Evaluation question one

EVALUATION QUESTION ONE
“In what ways does your product use, develop, or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?"

MASTHEAD
• Large, bold serif style font. Positioned at top middle
of page to draw the eye of the audience and give
instant recognition of the producer reinforcing brand
awareness. Overlapping the main image establishes
further importance with the name representing the
range of potential articles offered with ‘spectrum’.
Typical existing media magazines use similar
mastheads to mine such as:

MAIN IMAGE
• Long, establishing shot of a natural location
follows typical codes and conventions. Gives a
sense of the audience being positioned at the
location. The high key natural lighting through
is also conventional, although is normally not
positioned in the centre of the image. The path
through the image gives a sense of following it
to peace and harmony, which will appeal to the
target audience. This links into Barthes
connotations theory of reading under the
surface of the image.

SELL LINE
• I chose to use a conventional sell line –
relating to my magazine inform the
audience what is included in my magazine
(uses and grats). I used a contrasting colour
to the background in an attempt to stand
out. Using a different font relative to the
masthead follows further codes and
conventions deliberately differentiating
them from each other. This follows the
expect hegemonic norms, and therefore
conforms to my target audiences beliefs
meaning the text becomes relatable to
them.

HOUSE STYLE
• Use of subtle colours throughout, will appeal to
the audience. Colours do not become gender
specific and so can appeal to both – the target
audience I was intending to hit. Follows
conventions of using contrasting colours
overlapping image.
• Header at top of page is a typical convention,
although being translucent counteracts this.
Existing media examples of typical house styles
include:

FONTS & FEATURES
Short and snappy insights into articles offered. Allows for a
range of needs to be covered. Also informs reader (Uses &
grats). Font is serif, due to being more subtle and cared
for which reflects the ideologies of the audience, in turn
reflecting their preferences and the beliefs of how a
contents page should look.
Although the way I have ended the page is
unconventional – using a bar with the logo, I feel it further
reinforces the brand name and therefore the producers of
the magazine; brand awareness. However, it would be just
as unconventional to have text reach the bottom of the
page showing it was an effective way to end the page.

IMAGES
I followed the convention of using images to
break up the text on the page. The images
themselves conform to conventions also, using
a variety of shots – close ups on the plants yet
long shots for the others. Coupled with this I
continued to use conventions such as high key
lighting. Doing so allows my audience to
visualize the relevant article, creating more of a
meaning and relationship to the audience.
However, I feel my image choices are less
conventional as typically at least two images
are used of people. I chose to challenge this
convention to further the ideas behind
expectations of relating to people in the images
and instead focusing on what the images could
signify (Images can show the peace and
tranquillity of Kent – (connotations Barthes).

ROWS & COLUMNS
• Organised text allows for easy reading, as
clearly accessible can lead to fulfilment of
individuals needs, also informs the
audience (uses and grats theory).
• Tabs separating each section conventionally
larger which I went on to replicate in my
own production as it clearly distinguishes
articles from each other.
• Side subscription item follows typical codes
and conventions, along side the
advertisement of a social media account.
This is one method I have to attempt to use
in order to keep the younger aged people
of my audience interacting with the
magazine.

NUMBERING
• Numbers lay on the left of the page, in a structured
vertical line, which is conventional as seen by the
images of examples. Allows for easy navigation to
fulfil individuals needs, also informs them (uses and
grats theory)

IMAGE
• The main image I used is shot in a conventional
style – using a long shot, enabling the audience a
sense of location. Also the image stretched across
both pages, which is a conventional method used to
keep a continuity in both pages.
• However, unlike common conventions I decided to
edit the image to appear more dramatic and eye
catching as a preferred reading (Stuart Hall), mine
linking to the title of the article – ‘forgotten’ perhaps
associated with the darkness and conflicts, reflected
in the reading into the image, which would
challenge the typical semantic codes offered. For
example, Kent life use blue sky coupled with high
key lighting, whereas I manipulated my sky to be
darker and more oppressive in order to fulfil this.

LAYOUT
• I feel my layout is conventional following
typical trends of similar magazines. This will
appeal to my target audience as it creates
similarities between magazine and audience -
……… -
• This is due to factors such as the images assist
in promoting and making the text more visual
– which is a focus point on this page
particularly due to the volume of text here.
This follows typical codes and conventions as
similar audiences are interested in details,
facts, and will enjoy reading a substantial
amount.

TEXT (BULK & ANCHOR)
• Serif font used in order to appeal to audience
(subtle, less intrusive on the page, reflects
themselves). Contrasts directly from background
and follows colour scheme used throughout the
page. Although title can be argued to be in an
unconventional position – below text, typically is
top of page, although in this case I feel works
well in conjunction with the rest of the product.
• Typical convention of variety of fonts used to
differentiate between opening paragraph and
bulk text. Smaller font size in relation to title
also conventional as seen by the examples.

LANGUAGE
• A way I conformed to codes and
conventions was the use of
sensationalism. I did this through using
exaggerated words which would directly
impact my audience such as ‘forgotten’.
This would create a buzz around the text
further on in the page in order to keep
the audience keen and allow me to go
on and create further editions to the
piece, which would satisfy readers. To
add to this I used a formal style of
register to create a sense of relationship
to the audience in turn allowing them to
engage with the article. Many other
magazines in the regional sector use
similar techniques as seen by the
examples on the left.

TEXT (BULK & ANCHOR)
• I followed the convention of using a sell line. This
establishes the product available, with the word ‘unique’
emphasised to the target audience. The target
audience can then compare and discuss amongst their
social peers, which links to the uses and grats theory.
• I also used the convention of having a large, and bold
logo relative to the rest of the text. I used a serif font
which would appeal to the target audience, and reflects
the product – quality, cared for. However, the
positioning of the logo is unconventional. Typically a
logo will be at the top of the page, but I decided it
derails too much attention from the product itself, and
so decided to place it with the bulk text.
• Finally, I used the convention of contact details of the
company. This will appeal to the target audience as it
allows them to visit the associated website store. In
doing so, they are abiding to the surveillance factor in
uses and gratifications theory.

IMAGE
• In order to appeal to the audience, I followed
the conventions of using high key lighting in
my image. This allows the audience to clearly
visualize the product offered, and therefore
receive the preferred reading (Hall Reception
Theory) of wanting to buy into the product.
• A mid shot for this type of advert is also
conventional as it is positioning (Hall) the
audience to admire the potential product
they are buying into – giving the impression
of walking into this particular room.
• The mise-en-scene was also manipulated in
order to create an association to the everyday
living the audience will go through and so
creates a relationship based on familiarity
(uses and grats theory).

LAYOUT
• Firstly I conformed to typical conventions having the
logo/masthead at the centre top of the page. This
allows the audience to clearly recognise who the
product is produced by and therefore begins to build
on brand image. Furthermore, having the tab section
lying underneath is conventional as it allows the
audience to seek specific details about a topic
(cognitive needs, uses and grats).
• One way I challenged typical conventions of regional
magazines was to have the first section of the website
dedicated to acquire more subscribers. Included with
this, I added an image of my magazine front cover so
that it would further promote my physical product in
an attempt to further consumer base. Usually,
magazines have a small section dedicated for this, but
limit the impact it has on the reader, instead opting for
key articles to be advertised.

IMAGE
• I have found the typical conventions of
regional magazines, do include their magazine
front cover as an image on the opening page
of their website. Therefore, I am conforming to
this, using a full portrait view.
• However, I have gone on to challenge
conventions as the positioning compared to
other magazines website. My image lies mainly
central on the page, advertising the physical
copy clearly, whereas other magazines typically
place this to the right of the page.

LAYOUT
• For this task, there are few billboards made for
regional magazines, and so is difficult to design a
piece relating to codes and conventions.
However, when using ‘The resident’ as an
example, I chose to stick closely to their design
for this reason, in order to appeal to as many
people as possible. For example, using the three
different platforms of access to my magazine or
keeping text to a minimum but giving the name
of the magazine with its slogan, positioned to the
left of the advert. Although, it could be argued I
challenged the convention of remaining with a
plain background block colour, instead, opting to
use a bright eye –catching image in order to
receive as much attention as possible.

IMAGE
• My image chosen for my billboard can be seen
as unconventional – the plain block colour I
felt did not draw enough attention and so
wanted to challenge this. Therefore, I decided
to use an image relating to my magazine –
countryside – which was visually appealing.
However, I did want a low key lighting on the
image in order for the text to contrast from it.
• The image can be seen as conventional
though, as it covers the entire length of the
billboard, similarly to that of ‘the resident’.

Evaluation question one

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