The media product challenges several conventions of real magazines: - It lacks a barcode on the front cover where it would normally be placed. - The main image on the contents page covers the whole page rather than focusing more on text. - Interviews are absent, unlike most magazines, to focus more on photography for their target audience. - Columns on the double page spread are not structured in close alignment as is typical. By using some conventions but challenging others, the product creates a unique selling point to attract a niche audience interested in experiencing new approaches.

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

2. The masthead of the magazine uses a
distinctive font which is then repeated
throughout the magazine in order to
create a house font; a popular
convention within real media products,
such as
The main image on the front
cover is placed strategically in
front of the masthead, this
By placing the price suggests that the audience will
of the magazine on still be able to recognise the
the front cover, a magazine which uses a
popular convention convention that is also used by
of real media a real media product;
The issue number is written in
a small font beneath the products was used. The contents page text is
masthead on the front cover. featured on the left side of
This can be seen to conform the main image, this uses a
convention of many real
to a popular convention used
media products. The
by reduced opacity highlighting
The enhanced lens flare on the of the font develops the
Double Page Spread develops a convention used by
convention used in

3. The front cover also challenges a convention demonstrated
by the cover of bright colours which are likely to
attract the audience, by using monotonic colours. However,
this represents the genre of music more accurately that
brighter colours would.
When comparing my Another convention that
media product with has been challenged is
it is clear that many the use of cover lines.
conventions have been Real media products tend
challenged. For example, to use the convention of
the presence of a cover lines to inform the
barcode on the bottom reader of what is included
left side of the cover. If inside the magazine.
my product was a real However,
media product, the also regularly
barcode would be on or challenges this
inside the back cover as I convention.
feel that this would
contribute to the USP.
The absence of a barcode allows the product to
challenge another convention of real media
products such as as the price is
usually placed along with or on top of the
barcode. However, the absence of a barcode on
the front cover means that the price is
freestanding thus contributing the USP.

4. The contents page challenges a
convention commonly seen in
as the main image covers the
whole page whereas other magazines
place more focus on the text with a
smaller image.
Another convention
that is challenged
by my product is
having the main
The contents page also
image in black and
challenges the common
white. Real media
conventions of real media
products such as
products’ contents pages as the
artist has no direct mode of
always use the
address with the audience, nor are
convention of
they performing; both conventions
having brightly
that can commonly be seen in
coloured main
images and fonts
on their contents
pages.

5. The product also challenges the convention of large interviews that can often be found in
This is the case as the magazine aims to target an audience who will
appreciate the photography and therefore, do not need to read as much about the artists.
Again, this will help to create a USP for the product.
The media product challenges the convention of structured,
closely aligned columns on the double page spread; a convention
that is used throughout the majority of real media products. This is
another contributor to the USP.

6. Due to the various conventions that are used, developed and challenged throughout the
product, a unique selling point is created. This allows the magazine to specify it’s audience to a
niche target. Popular conventions from other magazines such as the house style will allow the
product to enter the market with relative ease as the audience will hopefully recognise and
appreciate the familiar conventions. Additionally, the development of conventions throughout
the product, allows the magazine to have an edge on competing magazines as it is new and
current, despite the more vintage house style that has been created through the use of
photography. Furthermore, the conventions from real media products that were challenged by
the magazine are particularly responsible for the unique selling point as they will hopefully
interest the target audience; people who are willing to experience new things.
Overall, there are more challenges to the conventions than there are conformities,
however, various conventions and forms have still been used and developed which should
hopefully increase the popularity of the product.