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

Definition: Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. These may include both technical codes or symbolic codes. Conventions are the widely recognised way of doing something which is to do with content, form and style.

COLOUR SCHEME.

I used the colours red and black in my house style which are frequently seen in rock magazines such as Rocksound and Kerrang. Red has connotations of energy and strength as well as passion. Black is a mysterious colour associated with power, evil and the unknown. These colours are bold and create strong focus points of the magazine, which engages the target audience.

EMBEDDED QUOTE.

Whilst looking at examples of magazines I liked the embedded quote feature, because it exposes to the reader an insight to what the article is about and lures them to read it. This is often seen in magazines (of all genres) so the use of this feature would be following the codes and conventions.

From my Double Page Spread.

From a ‘KERRANG!’ Magazine article.

From a ‘Hello’ Magazine article.

ANCHORAGE.

The anchorage is big and bold to inform readers who the artist featured on the cover is. This feature is not just used in music magazines but also gossip magazines and other types of magazines, I think it’s very effective at engaging the audience because it becomes a main signifier. The ‘your’ is part of the direct mode of address which also engages the reader.

From my front cover.

From a ‘Rock Sound’ cover.

From an ‘OK’ magazine cover.

PUFFS.

I included puffs on my cover to follow the codes and conventions, for example, the word “Competition” draw’s readers in so they feel they have a chance of winning, this is often used in music magazines. Audiences of most magazines are enticed by news, gossip and offers, so by having trigger words like “Exclusive” and “Free” on my cover it would entice readers.

PAGE TAGS.

I positioned different shapes on the pictures in my contents page so the readers know what pages the pictures are related to, this feature is often used in music magazines. Also the shapes are related to the rock genre (plectrum, vinyl record & cassette) and they are quite retro which I think suits my magazine style.

‘Q’Magazine contents.

DPS HEADING.

The torn paper effect on my Double Page Spread conforms to the codes and conventions of a rock music magazine because it’s alternative and informal like the rock music genre. I also think it adds a unique edge to the page.

MASTHEAD.

My masthead contains block writing like most magazine mastheads but my masthead is different because it has sound waves going through it to relate to the name ‘Amplified’, usually mastheads are simple, bold and memorable but I think mine is more creative but still keeping the memorable side of the usual codes and conventions.

My masthead creates a visual impact because the pattern has connotations of fire and movement, which is associated with excitement and drama, it makes my magazine unique.

SOCIAL MEDIA.

10 years ago, magazines would have advertised that to contact the magazine you would have to send them a letter, however now the easiest way for my target audience (teenagers and young adults) to communicate is through social media. They are digital natives. That is why I have included details for a website, Twitter account and a Facebook page. So this is developing the codes and conventions of music magazines.

COLOUR SCHEME.

Yellow is usually seen as a colour used in pop magazines, but as that’s usually a bright/neon yellow, I thought if I used a light mustard yellow it wouldn’t be misinterpreted as a pop genre magazine. Instead it can be seen as a crime scene associated colour and be more rock/alternative genre associated. This colour challenges the codes and conventions of rock music magazines.

DANIELLE FALDOhttp://dfaldomediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/