AS Media Studies Evaluation

Q1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

Cover

Masthead

The font size of the masthead is the largest on the cover, filling about a 1/5th of the page for the name to be clear to the reader.

A stroke line and drop shadow is used to lift the text from the white background.

The font used is of a retro 50's style and represents an American diner theme, linking to the artists of the decade such as Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.

Located at the top of the page to provide an 'umbrella' statement for the content covered.

The centre of the text is slightly obstructed by the artist's head to aid the appearance of the cover image and highlight the importance of the artist.

Cover Image

The artist is making eye contact with the camera lens in order to make a connection with the reader and sell his story.

The artist is placed within the centre of the page and covers the majority of the white background in a contrasting black jacket.

Brightness and contrast have been increased to enhance the reflection of light.

The top of the artist's head is partly obstructing the masthead, however the selling line cannot be placed behind the artist as it would be impossible to read.

Headline

The second largest font on the page which simply states the artist's name. This lack of information should encourage the reader to read the contents and find out why he is featured.

Positioned about 3/4 of the page down to describe the featured artist.

A pull quote follows to give a small less informative insight into the type of article featured.

Strap Line

Located at the above the masthead on a blue box graphic, to add a sense of good value in featuring an opinion poll.

The font used is taken from a 70's disco ball idea and like the 'exclusive' content, this font is rarely seen anywhere else in the magazine, unless when presenting a unique offer e.g. ipad competition.

Coverlines

Aligned to the right margin with a small space from the edge of the page, to ensure no information is cut off.

Positioned on the right hand side of the artist, to prevent covering the main selling statement of the cover.

Last names are in Italic to provide contrast and make the text more appealing.

A drop shadow has been used so the text is easier to read on a white background.

Selling Line

Positioned below the masthead to provide a slogan for the magazine.

A grey to black gradient is used to provide a chrome effect to blend with the red masthead.

Slightly obstructs the artist's hand as it would be impossible to read behind the artist.

Contents

Column Layout

This contents page has been separated into 3 columns to emphasise how much content has been placed into this issue ensuring good value for money.

The first column includes the featured content which is exclusive to this issue. An editor's note is present at the footer of the column.

The second and third column are underneath the feature article.

The second column features images of two artists with a varied style of music based on the use of a piano and trumpet. Page numbers are shown in the top corner of each feature on a gold box graphic to contrast with the red and blue colour scheme. Pull quotes taken from their fictional article hint their personality and interests in music.

The third column features a list of articles with a signature style of article only available in this magazine.

Featured Article

Positioned in the top right hand corner of the page to make the artist clear and the first highlight the reader sees when turning the page.

The artist is central in the image taken mid-shot to show his style of fashion relatable to 50's music.

Rule of three used to persuade and excite the reader to read his article.

Title and Date Line

Positioned as a header to define the page.

The text used for 'Contents' is the largest font on the page, stretching 1/2 the width of the page.

Colour of the text is black with an inner glow to create a polished appearance.

Date line is positioned on a red underline as a reference to this issue.

Masthead Logo

Masthead from cover reused in the features column.

Positioned above the editor's note on a red underline, to direct the reader's attention to editor explaining the main purpose of the magazine.

Page Numbers

Split into uneven proportion to allow for sponsorship and advertisement.

Highlighted in red in the columns to ensure efficient navigation to the article of interest.

In the feature articles, the colour is black on a gold box graphic to contrast with the red and blue scheme and stand out from the neutral background of the images.

Article

Columns for Body Text

Printed on the second page to allow the featured artist to cover the entirety of the first page.

Body text is split over three columns to divide the text into equal proportion across the page.

Use of a drop cap to guide the reader's attention to the start of the body text.

The background shows through the boundaries between each column to add a lively black and white contrast.

Footer

Cyan blue box graphic with a Bevel effect added to lift the colour with a three dimensional effect.

Positioned beneath the image and body text across both pages.

Name of magazine and page numbers linking to contents page used in symmetry on the left and right edges.

Headline

Positioned 3/4 of the page down as not to obstruct the artist mid-shot.

Central alignment to clearly define the objective of the article.

Inner glow illuminates the text and symbolises the street lights of Las Vegas.

Drop shadow prevents the text from blending with the white shirt.

Lead In

Positioned beneath the headline as a brief statement about the purpose of the article before the reader's eye is drawn to the drop cap on the second page.

Red box graphic behind the artist's name highlights their importance and high status.

Pull Quote

Placed in the centre of the second column to add detail.

White rectangle box graphic with a red stroke borders the quote. Small circle graphics with a strong outer glow are used.

Photoshoot Image

Covers approx. 4/5ths of the first page within the centre to emphasise the appearance of the artist.

Studio image taken mid shot to portray the artist as a style icon as well as a musician.

Checkerboard background relates to the 50's diner theme.

In a unique font, the artist's name is splashed across the gutter and columns as an umbrella statement for the article.

Index Tab and Caption

Positioned near the top left corner of the first page as a reference to the article.

The colour scheme and bevel effect relate to the footer to balanc the use of colours in the article.

Caption gives a brief statement to describe the studio image. Alliteration is used to make the statement catchy and memorable.

Byline

Positioned vertically from the third column to credit the writer of the article.

A contrasting red colour with a black stroke effect ensures the text does not blend into the background.

Developing Ideas

Cover Many conventions I have used on my cover

were developed from this issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Although this magazine is based on popular culture, many articles featured are of retro artists such as Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart, which relate to the genre of my magazine.

The large red font with a drop shadow on the masthead I have developed from the Rolling Stone logo, but the font itself is not as sleek as Rolling Stone, with sharp corners and a black stroke effect to appear more edgy and menacing.

The position and margin of my coverlines are also aligned in a similar format to Rolling Stone, but in a smoother font and linking to the cyan blue colour scheme used on the strap line, as with the white colour scheme in Rolling Stone.

Cover The position of the masthead and

use of certain graphics were developed from this issue of Mojo.

A red box graphic in the top left hand corner of Mojo provides an incentive with the offer of a free CD. I have taken this idea but altered the message for a competition. Furthermore, I created a black circle graphic in the lower left hand corner to symbolise a CD/Vinyl. The font used is independent to the main layout of fonts to highlight exclusivity.

Contents Page The column layout for my

contents page had influence from different genres of magazines.

Columns and featured article images are in separate partitions developed from Vintage Rock's cluster of reduced scale to main feature images.

The position of the feature image in the right hand corner dividing two columns was developed from Q magazine and the main artist Adele.

Article Elements of the body text columns and

the caption have been developed from this issue of Q magazine featuring Ed Sheeran.

A pull quote insert is used in the centre of the middle column as opposed to the insert placed between the two columns in Q.

I've used the position of the headline and lead in below the artist in Q and restructured the font and colour scheme for my genre. These fonts have a vintage appearance compared to the sleek text in Q.

A red box graphic is placed behind the artist's name in the lead in to suggest authority.

Challenging Ideas - Cover

I have used a footer to describe the type of content the reader will expect see in this issue.

A black circular graphic with a red stroke effect and competition details stands out with an unrelatable colour scheme of gold and black. This directs the reader's eye to the statement 'Win' and encourage the reader to see how to apply.

Challenging Ideas - Contents Page

I have created a red neon light effect on the dividing lines of the columns. This illuminates the images which surround to create an 80's ambience and symbolise the variety of genres featured.

Challenging Ideas - Article

The artist's name is splashed across the two pages in the largest font size on the page. This statement enhances the artist's celebrity status to encourage the reader to see why the magazine is promoting him.

The byline is positioned vertically against the third column to separate the writer's credit from the body text.