Evaluation question 1

1. In what ways does my media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of a real music magazine? My media product is of an R&B genre and different conventions imply that the theme and target audience are of the same genre. It can be shown through the colours, style, wording and images on the cover of the product.

2. Main Image The main image on my magazine product is clearly a mimic of the typical expectations of a R&B mix Hip Hop magazine as the two genres are sometimes clearly mixed and not specific. It immediately propels this fact as it attracts the correct target audience. The posture and position of the models shows the superiority of the models above others, which highlights the assumption that it is a mainstream genre type. Although the costumes vary, the accessories emphasise the theme by using the hats and long conventional chains that shows ‘bling’ as an idolised object, especially in the music industry. The images of both magazines give the impression of being in control and significantly popular due to size of the image and eye contact.

3. Background The backgroundon my magazine is vague and unclear as to what it is suppose to verify. It is a plain background with minimal colours and there are no distinctive objects in the image. Similarly to XXL magazine where the background is slightly blurry and almost left unnoticeable, however it does vaguely show slums which are meant to symbolise the route of the models journey to success. Similarly to VIBE magazine where the background is a simple dark pattern that makes the typography more visible, also it links into the colour scheme of the magazine like NEON’s blue/black/grey colour scheme. my magazine is of similar characteristics due to the image and masthead being more noticeable and highlighted against the dark background image.

4. Mastheads Similarity: Most masthead designs are widespread across the front covers from one side to the other which makes it more visible and significant, they also link into the colour scheme. Difference: The mastheads of XXL, VIBE AND SOURCE are in a strong bold font whereas NEON is more vibrant and highlighted with a blue glow, this contrasts with the other magazines but the theme is still specific due to the name and colour scheme.

5. Colour Scheme Although the colours are different the theme is still the same, most R&B/HIP-HOP magazines use precise block colours on the cover, usually 3-4 different co-ordinating colours that give an overall affect. My magazine uses blue, black and grey and vibe has used white, yellow and black which contrast with one another against the plain background to give a clear theme. The main rule is to use minimal amount of colours so it neatens up the whole cover and prevents it from looking messy and unorganised.

6. Cover Line Cover lines are usually kept short and simple but must attract the readers attention through language used and typography. The main cover lines normally describes what the reader is expected to find in the main article of the complete magazine, usually linking to the main image or model on the cover. Making the cover line big and noticeable is also important but in the case of my magazine I felt it was more important that the cover line does is not over emphasised as it may make the masthead less distinct. COVER LINES

7. Layout MASTHEAD COVER LINES MAIN IMAGE PROPS MAIN COVER LINE PRICE BARCODE