The document describes the design elements of a magazine cover, contents page, and double page article spread that was created. It includes conventions like a masthead, cover lines, barcodes, headers and footers. The design draws on similarities with real magazines like Vibe, such as using prominent images and quotes, column text layouts, and credits for articles and photos. It aims to challenge conventions by including two photos on the double page spread, which was a historic technique in Vibe magazines.

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

2. MASTHEAD- The masthead at the top of the page and is big, bold and is red which contrasts with the grey gradient background, and it makes it stand out. The same font (Franklin Gothic Heavy) is used on the whole cover which creates its identity and makes it consistent and professional. MAIN COVER LINE- The main cover line is situated in the left third of the page and is the largest and boldest cover line which: identifies the person on the cover, it shows who the main feature of the magazine is, and it shows what the main article is about. The red has been used which matches with the title and makes it stand out RULE OF THIRDS- This has been used as the cover is split up into thirds vertically and horizontally (imaginary) to ensure that the layout of cover is clear and tidy. BARCODES/TEXT/PRICE+DATE- These are important when selling magazines and it is in the bottom left so that it is out of the way. I have used a barcode at the top of this strip which is to be scanned by smart mobile technology to download exclusive content related to a famous artist. There is text related to the barcode, there is text that states the magazines website, there is a barcode (which shops will use for stock management), and there is the price above the barcode. There is also the date that it is published. THE HEADER- The header shows the reader who the main artists featured in the magazine are, using bold text and same font as masthead- keeping it consistent. The font colours used are black and red which are cover colour scheme, and the more popular artists names are in a red font. THE COVER LINES- The cover lines indicate which artists and main articles are featured in the magazine. The cover is not jammed with lots of cover lines and some are smaller than others which suggests that it is a popular magazine and does not require lots of cover lines and flashers to attract its audience. THE MAIN IMAGE & BACKGROUND- The main image is a mid shot of my friend Ellison Porter who is wearing a cap and is standing with his arms crossed, looking straight at the camera with a moody and intimidating expression on his face. These features suggest attitude and rebellion which relates to the magazines genre (Hip Hop/R&B). The background is white which is simple and this makes Lil’ Wayne the main attraction of the cover and it make him more dominant. The Background is a simple vertical grey gradient colour which emphasises Ellison Porter as the main attraction of the cover, and it also adds to the clear layout and colour scheme.

3. Similarities with real magazines My magazine cover includes a mixture of features from real magazines such as Vibe. For example I have got two images of Vibe magazine covers on the right, which both have a different style. The similarities with my cover include: It has a header that shows the reader who the main artists featured in the magazine are, it has a large bright and bold font for the masthead at the top of the page. It has the main cover line to the left of the main image which relates to the artist on the cover and the main article. It has bold and contrasting cover lines around the main image that stand out but not as big as the main cover line, and they do not cram the whole page which makes the layout clearer. It has a main image of a Hip Hop/R&B artist that has a moody and intimidating expression on his face which relates to the aggressive genre of music. It has a strip in the bottom left of the page showing a barcode which is to be scanned by smart mobile technology to download exclusive content, there is text related to that barcode, there is text that states the magazines website, and there is a barcode that shops will use for stock management. It has the price above the barcode, and it has the date that it is published underneath the strip.

4. MASTHEAD- The masthead is a large letter B which stands for the magazine name ‘Beat’, it is in the same font as the title on the front cover to keep it consistent, and it is positioned in the top half of the page. It is the colour grey which does not stand out too much with the background which makes it part of the background and ensures that the main photograph dominates the page. THE MAIN IMAGE+CAPTION- The main image is a mid shot of my friend Ellison Porter who is looking straight at the camera with a moody attitude expression on his face and with his hands in his pockets, which associates with rebellion and the genre of Rap music. Here he is wearing a bright red bomber jacket with fur hood which matches with his cap, and his belt and jeans can be seen. The image dominates the page and the bright colours used make it stand out and eye-catching. Ellison is the main feature on the magazine cover as well which indicates he is the main feature. There is a small caption on the left of the main image which describes the clothing worn by Ellison on the front cover and on this contents page. The clothing brands are in a bolder font style which makes them stand out. CONTENTS TITLE- The title ‘Contents’ is in a large bold black font which is not in a straight line but is split up into three lines and contrasts with background which makes it original and stands out. PAGE NUMBERS, ARTICLE NAME & SUMMARY OF ARTICLE- These are positioned under the sub headings which shows the category it comes under, and it shows the reader what the main articles/stories are and the page number it is on. The page numbers and the summary of article are in a black font colour matching the sub headings and this shows that it is slightly more important than the articles name- which is in a grey colour that does not stand out as much. The article names are in capital letters which stand and show it is the articles title, even though it is not in a darker colour. The summary of the article is in a smaller serif font style which also contrasts with the article name and makes the article name stand out. The summary of each article underneath the article names also include the writers name/photographers name, which is all in capital letters, and is a smaller bold font with an increased character spacing. HEADER- This consists of the letter ‘B’ (representing name of the magazine), a series of lines which look like a barcode, and their website CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER+SUB HEADINGS- There is a contents page number ‘1/3’ which shows that there is three contents pages in the magazine. The sub headings are black and bold which show the reader what the main areas of interest are in the magazine (features and fashion). The font used is a bold serif font which is larger than the text below it and it is in a different style of font which makes it stand out and can be identified as the subheading. PHOTOGRAPH DESCRIPTION- This shows the reader the artists name, where and when the photo was taken, and the photographers name.

5. Similarities with real magazines My magazine contents page includes a mixture of features from real magazines such as Vibe. For example I have got two images of Vibe magazine contents pages on the right, which both have a different style. The similarities with my contents page include: It has a header which includes the first letter of the magazine name, lines which look a barcode and the magazines website. It has a masthead at the top of the page which is a large bold letter that is the first letter of the magazine name, it has the title ‘Contents’ is in a large bold font that is split up into three lines to make it original and stands out. It has a mid shot photograph of an artist that is looking straight at the camera with a moody attitude expression on their face and with their hands in their pockets. It has a small caption on the left of the main image which describes the clothing worn by the artist featured on the front cover/ contents page. It has the contents page number that shows how many contents pages are in the magazine and which one this page is. It has bold sub headings in a different style font which show what the main areas of interest are in the magazine, it has the page numbers/article name/summary of article under the sub headings. The article names are in a different font colour to the page numbers, summary of article and sub heading, the article names are in capital letters, the summary of the article is in a smaller serif font style, and the summary of each article includes the writers name/photographers name. It has the artists name, where and when the photo was taken, and the photographers name.

6. MAIN IMAGE+CAPTION- The main image is a mid shot of my friend Ellison Porter who is looking towards the ground with a less moody attitude expression on his face and with his hands in his pockets, but still associates with rebellion and the genre of Rap music. Here he is wearing the same bright red bomber jacket and jeans, seen on the contents page but is not wearing cap and now has a pair of headphones around his neck. The image dominates the page and uses bright colours which shows that the article is about him. There is a small caption in the bottom left corner which describes the clothing worn by Ellison on this page (all in capital letters), and the location it was photographed. BACKGROUND- The background is a vertical grey gradient colour (going from dark grey at the top to light grey at the bottom) which does not stand out too much and therefore makes the main image more dominant and stand out more. QUOTE- This quote is from the article which is something Ellison has said, it is positioned on the right of the main image and is central between the top and bottom of the page. The speech marks are large and red and the quote is white which contrasts and stands out from the background. The speech marks also match with the colour of the jacket Ellison is wearing. HEADER- This consists of the page number, letter ‘B’ (representing name of the magazine), a series of lines which look like a barcode, and their website. MAIN HEADING- This is the letters ‘E’ and ‘P’ (Ellison Porter’s initials) in large bold letters that are in black/red which contrast on the background, and stand out. The letters are positioned centrally at the top of the page and they are overlapping which makes them look more interesting. SUB HEADING- This shows what the article is about and it is in a large bold black font which is similar to the font style used for the ‘EP’ title. It has the same width as the ‘EP’ title and is positioned underneath it. SUB HEADING- This is another sub heading that includes copy relating to the article title and a question, which draws the readers attention and makes them want to read more. It is in a smaller font than the sub heading above so that it doesn’t stand out as much but it is in a red font colour which contrasts with it. COPY BEGINNIG WITH LARGE LETTER + TWO COLOUMNS- The Drops Cap is a stylistic feature and indicates where the text starts which assists the reader. It is also in a red font colour which matches the subheading above and makes it stand out more. The use of the two columns makes the layout of the text clearer and visually pleasing. BYLINE- This gives the author and photographer credit. IMAGE+CAPTION- This is a photograph of my friend Ellison Porter sitting in a recording studio, looking straight at the camera, and has a happy expression on his face which is different to the other photographs of him and it shows that the article is about a positive and interesting part of Ellison’s life. The caption states the name of the artist in the photo and the location.

7. Similarities with real magazines My magazine double page spread includes a mixture of features from real magazines such as Vibe. For example I have got three images of Vibe magazine double page spreads on the right, which all have a different style. The similarities with my double page spread include: On the left page it has a different colour background to the page on the right (vertical grey gradient), and has a mid shot photograph of an artist with a moody attitude expression on their face, and who is relevant to the article on the opposite page (it is positioned so that the top and side of the image is slightly cut off the page). It has a small caption at the bottom of the page (describing the clothing worn by the artist and location), and has a bold quote of something the artist has said in the article with big bold speech marks. On the right page it has a header which includes the page number, the first letter of the magazine name, lines which look like a barcode, and the magazine website. It has a main heading which is the artists initials, in a large bold font that are in two contrasting colours, and are overlapping. It has a sub heading which shows what the article is about and it is in a large bold font that is similar to the font style used for the main title. It has another sub heading underneath which is smaller copy relating to the other sub heading and it is in the same colour as one of the letters in the main heading. It has a Byline that shows the author/photographers name and has a small icon of lines (representing the articles author) and an icon of a camera (representing the photographer). It has copy which starts with a large coloured letter and is in two columns. One feature that I have challenged against the current Vibe magazines is to include two photographs in this magazines main double page spread, although it was done in the older issues of Vibe.