In what ways does your media production

use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Evaluation – Question 1

Front CoverHeader

Cover Line

Masthead

FeaturesMain Image

Main Cover LineAnchor

Text

Cover Line

Header‘Freshest’ & ‘hottest’ – influential text to entice audience – features current and big artist – sticks to younger target audience which is more likely to be more up-to-date Magazines featuring same conventions:

VIBE

XXL

MastheadLarge text which is a simple font and in bold as well as in upper case – featured in the top quarter of the page with a contrasting colour to the background – makes it stand out and draw in readers by catching their eye – prominent display of the brandMagazines featuring same conventions:

FeaturesInsight to magazine’s contents – informative (uses and grat.) – stands out against background with the pink being a key factor in attracting a female audience – both sides of the pageMagazines featuring same conventions: VI

BEXXL

Cover LineCreates questions and in this case creates interaction with audience – leaves them wanting to find out more Magazines featuring same conventions:

VIBE

Main Cover LineNo common convention in the magazines I researched for a main cover line – mine is placed with the anchor text to further create connection – central to the page – stands out – box shadow – informs audience (uses and grat.) – attracts audience to see what the artists is about – ‘hope’ in different colour draws eyes to the cover lineMagazines featuring similar conventions:

VIBE

Main ImageI used a medium close up and a single person shot – common conventions – model links to the story – direct mode of address and eye line shots – connects artist and readers – personal relationship (uses and grat.) – set behind the masthead – challenges common conventions – contrasts to the light background to stand out – white background follows conventions of a neutral colour – targets both male and females – subject isn’t aggressive or intimidating – challenges conventions – further targeting both genders

Magazines with same/similar conventions:

Anchor TextFeatures Artist’s name enticing fans/audience – anchors text to image creating the connection between the model, magazine and main story – bold upper case text in a contrasting colour to background box which has shadows – stands out on the page and also creates a 3 dimensional aspectMagazines featuring same conventions:

XXLVIBE

Contents PageMastheadQuo

te

Features & Page Numbers

Issue & Page Number

Main Image

MastheadBold and contrasting with the same font as front cover to keep consistency – simple and easy to read – standing out on a black background to make it prominent on the pageMagazines featuring same conventions:

VIBE

XXL

QuoteQuote from a recognised artist – female artist to further capture and conform to female audience – not a convention I found frequently in my research however I feel it adds character to the page and is important in further capturing the female audience – bold and contrasting font to draw attention to it – first thing under the masthead and eyes are drawn to itMagazines featuring same conventions:

XXL

Features and Page Numbers

I found that wrapping text around the main image was a common convention in the magazines which I researched and so complied to this convention – features are in bold to draw in attention – big/celebrity names are in italics and pink font – draws attention to recognisable names and creates consistency with the colour scheme – both feature titles and page numbers in bold to further draw attention - questions are integrated into the features to leave readers wondering and curious to find out more

Magazines featuring same conventions:

VIBE XXL

Issue and Page Number

Recent information – informative (uses and grat.) – allows reader to keep track of magazine – contrasting colour at bottom of page to be seen – follows up from placement on front cover – not a very common convention in all magazines that | researched – challenged common conventions to bring a more specific and unique feel to the magazine

Magazines featuring same conventions:

XXL

Main ImageIn my research I found that it was common to feature one picture of a model on the contents page – predominantly the model featured would be male and I followed this convention however I did originally plan on using a female model to capture a more female audience but due to the unavailability of a female model I used a male – mid shot – captures whole personality – direct mode of address – creating personal connection

Magazines featuring same conventions:VIB

EXXL

Double Page Spread

Anchor Text

Image

Text

Columns

Issue and Page Number

Album Promo

LayoutI found in my research that commonly there would be a single photo on the left hand side however I decided to challenge this convention by using a landscape photo to spread across the two pages – text on the right hand side is a common convention. Using a single photo across the two pages makes the reader see the entire image and has focus upon that

Magazines featuring similar layouts:

XXL

VIBE

The Source

Anchor TextAnchor text is large and prominent on the page to draw attention- house style is further followed with consistent font colour and style – links to the artist keeping consistency – anchors to the image – informative (uses and grat.) – insight into the main story – intriguing readers Magazines featuring same

conventions:

VIBE

The Source

XXL

ImageThe image I used completely goes against common conventions that I have researched. The purpose behind this is the image itself shows the artist to be very individual and alone which is directly tied into the main story of the magazine and the background behind the artist himself. I feel this was the best way to create a connection between the image and actual story. Furthermore, direct mode of address isn’t incorporated in this image to emphasise the individual nature of the artist and show his lack of connection and to show his only connection is with music, which is intangible and eye contact cannot be made with it

TextText used is consistent with the font type and colour scheme used throughout – continues the house style – font style is all the same height and a sans serif font is used to make it easier for readers to follow the text along the line and allow quicker reading with more ease Magazines featuring same

conventions:

VIBE

The Source

ColumnsI found that there was no typical layout to magazines I researched, it was common to find the text broken up into different bodies but there was no common consistency with the style. I stuck with breaking the text up into different bodies – the top text box features a background to the artist – as he is new and ‘up-and-coming’ it provides readers with details about the new artist and makes the feel more connected as they know more – the rest is broken into two columns of questions with a personal interview with the artist – creating an exclusive feel to the magazine

Magazines featuring similar conventions:

VIBE

XXL

Issue and Page Number

Page numbers – informative – layout and placement is consistent throughout magazine

Magazines featuring same conventions:

XXL

VIBE

Album PromoThis isn’t a common feature in magazine’s I researched and I used this as my final photo for my production – promoting the album as well as stating it’s availability on iTunes ties in with my target audience as it is promoted on digital media as opposed to a physical CD to buy in store as my target audience is more likely to use digital forms of media