This document compares the design elements and conventions used in the magazine XXL to those used in the author's own media product. It finds that the author's product uses many similar elements to XXL such as bold mastheads, cover lines, and layered designs. However, it also challenges some conventions by placing the barcode on the bottom right corner to encourage readers to pick up the magazine, including linked cover lines, simpler backgrounds, and photographs that do not take up both pages. The contents page challenges conventions by listing article descriptions and images separately and using different colored page numbers. Double page spreads challenge conventions by placing headings across both pages and photographs on single pages with transparent backgrounds.

1. 1.
In What Ways Does Your
Media Product Use,
Develop or
Challenge Forms and
Conventions of Real Media
Products?

2. FRONT COVER COMPARISON

3. Masthead
Behind Cover
Model, which
could signal how
XXL is a well
known magazine.
2 layers and 2
colours.
Cover Lines
Going down on
the left, colour co-
ordinated.
Barcode
Bottom Left
Main Cover Line
Bold and eye catching.
Layers
3/4 layers
Cover Model
Not making eye contact
towards the camera
which is unconventional,
which may attract
readers attention more as
they are used to models
making eye contact
which would make them
think why this model is
looking away.
Drake’s (Front Cover
Model) eyes could be
directing the reader to
the cover lines on the
right. Which may indicate
a sign of importance,
Colour Scheme
A range of 3 to 4
Background
A blend of 2 colours.

4. Masthead
USE – Similar to
XXL, use of 2
colours, 1 font
and 2 layers.
Sharp and bold.
Cover Lines
USE - Going down
on the left, colour
co-ordinated.
Main Cover Line
USE - Bold and eye
catching.
Linked With Cover Line
DEVELOPED - Extra content that relates to
the main cover line and the main article.
Cover Model
USE – Not making eye
contact with the
camera/audience, which
similarly to XXL would make
the readers think where he
may be looking at.
CHALLENGED – In XXL, the
cover model may be
looking towards the left of
the cover where there are
some cover lines which
may portray that the
designers are trying to pull
the readers eyes onto those
cover lines. However in my
magazine, I didn’t include
any cover lines on the right.
Barcode
DEVELOPED - Bottom
right, as when my
magazine is on the
shelf, the barcode will
be hidden therefore it
will encourage readers
to actually take the
magazine off the shelf
and therefore would
have a better view of it
and may also flick
through before
purchasing.
Layers
USE 3/4 layers
Background
DEVELOPED –more simple
design and brighter which
makes the cover model
stand out more.

5. CONTENTS PAGE COMPARISON

6. Heading
Bold and on the
top
Range of
images
Range of close
ups, mid shots,
full body shots
and images
from albums.
Issue Date
Bold, underneath
heading
Background
Plain and white
Article
Descriptions
Brief information
of each articles
Page
Numbers
Bold and easy
to identify
which articles
are on what
page.
Lines
Clearly
separating
each section.
Website
Bottom, corner,
small but bold

7. Heading
USE - On the top
and very clear
Page
Numbers
DEVELOPED - On
left and right
corners, Bold
and clearly
indicated page
number of
article, with
different colours
which adds to
the colour
scheme.
Images
and Text
CHALLENGED
Close ups –
some articles
have no
pictures but the
names catch
the readers
attention.
Article
Descriptions
CHALLENGED
Less information –
gives the reader
minimal
information of the
articles but would
also encourage
them to open the
article pages.
Website
DEVELOPED
Bottom, middle,
small
Borders
DEVELOPED
Clearly
separating
each section.

8. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
COMPARISON

9. XXL’s articles haven’t got any double page spreads,
however they do run across 3/4 pages. Header
Big and clear to
see.
Copy
Takes up one full page, no
spaces, all one font and
size.
Full Bleed Image
Image takes up both
pages.
Stand First
Article description
Margin
Even border –
creating a gap
between page and
copy.
Background
Simple gradient.
Credits
Small print vertically on the
right hand side of page.
Footer
Website and
page number

10. Background
USE
Simple gradient, with
some faded shapes
Credits
USE
Small and on the
side
Heading
DEVELOPED
Goes across the full
page and over
photo.
Header
CHALLANGED
Top right corner of page shows the reader and guides
them to the article as it continues on the next page.
Pull Quote
USE
Grabs the readers
attention
Copy
DEVELOPED
Regular size 9. Set in
columns that ascend by
2 lines for each column.
Margins
USE
Creates a clear border around the
page and columns.
Photograph
CHALLENGED
Takes up one page with
a transparent
background which
makes it sit nicely on the
page background.
Footer
CHALLENGED
Website and page
number in middle and
corner.