Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

Musical GenreFor my media product, I have decided to choose a

musical genre of hip-hop/RnB. I thought that this was an ideal choice for me, as this is the main genre that I listen to, and I personally take it upon myself to find out about the latest stories and issues within hip-hop/RnB artist; therefore I believe that I have the needed knowledge to carry out and create a magazine which consists of accurate information. I also chose this genre, as it is a popular genre within my generation, and this would then make my magazine popular as I have chosen a popular music genre.

Magazine ResearchFor my magazine research, I decided to look closely at two already

existing magazines which are Vibe and XXL magazine. I found inspiration in these magazines as we share the same music genre and these magazines have been around for a long time and have a large fan base, so evidently they are doing something right, so if I gain inspiration from XXL and Vibe magazine, the that I have created could be as successful. However, I do want my magazine to standout from other existing magazines, so the way my magazine will challenge other magazines, is by creating a magazine that promotes new and upcoming artists, which will give the artists exposure to the public. My magazine will do this by giving out a free track from a chosen artist in every issue. I believe that this is a good way to challenge other magazines, as no hip-hop/RnB based magazine does this. Furthermore this idea encourages members of the public to purchase the magazine as everyone loves a ‘freebie’.

MastheadWhile looking at the codes and conventions, I had to

look at the case studies that I have created. For the case studies, I looked at Vibe magazine and Billboard magazine. For the masthead, I looked at these two magazines and saw that they placed it behind the main models head, to make the model the focus of the magazine, as their magazine is already established and the public would already know what magazine it is. Therefore I have decided to place my masthead behind my model:

Vibe Magazine Masthead My Masthead Billboard Magazine Masthead

SkylinesAlso from the case studies, I realised that vibe magazine

included a skyline at the top of their magazine, whereas Billboard Magazine did not. However I really liked the look of a skyline on my magazine front cover and I also liked the purpose with having a skyline (to further draw the customer to buy you magazine as they will notice their favourite artists name), therefore I added one:

Vibe Magazine’s Skyline

My Skyline

Cover lines and TeasersAlso, when looking at cover lines and teasers, I found

that in Vibe magazine they normally list their cover lines on the right hand side of the page and place their main cover line on the right hand side. The main cover line is normally that second largest font on the front cover after the masthead. I also noticed that Vibe magazine plays with the wording of their teasers to engage the reader and forces them to want to by the magazine, as they would want to find out what is going to happen in the article regarding their favourite artists. Therefore I decided to follow this pattern within my own magazine.

My Main Cover line

My Teasers Vibe Magazine’s Main Cover line

Vibe Magazine’s

Teasers

Colour SchemeFor my magazine’s colour scheme I have decided to

draw inspiration from Vibe magazine and XXL magazine, and used a similar colour scheme: Red, Black and White. However, I did not choose these colours because I wanted to make my magazine look like XXL, I chose these colours because I thought that these colours are quite basic but together the colours would make my magazine look very professional and chic, as there is not a lot going on with the colour scheme.

Article/JournalismFor my article, I have decided to follow a similar styling

as Billboard magazine and vibe magazine. In these articles, they have decided to layout their article in two columns, to make their journalism looks professional and clear to read and understand. They have also used a drop cap at the beginning of their article, to give a strong emphasis to the article visually. Also within their pieces of journalism, they have written in a style that suits and relates to their target audience. They have kept it quite formal, but have also added a touch of colloquialism to keep the audience interested. I have followed this pattern within my own article.

My Article

Billboard Magazine’s Article

ImagesFor my images, I have decided to draw inspiration from both of my case studies that I have researched. I found that on this issues of Billboard magazine, they have taken a image of Rihanna which is quite sexy and very attractive, in the sense the is lures the reader to pick up the magazine and read it. Therefore I thought it would be a good idea for my magazine to use a similar kind of pose. The front cover has been taken at a medium close-up shot. I have also made my model look directly into the camera, to get the same effect on the reader like Billboard’s magazine had

DPS ImagesFor my DPS I have decided to draw inspiration from Vibe magazines front cover, but taking an image with the connotation of the ‘hood’ and a feeling of determination within the artist. I found that vibe used a image of TI facing the front staring right at the audience, but because I wanted a similar image to his, I decided to take a side profile image to try and make the image look softer, as my artist is female, and also to try and change the connotation from a gangster impression to a hopeful, determined artist.

Contents Page ImageWays that I have challenge these two magazines is through my contents page. I have decided to combine both of their ideas together, by having one side that lists the regulars and the other side with images for the features that references the pages numbers. I have also used different technologies, such as, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to keep in touch with my music magazine’s campaigns and gossip; this endorses my magazine company. Billboard and Vibe magazine fails to do this.