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

Looking at many music magazines I believe I have followed many of their conventions. For the front cover my masthead is spread across the top of the cover which is designed in a typeface of multiple shades of one colour alongside five rectangles behind the masthead so that it gives it a recognisable masthead. Its composition develops the forms of a real media product as it partially includes the left third rule and follows the conventions as it is big, bold and unique. Beneath the masthead are the month and year as well as the price.

Although as there is a cover line showing the magazines main features’ consisting of famous artists’ names this allows the audience to notice the magazines availability by minimally showing them which applies the left third rule and follows the typical conventions where I have also included my most intriguing cover lines.

My main image is of a single model in a medium close up with her NVC and body language looking down and listening intently on her headphones. Like many magazines the main image dominates the page and takes up a lot of space and therefore leaving minimum background around the edges. I’ve applied many cover lines around the main image mainly on the sides and have tried to isolate it away from the main image itself and therefore would not interfere with the colours. 

 Again, for the main cover line I’ve followed the conventions and have made it bigger than the cover lines so that it would be the main focus and is placed below the main image. Of course as it is a magazine it would consist of a barcode which is usually placed at the bottom in the corner. 

I’ve taken the conventions of a magazine further and have placed a selling line above the masthead which is short and sharp ‘most wanted music magazine’ and therefore as it is alongside the masthead; it would be easy to spot and is attention grabbing. I’ve also included the magazines website directly underneath the masthead therefore it would be an easier way to find other interactions and details of the magazines publisher. 

 I have challenged the conventions slightly by adding in a puff alongside images or ‘posters’ because this is a key way of attracting the audience therefore I thought it wise to include a puff.

I have slightly challenged the conventions where all typefaces are all different instead of matching one another. This is because for my magazine it could connote this magazine as versatile and wide in terms of genres. 

I have used many conventions and followed their forms for my contents page where there is a dominant connection with the front page in which the colour scheme is similar which I have used so that it would make my magazine unique and wouldn’t diminish the magazine with too many vibrant clashing colours. 

Initially it has followed the conventions seeing as there is a mixture of images on one side with the other side dedicated to the text which is only in one column divided into two sections for the regulars and features. There is one main image which is of the model from the front page as well as another image attached with a page number. 

 Although the title ‘contents’ is at the top of the page it doesn’t include a miniature version of the masthead but includes the issue date, contact info, web address and a page number it which follows the conventions as it is advertising the magazine.

It challenges the conventions without the inclusion of an editor’s letter due to the composition and the limited space given because of the large photos and I have therefore made it into a page as stated in my contents page summaries. As it is a contents page and therefore the purpose is to include details and references of what to find in the magazine I’ve placed these under the headlines instead of on the image as it so that it does not distract the whole look of the page. I have challenged the use of a white background which of course- allows readers not to be distracted keeping their attention on the text, but the black background matches the front cover and enhances the lighter texts more and therefore I have challenged the convention for this purpose.

My double page spread generically follows the same colour scheme as the front and contents page and has therefore followed the conventions as they all look as though they belong to the same magazine which is the whole purpose of the colour scheme. My main image takes up one whole page because it is so large and also allows the rest of the text to cover the other page without a clash of texts and images. The image follows the typical conventions as it is the same model from the front cover where her pose is one of a direct address and in an unusual pose which invites the need for a comment that attaches itself below the main image as well as various connotations that she is welcoming her audience to read about her. 

The subject name has been placed on top of the image as an overview of the whole article which I have placed on to of the image as oppose to the side with the dominated text as this would balance it more. Although I have used a subject which is placed across the top of the page I have challenged the conventions and not included a headline as I wanted the subject name to also be used as a headline which would connote her as dominating and overpowering that there is no need for a reason to read on apart from the fact it is about ‘Annabelle’ and would draw the reader in instantly.

In the interview I have placed her quote directly in the middle and this follows the conventions as it is enlarged and stands out from the whole article. I’ve followed the conventions in my text by beginning with a drop capital and therefore allow the reader a starting position on where to begin reading.

I haven’t included a by-line although in the last paragraph I have mentioned the magazines name, therefore it will be constantly retained in their thoughts by the end of reading this article. Of course the article is placed in columns and divided in paragraphs and a different coloured text for the interview questions and answers so that it would be easier to read. 

I have challenged the conventions further by excluding a strap-line and instead used the subject matter and the small text boxes and the stand first which will provide the influence to read the article further as they show the subject matter.