The document describes the codes and conventions used in the creation of a music magazine media product. It discusses utilizing existing magazine conventions like layout, images, text and challenging some conventions. For the layout, a gossip magazine style was used but with less filled pages. Only two non-traditional images were used on the cover featuring an up-and-coming artist looking away. Uncommon conventions like a white background and non-established artist on the cover were used to make the magazine fresh.

1. 1) IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR
CHALLENGE FORMS AND
CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?

2. CODES AND CONVENTIONS
 My media product was a music magazine. I first
researched codes and conventions of all
magazines and figured out that one of the most
important thing for a magazine is the layout and
from this, the text and images.
 I used Conventions of existing magazines as well
as challenging them, so it could be identified as
similar to other products but different enough to be
individual.
 I had a barcode and price on the front cover as this
is an existing convention that can’t really be altered.

3. LAYOUT
 The layout of any magazine is vital in attracting the type
of person you are aiming at to buy it, there needs to be
a variety of eye-catching images and text in order for the
customer to find it interesting enough to pick up, look at
and hopefully buy.
 I decided to lay it out like a gossip
magazine as this appeals to a wide range
of people. I didn’t fill the page up as much
as gossip magazine however, as I think
that it all spaced out looks better. The
feature in the corner of the screen adds
another dimension to the layout. The peach
colour is a swatch from Zoe Louise’s skin.

4. IMAGES
 The images take equal importance to the text, the main image
is usually of a famous (or infamous) celebrity who is at the
peak of their fame, or is having a lot of coverage for one
reason or another. The carefully thought out text
underneath, or to the side of the image can be slightly
misleading at times in order for
the audience to buy the magazine believing there to be an
exclusive.
 I decided that I would only have two images on the
front cover as it re-establishes The fact it is a music
magazine instead of a gossip magazine (gossip
magazines generally have a lot of images on the cover).
I also chose for Holly to be playing a guitar, looking
away from the camera as it shows dedication and
concentration.

5. TEXT
 The text is the main lure for any magazine cover.
The colour of the font is sometimes in keeping with
the overall colour schemes and sometimes
contrasts to create an intense and eye-catching
look.
 I decided to go for a red and black colour
scheme as they are very dynamic,
eye-catching looks. The text was displayed
over the image to include layering and make
it look more professional.
 For the font, I used Stencil std for the title
and Hobo std for the for the exclusive.
I used a masthead at the top of the page so the
audience could distinguish the magazine
immediately.

6. Double Page Spread
 In my double page spread, I decided to use a four-
column grid in order to make it look more
professional and in keeping with other magazines.
 I also capitalised the first letter of the article as
nearly all other magazines do.
 The same border used in the front cover and
contents page was used in the double page as this
creates brand identity, which makes it easier for the
reader to distinguish the magazine.

7. CHALLENGING CONVENTIONS
 In the bottom right corner, I featured Holly Lewis who is
an up-and-coming singer. I did this because having non-
established artist is very unusual for a magazine cover
and I want my magazine to be fresh and different.
 One of the main differences is that both the pictures I
used of the celebrities were looking away from the
camera, this was because I wanted it to look unique and
there would be no confusion as to whether they were
sexualised shots or not.
 I used a white background which is very uncommon in
the magazine world. I did this to make it look simplistic
and mature.