This document outlines conventions of magazines and how the author's media product follows or changes some conventions. It discusses general magazine conventions like large mastheads, images, and cover lines. It also discusses conventions specific to indie/folk magazines, which emphasize minimalism. The author's magazine cover uses a large masthead, image, and headlines, but changes fonts and layouts to appear handwritten like a mix tape. Inside pages include images, columns, and categories while maintaining the color scheme and focusing on the featured artist.

1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA
PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHANGE
FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?

2. All magazines, no mater what genre, have certain conventions that they follow. Some magazines
do go against some of these conventions to make them stand out however many stick to them
as they draw people into buying the magazine. Different genres have their own set of little
conventions so that the magazine Is clear and effects a particular audience.

3. GENERAL CONVENTIONS
Large title (masthead) – usually
one or two word title, making it
clear what magazine it is. Many
have part of the name covered
to show that it is well known and
to make the picture have more
depth. It should be the largest
text so the eye is drawn to that
first. Has a trademark, unique
font, fills the width of the cover,
or is in the top left corner. The
positioning statement is how the
magazine positions itself in the
marketplace against the
competition.
Around the title is roughly where
the price and issues (
sometimes even the bar code)
is placed. A lot smaller to
emphasize the title.
Splash- this is where there
is a little insight to what is
in the magazine. Normally
it is, for a music magazine,
a list of artist and band
names. This is to make it
obvious what is in the
magazine and gives a
large hint to the genre.
This makes the reader
more likely to want to read
it if they know the artists
inside. It shows the value
it is for money as it
conveys the magazine is
full of interesting stories.
Image – one main image that
would take up the whole cover.
Covers of a magazine are usually
portrait. Normally the main
article artist with direct eye
contact. Studio photos, normally
close up to mid photos with a
direct link to the main part of the
magazine.
Barcode- positioned at the bottom right,
or up the right side. If not by the
masthead his is where other
information's also goes, for example
date, month, edition number, price,
website or issues number.
Cover lines- lines
of text on the front
cover designed to
attract the
audience’s
attention and
make them pick
the magazine up
and look inside.
Tell you what is
inside the
magazine.
Main cover line- This is the second
largest text on the cover (after the
mast head) It anchors the meaning
of the image. There is usually a sub
line in smaller text t give more
information about the article. Some
even use a pull quote ( a quote
from the main article) to get people
to read it.
Buzz words- word to
draw people in and
attract attention.
Normally in the same
font as the title or same
color. Eg “EXCLUSIVE,
FREE, PLUS

4. indie/folk magazine conventions
Very minimalistic on the cover it can sometimes
only be a mast head and a main article. If there
are smaller cover lines they would be all down
one side.
Colors are either all warm or all cool yet all
fairly faint. The colors are not over
powering, vibrant and would give off a
calm idea. This relates to the style of music
which is calm and underpowered. Colors
are all similar with either a white or black
masthead.
Indie magazines still follow the conventions of music
magazine however they go against many. This would
be down to the concept of indie. The concept of indie
is to be different but not to scream and shout about it.
To break away from the norm. indie and folk
magazines have their own conventions as to fit into
the indie genre and to give out an indie vibe.
The mast head is usually across the top of the
magazine in either black or white depending on the
background or any parts in the picture for example
the middle magazine the mast head was chosen
black to match the bug and the eyeliner making all
three pop out. Yet on clash the white is to contrast
the hair colour.
Font- it is normally very
simple and blocks or fancy
curls to give an elegant feel
to it. Like the flow of a
music note. Blocks are
normally more manly and
curls are more feminine.

5. My cover conventions
Mix tape- retro,
different to what's
around right now.
(indie)
In the middle, takes up the most of
the middle of the page just like
indie magazine. Black to contrast
the light background. All
conventions of an indie magazine
as shown on the slide before.
Thin, flowing text as my
magazine is targeted
towards females so
have gone against the
block capitals which is
an indie magazine
convention. I went
against it as It looks
handwritten like what
would be on a mix tape
itself. Also gives a calm
feel to it.
Selling line/ slogan underneath in the same
font but smaller as the mast head is the
largest part taking up about ¼ of the page. No
splash line as many indie magazines don’t as
they try to keep minimal.

6. Buzz words-
same font as
the title but a
lot smaller.
Still minimal to
stick to the
theme.
Contrast to the
main text to
make them
stand out.
Headlines or including
what is in the
magazine like most
magazines. This is to
attract people in.
Goes over part of the
image however not
over the face of the
artist.
Normally magazines would have more
detailed headline where as this is more
like the context of what would be in the
splash. I choose to go against the
conventions as indie magazine are
minimal and don’t include a splash so it’s
a smaller way of giving an idea of what's
inside.

7. Barcode, website
and issue number
on the bottom right
corner all together
to not take up too
much space. On
the right.
Pull quote-
reference to the new
album, shocking
quote to bring
people in. In a
different font to the
masthead to make
the masthead stand
out more.
Places over the artist but not
covering the face. Gives a
more 3d look.
Normally the text on the
front of a magazine is all
horizontal however I
have twisted this to
make it stand out more.

8. Direct eye contact with the
camera.
Guitar as part of Ed
Sheerans identity and many
music and especially indie
and folk have them on the
cover as that is one of the
main parts.
Rugged looking tie to match
the artist identity and to not
have the “main stream” look
that indie people dislike.

9. Layout-Colum's normally 3 or 4, one
main image relating to the main article,
other smaller images all with page
numbers on the pictures.
Photography – is credited
for the front cover, and
there are interesting and
varied photographs
Contents – is divided into
categories and headings used to
identify each. Main categories –
features and regulars
Bottom – page number, magazine
title, issue date, often web
address Usually 1 or 2 pages
written in the same conventional way :
first line – page number, 1or 2 words
which could be the artist’s name or
ambiguous text to intrigue the reader
in bold type and often capitals, (12 or
13pt)
Sublines - give more specific detail
about what the articles are about,
smaller font and Roman, largest type
size is 11pt
Colours – contents page use the same,
simple colour scheme as the front cover
Sometimes an editors letter is
included however not all have them.
It gives a personal feel to it.

10. Same font as and colours as
the cover to create a house
theme. Light background to
make the words stand out.
Main image- relates to the
cover photo and the guitar is
a main feature. Page
number and short line to
give you an idea of what it is
about if not to sure for
example if you don’t know
the artist.
Images smaller than the main one,
closer together to make them blend
more so the main image stands out.

11. 3 columns, revolving around
the main image to make the
main image stand out.
Contrasting between black
and orange to stand out even
more on the background.
Shows importance. This
normally doesn’t happen as it
is normally all black however i
though it looked too bland
just black.
Blocked into categories only a few to
keep fairly simple and minimal to
reach the target audience and with a
music magazine mainly about music
so want it to be the main focus
instead of other categories.
Pull quote to get more
people wanting to by it.
Just over the main image
do you know its about the
main image but not taking
too much away.

13. One main image,
large sometimes
takes up a whole
page of however
some have
smaller images
but a lot more of
them.
Still remaining in the house style for the
main article others can be whatever
colour fits but normally the main article
fits with the rest of the magazine.
A pull quote is used to give
an idea if you should read
the magazine or not. It
breaks up the text and is
normally a different colour to
the rest.
Text is in columns and the main text is normally black on white or
white on black. This makes the picture, pull quote and title stand
out more. Depending on your audience - your writing should be
clear and easy to follow - directed straight at the reader (mode of
address.) Usually informal in most magazines and sometimes
using slang words (that may be appropriate to your genre of
music) and swear words etcAt the bottom they normally have the
website address, page number and
other small information.
By line – this is where
the most important
people of the
magazine who made
the article for example
the producers and
writers are given credit
for their work.

14. Orange, black and white colour
screen to keep within the house
style. I did however go against the
house style on font so that the text
is easier to read and looks more
professional.
3 coulombs spaced out with
a clear margin on each side.
Aligned to the left.
Introduction at the top
before the questions.
Pull quote- to break up the text to
make it more readable and to get
people to read it.

15. Black and white photo to give a
vintage look and to make the
orange stand out more. Also the
picture is meant to look like he is
about to step out on stage so it
looks better with the bright light
in the background like he’s
walking out.
By linePage tag so when people
flick through it they can
see what it is without
looking at the content.
Website and page number