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

real media products?

Evaluation Question 1

Front Cover

Front Cover

In my production I decided after my mock ups to add a common convention of a sell line. • It is generally used to introduce the magazine- possibly genre.• Located conventionally beneath the masthead.• I challenged this code and convention by placing above the masthead.• To inform my readers of the genre and by using buzz words (uses and grats).• Contrasting white on black to vividly stand out.

Below are sell lines from magazines Q and NME, Q like my magazine, challenges the sell line positioning whereas NME follows the forms and conventions.

Front Cover

Features and Sell lines• Only having the main sell line and the one

around the box out.• Complete attention to image-artistic approach• Minimalistic- challenging convention, making

the reader want to see what is inside by adding the question and surprise with the depth of the magazine.

• Not giving everything away, taking away the confusion with other magazines and making no comparison-price wars.

Front Cover

My masthead is • Large, bold and located on the top, left of my page, following conventions.• I decided to use white as it contrasts against the black background.• Both the above, gains attention through colour and being typically located- easy to

detect for reader.• All first editions will have their masthead in control of the page, and over any

images. Mine follows this, but also allows the image to be undisturbed due to the nature of its positioning.

• Develops brand awareness.

Below are examples of magazines that follow the codes and conventions, likewise to my magazine.

Front CoverMy main image challenges conventions• Extreme close-up• No direct mode of address- instead drawn in

with the visual concept of the image.• The model pose is using theorists O’Sullivan –

objectifying a woman's features- predominately mouth and lips in my image.

• Also exploring Mulvey’s theory- displayed for male gaze-’provide erotic pleasure for males’.

• My magazine uses these theories more toned down to suit the diverse audience, but to capture and appeal to men whom would find it harder to read the section of dance in a magazine.

• Sexual semiotics-Ferdinand de Sussure.• Use of UV lighting and a shadowed image gives

the vibe of a rave, the atmosphere and a sense of movement-dancing.

• Connecting with readers interests-uses and grats• Being completely different to attract readers

attention.

Front Cover Box out with tagline circling

• Like a stamp the box out is slightly spun to the right making it look realistic and authentic.

• An image in the centre- challenging conventions, but to go with my use of images throughout my magazine. To also put get the reader to visualise.

• ‘WIN’ grabs the readers attention as it is a buzz word- text has influence- the effects model

• Directed to target audience-uses and grats• Eye catching

Below are examples from Q and NME using the same style as my box out.

Front Cover

Anchor Text• Name- entices fans-anchors to image- insight into the magazine-

magazines main story- contrasting colour-links with house colours-capital letters, bold name use.

• Encourages fans to buy.

Below are examples of the same convention from NME, Q and Kerrang.

Front CoverHouse style• White and black.• Contrast well against each other- main colour black gives rave vibe.• Conventional colour red did not suit the image for my first edition

front cover, but later editions it would be used.• The models mise en scene with make-up specifically worked well

contrasting with light colours.• High contrast and light image makes it coordinate with the white

font.

Other magazines that use black and white and other colours in my genre and not always red.

Front Cover

Additional information• Date, issue number and price• Informative- uses and grats• Not conventionally part of the masthead• Challenging the codes and making my magazine unique,

fitting with the stand out lay out of the rest of my front cover.

• Website down the side of the magazine, fitting with the house colours and also looking professional and discreet whilst visible.

Contents Page

Contents PageDate• Shows recent information• Uses and grats• Regular readers can keep up to date• Positioned above my masthead ‘contents’ for first visuals at the top of the page.• Also positioned next to page number so that throughout the magazine they know

the date.• Less important that page number so not in bold type, contrasting and visible.• Also used in Q and NME

Columns • As a common convention, contents

pages are split into 3 sections or columns.

• I have gone for 3 sections, one consisting of images, one main image and then a features column, much like Q’s layout

• I also challenged the convention of no over lapping likewise to Q.

Contents PageFeatures and Regulars• Bold feature title, contrasting colour. White on black• Eye catching- short and simple- full of buzz words• Easy navigation to attract the reader• Informative –uses and grats• Wide range to choose from- showing variety- gives a lot of

choice to suit all different people.• Conventionally on the left side of the page in a column• All one colour font but works effectively as it is contrasting

the background and varying in size and boldness.• For regular readers-entices continuity of reading-repeat

purchasing• Circle outlining the page numbers Other magazines that use this are Q, NME and Kerrang

Contents PageMasthead• My masthead follows the conventions of me

research and is at the top left hand corner of my page.

• It is bold and large and again, using my house colour and contrasting white against black.

All my researched magazines used thisQ, NME and Kerrang! NME decided to have the title to the top right- going against the convention.

Contents PageNumbering • Bold page numbers- easy navigation-

creating shortcuts-convenience-links together magazine.

• Informing what is in magazine- uses and grats

• With house colours throughout, contents numbers circled so it is clear

• Many magazines have this as a convention- including all my researched.

• I also used the challenge of convention that Q uses with my images by using large numbers on them to direct to the reader for articles. A more visual technique.

Example from my research

Contents PageEditors review/choice• A more unique codes and convention, making the magazine

appear more professional and allowing the reader to be connected behind the scenes of the magazine. Creating a personal relationship- uses and grats

• The introductory writing is larger to attract the readers attention and is also an insight into what is in the magazine.

Other magazines that use this are Q and NME

Contents Page

Images• A combination of various images instead of a solo use of

one image for one subject but following the codes and convention of using thumbnail images.

• Adds variety to the page and shows off the contents of the magazine.

• Organised neatly to fit the surroundings of the contents page.

• Not overlapping and not text heavy using a different approach to the idea from my research of magazine Q.

• The images are popping out and at a higher contrast to pull in the reader.

Box out• Eye catching and dragging in the attention of the reader.• Using buzz words within the box out to attract the readers.• Using a bold contrasting colour to stand out • Other magazines that use this on the contents page are Q and

Kerrang!

Contents Page

Pull text in the middle of page• For the marketing purposes of the magazine, allowing

further revenue for the magazine.• 1st issue deal adds exclusivity to the magazine.• Contrasting colours outline the main reason of the

message then with following information in a less eye grabbing colour.

• Not found in my research but I feel that it fitted my page well, other magazines put this information in the bottom right corner of the page.

Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread

Text• Common convention of

altercations in font style going from bold to original style.

• Contrasting- easy for reader to read the text.

• Provides an easy lay out for the reader to separate the interviewer and interviewee.

• Used in other magazines Q and NME

Double Page Spread

Anchor text• Anchors name to the image• The introductory title, entices the fans to the page.• Informative – uses and grats• The main story topic.• Large and covering the main top area of the page.• Q and NME have used this.

Double Page Spread

Image• Direct mode of address-connects the artist and

reader- personal relationship – uses and grats• Full body image to fit the page effectively, and

add some shape and colour throughout.• Mainly on the left side of the double page

spread.• Photography and visual effects from editing to

add the house arty vibe and to also attract and draw attention.

• Other magazines that are similar to this are Q for using predominately the left side and NME an image that fills the page

Double Page Spread

Drop cap• Introduction to the article, bold and attention

grabbing• Attractive and entices the buyer to read the

article.

Other magazines that use this are Q and NME

Double Page Spread

Layout• The image continues from the left of the page to the right creating continuity

throughout the spread and the text has been adapted around the image to look professional along with the columns. Text is positioned carefully allowing the crease of the page and preventing any text to disappear. The image is secondary to the anchor text making its relevance second to the main topic. The text is split between both of the pages, other magazines that have done this is Q and NME.

Double Page Spread

Columns • Neatly arranged and

professional looking• Informative content-uses and

grats• Smaller than anchor text to

make it less important but also to show that its is the main text.

Page numbering and information for reader.• In the right bottom corner• Presents the info neatly • Uses and grats

Magazines that use this are Q and Kerrang