In what way does your media product use develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media product?

Forms

Definition: The visible shape or configuration of something.

Examples: Magazine, Book, newspaper etc.

Conventions

Definition: A way in which something is usually done, esp. within a particular area or activity.

Examples: masthead, reviews, main image etc.

Forms and conventions

POP magazines

Masthead

I created a very unique masthead which challenges the forms and conventions of a conventional pop magazine. The masthead of a stereotypical pop magazine is generally in bubble writing or in a playful style of typography. I decided to create my masthead on a classical sheet of music in a sophisticated typography to give the magazine a hint maturity to appeal to more mature teenagers as well as the younger teenagers. My masthead not only appeals to all teenagers but could also attract young adults as well.

Real pop magazine

Free poster section

Clear main image

Masthead

Keeps a consistent colour scheme

Name of the band is clearly stated

Fashion section

Bar code

Range of different typography which is well integrated

Mise-en-scene of my main image

When it came to deciding the main image for the front cover of my magazine, I had to make a variety of different choices, such as the shot type, the background colour and many other important decisions that would have a great effect on my magazine. Since my magazine was featuring a group, I thought it was best for me to stick to the conventional long shot. For the other images I decided that I would use a close up shot of the models so they were noticeable but at the same time didn’t take any attention off my main image

Real pop magazineTitle for the contents page

Page numbers

A special feature that makes the magazine unique

Consistent colour scheme

Subheadings

Contents Page

I decided to create a stereo-typical contents page that was mainly made up of images, quotes and captions, explaining the events that are going on in a specific section. In addition I included an “inside this month” section which informs my target audience on the important details to come for the next issues in that month. This could possibly encourage the consumer to buy the next issue.

Real pop magazinePull quote

Image

Design to the double page spread

Text is well aligned

Name of the artist that the double page spread is featuring

Double page spread

Similarly to my contents page I decided to create the layout of my double page spread as a conventional double page spread layout. One convention I decided to challenge in my double page spread what the shot type of the image I used. A stereo-typical pop magazine usually a long shot image on the second page of the double page spread. I used a long shot image and changed the opacity of the image to make it look faded I used this image to create a background. In addition I used a medium close up shot and a close up shot in my double page spread.