The document evaluates how the author's music magazine prototype uses, develops, and challenges conventions of real music magazines. The masthead, cover images, and color scheme generally follow conventions but the masthead font and central cover lines introduce some challenges. Inside, the contents page connects to the cover visually while using an unconventional dark background color. Photographs and articles follow conventions through layout and sequencing but also introduce some innovative elements. Overall, the evaluation shows an attempt to balance familiar magazine conventions with new design risks.

1. Evaluation
of my music
magazine
By Katie Trayner

2. 1. In what ways does
your media product use,
develop or challenge
forms and conventions of
real media products?

3. Masthead – The masthead has
a unique font , which conveys
the meaning of the tittle, The colour scheme follows the
reconnecting with the conventions of a magazine,
audience. It is unique, bright vibrant pinks and
however the size and purples, white and blacks are
positioning is conventional. used – this is common on most
magazine, I have used “girly”
colours as my main target
audience is aimed mostly
The main image – the artists in towards females aged 16-20. I
the band are filling the whole of have also used the same font
the space on the front cover. My throughout the font cover as it
magazine uses some forms and is simple and bold as it is
conventions of real media aimed towards the middle brow
products such as using a medium audience.
long shot. Also the band
members are giving direct eye
which forms a relationship with I have slightly challenged the
the audience. The band are the conventions with the main
main feature of the magazine, masthead, usually the main
which gives a direct address. I cover lines are positioned to the
also made sure the lighting was right or left however I decide to
bright to make the artists stand take a risk and place my main
out and make them look better cover central so it anchors the
as I am trying to convey a hip main image of the band. The
hop/pop genre which is generally sub line offers more information
happy and upbeat – this shows and interests the audience
my photography skills. giving them extra information of
what is inside the magazine.
Cover lines – I have used short 1 to
2 line cover lines which are shorty
and snappy. They give an insight to
the audience what is inside the It follows the conventions of media Positioning statement – gives the reader
magazine and also draws the products with a bar code, price and more information about what this music
audiences attention in as few words date placed in the bottom right
magazine contains. The different colour
as possible. I have challenged the hand corner. Using a white font
of the font and circles, this is different
conventions as most magazines use matches the barcode and contrasts
as most positioning statements are
more words, the cover lines also against the artists clothing. I have
also added a website which
usually one colour.
either frame the image or overlap
the main image. represents a modern up to date
vibe which portrays the genre.

4. Contents title – I have used the
same text as the masthead for Colour scheme – I have
my contents tittle as it connects used a very similar colour
to the magazine front cover. scheme to my front cover
Also I have put a small as it links the contents page
masthead under the contents and contents page together.
title as it is a trade mark – also However I have challenged
I have positioned the contents the conventions by using a
page at the top of the page as dark background. I have
it follows the convention of a had positive and negative
media product. feedback on this as it
slightly clashes with text
however I really like it as it
I have followed the
is different and matches all
conventions of billboard
the colours.
magazine by using a
similar layout for the mini I have been inspired by
photographs. By doing this Vibe magazine to have a
it catches the audience eye image cut out and placed on
first as using the rule of the contents page looking
thirds the photograph on slightly 3D. I believe I have
the left will be the first challenged the conventions
thing saw by the audience. as most images are usually
The photographs are kept in columns. The image
anchored by the text and contrasts with the
also the page numbers link background and shows
with the contents. content in the magazine.
Page numbers separate Page numbers on
each content. I have put 3 photographs to link with
main sub heading to content.
separate each column.
Clear layout and is easy for I am following the
the reader to understand conventions of columns,
and follow easily. this consists of News,
Reviews and features – for
I have also added a subscribe option, this entices example “live interview with
Using different size fonts, follows the audience to subscribe and buy the Odd Future” the band
conventions as it separates the page magazine, also by offering a detail – it is more featured on the front cover.
numbers and tittles so it is easier to read. advertising, and appeals to the audience more.

5. I used a drop cap to give the reader a idea I have conventionally followed a colour scheme on
The tittle of the article where to start reading and also I put “what the double page spread. I have linked the colours
is the bands names, now” in capital letters because it is one of with the front cover and contents page. I have
“ODD FUTURE” this the bands songs, and by putting it in capital, used the same pink on all 3 pages because it is
tells you the bands it makes the tittle of the song visually stand the same pink as the artist on rights t-shirt. So all
name, however out and appeal. 3 pages colour scheme links with the t-shirt.
doesn’t tell the The drop cap takes up 5
audience what the lines in the paragraph – this
is visually effective. I have
article is about – but it also followed the contention
attracts the audience by using question and
with the bold colour answer and by placing the
and bold white stroke article in columns
making it more The buy line,
appealing. shows who has
interviewed the
My main images shows
band – this would
a use of photography
attract the
skills, I made sure I
audience if they
had bright lighting, and
were interested in
set up the artists with
the Dj who has
props. I then used
interviewed them.
Photoshop to edit the
Using a white pink
photograph to make the
stroke, this really
colours brighter, and
stands out against
changed the original
the plain grey
colour of the drums
background.
using technology.
By placing the last 3
I have also words in capitals, it
used page excites the reader to
numbers so read the article as the
the article is artist shouts it and
easy to find catches the readers
attention
I have once again challenged the conventions on the double page spread, I have also used a pink background behind the
instead of separate images, I have decided to over lap my images. By text as it links to the buy line and also the tittle
using my photography skills I have placed a action shot of each band of the double page spread.
member with there name above the photograph – I was inspired to do Having the magazines name on the double page spread –
this by NME. I have also placed the photographs in the same pink of the connects the double page spread with the front cover. And
text background and artists t-shirt to match the cover scheme. Also it as it says exclusive – it makes the article look special
makes the photographs stand out against the background as the edition and you can only read about in this magazine,
photograph has lots of props, therefore the mini photograph may not be making the audience feel special. Also I used the masthead
seen clearly. By placing the artists name above or below the photograph, font for “Reconnect exclusive” to make the connection of
makes the article personal – like the audience knows the band. the tittle – and link the of the front cover.