2. In the research and planning stage of my product, I analysed a
number of existing media products to gain an understanding of
their forms and conventions to ensure my own product was as
realistic and professional as possible.
I found this stage extremely helpful and will now refer to it as I
analyse the use of music magazine forms and conventions on my
own product.

3. EXISTING PRODUCT MY PRODUCT
THE IMAGE: Here I have followed conventions. The cover image is of a star, the feature star in the magazine. The image
presented to the audience is positive, allowing them to aspire to look/be like the star. I used Adobe Photoshop to make
my model seem perfect. Models in both magazines are both smiling. However, I challenged conventions because the
model is not using the direct mode of address. I also developed the conventions by using props, not seen in many other
pop magazines, to reinforce the fact that it is a music magazine. The model’s costume also develops conventions. The
star in the existing product is in a glamorous dress, my star however is in comfy casual wear, allowing the teenage
audience to relate more.

4. EXISTING PRODUCT MY PRODUCT
THE LAYOUT: Here I have followed many conventions such as: placing the image in the centre; the cover stories around
the image; the masthead at the top; and barcode at the bottom. I have challenged conventions by placing the masthead
over the image. I have done this because it looks more aesthetically pleasing this way and works better with the image. I
have added in a skyline, a common feature of most magazines but not featured on Top of the Pops.

5. EXISTING PRODUCT MY PRODUCT
THE DESIGN: I have used my house colours of yellow and blue which follows the convention, just like Top of the Pops
uses pink and purple. I also followed typical conventions by using a variety of fonts and sizes. The masthead is the largest
text on the page, with the main cover line following close behind. This story is about the model/star and relates to the
interview inside. I have used a pull quote as mine which is a convention of magazines but not featured in the Top of the
Pops issue above. I placed some of the text in filled boxes so that it stands out against the image. The background is plain
and one colour. I have challenged conventions by only using one image on my font cover however, I think this makes it
easier and clearer to understand and makes the magazine seem more sophisticated.

6. EXISTING PRODUCT MY PRODUCT
I think I have followed all of the main conventions of contents pages: the masthead is placed at the top of the page and
in the largest font; articles are grouped together under subheadings [Who’s in Spotlight/Spotlight Features] to make navigation
of the page easier for the audience; images of stars are used to attract the audience and break up large blocks of text;
house styles [e.g. cover lines] and colours [yellow/blue] are used to the front cover and the rest of the magazine for continuity;
short, snappy text is used to explain what is on each page. I have also included an editors’ message which is not present
in every magazine but would be a convention, plus social media links which relate to the audience demographic.

7. EXISTING PRODUCT MY PRODUCT
I have followed the main conventions for a double page spread article. The text is written in columns in a small font. It is
written in a question/answer interview style, with the questions in a different colour and bold. I have used a drop cap at
the start of the article. The image is the main focus of the pages, the text moulds around it. The model is using the direct
mode of address to engage the audience, she is smiling and her clothing is not too revealing, which is appropriate for
genre and audience demographic. The title is either a play on words or a pull quote, I have used a pull quote and it is the
largest text on the page. I used a steadfast, to briefly introduce the article, placed under the title. The main colours are
still the house colours [blue/yellow] and the purple is used to compliment the model’s costume, again a convention.
Magazine interviews are often used by stars to promote their products, here my star is promoting her new album which I
have created and placed in the corner. The interview itself is written in an informal, chatty style so that the audience feel
relaxed and can relate, this is typical of a magazine.