine on the left they have a
similar list.
Name of Artist: As you can see on both of the magazines the name of the artist are both large and red, I have done this
because it draws the consumer in to read the magazine as the name pops out.

7. Branding: I have used the same colour I used for the main heading on the contents page to link it, I have also used
the same technique for the background as I did on the front cover to create the same atmosphere on the contents
page.
Listed pages / Numbering: I have places the page numbers to the left of the page title, and placed a vertical line to
separate them to create a more pleasing contents page.

8. Name of Artist: I have used a larger font on the front cover of my magazine to show how bold it is, to alo
connect with the viewer, because being independent is being bold.
Straplines: Above and below the name of the artist i have added some extra elements to give the magazine
a more personal connection.
Develop:
[developing forms and conventions of real media
products]

9. Alternate Colours: I have used both red and white because thy compliment each other, it also
creates sections on the front of the magazine, so it's easy to read and easy to understand just like
the one the the left of my magazine.

10. Heading/Subheading: I have placed my heading and my text almost the same as the NME double page
spread but more in a simplistic composition. I have done this so it's much easier on to navigate through
the double page spread which introduces a formal element to the spread which associates with my
target audience.
Challenge:
[challenging forms and conventions of real media
products]

11. Background: I chose to have the background one colour, but add texture to give the background more
depth, it's gives the magazine a unique look which would appeal to my target audience.
Sticker: I decided to use a sticker for my magazine to show the independence of it, as most indie
magazines don't have a sticker.

12. Background: I decided to use a more detailed background over one colour as it makes the the magazine
more appealing to separate it from the kerrang magazine.
Costume: I chose to go with a stereotypical indie fan to reinforce the independence of the magazine.