The document summarizes how the author's media product uses, develops, and challenges conventions of real media products. Some key points: - The magazine cover features a masthead in the center rather than the corner, and uses color to match the cover image. A skyline promotes artists rather than offers. There are no sell lines to keep it minimal. - The contents page separates sections rather than using an 'L' format. It features the cover artist's image twice and uses the same colors as the cover. - The double-page article saves space by featuring the pull quote along the side. It uses two columns rather than three and positions the page number, artist name, and image to draw

1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?
I felt the best way to evaluate my magazine was to compare it to magazines already on the market

2. NME MAGAZINE COVER
Masthead is the biggest piece
of writing on the page, it is in
the left corner and is also red
Puffs, which contain an
image
Barcode
Sell lines, with information and images.
Skyline
Banner
Cover line
Main image

3. MY OWN COVER
For my magazine I wanted a sleek, neat and clean look.
From research I found my target audience would rather
see this than a clustered look, as magazine culture is
changing which you can see as magazines such as ID and
DAZED sales are increasing .
My masthead is the biggest writing on the page.
Here I have used conventions of the NME
magazine and other magazines as this was indeed
the biggest piece of writing on the page. I’ve
developed the masthead as rather it being in the
top left corner it is in the centre, as I believe this is
the easiest way to attract buyers as it will easily
capture buyers eyes. NME magazines are always
red, however for my magazine I have chosen to
have it in a blue, this is because of the image I
used as there is a slight blue in the sky so rather
than their being a contrast I used the blue to
make the image aesthetically look better, I also
used my questionnaire as the results showed that
people would rather see pastel colours than any
other colours. I also placed the ‘Issue 8’ inside the
masthead as it is a way to save space and also to
make the magazine look more sleek, this will be
the same throughout the rest of the magazines.
I felt like using a skyline was a good way to attract a
readers attention. So I developed the concept of a skyline
so rather than giving a promotion, I used artists as a way
of grabbing a readers attention, as if they see a artist
they like they are more likely to buy the magazine.
Although my magazine is mainly an Indie magazine it is
for a niche market and this market contains all types of
music lovers, so from this information I tried to use a
range of genre for this sky line, from indie rock to hip
hop. Due to the lack of cover lines I felt this was a way to
make up for them as it is quite similar however there is
not as much information
From research of magazines I felt like the actual main selling
point was the main image, as if the main image is someone you
like you’re more likely to buy the magazine. I used this image as
it is direct address as she is looking straight into the camera,
this relates to Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs. The
direct address shows belonging which is in the 3rd tier of the
pyramid. I also used rule of thirds so she is directly in the
middle so it is where your eyes look first.
I placed the barcode here as it was
one of the only places where the
barcode looked appropriate.
As one of the main hobbies for my
target audience revolved around
technology I decided that there would
be a website where they could find
more information about articles and
more images.
My cover line consists of the artists name, and a
pull quote. I decided only to use a pull quote as it
spikes a readers interest making them want to
read more. I also used a range of fonts as I
believed it made the front cover more interesting.
I decided to have a border as I felt it draws more attention to the
main image. I used beige as again I didn’t want to have a huge
contrast between the colours.

4. USE DEVELOP CHALLENGE
My cover features a masthead
which is the biggest text on the
page
A traditional skyline normal
features an offer, however I’ve
developed it and used artists
instead of offers
I’ve decided to have no sell lines
as it keeps the magazine
minimalistic
My cover also uses a cover line
which is the second biggest piece
of writing on the page
I also have a border which isn’t
seen very often, I did this so it
draws attention to the main image
as well as aesthetic reasons

5. Biggest writing on the page
Main image
NME CONTENTS PAGE
‘L’ format
Main article has the
second biggest writing on
the page and has the
biggest description

6. MY CONTENTS PAGE
To keep with the clean and neat look, I decided to separate my
pages into sections, rather than an ‘L’ format. I felt this made my
page easier to read
This is the main image on the contents page I
felt like using the same artist as on the cover
page as most people would have bought the
magazine due to the artist on the front, so by
having her image on the contents page it can
make it easier for the reader to find the
article. I also placed it in the middle as it is
the first thing your eyes will see.
I have used the same colours as
featured on the front cover. I did this
to create synergy throughout the
whole magazine.
Similar to other magazines I
have mage the ‘CONTENTS’ title
the biggest piece of writing on
the page, this is so the readers
will automatically know what
page they are reading. I also
decided to use a quite basic
font as I felt like fonts which
were bold took away the
attention of the image.
Again similar to the
NME contents page,
the main article has
the most information
on the page and is
easiest to see.
I decided to use one image and reflect it
as I felt the direct address on this image
was very powerful, so by having two of
the same image it has double the effect
Similar to NME’s
contents page I have
my own sub headings,
this makes it easier for
people to find what
type of article they’re
looking for

7. USE DEVELOP CHALLENGE
Includes images of the main artist
featured in the magazine
Divided into sections, rather than
an ‘L’ format
Very minimalistic and simple, not
clustered
Used the same colours as featured
on the cover
Used the same image twice,
rather than 2 separate images

8. NME DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
Image on the left side of the
page and is sized A4
Big title,
contrasts with
picture as he is
drinking alcohol
wwhich isn’t
considered ‘
good health
Pul quote in the middle of
article
First letter is the biggest writing on
the page
Image relating to article
Organised into 3 collumns

9. MY DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
To try to keep to the minimalistic theme, I tried to save as much space as
possible, which is why the album cover is featured in the middle and the
pull quote across the side.
Unlike most double page spreads
my pull quote features
horizontally. I decided to have the
pull quote going up the side as it
saved space but also because if
someone flicks through a
magazine they see that side, so
by having this on the side it might
catch their eye and they will read
the article. I also made it Blue to
create synergy throughout the
whole magazine.
Similar to most music magazines my
main image has a simple edit and
extreme Photoshop has not occurred.
I decided to use this image as it shows
a lot of emotion, which relates to the
article as she talks about feminism
something which she feels passionate
about. I decided not to have direct
address as it shows emotion even
more.
I made the page number
blue as it is a simple way to
create synergy throughout
the magazine
Again similar to most music
magazines I have the artists
name as the biggest piece of
writing on the page, I did this to
attract the readers attention.
I decided to have my
article into two
columns as it felt like
having three became
to clustered and
didn’t stick to the
minimalistic theme
I decided to have
the album cover
in the centre as it
saved space and
kept the double
page spread
looking
minimalistic
I had the introduction in a
different colour to
separate the introduction
from the main piece of
text

10. USE DEVELOP CHALLENGE
I’ve used columns Page number is at the top of the
page
Featured an image in the middle
of the article
I’ve featured the main artists
name
Organised into 2 columns rather
than 3 collumns
The pull quote is along the side