This document discusses conventions used in magazine covers. It notes that magazine covers typically use 3 colors or less, have a main focal image, bold titles, and varied fonts. It examines the covers of two magazines, NME and Blender, and how they employ these conventions. For example, both have bold titles but use different colors and font styles reflecting their targeted genres. The document also discusses how its own mock magazine cover applies conventions like continuity of colors, varied sell lines around the main image, and a bold masthead to portray its music genre.

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

2. Through my research of current music magazines I was able to gather suitable conventions that feature in many magazines. Use of 3 colours or less One main focal image Bold titles Similar variety in font and size

3. Through both of my comparisons it is clear that both covers have big bold titles. Masthead colours on magazines, I have found out through my research, usually changes from week to week depending on the main story and colour theme. The masthead will always be in the same font how ever, this is so the reader feels like they are buying a familiar product. The sell lines on this magazine contrast with those of the other however have similar properties. NME uses a different colour to demonstrate the subheading for each sell lines whereas Blender tends to use a larger font. Both of these ways make it easier for the reader to understand what the magazine is going to have in it. The style of font for each masthead reflects that of the genre. For example NME targets young people who particularly like rock music, heavy metal etc therefore the font is very bold powerful and definitely makes a statement at the top corner. Blender, however, targets an audience of predominantly women and has a genre of more pop therefore the title is not a s bold and abrupt, it has also been printed in a colour that doesn’t stand too far out from the background, giving it a softer feel.

4. By having consistency of colours throughout the magazines creates the affect of continuity. Typically magazines will stick to 3 colours or less throughout the magazine. This gives the magazine an all rounded feel of it being very professional and relevant. If the magazine were to be cut up and someone had to work out which went with what, it could be relatively easy to tell because of the continuity. Sell lines tend to stick to two colours. One colour for the subheading and another for the information. This makes it nice and clear for the reader what is the title and what are the sell lines.

5. All magazines will have an issue number and date somewhere on the magazine. This is usually printed small as it is not very important however it always sticks to the colour scheme.

6. Sell lines will always cover the main image on a front cover, some magazines have more sell lines than others. NME has more font covering the main image than blender, this makes it look like it has more on it however Blender has several uses of sell lines whereas NME only uses one. The main image will conventionally have the biggest sell lines at the top left of the cover. NME however doesn’t have one. Instead they have very large text covering the main image.

7. By having variety in the style, font and colour of the sell lines, it makes the cover look more interesting and more appealing to the reader. By having the sell lines too fancy and different styles, this could lead to the reader finding it difficult to read, having simple big bold sell lines that are easy to read may be more appealing.

8. For my masthead and title of magazine I chose the name Notion. I printed this in a much bigger and bolder font to the rest and also a different style. I did this because I wanted the genre of my music to come out though the aesthetics. This is a convention that many magazines use, I therefore thought it as important. I have also included a barcode, issue number, date and price to my magazine. This is another factor that is conventional to any magazine. After conducting research I found out that different magazines have different amount and styles of sell lines. I decided to have fewer and less variation within the style. I think this is more affective and makes the cover not look as crowded. I chose to have big writing across my main image so the reader could automatically see what the main story was if they didn’t know the person from eye. I wanted variation for my sell lines which is why I included these two pieces at the bottom. They are more visually effective and interesting for the reader I chose three main colours. Red black and yellow. I did this so my magazine could have continuity. I have one use of colouring outside my theme. This is because I wanted to highlight that the reader could win something making it seem more upmarket.

9. I feel I have captured the use of mastheads in that they are bold and eye catching. I think it is clear what genre of music I am trying to portray. I feel my masthead stands out well in regards to the rest of my front cover. I feel I have captured the affect of having one large main image in the centre. I think that I have positioned the image well and have taken it well in regards to my genre. I think the writing over my main image is appropriate and affective to the cover. I feel I have positioned my sell lines well around the page and I also feel that my different sell lines along the bottom particularly make the cover look affective. Sell lines differ on each magazine, I think the sell lines on my magazine are more affective of those on NME because I have positioned them in different places, I have also incorporated variations in them.