This document summarizes the key design elements of a magazine cover and contents page created for a class assignment on developing and challenging conventions of rock music magazines. The cover features a masthead titled "Plectrum", a color scheme of red and gold, a model challenging stereotypes of rock stars, cover lines promoting articles, and a main line about secrets. The contents page repeats the masthead and color scheme, lists page numbers and titles on the left, and includes related images of the featured artist. A double page spread features the artist in front of graffiti with an unconventional coming of age story article and pull quote from the artist.

1. Evaluation question 1
This is my answer to evaluation question 1. Here I will break down the things
that I have done which develop and challenge forms of a magazine.
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 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 the 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 term of catching people’s eyes.
However, after testing other colours that went well with the dark red, I found the
gold, which adds a sense of classic rock as well as the modern rock. This will be
especially useful in the double page spread as the article 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 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.
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.

2. Main cover line:
My main cover line reads “100 secrets behind the scenes”. This challenges he
conventions of r a rock music magazine, as it is withholding information from the
reader in hopes that it will make the curious enough to purchase the magazine
and read about the secrets that are within. In addition, it is located below the
main image, which is what can be seen in many magazines so that it can make
subtle links between the article and the main image.
Cover lines:
The cover lines on my magazine are located on the right hand side of the page.
This is usually where cover lines are found on a magazine and therefore they use
the conventions of a rock magazine. Furthermore, the cover lines have a
consistent font and all link to articles in the magazine with one of them listing big
name artists to attract the attention of any potential readers.
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 at the top of the page where it
would e expected to appear so that it is easy for the reader to clearly see what
page they are on and what it includes. This way it conforms to the conventions of
a rock 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 uses 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.
Main image:
The main image found on the contents page is similar to the one found on the
cover page. This is so that the reader can see a theme with this specific magazine
issue and notice that it is heavily based around his one artist. 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 images are in side border, which is designed to look like an old
Polaroid, which has been burnt. This adds to the feel of the magazine making it
feel more rebellious and darker.

3. 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 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.
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).