Evaluation - Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Evaluation – Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

Forms and Conventions

• Masthead• Anchorage Text• Strapline/Skyline• Main Image/Photography• Sell Lines• House Style• Colour Scheme• Quotes• Direct Address

Front Cover

The cover of my magazine uses, develops and in some ways challenges many of the forms and conventions of existing media products.

The masthead is at the top of the page, which is a common position compared to normal magazines in the market and I wouldn’t challenge this as I believe it is the most identifiable for the audience and the most professional looking which in turn is appealing for my target audience. I used secondary research of looking at competitors magazines and used this convention of my magazine.

There is also direct address on my front cover which is using a popular convention of the real media as it enables the reader to feel as if they are being looked at immediately making them feel involved.

Front Cover

The main image covers the whole of the cover and I have developed using the main image with the editing I have done to it.

The background is blank in comparison to the model and the model over laps the masthead slightly emphasising brand recognition. I also have a brick wall behind the model which I have taken a picture of separately and placed it behind the edited picture of the model to add a slight 3D edge to my picture.

This I don’t believe is a common editorial convention of magazines so I believe I have challenged this and improved the idea of a front cover as it will have an advantage of looking more appealing than a standard 2D looking picture.

Front Cover

I have used four sell lines which could be seen as an unusual overuse of this convention, however, I like the busy look of a front cover which is informative for the audience and give them more reason to want to look inside.

Some may argue leaving the audience in suspense is a better option for them to buy it by holding back what you let them know what is inside, despite this, I believe for my target audience they would like to see what they would be reading first as it has a range of topics in and I think it works best with the style of the magazine and the main image.

I believe the alternative option of having less sell lines is for more ‘skimming’ price method magazines for premium customers such as ELLE.

Front Cover

I have used anchorage text to draw the audience my main topic of the magazine, The Mund. I have done this by making it an exclusive and making the title of the character in contrasting fonts to the background which I believe uses and develops forms of real media products along with a little passage which allows the reader to be more aware of what the magazine will be containing about The Mund.

I have started a house style of the Union Jack colours to show heritage and link with the genre of music I am doing my magazine on. I believe this method is using and developing conventions of real media products as all of my research magazines have a firm house style however some have none-identifiable ones to their genres for example NME using a red colour connotes danger which can be seen as rebellious like the alternative genre portrays for the reader however I don’t believe any of the magazines have a firm link with their genres more than mine with the British aspect linking with the British Music.

Front CoverI think the strapline that I have put in at the bottom challenges the normal conventions of a strapline. I think this because the language I have used is risky and hasn't been done on another magazine. I have used a type of motto that differentiates my magazine from others and I believe this challenges common conventions as this isn’t used in many magazines. I see this as an effective way to install brand awareness and image.

I have started a house style of the Union Jack colours to show heritage and link with the genre of music I am doing my magazine on. I believe this method is using and developing conventions of real media products as all of my research magazines have a firm house style however some have none-identifiable ones to their genres for example NME using a red colour connotes danger which can be seen as rebellious like the alternative genre portrays for the reader however I don’t believe any of the magazines have a firm link with their genres more than mine with the British aspect linking with the British Music.

Contents Page

The use of a split in the page allows for one professional column to be created in my contents page uses existing conventions but I have developed this allowing a section to be created for the picture on the opposite side. I have merged my prop of the guitar over my contents column which I believe is interesting and isn’t used in many real media products so I believe I have developed this element.

I have included elements that are common of some magazines such as listing all of the pages with very short titles. This has been developed as I have gone into more detail on certain stories giving the reader a bit more information when they first open the magazine.

Contents Page

The editor’s note is a common convention I have used because I think it is a good way to interact with the audience of the magazine. There are some images on the page and by editing one of them in a circular shape I have developed the normal form of using square or rectangular images. I don't think there are any ways in which I have challenged the forms and conventions of existing media products.

Double Page Spread

The heading and introduction to my double page spread are featured at the top of the page and down the left hand column using conventions of a double page spread. The layout of columns, the bold pictures the stand out quotes are also ways in which I have followed conventions. I think it was important to follow these conventions because they are something the majority of magazines will have so I think it would be too much of a risk to change them.

Double Page Spread

The photography that I have used on this page is shown on each page separately along with the text. I think this develops forms and conventions because often one page has text and the other page has one main image. I have decided to do this differently to fit everything in more neatly in the layout and I think using different shots in my photography is important to express the artist to the audience.

Double Page Spread

I think the skylines and Strapline borders that I have put in at the top and bottom challenge the normal conventions of a magazine as I have used them for advertisement which in business terms will bring in revenue which can be seen as a risk to lose audience interest however I have used very identifiable content to the audience.

I believe this challenges common conventions as this isn’t used in many magazines in this way as I believe the way I have done this is subtle and also includes parts of the magazines contents so it could also be seen as a refresher contents page element.