EVALUATION - QUESTION 1

1
In what ways does your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
2
Front cover - colour
My magazine mainly makes use of the colours red,
white, black and grey as I believe that they work
well together creating an attractive colour
scheme that makes my front cover appear neat and
organised. The background of my image is a brick
wall which creates an urban effect the use of
a realistic setting helps my audience identify
with my product as they are living in urban
environments like towns and cities. The brick
wall setting also helps to distinguish my product
as a pop music magazine targeted towards hipsters
as it gives it a laidback or nonchalant
quality which is reminiscent of their lifestyle.
My decision to keep the brick wall background of
my front cover image instead of replacing it with
the typical solid colour background that is used
in pop magazines also helps to establish my
product as a music magazine that is targeted
towards hipsters. As demonstrated above in the
professional examples of hipster magazines,
like Rolling Stone, the use of setting can be
important in establishing the mood for the issue.
For example, the Katy Perry issue uses a bedroom
setting which indicates that her interview is
going to be intimate and personal.
Big name magazines, like Rolling Stone,
sometimes use a superimposed masthead where the
title of the magazine is not fully visible so
that they can focus on the main subject as the
central selling point. This is because the
signature font is recognisable to the audience so
they can identify the magazine as Rolling Stone
without having to see the full title. With this
being the first issue of my magazine, I decided
against using a superimposed masthead because I
wanted the audience to become familiar with the
name of my product. Instead, I decided to use a
white masthead to stand out to the audience
against the brick wall background. I also used a
black stroke layer in order to bring out the
masthead more. I chose to use a distinct font,
unique to the others used on my front cover to
make it clear to the reader that it was the title
of my magazine. As its the dominant feature in
the left third and arguably the most important
feature on the front cover, I wanted to make it
stand out to the reader.
3
(continued)
Front cover - Colour
I used a large white font for my headline in
order for it to stand out the darker image and
background. It instantly draws the readers
attention to Callum Jordans name and is easily
one of the most obvious conventions on my front
cover. I also used an emboss effect on the
headline text in order to make it stand out even
more to the reader, drawing their attention to
the magazine. I continued to use the same colour
for my groups of kickers and cover lines in order
to make my magazine look more consistent which
ultimately makes it look more professional. I
also used a thin, black stroke layer in order for
the text to stand out more against the
background. It also mirrors the technique used in
the professional magazine that I used as my style
brief, pictured right.
As for other textual features such as the menu
strips and the anchorage text surrounding the
headline, I used white and some light grey as I
felt that they would help to create a neat and
orderly cover. They arent overly vibrant colours
which means that the readers attention can be
drawn to the most important conventions first
such as the masthead and headline. However, they
are still appropriate colours because they stand
out against the darker background, making the
text perfectly readable.
Front cover graphic features
To advertise the special edition of The Pop
Issue is used a red coloured graphic with white
text layered on top. I used this effect because
the combination of the two colours is striking
and grabs the readers attention. The use of the
colour red also connotes importance and stresses
the special edition issue of my magazine which
persuades the reader to take interest in my
product through use of the Hypodermic Syringe
Theory as its injecting the audience with what
they believe they need. I also used this effect
with my flash, plus, because it stands out and
directs the readers attention to my menu strip.
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Front cover - conventions
MASTHEAD One convention that I included was a
masthead as it was essential to inform the
audience on the name of my magazine. The masthead
is traditionally positioned in the left third of
the front cover as magazine outlets used to have
only the left third of magazines viewable on
shelves. This makes it the first convention seen
by the potential customer therefore the masthead
needed to be large, bold and easily recognisable.
To do this, I used a size 135pt font and colours
that would make it stand out in order to
instantly direct the audiences attention to the
title of my magazine. I used a simple font,
Brush Script Std, as it was distinct and easily
readable. I believe that I was successful in
creating an effective masthead as I created a
clear and simple yet distinct masthead that
people would recognise.
MENU STRIP Another magazine convention that I
included was two menu strips on my front cover
one along the top of the page and the other in
the right third of the page. I included a list of
popular artists that were included in the
magazine in order to attract their fans,
therefore creating a larger audience for my
product. I used the colours white and light grey
because they were part of my colour scheme and
they stood out to the reader against the darker
image. I also used a flash, plus, to draw the
audiences attention to the menu strip on the
right third of the page. I used simple fonts
Bodoni MT and Bernard MT Condensed, and
simple font sizes 13pt and 22pt. This means that
the text was easy to read and didnt overcrowd my
front cover making my product appear neat and
organised.
5
Front cover - conventions
DATE LINE/ISSUE NUMBER/PRICING Another magazine
convention that I included was the date line,
this was essential in order to show the audience
when the magazine was produced for. All
professional magazines include a date line. I
placed mine to the right of my masthead as its
in a clear, visible space that doesnt distract
from the main conventions of my page. It is also
typical feature for professional magazines to
include the issue number on the front cover. I
included the issue number, in a small font, next
to the date line so that the audience can focus
on the main conventions of the page. It is also
important to include the pricing so that the
audience know the cost of the product. I included
the price next to the date line so that it is
easy for the reader to locate.
SECONDARY LEAD I also used a secondary selling
lead in the top right third of the page,
advertising the special edition pop issue of my
magazine in order to grab the attention of my
audience and persuade them to purchase my
product. Its eye-catching, straight to the point
and easy for the audience to see. This is
effective because it makes use of the Hypodermic
Syringe Theory by presenting the issue as a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the audience.
This leads them to think that they cant miss the
special offer which results them buying the
product because they believe its what they need.
The text is in all capitals to create the
impression that it is being shouted to the
audience, quickly gaining their attention. The
font that I used was Bodoni MT which, as well
as being consistent with the headline, is a bold
font that would attract the audiences attention.
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Front cover - conventions
WEBSITE LINK It has recently became more common
for magazines to include a link to their website
on their front cover in case the audience desire
any further information on the magazine or would
like to keep updated with all the latest news in
between issues. I placed my website link directly
underneath the date line and pricing so that it
was clear and easy to locate but didnt distract
from the main conventions of the page.
BARCODE I included a barcode on my front cover as
it is a typical magazine convention and essential
as it allows the customer to pay for the
magazine. I placed it in the bottom left of the
page so that it was out of the way and allowed
the audience to focus on the more important
conventions such as the masthead, headline and
menu strip.
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Front cover - conventions
HEADLINE I positioned my headline roughly in the
bottom right of the page which is a more
unconvential approach, typically used by
hipster/indie magazines such as Clash and
Rolling Stone (pictured below).
I placed the headline underneath the models
upper body (head, shoulders) so that it doesnt
distract the audience away from the main points
of the image. However, I still positioned the
headline over part of the image as its one of
the main features of my front cover.
I positioned the headline across the bottom of
the main image, to explain who and what the
purpose of the main image is. The headline is
white which is representative of my house colour
scheme, therefore connoting a consistency in my
magazine, making my product appear professional.
My headline is in a large font and has been
stretched to create a high text effect which is
typical within music magazines.
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Front cover - conventions
KICKERS I included two kickers on my front cover,
they were located above the cover lines as they
acted as an introduction to the cover lines. The
text is in a white font (Bernard MT Condensed
for consistency) with a thin, black stroke layer
in order to stand out and grab the readers
attention. The text is slightly larger than the
cover lines and is all in capital letters which
gives the impression that the magazine is
shouting them at the audience, to attract their
attention. I also included a red underline to
separate each group of kicker and cover line
which helped in making my front cover look neat
and organised. I used names of artists, like
Charli XCX, for my kickers in order to attract
their fanbases which ultimately helps to recruit
a wider audience for my magazine.
COVER LINES I also included two cover lines,
located underneath the kickers, briefly
explaining what they are about. However, I used
intriguing cover lines such as the pop punk
princess for Charli XCX as this creates enigma
for the audience because they want to know why
she has developed such an extravagant label for
herself and persuading them to read the magazine.
Like the kickers, they are also in capital
letters with the same font style which
demonstrates that the two are supposed to be
together. However, the cover lines are in a
slightly smaller text which distinguishes the
difference between the two.
I positioned the kickers and cover lines together
and away from the main conventions of my magazine
such as the headline and main image so that the
audience were not distracted. I also arranged
them on the left-third of the page so that if
people were to view the magazine on a shelf,
theyd get a clear impression on what type of
magazine Loud is and whether or not they would
be interested in buying it.
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Front cover - conventions
ANCHORAGE The anchorage on a music magazine is
supposed to create an enigma posing questions
for the audience and making the audience want
those questions answering, persuading them to
purchase the product. I included the anchorage
the dark horse and his meteoric rise to fame.
This makes the reader question what makes him a
dark horse and why he rose to fame so quickly. I
created the anchorage in the font, Bodoni MT,
in a white colour with all capitals, similar to
the headline. However, the headline is embossed
and in a larger font which connotes its
importance over the anchorage. The use of capital
letters maintains the consistency of my magazine
as well as making the text appear important,
leading the audience to read it. I positioned the
anchorage above and below the headline which
implies that they link together, as well as
ensuring that the anchorage isnt too
overwhelming to the reader.
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Front cover - conventions
MAIN IMAGE I positioned the main image in the
middle of my front cover as its one of the main
focal points of the page. The model is using a
direct mode of address which establishes a
connection with the audience and makes them feel
included. The shot used is a medium close up,
displaying the upper half of the models body. I
used this shot so I could give an idea of his
clothing a laidback, fashionable t-shirt and
skinny jeans (slightly visible at the bottom of
the image) which is consistent with the type of
clothing that the hipster teenage tribe would
wear. This will attract them to my magazine
because they can identify themselves with the
model on my front cover. Moreover, the masthead
overlaps the image which gives the page flow as
it links the two conventions together.
I have positioned my main image in the middle
because it creates a sense of balance to the
page. For example, if it were in the left third,
there would be too much negative space and my
magazine would look unprofessional. However, with
the image in the middle, this creates balance and
gets rid of any negative space, making the front
cover visually appealing to the audience.
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Contents page - colour
The background colour of my contents page is
white, as used in typical music magazines like
these
I chose white as my background colour because it
doesnt distract the reader from the information
on my contents page. This is important because
the main purpose of the contents page is to
provide the reader with information. It also
offers a clean, tidy quality to what would
otherwise be a very busy page. I also chose a
white because it mirrors my house style, as I
used a lot of white font on the front page of my
magazine.
Moreover, I used a range of colours that were
simple and representative of my house style. The
header, contents, is in white so it contrasts
against the darker image at the top of the page
and stands out the reader. This allows the
audience to take in the information because they
wont become distracted by a rainbow of colours.
I also used a plain black font for the main text
on my contents page in order to contrast against
the white background making the text stand out
to the reader. This is significant because it
demonstrates how my contents page is fit for
purpose it provides the reader with information
regarding the content of my magazine in an
obvious manner.
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(continued)
Contents page - colour
The colour of my section header font is white,
which adds consistency to the page as this is the
same colour used for the header of my contents
page. I used red boxes around the section
headings as it makes them stand out. Also, its a
recurrent theme to have red shapes around
important conventions throughout my magazine. For
example, there is a red circular graphic on the
front cover in order to draw attention to the
secondary lead The Pop Issue.
I used a black coloured box graphic for my
editors note. I chose the colour, black, to draw
the readers attention to the editors note and
to indicate that it is an important feature of
the page because it is a unique colour to the
rest. I used a white font for the text within my
editors note in order to make it stand out to
the reader. I also used a white outline around
the content of my editors note to make it appear
neat and organised.
I included a red banner at the bottom of the page
that reads connect with us and includes links
to the magazines social networking pages. The
use of the vibrant colour, red, helps to grab the
attention of the reader and connotes importance.
I have used a white font because it helps my text
to stand out against the red banner. Red and
white are also two of my house style colours
which shows consistency throughout my magazine
and therefore helps to familiarise the audience
with my product. I also made use of well-known
logos such as Facebook and Twitter in their
original colours so theyre recognisable to the
audience. This also creates a sense of comfort
for the reader because they are familiar with the
popular logos.
I used white boxes in order to overlay captions
on top of my images, describing them to the
reader. This mirrors a technique used in the
contents page of Q Magazine, pictured right.
The use of the colour white is effective because
it creates a clear contrast between the caption
and the image, therefore making it stand out the
reader. I used a red font for the page number in
order to clearly indicate to the reader, what
page of the magazine includes the article that
relates to the image. I used a black font for the
header and caption text as this connotes that the
two pieces of text link together in relation to
the image. The use of dark coloured fonts such as
red and black helps the text to stand out against
the white boxes surrounding the captions. The use
of red, white and black also demonstrates
consistency throughout my magazine as I have
followed my house style.
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Contents page - conventions
SECTION HEADER I included a section headerat
the top of the page that displayed the name of
the page. This demonstrates to the audience what
the page is in an obvious manner, like in this
example of a professional music magazine
MAIN FEATURE My magazine includes a main feature
image, which is larger than the others and
presented in a header style, as influenced by
Kerrang! (below). Thus indicating its
importance and grabbing the attention of the
reader. A main feature image is a typical
convention of professional music magazines,
although the majority have them positioned on
either the left or right of the page.
My section header is large and white, I have used
the font Bodoni MT. I also used this font for
the headline on my front cover which demonstrates
consistency throughout my magazine. I also
stretched my section header font, both vertically
and horizontally, in order to make it stand out
to the reader. I added a white line underneath my
section header to highlight the name of the page
to the reader.
My image is a close-up of the main subject gazing
into the distance in a state of reflection. This
paired with the caption that describes him as
the teen sensation who started with a YouTube
channel and a dream, connotes a sense of realism
about my magazine.
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Contents page - conventions
MAIN FEATURE - CONTINUED This indicates that my
pop music magazine is targeted towards a
hipster audience because it challenges the
typical representation of a false and
manufactured pop artist by portraying the male
subject in a more mature and serious light.
This demonstrates to fans of pop music that my
magazine reports on significant matters within
the genre, which would persuade them to buy my
product. As the image is one of the most dominant
features on the page, the reader would be able to
gather this impression instantly. Presenting my
main feature image in the form of a header is a
rather unconvential approach but I believe that
it adds a unique and creative quality to the
page. This is something that is limited on a
contents page as its main purpose is to provide
the reader with information. It also supports the
unorthodox approach to my magazine.
CAPTIONS The caption that I have provided with my
main feature image is the teen sensation with a
YouTube channel and a dream. This gives purpose
to the image as it explains what its about to
the reader. It also creates an enigma by giving
the audience a brief taste of the article,
therefore persuading them to read it. I have also
included captions for the other images included
on my contents page. I used a white box in order
to make the caption stand out against the
background of the image. I also used a red font
to present the page number and a black font for
the header and caption text. The use of colour is
effective as it reflects my house style,
maintaining a professional and consistent look
for my magazine.
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Contents page - conventions
EDITORS NOTE I included an editors note on my
contents page as I thought it would make my
magazine appear more professional. It also
develops the connection between the audience and
my magazine as the editor is giving the reader an
insight into the issue. I used an informal
writing style to convey a friendly, inviting tone
to the reader in order to make them feel
comfortable with my product. I used a black
graphic for my editors note as it contrasts with
the white background which helps in grabbing the
attention of the reader. I used a white font so
that the text would stand out to the reader
against the black background. I also used a white
outline around the content of my editors note to
make it appear neat and organised.
SECTION HEADERS I have used section headers in
order to break up the content of my numbered
itemised list. They categorise the content of my
magazine so that the reader is easily able to
find the content that they are interested in,
which develops their interest in the magazine. I
used a red box graphic and a white font for my
section headers. This is similar to the flash on
my front cover which indicates importance and
shows consistency throughout my magazine. The
headers are much larger in comparison to the
itemised list which indicates that theyre
introducing the list. The use of section headers
to categorise the contents of the magazine is a
convention commonly used in professional music
magazines like Kerrang!.
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Contents page - conventions
GRAPHIC FEATURE CONTINUED I have used this as
it is simple yet effective in grabbing the
readers attention. However, I positioned it
along the bottom of the page so that it didnt
distract from the more important information on
the page.
DIVIDERS I included dividers as a convention on
my contents page because I feel like they neatly
separate the information on the page. It divides
the information up so that the reader can take it
in easily. I created the dividers in black in
order to contrast against the white background.
The use of dividers makes the information on my
contents page appear neat and organised.
NUMBERED ITEMISED LIST I have included a numbered
itemised list on my contents page as it is an
essential convention, otherwise the reader
wouldnt know what page to find their favoured
article. I used a black font in order for the
text to stand out against the white background.
The font for the page number and mini headers was
slightly larger than the information text in
order to grab the readers attention. Whereas,
the smaller text provides them with information.
I also used a thin black line to neatly separate
the mini headers from the information text,
otherwise the page would look cluttered.
GRAPHIC FEATURE I have included a graphic feature
in the style of a banner along the bottom of my
contents page which motivates the reader
connect with the magazine through their social
media pages on Facebook and Twitter. I used this
as a way to connect with my audience as when I
conducted my research, I discovered that at least
60 of my audience use social networking sites
such as Facebook and Twitter. My graphic feature
is a red box with a white font and logos layered
on top.
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Contents page - conventions
NUMBERED ITEMISED LIST - CONTINUED I have
included my information text in note form in
order to give the reader a brief taster of the
content within each of my articles so they can
decide whether they would be interested in
reading it or not.
PAGE NUMBERS I included page numbers because its
an essential convention that all magazines have,
as it tells the audience where they can find
their article of interest. I positioned the page
numbers to the left of the mini header so it
clearly indicates to the audience what page the
article is on.
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Double page spread - colour
For the background of my double page spread, I
used the brick wall setting of my image. I felt
that this was effective because it is unique and
allows the conventions (such as the article text
and headline) to stand out against the darker
background image. The use of a background as
realistic as a brick wall connotes that the
subject creates music that is genuine and
authentic. This is supported with the pull quote,
I dont want to become a machine, because it
indicates how he doesnt want to conform to the
stereotype of a pop star and wants to create
music that is true to himself. This reflects the
overall unorthodox nature of my pop music
magazine. The brick wall setting is also
reminiscent of my front cover and the header
image used in my contents page which demonstrates
consistency throughout my magazine. I used a
simple brick wall background so the reader wasnt
distracted from the main information on the page.
This is important as the main purpose of the
double page spread is to inform.
I made use of the colours black, white and red
when creating my double page spread. This is
consistent with my house style as all of the
colours are used somewhere within my front cover
and contents page. I decided to use black and
white for my headline quote as I wanted something
that would clearly stand out against the
background in order to grab the readers
attention. I had each word of the headline in
a separate black text box with the white text
layered on top the contrast between the two
colours helped to draw the readers attention to
the headline. I also used a white font for my
subtitle and article text in order to stand out
against the darker background, making it
perfectly readable to the audience.
I used the same technique as my headline quote
for my pull quote in order to intrigue the
audience, further persuading them to read the
article. However, I used it on a much smaller
scale as I didnt want to distract the reader
from the all-important headline quote. I used two
white banner-like graphics for my page
number/issue date and section header on my
double page spread, influenced by a double page
spread design from Q Magazine (right). I used
black and red fonts in order to stand out against
the white banner. This also made use of my house
colours, demonstrating a consistency within my
magazine.
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Double page spread - conventions
TITLE The title of my double page spread is in
the form of a quote, positioned across the right
hand side of the page. I stuck to one font,
Bodoni MT, for my title as it is clear and
straightforward for the reader. However, I had
each word of the quote in a separate text box and
rotated slightly in order to make it look
unique. This makes my title more distinctive
and helps to grab the readers attention. Also,
the use of capital letters makes it seem like the
quote is being shouted to the reader by the
subject which grabs their attention and makes
them feel included. This is important in
attracting my target audience of teenagers/young
adults because many of them are belongers and
have an obsessive need to feel included. The
use of a quote from within the interview is also
effective because it gives the reader a feel for
the article which stimulates their interest.
DROP CAPITAL I included a drop capital within my
double page spread in order to draw the readers
attention to my subtitle text. It also signals
to the reader where they should begin reading the
article which makes my double page spread look
professional and fit for purpose.
SECTION HEADER I have included a section header
in the form of a banner within my double spread.
I have positioned it in the top right of the
spread so that it doesnt distract the reader
from the more important information on the page.
I have used my section header to briefly
summarise the main purpose of my article to the
reader, which helps them decide whether they want
to read the article or not. This makes my spread
fit appear professional and fit for purpose.
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Double page spread - conventions
MAIN IMAGE The main image that I have included on
my double page spread is a medium long shot (as
it mainly shows the upper half of the subjects
body) to clearly show the subjects outfit. This
is important because it clearly shows the
audience that the subject is wearing typical
items of hipster clothing plaid shirt, skinny
jeans. This means that my target audience, many
of whom are belongers, can identify with the
model and feel included when they read the
magazine. I have also used an indirect mode of
address as the model is looking away from the
camera. This suggests that the subject is
reflecting on something which indicates that
his music will be honest and emotional
characteristics that are rare in pop music. This
ties in with the idea that my product is a more
mature pop music magazine.
PULL QUOTE I have included a pull quote from the
interview within my double page spread in order
to gain the readers interest in the article. I
used the pull quote, I dont want to become a
machine, because it gives the reader a feel for
the article. For example, it characterises the
subject as sincere and honest because he is
expressing that he doesnt want to become a slave
to the music industry. This is effective because
it makes the audience warm to the character which
makes them more lenient to read the article. It
is also intriguing the reader may be persuaded
to read the article because they want to develop
an understanding as to why the subject doesnt
want to become a machine?
BACKGROUND For the background of my double page
spread, I used the brick wall setting of my
image. The use of a background as realistic as a
brick wall connotes that the subject creates
music that is emotionally genuine and authentic
similar to the suggestions of my main image. This
reinforces that my product is an unorthodox pop
music magazine because pop music is generally
represented in an artificial, cynical manner. The
unique brick wall background also makes the
spread more visually interesting to the reader.
The darker colour of the brick wall background is
also effective because it contrasts with the
conventions on the page, allowing them to stand
out to the reader.
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Double page spread - conventions
NEGATIVE SPACE On my double page spread, I have
included a lot of negative space so that the
reader doesnt feel overloaded with information.
Too much information on one page could discourage
the audience from reading the article. Instead, I
have made use of negative space in order to
create a neat, simple and visually appealing
double page spread. This a technique commonly
used in professional music magazines like Q
and Clash (below).
PAGE NUMBER I have included a page number in a
banner style graphic within my double page
spread. This is an essential convention because
it indicates to the reader what page of the
magazine theyre on and can help in directing
them to the page that they are looking for. I
have also included my masthead on the banner, as
inspired by Q Magazine (below), because it makes
the audience familiar with the brand of my
magazine. I included the issue date, also
inspired by Q Magazine, on the banner because it
makes my magazine appear professional and fit for
purpose.
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Double page spread - conventions
COLUMNS I used columns to organise the text on my
double page spread as theyre a typical
convention of professional music magazines like
this
The use of columns also makes my double page
spread look neat and organised because it breaks
up the information, which is visually appealing
to the audience as it makes it look like there
is less information to read. It also means that
the reader isnt taking in too much information
at once, which allows them to remember it. The
font used for my body text is, Bodoni MT, which
demonstrates a consistency within my magazine as
I have used this font frequently throughout my
product.
SUBTITLE Another convention that I have included
on my double page spread is a subtitle. I have
positioned the subtitle on the left hand side of
the spread, next to the main image, as it
effectively introduces the subject to the
audience before they read the interview. I used
the same font (Bodoni MT) as my article text to
demonstrate that they link together. However, I
used a slightly larger font for my subtitle text
so that it would stand out more to the audience,
indicating that they should read it first.