How my media product follows conventions

Front Cover

My front cover follows

conventions in many ways. I have

placed a header at the top of the

page with a black background and

pink and white font over the top.

This is so the text will contrast

against the dark background and

stand out to the reader to

encourage them to read it, and buy it according to whether they like the sound

of the artists listed. The header follows conventions as it is straight across the

top of the page where all headers are placed. My masthead also follows

conventions as it is across the top of the page underneath the header in large

black font. I have made the font large so that it will stand out well to the

reader and put it in black font so that it stands out against the white

background. The font I chose is a simple and sophisticated font, in order to

reflect the glamorous ‘pop’ genre that my magazine contains.

I have successfully followed conventions with my main image as I have placed

it in the middle of the page with the eye-line in the hot spot for the main image

so that it will come to the reader’s attention immediately. I have used a

medium long shot, capturing the model from the waist upwards as I wanted to

show the model posing not just the facial expression. Many professional pop

magazines also use a medium long shot for the main image, and place the

image in the hotspot, such as Top of the Pops:

This magazine has also used a mask on the masthead which makes the

masthead appear behind the main image, which is what I have also done. This

makes my magazine look more professional as many well-known magazines do

this, meaning the magazine is popular enough for some of the letters to be

hidden.

I have put the barcode in the bottom left hand corner of the front cover, which

is in dead space. This means that it isn’t taking up any valuable space that

could be used by something essential. This is typical and consistent through all

magazines as the barcode isn’t an important attraction or feature of the front

cover. The price of the magazine has been rotated to run up the side of the

barcode, again in the dead space so that the reader can still see it without it

taking up valuable space. This follows conventions as the majority of

magazines place barcodes in dead space, in the bottom corners, like the ‘Top

of the Pops’ magazine.

I have used various cover lines around the picture, following conventions, so

that they don’t block the picture and can be seen clearly. The main cover line

has been placed on the left hand side in larger and bolder font than the rest to

make it clear that it is the main one. One of the cover lines saying, “Ella Fray

single and in the spotlight” anchors the main image to make it clear to the

reader that this cover line is about the model on the front.

Throughout the whole of the front cover I have used a consistent colour

scheme of black and pink. This links in with the glamorous, girly theme I have

tried to portray to reflect a pop genre, and this is stereotypical of a pop-

themed magazine – to use feminine colours. The Top of the Pops magazine has

a colour scheme of pink and purple, which are also typical feminine colours

and will therefore attract a female audience. On my magazine, the black with

the pink also makes the magazine appear more sophisticated and professional

as it isn’t too bright and cheesy, making it more appealing to the eye. The only

other colour I have used on this page is white text on top of the header. This

was so it would stand out against the black background. With my cover lines, I

have used various different font styles and sizes. This is so it looks more

interesting and doesn’t look consistent and boring for the audience to look at.

I have also placed a pug on the right hand side of the page just under the

masthead. This is also where ‘Top of the Pops’ has placed theirs; however mine

is slightly higher up than theirs is. Inside the pug I have placed text saying,

“First ever edition” in dark gold writing, against a gold gradient background. I

have done this so that it is obvious to the reader that it is the first edition of

this magazine, and I used the colour gold to make it appear exclusive,

glamorous and luxurious which would encourage the reader to want to buy the

magazine.

I have mostly followed conventions with my front cover; however I have also

challenged some conventions. One of my cover lines is placed in the right hand

corner which is usually classed as dead space and wouldn’t often catch the

reader’s attention. However, I did this as it carries on from the cover line

above, therefore when a reader reads the cover line above, they would

automatically read this one after. ‘Top of the Pops’ have also challenge d

conventions by placing one of their cover lines in dead space as well.

Contents Page

On my contents page, I have

followed conventions by placing the

title at the top of the page, however

slightly developing them as I have

placed it further to the right than

the left. I have also used the same

font for the title on the contents

page and for the masthead on the

front cover. This is to keep my

magazine consistent and brand it.

On the ‘Top of the Pops’ contents

page, they have followed

conventions completely by placing it

right across the top of the page in

the centre. My contents list is on the

right hand side, which follows the

conventions for a contents page. On

my contents list, I have used sub-headings

which will help the reader find the page

they want quicker and easier. I have

placed white text on top of a black

background to make them stand out,

again making it easier for the reader to

find which section they want to read

about. The ‘Top of the Pops’ magazine

have also divided their contents list up by

using sub-headings to make it easier for

the reader to find and have used a black,

bold font to make the sub-headings stand

out from the rest of the text. However,

this magazine has developed conventions

by splitting up the contents list all around

the page. This is effective as it separates

all the sub-headings, showing more clearly where to find what is under the

sub-heading. For my page numbers, I have made them larger and in a different

colour to make them stand out making it clearer what page number the text is

on.

On my contents page, I have followed conventions by making my main image

larger than the rest. However I have slightly developed conventions by the

position of my images, which is lower down than in the hotspot. ‘Top of the

Pops’ have followed conventions by placing their image in a hotspot at the top

of the page, sending the reader’s attention straight to the main image. I have

carried on my colour scheme through to the contents page by using pink and

black as my two main colours. This gives my magazine a brand. I have also used

the ‘Icon’ logo on my contents page as part of the background behind all the

text. This also gives my magazine a brand as it consistently uses the magazine’s

title, constantly reminding the reader. ‘Top of the Pops’ have also carried on

their colour scheme of purple and pink, which makes their magazine

consistent, therefore giving it a brand.

My editorial has been placed in the top left, following conventions as this will

draw my reader’s attention to it immediately. In my editorial, I have used

colloquial language with pronouns such as ‘you’, which will invite them to read

the magazine. As my target audience is from the ages of 15-18, they will relate

to the language used in my editorial as they will also use words such as ‘pics’

and ‘stuffed with’.

On the bottom right hand corner of my contents page, I have made a section

for a weekly competition that my magazine holds. I have used a pink

background behind white text to make it clear that it is separate from my

contents list. Beside this section is a Twitter logo and a Facebook logo. In my

text is says they can ‘find out more by visiting our twitter or facebook page’.

This will encourage my readers to enter the competition as they are of the

ages where they will be frequently using social networking sites, and this will

help them relate to my magazine.

Double Page Spread

On my double

page spread, the

main image

follows

conventions as it

is on the right

hand side page,

and is a medium

close up of the

‘celebrity’

looking directly

into the readers

eyes. This would

encourage the reader as often, readers like to see pictures to go with articles

as they are interested in the celebrity, but also because it involves the reader

and makes them feel as if the model is directly looking at them. The double

page on the ‘Top of the Pops’ magazine have placed their main image right in

the centre of the page. This also follows conventions and is effective for their

Question and Answer style article,

as it places them in the centre of

their answers, involving them

more. The title also follows

conventions as it is in large bold,

black font across the top of the

page. It states the celebrities

name and therefore makes it

obvious who the audience will be

reading about. It will catch their

eye immediately as it stands out

against the white background and smaller text below it. Below the main title,

there is a sub-title, which gives the reader a hint about what the article is

about. It is in smaller font as it isn’t the main title, and is only placed there for

effect to encourage the reader to want to read on. ‘Top of the Pops’ has

followed conventions by placing their title on the left hand side. They have

used white text on a purple background, therefore catching the reader’s

attention by standing out. They have also used a sub-heading in which they

have briefly explained what the article is about. This has also been done for

effect in order to encourage the reader to want to find out more!

I have further followed conventions by placing a quote in the middle of my

text, in larger font to break it up. This quote has been picked out from the text

and placed there to catch the reader’s attention, and influence them to read

the article to find out what this quote is about. ‘Top of the Pops’ has also done

this, however they have slightly developed conventions by placing their quotes

beneath the picture of whoever has said it. This is effective as makes the

reader feel more involved as they can see which celebrity said which quote.

I have slightly developed conventions on my double page spread as I have

placed another image on the left hand side. It is a long shot of the model

sitting across the bottom of the page. This would be following normal

conventions; however I have increased its opacity and placed it under the text

to make it appear as a background. I have done this to make the article more

personal to her, and show that it is directly about her. ‘Top of the Pops’ have

also used two extra images. One of them has been placed in the middle of the

text to break it up, and the other has been placed in a separate section on the

right hand side. ‘Top of the Pops’ has also carried on their colour scheme of

pink and purple right through to their double page spread. I have included the

colour black, however I haven’t included the colour pink on this page. I have

carried on my branding, as I have placed the ‘Icon’ logo in the top right hand

corner, consistently showing my audience the name of my magazine, therefore

getting them used to the logo. This will help them to recognise my magazine in

the future.