The document discusses how the media product both uses conventions of real music magazines as well as challenges some conventions. It follows conventions such as using consistent colors and fonts for continuity, including photos and captions, and blocking articles into categories on the contents page. However, it challenges conventions by placing the masthead on the right instead of left and using a long shot for the cover photo instead of a medium close-up. The document provides examples from researched magazines to support how it both conforms to and adapts real music magazine conventions for its target genre and ideas.

1. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Before beginning the creation of my magazine I researched several magazines to gain inspiration and acknowledge
the typical codes and conventions which relate to different aspects of a magazine in order for it to be successful.
Throughout my magazine I aimed to maintain a particular house style which consisted of the colours:
grey, black, yellow and white. By using this on each element of my music magazine I created continuity, giving my
magazine an identity which can be easily recognised. The same fonts were also used throughout the magazine as
this follows conventions and makes it look a lot more professional regarding the layout and format of the
magazine.

2. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
I decided to experiment with a variety of fonts which
gave me a wide variety to choose from when deciding
which to use for my final piece.
The font I decided on was ‘Gill Sans MT Condensed’
I felt as though this fitted well with the genre of my
magazine and the desired look I was going for. After
looking at other magazines such as NME/ MOJO I
realised that the fonts are fairly straight edge and bold
which is where my inspiration came from.
Initially I came up with 4 potential colour schemes, the one
I decided to go for was black, white and grey. Later on in
the production I decided to introduce a fourth colour
(yellow) to break up the darkness of the magazine and
contrast with the duller colours such as grey and black.
Although my music magazine is based around the indie
rock/pop rock genre which can be grungy, I thought it
would be good to incorporate another colour to make it
seem a lot more light-hearted as opposed to constantly
melancholy.

3. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
I used NME’s Florence and the Machine issue for part of my initial inspiration. I
liked the conventional, bold masthead which I decided to carry through and use
on my magazine. Although, I decided to go against conventions in relation to
the fact that I located it on the right hand side as opposed to the left hand side.
Similarly to the NME issue, I also placed my slogan ‘THE MAGAZINE WITH A
BEAT’ underneath the main masthead, with the date line featured below, this
is done to create front cover which would be considered as conventional within
the music industry.
I also used the left third for the main source of tag lines, this is a clear
convention of music magazines and is shown in the Rolling Stone issue below.
The image of my artist also overlaps the masthead slightly, this accentuates the
importance of the artist in relation to the fact that their prominence is more
important than the masthead itself. This effect is also shown in the Rolling
Stone issue as Brad Pitt is seen in front of the text, showing he is the main focus
of the magazine; allowing us to understand that he is he main feature. - similar
to my magazine ‘BEAN’ is featured in front of the masthead as she is the main
focus of my magazine, the main story revolves around her.
‘Q’ magazine featuring Adele is also another magazine I researched which is
similar to the other two magazines in the sense that they each use a medium
close up as their main image, in relation to camera framing, this is where my
music magazine refutes the conventions of a music magazine. This is due to the
fact I decided to use a long shot, I chose this as I felt as though it fitted the vibe
of the magazine better. The whole idea of the feature story is the fact that
‘BEAN’ is struggling in the music industry, I feel as though this pose connotes
this idea.

4. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
After researching several music magazine contents page’s, my main inspiration came
from NME’s music magazine in relation to the fact that it is blocked into different
categories through the use of several subtitles, this makes it easier for the reader to
find a particular article they are interested in. I decided to include and editors note as,
although it is not included in NME, I thought it was a convention which would be good
to include. It makes the magazine appear a lot more personal to the editor and
creates a relationship between both the editor and audience.
I also included the masthead once again on the left hand side of the page to create
continuity throughout the magazine, this makes the magazine easily recognisable to
the readers and maintains the house style. This is a convention taken from various
magazines including the NME magazine below.
A ‘subscribe’ option is also included in my contents page which is another convention
of music magazines as seen on the NME contents. This helps lure in potential
customers to purchase the monthly magazines at a discount. This is helpful as my
magazine revolves around students, which will not have mass amounts of disposable
income.
I also conformed to the conventions of a music magazine in relation to the fact that
my magazine includes a variety of pictures relating to the articles on particular pages,
the captions located next to the image also give the reader an insight into the article
within it. This technique is also shown on the NME magazine of which most of my
inspiration came from. Although, it was adapted to suite my particular genre and
ideas behind the magazine better.

5. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
Once again the main inspiration for my music magazine double page
spread came from the source of NME – their article of Florence and The
Machine.
In this article I particularly liked the background of the image made up
of the text ‘USA’, so I decided to recreate it into my own using the name
of my artist; ‘BEAN’. The reason for using 3 images of my artist from
different perspectives connotes the idea that she is fully exposed within
this interview – we see her from every angle.
I also followed conventions in relation to my double page spread
through the use of a standfirst to give a vague introduction to the artist,
and the article on the page.
I then used a drop can to once again reinforce conventions of the
double page spread regarding the article. The article was then
separated in blocks of white and grey to make it clear which part is the
question, and which is the answer. A credit line was also put in
regarding the model, and who the images and article belong to.
Page numbers were also included at the bottom of the page, sticking to
the colour scheme, to maintain continuity throughout my magazine.
The page numbers also related to the articles shown on the contents
page which reinforces the continuity throughout the magazine.

6. Masthead on the right hand side goes against
Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop conventions due to them usually being placed
on the left hand side as seen on NME and Q. I
or challenge forms and conventions of real media thought this would look better regarding the
products? positioning of the image. It makes it easier to
read and more noticeable for readers. The
image of my artist also overlaps the masthead
Conventions were also slightly, this accentuates the importance of
followed on my music the artist in relation to the fact that their
magazine regarding the sell prominence is more important than the
lines. They are placed on the masthead itself.
left third which is the most
common place for these to be
situated. The house style is
also introduced through the
blocks behind the text. The
black and white each contrast Magazine and date line are located below the
with one another which leaves masthead in a black font to create and
a good effect, I used grey and maintain the house style throughout the
yellow – slightly less harsh magazine. The font ‘Pristina’ is used on the
tones to make the magazine date line to show some sort of variation
seem a lot less grungy and between the two pieces of text. This font also
portray the light-hearted, fun features within the magazine although the
side of my music magazine. predominant font throughout is ‘Gill Sans MT
Condensed’.
I followed magazine conventions by using a pull
The main image is of the artist quote on the front cover which links to the main
which this months issue of my image, relating to the main article within. This is
music magazine revolves around – done to attract potential customers and give them
‘BEAN’. She is shown sat down an insight as to what the main feature for this
facing the audience which I feel months issue is. Which could then possibly lure
links with the pull quote on the them in to purchase the product.
front cover. The fact that she is
sitting connotes the idea that she
Similar to official music magazines, the name of my
is possibly feeling slightly down,
magazine and price of the issue is located on the
and the magazine has a duty to
Once again following conventions of a music barcode. This follows typical conventions of a music
investigate the reason behind this.
magazine, I included a footer on the bottom of the magazine.
cover to give the reader an insight as to what is
inside the magazine before actually purchasing it.

7. Q1.) In what ways does your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and conventions of real media
Conventionally, the image relating to
products? the main article is a lot larger in
comparison to the others featured on
I also included the masthead of the contents page. The image is
different, with the artist in a different
my magazine on the contents
stance and outfit to show variation. The
page to make it more main article is also featured on a page
recognisable to readers and relatively close to the front due to it
maintains the initial continuity of being higher of importance.
the music magazine.
To further reinforce continuity, I
ensured the use of the same 4 Smaller photos are also shown on the
colours, black, white, grey and contents page, showing the different
yellow, throughout. The features within the magazine. They are
placed further back in the magazine as
maintenance of this house style
they are less important in comparison
makes the magazine more to the main story on the front page.
recognisable, giving it more of
an iconic look.
A ‘subscribe’ option is also included in my
contents page which is another convention of
music magazines as seen on others, such as
NME. This helps lure in potential customers to
purchase the monthly magazines at a discount.
This is helpful as my magazine revolves around
students, which will not have mass amounts of
Sub headings are a convention of
disposable income.
magazines which help readers
find what they are looking for,
efficiently. My magazine also
includes 51 pages, which is an I included an editors note in my magazine. I don’t feel as
average amount for a music though this is 100% conventional due to the fact that
magazine. Further reinforcing not many music magazine of my genre include one. I
still decided to include it as I feel as though it helps
the use of conventions.
develop a good relationship between the editor and the
audience – it makes it more personal.

8. The use of the word ‘BEAN’ in the
background makes it clear to the
audience who the article is based
This pull quote is used
upon. The fact that the images are
to intrigue the
placed over the top of the text imply
audience into reading
that the person is more important than
the article. It connotes
the words on the page.
the idea that the artist
has struggled in some
shape or form. ‘VIBE’
are given the
opportunity to
The main image consists of investigate what
‘BEAN’ from 3 angles which exactly it is that
insinuates that she is ‘BEAN’ is struggling
exposed within the against.
article, connoting the idea
that she is vulnerable. The
middle image shows ‘BEAN’
directly staring at the I included a stand first
audience, this engages them as an introduction to
with the artist and lures my article, it gives the
them into it. reader an insight into
who the artist
featured on the page
is, and what the article
is about.
Page numbers The same font is also used throughout
conform to the house the article. Once again, reinforcing
style of the magazine, continuity. The body of the article Conventionally, I used a pull quote within my
they also link to the shows grey boxes which makes it clear article, this helps to break up the text. The
numbers stated in the to the audience which part of the text is pull quote within the text also grabs the
contents page the question and which is the answer; reader due to it contrasting with the main
correctly. through colour separations. A drop cap quote – making it slightly controversial.
is also used at the very beginning of the
article. Reinforcing the conventions of a
music magazine.