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Evaluation Answer One

Cover

To create my magazine cover, I found a magazine cover similar to my own genre and based mine from that. The cover below is the cover I used as a model.The model cover I used had a main image in the centre that was a Mid Shot. My plan was to use a Mid Shot of my model too. I originally took the photos as Mid Shots, however, to make it fit and look proportionate, I had to zoom in slightly, making my main cover image a Medium Close Up.  The model cover had a large masthead along the top of the page, below a banner. I too included a banner as it is a realistic convention of a music magazine. I did this because they are useful to draw in the audience at first glance, the prospect of a freebie is intriguing and exciting to the target audience, especially if it is related to someone they like. For example, Kerrang readers enjoy things such as rock festivals, and within this model, the banner promises an eight page pull-out of this & my target audience enjoy bands like The All American Rejects, therefore the idea of a free poster of the band will encourage them to buy the issue. I also included a large masthead at the top of my cover, right below the banner. I found a font that would go with the style and genre of my music magazine. However, I was unable to decide between black or white so I found the font, layered it on to my cover, then inverted the masthead so there were two layers with two colours (black and white). Like most popular music magazines, I had the main image slightly overlapping the masthead and the target audience already know the name of the magazine, therefore partially blocking the masthead does not matter. My model cover also included a puff. Most magazines include a puff because it attracts the target audience as it usually advertises competitions revolving around winning prizes that have something to do with artists they enjoy. Therefore, because it is a usual

convention of music related magazines, I added one to my front cover. Instead of using a rectangle type shape like on the model cover, I used the shape that was a recurring shape throughout my work so that it kept a house style throughout. I also made the puff the same colour as one of the four colours from my theme (Red, black, grey and white). I think that this added to the use of conventions of real media products. I also feel like this developed the convention as the majority of magazines have a circle puff, but I changed this because it did not fit with my style. Following my model cover, I made the main cover line stand out by making it a larger font. I also used my puff shape to make it stand out more so that it had a background, as without it, I feel as though it looked a bit randomly placed and I didn't think it looked very effective in making the main story of the issue stand out. I also followed my model cover when placing my storylines on to the cover, promoting the stories from the inside of the issue. These storylines help to encourage the target audience to purchase the issue as a storyline may interest them. I justified them down the left margin like on my model cover and altered the colours so like on the model cover, each one stood out. I think that this helps the magazine cover look more realistic as all covers include these. Also, like my model and every other music magazine, I included a barcode, issue date and price. This is a usual convention of a magazine cover as they are essential pieces of information for when the audience actually purchase the issue. I feel as though my house style, fonts and colour scheme show connotations of a rock type theme. I feel as though the reds and blacks show the music in the magazine is darker, less pop related and more edgy.

Overall, I feel as though my magazine cover follows the majority of music magazine conventions and looks like a realistic product.