The document discusses how the media product uses and develops conventions from real media products. It analyzes the front cover, contents page, features page, and advertisements using examples from magazines like Essex Life and Dorset. Conventions that are used and developed include picturesque front cover images, bold mastheads, color schemes, page numbers, fonts, layouts, and limited text in ads. The goal is to create a recognizable brand, make information easily accessible, and appeal to the target 30-45 year old audience.

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

2. Picturesque Image – Front Cover
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I chose to use this convention in my magazine as it gives the target audience a recognisable image
of the area that they’d know and/or relate to since they live in the area. The clear image of an area
or feature of the area resonates with the local audience more than a generic landscape photo.
Adds to the perception that the audience prefer reading about and looking for places to visit rather
than being interested in people.

3. Bold Masthead – Front Cover
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
The mastheads that are used by those such as Essex Life and Dorset are contrasting to
the background by using a clear white and bold font. By using this convention it helps the
audience recognise the magazine as the masthead would be consistently used in the
same font and size throughout all issue’s to create a brand image.

4. Colour Scheme– Front Cover
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
Since most regional magazine make use of white fonts with a mixture of blue and
another bright colour over the whole front cover I decided to use this convention, with
my front cover image of the harbour bringing out the blue and yellow and incorporating a
white font.

5. Sell Lines – Front Cover
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
What was common from most regional magazine’s was the use of a large number and
corresponding text to signify an article. This brings the audience’s attention, by using this
hermeneutic code (Barthes) it meant the audience would want to read more. I have also
developed a convention that I found Hertfordshire Life using with the contents page like list
of articles. I decided to incorporate this with the slight difference of sections of the
magazine rather than just one article to give the audience a overall sense of what’s
included.

6. Barcodes – Front Cover
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
All regional magazines that I studied made use of barcodes at the bottom of the front cover in
order to give their customers information as to how much the magazine is for them to
purchase. I used this convention so that it gives the reader the relevant information and it also
shows what type of audience that it is aimed at due to the higher price than some magazines.

7. Images – Contents Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
In order to follow the convention which allows the magazine to catch the readers eye I used a
variety of landscape images and also made use of a model along with an image of a building.
The aim was to add on to what the audience would be more interested in (From the front
cover) which in this case is places to visit, rather than people. Using direct mode of address
(uses and grat) for my model meant the audience has a connection to them and would want to
find out what is on the corresponding page (semantic code – Barthes)

8. Editors and Writers – Contents Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
This lets the target audience find out who wrote the articles to see if someone they follow or
respect has contributed to the issue. This helps make the writers come across as professional
and would make the target audience more likely to read their articles since their established
writers.

9. Page Numbers – Contents Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
By using this convention the audience can easily navigate their way around the magazine as
well as giving the audience the impression of professionalism through organisation. As well
as aiding with the linear reading, this convention will attract more affluent reading which is the
main target audience.

10. Colour Scheme – Contents Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I used the common convention of a white background and black text to help make the
images stand out from the page and to draw attention to them. I also developed this white
and black colour scheme to incorporate purple text for the subheadings to also make these
stand out and for there to be natural borders in between text categories.

11. Fonts/Text – Contents Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I followed the conventions of using sans serif styles to reflect the sophisticated target
audience that my magazine appeals to. The uses of bolder larger fonts and subtitles means
the reader can easily distinguish between sections and categories. The text used in the
sections represent the audience’s interests of leisure and lifestyle due to their ages of 30-45.
Information on property, for example, would stand out for first time buyers of home giving a
preferred reading of the page (Hall’s reception theory).

12. Images – Features Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I developed the convention of using images in my feature page by having only one large
image that directly corresponds to the article at the top of the page. By doing this, it gives
the reader enough of a snapshot to be intrigued as to what the article has to do with the
image whilst also looking appealing. By having the models look away it creates intrigue and
doesn’t give away the article, therefore creating a question about it making the readers want
to read it. (Barthes)

13. Layout – Features Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
Whilst the pages that I studied incorporated lots of small articles on the page, I decided to
develop on the article produced by Bath. A simple layout with the image at the top attracts
the audience’s eyes with the text split into three columns as to not overfill the page. I
decided against using lines to show a clear separation from the columns as without it looks
more natural and professional. By giving the audience a suitable layout it gives them a
preferred reading of the article and the magazine (Reception Theory)

14. Colour Scheme – Features Page
The main colour attraction of the page
comes from the image. The colour
scheme I used was black, white and
grey along with hints of blue at the
bottom of the page, which follows
general conventions. This enables key
information about the magazine to
stand out. The large grey strip through
the background breaks the page up
and doesn’t make the text seem bland

15. Main title – Features Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I developed the convention of having a large, bold title by using it as an accompanying
feature along with the image. I also decided against using an ambiguous title and to give the
audience enough information for them to want to read the article. The target audience I’ve
aimed at wouldn’t need to be drawn into an unknown article as much as a younger reader
would hence why I did this.

16. Fonts – Features Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I followed the convention of using a ‘sans serif’ font. This will appeal to the audience and make it
easy for them to read.
As well as this I also used the convention of incorporating a variety of drop cap into the text in
order to give clear indication as to where the article starts whilst looking appealing and
professional.

17. Page number– Features Page
Examples in real media: Example in my production:
I used the convention of page numbers at the bottom of the features so that the reader can
easily navigate the page. I also followed the norm of having corresponding text alongside
the number such as the name of the magazine to give it a professional feel.

18. Advert Evaluation
I have followed the convention of using a
bright and vibrant colour scheme to make
the page grab the readers attention when
flicking through the magazine.
I developed a convention that was common but
not always present in adverts. By using the sell
line at the very top of the page in informs the
reader straight away the location and purpose
whilst also standing out against the background.
I followed the convention of using the brands logo and website to
appeal to the local audience who know them and would he more
intrigued to find out more.
I used the convention of a bright and eye
catching image so the reader would be drawn
to it. Whilst the image portrays a younger
activity it features adults to appeal to the target
audience.
By using little amounts of text like the other
adverts I studied, it doesn’t bore the audience
and gives them enough information to
potentially be intrigued and to find out more,
taking them to the website or the advertiser.
One feature I saw in Dorset magazine was the
use of a separator in-between the image and
the white background at the bottom. Whilst I
didn’t use the idea fully I incorporated a
version in order to break up the advert page.
Fowler suggests that audiences already know
what to expect from the magazine due to the
genre, so for middle-aged people that the
magazine is targeted at this advert appeals to
their wants for escape and leisure