1. In what ways does your media product use and develop
conventions of real media products?
When designing my front cover I took into account the conventions of current
music magazine front covers and aimed to reflect some of these within my own.
One example of this is the large title that is partially covered by the cover-stars
head. Furthermore, the title is bold and all in capital letters, making it a
prominent and noticeable feature of the cover.
Another way in which I have followed the conventions of music magazines is by
using a headshot as the image on my own front cover. This is not always the
convention for magazines; often the image is a full length shot or a group
composition. However, in this case a headshot is most appropriate as there is a
double page spread interview with the cover star within the magazine, therefore
by having a headshot on the cover the audience become aware of this persons
importance to the issue. Also, as seen on many music magazines , the name of
the band and a quote from the interview is incorporated into the text.
In addition, there is an eye catching circle containing extra information on my
music magazine front cover, which is a convention that can be seen on many
successful music and fashion magazine covers. This also highlights the fact that
this is a special issue, which will compel people from the target audience to
purchase the magazine.

2. In what ways does your media product use and develop
conventions of real media products?
I have also followed the conventions of a music magazine within my own front cover. The
most noticeable of these is that the name of the magazine is repeated in the same format as
on the front cover, large and at the top of the page. Furthermore, the date of publication is
printed below the main heading in a significantly smaller font.
Another convention of contents pages that I have followed, is the list of page numbers and
their contents down the side. This is a vital part of any contents page, as it fulfils the page’s
primary purpose. These page titles are accompanied by single sentence descriptions of what
the article is about.
In addition to these, the contents page features a large image which is relevant to something
important within the magazine (in this case the double page spread interview) and a brief
description of what else can be found on this topic. This is a typical convention of contents
pages; during previous research it became evident that it is a feature that would work well in
my own product.
The colour scheme that is used on the contents page of my magazine is continued from the
front cover, and then again highlighted within the double page spread article that I have
produced. This is a convention of a magazine that I have followed carefully in order to make
my own music magazine look professional.
Many magazines contain an editors note, which is a personal message from the editor to the
readers of the magazine. I have chosen to follow this convention by using a photograph and
short note from the ‘editor’ of the magazine. During prior research I discovered that the use
of an editors note is less common within music magazines than it is in fashion magazines; my
use of this therefore challenges the conventions of typical music magazines whilst following a
recognised magazine convention.

3. In what ways does your media product use and develop
conventions of real media products?
One of the conventions of a double page spread is that there
is a large image of the person or people whom the interview
is based on; this image is often so large that it covers an
entire page. I have chosen to follow this convention in my
own double page spread by placing a photograph my
interviewee across the left hand page.
A further convention of double page spreads that I have
chosen to follow in my own is using a drop capital, which is
use of a different font and font size for the initial letter of the
article. This is a typical feature of double page spreads and
makes the magazine look more professional.
The use of columns is common within magazines of all
genres, and is also seen in newspapers. This is a convention
that was necessary to use in my own magazine in order to
create a professional appearance.

4. Analysis of pages; Front cover
Date – A convention of magazine front covers
Masthead – the mast head for my magazine
‘Pistol’ is large and central, which makes the
Main image – To make the front cover look more
magazine look professional. Also, the use of
professional I have used a headshot as my main
black for the masthead contrasts with the white
image; this is a convention of magazine front covers.
background and therefore makes the name of
In addition, I have considered the photograph
the magazine noticeable. By naming the
and selected it from a range of options because
magazine ‘Pistol’ I hoped to connote fiery and
of the direct eye contact that the person is giving
fierceness, hence relating the name of the
to the camera. Also, the use of black and white
magazine to the style of music which it is about.
compliments the chosen colour scheme for the
In addition ‘The Sex Pistol’s’ are an infamous
magazine.
British band that create music of a similar style
to the artists featured within my magazine.
Cover-lines – The cover-lines are seen
on both sides of the main image.
This makes the page seem more balanced,
as there is no large blank areas.
Colour scheme – The colour scheme is red, white and Also ,the different information is separated,
black, a selection inspired by NME magazine. These for example the list of bands is
colours compliment each other whilst also giving a placed on another side to the
contrast that makes the magazine more eye catching. anchorage of the main image
and some of the article information.
Bar code – A convention Special feature – By placing some information
of magazine front covers about a feature article in an eye catching red circle,
not only is the colour scheme enhanced, but the
issue becomes more unique and the target audience
Separate cover line – this ‘special issue’ makes the are therefore more willing to buy it.
magazine more appealing to the target audience as they are
people who are interested in music and therefore want to read about it.

5. Analysis of pages; contents page
The date is a convention of contents pages.
Magazine name is presented The sections of the contents page are separated
in the same way by bold heading boxes, this makes the contents
as on the front cover, so page more organised and professional looking.
creating a
memorable image.
The largest image on the page is of the band that
the issue’s feature article is written about.
Page numbers down one side of the page, followed
Anchorage on the
by the title of the page and a small extra piece of
main image helps to
information; this allows the reader to decide what
contextualise it.
they wish to read and easily find
what they are looking for.
A quote, description and photograph of the
person whom is interviewed later in the magazine is a
prominent feature on the contents page; this is a
Subscription advertisement – convention of contents pages.
I found that this was a common
but not necessary
feature of contents pages and The editors note and photograph
feel that it works well on my own, is not always a convention
whilst also staying in the correct of magazine contents pages but as
colour scheme. this is the first issue of my
magazine, it adds a personal
touch and will therefore make the
reader feel comfortable
and connected to the magazine.

6. Analysis of pages; double page spread
The name of the interviewee is the largest piece of
writing on the page and is therefore eye catching, which
The large image of Chris Flemming, the makes the page look more professional.
person who has been interviewed
covers the entire left hand
page. This is a common convention
of double page spreads. This specific
image is eye catching in black and
white, and the clothing has been
chosen to convey the musical The questions are written in bold and
genre of rock, which the artist performs. the answers in normal font which
makes the interview easier to read.
A quote from The by line is a convention
the interview here means of double page spread articles.
that readers can guess what
the register and contents
of the interview will be
before they read it.
The colour scheme that is seen on the front page and contents page is continued
with the use of a black and white image and the red font.

7. How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
My magazine represents music fans in the UK, all ages and genders but it is more likely
that younger people would choose the magazine as it contains various gig and festival
information that tends to be more popular with people ages 16-30. I think that this
group is addressed well through the magazines content; this includes articles about
old, and upcoming bands that will be of interest to music fans.
The musician that is featured on the cover and double page spread is a good
representation of young music fans, as he himself is noticeably of similar description.
Furthermore, the clothing that has been chosen for this musician reflects what is
popular and fashionable amongst young men, therefore representing the target
audience and even inspiring them. The interview on the double page spread asks
questions which were chosen to reveal actual musical details and aspirations from the
interviewee. This represents the social group because they will be interested to know
how and why upcoming stars are where they are within the industry.

8. What kind of media institution might distribute your product?
My market research shows which music magazines are most successful, and the publicists which
are responsible for them.
IPC – NME, Uncut
Bauer - Kerrang, Q, Mojo
Future - Classic Rock, Classic Rock prog, Computer Music, Future Music, Guitar Aficionado,
Revolver, Rhythm, Guitar Legends, Guitar Techniques, Guitar World, Guitarist, Metal Hammer,
Total Guitar
The publicist that is most likely to distribute my magazine is IPC, as it already produces magazines
that are similar to mine, but would be interested in a new one for the audience that are not
already fans of either of the other two.

9. Who would be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my music magazine Pistol would be music fans of all ages; this
audience is addressed through the use of technical musical language within the articles.
In addition, the magazine will be written with the presumption that the audience
already have knowledge of most of the subjects. The magazine will also contain
information about upcoming gigs and tours, which will therefore increase the appeal to
music fans, who will want to buy it in order to stay up to date.
Each month, the magazine will contain a different special feature or theme, such as this
issue The future of music. This will appeal to music fans because they will want to read
about things that are unusual and do not appear in every other music magazine.

10. The colour scheme is simple and stylish; The person on the front of the issue is
therefore it is eye catching and the someone that music fans will possibly
audience will be drawn to the magazine. be a fan of and will therefore want to
read about.
By advertising the magazine as a special
issue the audience will be more interested in
buying it.
The audience of the magazine By putting a quote from the
is music fans, so by having a double page spread interview on
musician on the cover they
will want to buy the magazine
How did you attract or the front cover I have appealed
to the audiences sense of
so that they can read about
him.
address your audience? curiosity.
The editors letter on the contents page makes the
magazine more personal and appealing to the audience.
The cover lines contain information
about some of the bands whose The price of my magazine is
tour dates are revealed in the £2.00 which is significantly
magazine, music fans will want to lower than competitors.
know this information.

11. What have you learnt about different technologies from the process of construction of
this product?
Before creating this magazine I had never before used Photoshop or Quark. During the preliminary task I
acquired some skills for these two programmes but creating the music magazine I have been able to develop
these and learn new ways to use them. For example, when creating the college magazine I was unable to remove
the background of my chosen cover photograph, whereas in creating the music magazine, I learnt to use the
quick selection tool to select the area that needed to be removed and replaced with white background. In
addition, I used the healing brush tool to make the subjects skin look flawless and therefore make the
magazine seem more professional. I found that Quark was the most useful programme, as it allowed me to
import the interview for my double page spread easily from a word document, and then put it into columns and
insert images without covering the text. This saved time and made the double page spread look organised and
realistic.

12. What have you learnt in the progression from the preliminary task to the final
task?
Before beginning the music magazine task, I used Photoshop and Quark to create a
college magazine. I think that my college magazine front cover and contents page were
successful but did not look as professional as the final music magazine pages. A reason for
this could be my lack of skills in using the two programmes, and lack of previous page
design experience. Furthermore, when I began making the music magazine I had done
more market research and had a clear idea of how I wanted my pages to look, whereas
with the college magazine I was unsure.
During my photography for the music magazine, I was aware that I needed to take a
variety of photos in order to make the best decision for my front cover and therefore took
lots of different photographs and analysed the pro’s and con’s of each picture. Along with
this, more thought went into the colour theme for my music magazine than did for the
previous college magazine. I looked at other popular music magazines and found that I
preferred the simpler colour scheme. Also, my questionnaire told me that my target
audience preferred the simple designs such as the red, black and white that I selected for
my end product. This was different to the way that I decided on colours for the college
magazine as I researched more and was able to provide my audience with what they want
to see; therefore creating a more successful magazine.