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

My magazine uses existing codes and conventions which are used in other magazines in the same genre of mine, although it challenges certain aspects of music magazines in different ways.

Conventions of a magazine

• Masthead• Fonts• Writing style• Colour scheme• Cover lines• Pull quotes• Style of photography• Page numbers• Bar code, issue number

and price.

Front coverThe images on the front cover are similar as it focuses on one person who the main article inside the magazine is about. Both images have a medium long shot of the artist which is the main article but we have a different use of colours as the other magazine has a dark background and three set colours for the text which links into mine for having a theme of three set colours but my image is in black and white which is challenging normal conventions of a pop/R&B magazine although it has bright coloured text on the page.

Both cover magazines have a main photo with the masthead at the top of the page behind the artists head and the cover lines along the top, the difference with my magazine is that I have used the main story line and put it across the bottom of the page.

Masthead

My magazine

Other magazines

The magazines that are in the same genre as my magazine have similarities to my masthead as they have both used the same layout with their masthead at the top of the page with the model in the picture partly covering the magazine. Blender magazine has used a bold black text upon a black background to make it stand out and Vibe have used a bold red text upon a black background which gives the same effect as blender, my magazine also fits this as its got a grey background with a black text but it differs to the other magazines to make it more noticeable as the letter ‘I’ is in a different colour.

Writing style• The writing style on the inside

of the magazine differs from the front cover as it’s very structured and has a clear layout into columns so it’s presented well to the audience and is easily understood. The layout makes it easier for the reader to find different paragraphs in the interviews and makes the double page spread more eye catching to the readers as it’s not trying to grab your attention as the cover lines on the front cover do, it’s for you to read.

My magazine

Other magazines

Colour schemeThe magazines have three main colours on the front cover, My magazine has used black, blue and pink, the other magazine has used black, yellow and white and the last magazine has used Black, gold and blue. A main colour to be used on magazines is black as it stands out more and makes the text clearer on a light background although the middle example has a black background with bright coloured text over it. Whereas mine and the last magazine have a light background with the bright coloured text over the top to make it stand out more.

Style of photography

• All the photos are staged photos with one person in a studio, the shots taken for front covers are predominantly medium long shots or a mid shot which shows mainly the face and upper body of the person on the front cover, Most front covers show the model having eye contact with the camera which makes it more eye catching to readers, the photos need to grab readers attention to make them want to buy the magazine. My magazine challenges the normal front cover as the picture is in black and white whereas most front covers are in colour.

My magazine

Other magazines