IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR

CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

CONVENTIONAL STRUCTURES OF MAGAZINES

The similarities I share with conventional magazines are the bold title fonts and eye catching colours. I also have high quality images and a lot of text present on the cover. I also share the same positioning of the main cover line, which comes in from the side and onto the main image to draw more attention to it. Also another feature which is similar is that the cover lines are in bold and bigger than some of the other text so it stands it catches the eye of the people purchasing the magazine.

FRONT COVER INSPIRATION

I based the layout of my cover on this ‘XXL’ cover. I did this as the cover looks very professional and includes a lot of text too, which makes it look more interesting and appealing to the audience as they know a lot of information will be inside. I used the same colour scheme as the colours are bold and eye catching appealing to the target audience I have chosen of 18-24 year olds.

The models on my cover are dressed in clothes that would be worn by my target audience, which would add appeal to my magazine.

I wouldn’t say that my magazine is challenging the means of convention but uses them instead. My cover includes the basics of a magazine and follows the trend of many magazine which use a ‘thirds’ layout. But have modified the conventions of a standard hip-hop magazine to create my alternative genre magazine using my own creativity.

CONTENTS PAGE

I set the layout of my contents as thirds, similar to the contents page I researched. I also made sure the text stood out and was readable. I have used the same colour scheme as the cover.

I decided to make the contents page similar to the example beside. It is of UK/US conventional layouts. I used a larger image for the main image to highlight that her story is the main feature. I also included other pictures to captivate viewers. I wanted there to be a lot of text to make the page busy and reduce the amount of space. I think this is the most conventional piece out of the three I have created.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

Following my research on various magazines, I created my own similar product. I have used bold titles in colours which contrast with the background and my colour scheme is similar and consistent throughout – red, black and white. I have followed conventional layouts by using quotes and a large main image with smaller ones. The only thing which I have included on my double page spread that doesn’t follow conventions is having the name of magazine on there. The majority of magazines do not do this, therefore making my double page spread unique in that sense.