This document summarizes the key elements of a mock rock music magazine the author created for a class assignment. The summary includes: The masthead "Plectrum" was chosen to represent the genre and is displayed in a rugged font. A color scheme of red, gold, and black was selected. The cover features a model challenging conventions by lacking tattoos but dressing appropriately in a white t-shirt and black hoodie. Inside, the contents page layout and repeated use of the masthead and colors maintain consistency. A double-page spread tells the artist's backstory rather than a typical Q&A.

1. Evaluation question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop and
challenge forms and conventions of a real media product.
Throughout this essay, I will go into detail about what I have
done to ensure that I have conformed and at certain pints
challenged the conventions for a rock music magazine I order
to invoke a feeling in the reader so that they are likely to buy it.
Front cover
Masthead:
My masthead was one of the most thought about aspects of my
magazine. I decided to choose the name “Plectrum” for my
masthead as the large majority of people who I asked said that
it was a well-worded and interesting title. This is since it is
similar to “kerrangs” magazine as it is deeply associated with a
guitar as a plectrum is an essential tool to play certain styles
the guitar. This then helps to confirm my magazines music
style as guitars are heavily connected with the rock/grunge
genre. In addition the font that my masthead is displayed in is
again a good indication towards the genre of music as it is a
cracked and rugged design. This design I a good fit for my
masthead as it connote imperfections and flaws, which is
commonly associated with grunge. My masthead is position in
the top third of the magazine front cover. This is a typical spot

2. for mastheads to be placed, as it is clearly visible on the shelves
at shops. It also allows for a large space on the rest of the page
for other features such as th e main image and the cover lines.
Colour scheme:
The colour scheme that I originally chose had a large amount of
red in it and did not really do much for the magazine in the
terms of catching the eyes of the target audience However,
after testing other colours that went well with the dark red, I
found that gold complemented it nicely. This adds a sense of
classic rock as well as the modern rock and adds a sense of
prestige and royalty to the magazine further emphasizing the
great rock and roll artists. This will be especially useful in the
double page spread as the article inside talks about how that
min artist was influenced by the rock legends from the 70’s and
80’s. There is also a touch of black in the front cover so that it
will make the other colours and text stand out on the page
instead of blending into one.
Model:
The model that I have used in my magazine
does, in some ways, challenge the expected
views of a rock star. This is because he
does not have any tattoos or piercings that
would typically be seen on someone of this
genre. With this, I see that my model
develops and challenges the conventions of
a rock artist as it shows that they do not
always have to stand out from everyone
else and instead can be someone who is not

3. likely to cause chaos. However, his clothing says otherwise as it
is excepted from a rock artist as he is wearing a simple white t
shirt and a black hoodie which shows that he still dresses the
appropriate way to be considered a rock star. In addition, I
have purposefully created a shadow on the min image to create
the feeling of a light source and give the magazine a greater
depth of field.
Skyline:
The skyline that I have created for my magazine cover uses the
conventions of a typical rock magazine as it is used to promote
the content, which can be found in the magazine. This also
allows me to attract the buyer’s attention, as they want to
receive a free poster so that they can get more out of the
magazine.
Main cover line:
My main cover line reads “Joe Torreno past, present and
future” this cover line is directly linked to he double page
spread which I have created as it references how his career
started. Where he is at and what we expect him to be like in the
future and what his new music will bring. Furthermore, the
masthead brings context to the main image and why that
person is found on the front cover.
Cover lines:
The cover lines on my magazine are located on the right hand
side of the page. This is typically where cover lines are found
on a magazine and therefore conform to the conventions of a
rock magazine. Furthermore, the cover lines have a consistent
font and all link to articles in the magazine with all of them

4. listing big name artists to attract the attention of any potential
readers. In addition, the cover lines also give a greater insight
into what is to expect in the magazine through the use of a
description of the article a pull quite which is linked to the
artist.
Contents page
Masthead:
The masthead of my contents page is the same one that is
found in my cover page. However, I have added in the word
“contents” and used the colour red so that it is clear hat I have
a house style colour scheme of red and gold throughout my
magazine. In addition, the masthead is located in the top third
of the page where it would be expected to appear. This makes
it so that it is easy for the reader to clearly see what page they
are on and what it includes. The use of the masthead in this
way therefore means that the contents page is starting to
conform to the conventions of a magazine.
Page numbers and titles:
The actual contents aspect of this page is found on the left hand
side of the page. This is so that there is room on the page for
the reader to find what they re looking for but also space to put
in the main image. This way of laying out the contents practices

5. the conventions of a rock magazine as many contents pages
have all of their contents grouped together on one side of the
page so that they are easy for the reader to see and read.
However, the page numbers and titles also go against some
conventions, as many of them are located all around the page
whereas mine are just set to the left hand side of it.
Main image:
The main image found on the contents page is similar to the
one found on the cover page in that
it is the same model which is being
used. This is so that the reader can
see a theme with this specific
magazine issue and notice that it is
based around his one artist and the
stories which he wants to tell.
Furthermore, this image uses the
conventions for a music magazine
more than the previous one as it
incudes a prop, an electric guitar.
This is generally found in a
magazine as the guitar is an iconic
symbol for rock and is instantly
associated with the genre.
Side images:
The smaller images on the contents page can be found towards
the right hand side of the page. Here they add more detail and
make the contents page seem more interesting to look at as the
reader can see a sneak peek at what the article is about. The

6. images are in side border, these are designed to look like old
Polaroid’s which have been burnt and roughed up over time.
This adds to the feel of the magazine making it feel more
rebellious and darker. Moreover, it helps the magazine show
that they include the older artists such as “Deff Leppard” who
have aged over the years.
Double page spread
Mise en scene of photo:
The main image on my double page spread is different to the
previous two images that have been shown in the magazine. It
still has the same model but the background has even kept and
the model is seen standing in front of a graffiti wall. This
challenges the conventions of a typical rock magazine, as they
are not usually seen in front of graffiti. However, the graffiti in
this image brings a feeling of punk rock. The models costume
has also changed to a button up shirt that has it sleeves rolled
up and a black t-shirt underneath. Even though the costume
has changed, it still uses the conventions of a rock artist as rock
stars are generally seen wearing dark clothing. The way that
my model is standing and his body language also shows that
this is a serious article and follows the conventions of many
other rock stars that have appeared in similar magazines.
Article:
The article is not a typical Q and A which would be seen in a
general rock magazine. Instead, my article is more of a coming
of age story where it tells the tale of how the artist featured on
the page came to be a rock god. This way the article develops
on the traditional ways of telling a story of the artist as it gives

7. a more interesting perspective on his story.
Pull quote:
The pull quote “For years people saw me as nothing, now
look who’s laughing” this quote Is taken directly from the
artists and uses the conventions of a magazine as it states that
they came from a hard childhood and worked hard to build a
legacy of a rock artist. Furthermore, it connotes the success
that Joe Torreno has had over the years and that he has not
forgotten about his past and stayed humble to his roots.
slogan:
The slogan of this article is “when life gives you lemons, grab
the tequila and salt”. This uses the conventions of a rock
magazine as puns are generally found in the slogan and my one
is a play on words from the famous phrase “when life gives you
lemons, make lemonade”. In addition, the slogan also gives
hints towards what type of character the artist is as his main
thoughts are to drink alcohol and go to lots of parties (living
the rock star lifestyle).