1. Q1 - IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR
CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS
OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?
J E M M A S H A W

2. FRONT COVER COMPARISON…
Main Image
Strapline
Masthead
Pull Quote
Coverline
Plug
Barcode
Date Line
Price
After researching numerous magazines, I have found that these are the main
conventions of an effective magazine. Therefore I have decided to base the front
cover of my magazine off this magazine, due to it including most of the
conventions I planned out. By using these conventions to produce my magazine
I was able to create a professional media product.

3. MY FRONT COVER…
I situated the masthead at
the top of my magazine as
that is where they are
predominantly found. This
convention is easy to read
as it tends to be the
biggest element on the
page, therefore attracts
the readers eye.
On my magazine I have also chosen to
include a strapline along the bottom
of my magazine. It is at the bottom of
my page because I didn’t want It to be the first thing the audience saw due to it not
being the most important convention, unlike the masthead of main image. Within this
strapline I have also include the buzz word, this tells the reader that there is a lot more
inside the magazine which helps attract the audience to buy it.
My main image grabs the readers attention due to Jessie J looking
forward and her body posture looks like she is leaning out of the front
cover, therefore this gives the image quite a bold message.
Furthermore I have also set the background to look like concert lights
so that the audience instantly know what genre the magazine is
without having to
read any further information.
The barcode, date and price
are also typical conventions of
a magazine, allowing the
magazine to be bought. I
decided to put these
conventions in the bottom
right hand side corner as this
is where most magazines I
researched into placed them
and also it prevents these
elements from getting in the
way of all the other
conventions.
I chose to position my
main coverline, just
below half way down the
magazine on the left hand
side. This is because
people naturally look from
left to right therefore it will
be seen easily. Also I have
enlarged this text so that it
is bigger than all the other
coverlines, this is so that
the audience knows what
the main story is.
Pull quotes give the
reader an idea of what
else is going to be
included in the magazine.
These conventions also
interact with the audience
as they make them want to
read more about that
particular
story/article/interview or
the whole magazine.

4. CONTENTS PAGE COMPARISON…
Main Image
Caption
Title/Logo
Columns
Sub Images
Page Numbers
After researching into various contents page, I have found that these are the
main conventions of a typical contents. Therefore I have decided to base my
contents page off this magazine, due to it including most of the conventions I
planned out. By using these conventions to produce my magazine I was able to
create a professional media product.
Colour Scheme

5. MY CONTENTS PAGE…
The title of this page is
placed at the top as this is
where most readers look
first This tells the reader
what the purpose of this
page is, telling them what
features inside and the
various page numbers.
The main image is another typical convention of a contents page and
is usually the largest image on the page. I have placed this towards
the centre of this page so that it stands out from the other images
situated around it.
Using columns on a
contents page is also a
main convention. This
gives my contents page a
simple but effective layout
as I have placed my
columns down the left
hand side. The font,
‘Mangal’ which I have
used also makes this
information easy to read,
this is also vital when
looking at contents pages.
Sub Images, these
images relate to the
columns at the other side
of the page, which makes
them easy to relate too.
They also attract the
audience to read further
into the magazine by
showing them which other
artists are included in this
particular magazine.
Colour Scheme, even
though this doesn’t match
with the main colour
scheme of my front
cover, I have used the blue
from the main image to
give the magazine a
variety of colours and so
that my magazine looks
professional with the
colours matching up.
I have also decided to
include an image of my
front cover, as this makes
my magazine look to a
high standard and is also
included in my other
contents pages that I have
researched into.
I have also included another strapline at the bottom of this page, as it is
still telling the user what is inside the magazine which will help gain the
audiences attention to read further.

6. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD COMPARISON…
Pull Quote
Caption
Title
Drop Cap
Main Image
Sub Images
Columns/Article
After researching into several double page spreads, I have found that these are
the typical conventions. Therefore I have decided to base my contents page off
this magazine, due to it including most of the conventions and because it uses
an interesting layout. By using these conventions to produce my magazine I was
able to create it to a high standard.

7. MY DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD…
The masthead on this
page tells the reader
what this page is about.
This is placed on a
diagonal as it adds a
quirky edge to the page
making it interesting for
the user to look at.
The main image on
my contents page
relates to the image
on my front cover. It
carries on the
staged
theme, therefore
this synergy helps
make the magazine
flow.
Sub Heading, this introduces the audience as
to what the rest of the article is about. This is
also a typical convention of double page
spreads. Furthermore I have made this into a
bigger font to make it stand out to the reader so
that they are interested in then reading the
interview below.
I have also included an
Image Caption, which
informs the reader about
the image above, for
example who the artist is and
where they are playing. I have
made the background of this
convention black as it helps it
stand out from the rest of the
information on the page.
Pull Quotes, these have
been situated in between
the columns, giving the
page an interesting look.
They have also been
written in a much larger
font and in italics, this
helps engage the
audience to read more into
the interview as it can be
the main focal point.
This interview has been divided into three Columns, this
makes it easier for the audience to read as it applies a simple
effect to the page. The use of columns also makes the page
look less ‘wordy’ and usually takes up about half of the double
page spread. This is also a typical convention of a double
page spread.
Also on my double page
spread, I have merged the
image and context together,
this is so it gives more of a
professional look.