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

real media products?

QUESTION 1

FRO

NT

COVER

MASTHEAD

WEBSITE

ANCHORAGE

MAIN IMAGE

COVER LINES

IMAGES

BARCODE INCLUDING WEBSITE DATE AND PRICE

BUZZ WORD

COVER LINES

SELL LINE

QUOTE

REFLEKTOR VS NME

MAIN IMAGEThe mise en scene my image gives, is one of individuality. The front image connotes a contemporary unique style. The model I have used posses a unique style, and is face on to the camera. The eye contact with the camera suggest that the main focus of the front cover is on the artist, whilst also drawing the audience to the magazine. My model is wearing clothing that is inspired by the indie music culture, whilst is also the style used by lots of other indie artists. As you can see here, the artist featured on the front page of NME is shown wearing a denim jacket. There are similar attributes between my magazine front image and NME’s front image. I have also used a white back drop as my back ground for the front page, as this is also very popular for indie magazines to do. I found that my model stands out against the white background, making her the main focus of my magazine. This use of a white back ground is often used in in magazines such as NME. I feel that I have followed the conventions of a magazine also, as I have taken pictures of my model from the waist up.

The title of my magazine follows the conventions of a typical music magazine. I have altered the spelling of “reflector” and changed it to “reflektor”, I did this so that the title appears more edgy and interesting. When altering the spelling I found that I could play with the typography of the title. The ‘K’, in the title was enlarged. I think that the enlarged letter fits the convention of a music magazine, as my title can be easily recognized by my regular audience. I feel that the enlarged ‘K’, gives a significant look to the magazine. This means that my title is clearly following the conventions of a music magazine, as I have created my masthead so that it posses a certain style and look. Most other magazines have an individual style and look so their logo is easily recognized with in the media. The name ‘Reflektor”, connotes that the magazines purpose is to “reflect” on the music that has been popular over the month. Reflektor, reflects on new music and artists that are current during the last month. I feel that my font relates to the indie genre, as compared to other indie mastheads my title is fairly similar, thus proving that my magazine follows the conventions of a music magazine. The colour scheme followed in regards to the title is also similar to other indie magazines. I have used red and black because they contrast well together, and appeal to both male and females. Before creating my title I researched into legitimate logos of famous indie magazines such as “NME”, and “Q”. Both logos used the colours red and white, therefore proving that the colour red, is very appropriate for an indie magazine. The distribution of the mast head also follows the conventions, as it follows the Z rule that most magazines may go by.

MAST HEAD // TITLE

“REFLEKTOR” LOGO COMPARED TO OTHER LOGOS.

My masthead/logo.

Legitimate music magazine logos.

Here I have shown how I have been inspired by current indie magazine logos. I have followed the conventions of a magazine as I have used the colour red which is fairly popular when creating a logo. The colour red demands the attention of the reader, meaning that my magazine will appeal to my audience. I have also used a bold text which is easy to read, as you can see compared to Q magazine and NME, I have used a similar font, to ensure that my magazine is easy to identify, and read. I have challenged the conventions by, changing the colour and size of ‘K’. This shows that actually I have challenged the conventions. However I feel that changing the style of my text makes my masthead appeal to my audience as it is unique and different.

It is very professional if a magazine uses a barcode. For my magazine I have made my own barcode which includes some information to do with the magazine. I have included the price, date and website of the magazine, whilst also including the actual barcode its self. I have used photo shop to create my own logo. Most magazine information like web addresses, price, and date are distributed near the barcode. This is because the barcode is usually the last thing the audience will want to look at. As it is not the most appealing to the reader. My magazine is about music and my main focus is not on the bar code of my magazine. Therefore all my insignificant information is located on the barcode as shown.

Like all magazines I have included cover lines to promote articles with in my magazine. I have used different font styles and colours to make my magazine appear more interesting, and appealing to the audience. Using band names on the front cover of my magazine draws the attention of my audience. By using a red font this will demand the attention of the reader. The use of vocabulary such as ‘exclusive’, and ‘top indie artists’, demands the attention of the audience. I have placed the cover lines in the first third and third third of the magazine. Whilst also anchoring the main image with relevant cover lines. I have enlarged some cover lines to connote the sense of importance they conduct. By using different font this follows that conventions of a front cover, as most legitimate magazines use different font styles and colours so the front page appeals to a wide range of audience. I have compared my cover lines to other cover lines of magazines such as NME.

CHALLENGING THE CONVENTIONSDespite following most of the conventions and regulations of a typical music magazine, I have not followed some conventions and rules. I have not included a sky line on my front cover, instead I have included a banner at the top corner of the page, promoting posters that are included in the magazine. I feel that the absence of a skyline does not make an impact on my magazine, as I feel that if a sky line was to be included my magazine would appear crowded and unappealing, as the logo covers most of the top o the magazine there would be no room for me to place the skyline. Still I have used a replacement by advertising posters, on the right hand corner of the page.

CONT

ENTS

PAGE

MY CONTENTS PAGE VS NME

MAST HEAD

BAND INDEX

MAIN IMAGE

PAGE NUMBERS FOR NAVIATION

SUBLINES

ADVERT

DATE

WEBSITE

SOCIAL AND WEBSITE ADRESS

QUOTE FROM ARTICLE

SUMMMARY OF MAIN ARTICLE

ISSUE NUMBER

All contents page’s must require to mastheads//titles. One title must present the magazine, and the other must note the reader that the page is in fact the contents page. I have including both mastheads. By using a smaller version of my masthead, this creates fluency from the front cover to the contents page, like in other magazines, such as NME. I have also included the title ‘contents’, on the top right hand corner. Again the structure of the mastheads follows the Z rule, that most magazines follow, as it is easier to follow and read for the audience, so that the first thing the audience reads is the name of my magazine. I have also used the same font and colour, from the front cover masthead to create fluency. Fluency is a major part of a magazine’s conventions, so that the audience is familiar with the magazine they are reading. Underneath my masthead I have included details of the magazine including, the issue number and magazine website.

MASTHEAD

As you can see, I have placed my date in the K of my mast head “Reflektor.” I feel that this is a unique idea and will appeal to my audience, because of its abstract placement. The contrast of white against the red of the font, is eye catching to my audience, and easy to read. This placement of the text shows my creativity when producing my masthead. I have seen no other magazine use this technique, this gives my magazine a sense of individuality and unique style.

INSPIRATION AND COMPARISONS

I have created an advert for my contents page, as I have noticed that it is a very popular convention used. The advert relates to my magazine genre, and is eye catching for the reader. As you can see, magazines like NME, use adverts to put on the contents page as it appeals and attracts their audience.

Overall I feel that, I have successfully met the conventions of a contents page, as I feel that my contents page is fairly similar to market place magazines such as NME. I have used NME magazine as my inspiration as I liked the layout and structure of the page, and found that it was easy to navigate around the page and find certain articles that I wanted to. I have copied certain aspects and conventions of NME’s content page, like the band index. The band index presents all the bands featured in the magazine, in alphabetical order. The page number is also presented next to the bands name so the audience is able to find a certain article that they want to read. I feel that I have used a fluent colour scheme form the front cover to the contents page, and used the same typography so that my magazine appears professional through out.

However it can be argued that I have not met the conventions successfully as, the measurements of my contents page are slightly out of line. When professionals produce magazines they will ensure that all measurements including text boxes and images are in line, I believe that my contents page may be slightly out of line and appear unprofessional.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

MAIN IMAGE/ BACKGROUND

PULL QUOTES

IMAGES

PAGE NUMBERS

HEAD LINE PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT

DROP CAPTITAL

ARTICLE/INTERVEIW

INTRODUCTION OF ARTICLE

LOGO/MASTHEAD OF MAGAZINE

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD When I was creating my double page spread, I was not inspired by one particular magazine. However I was inspired by a wide range of double page spread examples. The main image used for my double page spread, was taken in Shoreditch. I think that street art really relates to the genre of my magazine, I also liked the colours and art of the background of my double page spread. I have used a specific colour scheme, that connects with the background of my double page spread. I have followed the conventions of a magazine as have presented fluency on my double page spread, by including my logo on the top left hand corner of my double page spread. As you can see, I have compared my logo/feature sign to an NME example. I have used the word, ‘feature’ as this relates to my contents page.

NME

REFLEKTOR

I have chosen this magazine for inspiration as it presents a female rock star as the center topic of the article. I also believe that the style the model portrays in this article is the same as my model on my double page spread. The article also shows an interview, which is the same as my magazine.

I have noticed a few similarities between my magazine and NME magazine. The use of two colours for the headline is similar between NME and Reflektor, I have also included a drop cap which also follows a certain colour scheme. Like NME I have included an introduction underneath my headline introducing the interveiw.

SIMILARITIES AND COMPARISONS

Here are I have shown how my magazine compares to other magazines in the market place. My magazine is fairly similar to the legitimate magazine. This shows how I have followed the conventions of a double page spread as I have included all the conventions and regulations of a double page spread.

CONCLUSION

Over all I feel that I have successfully reached the conventions of a music magazine. I feel that my magazine portrays fluency and a sustainable theme through out. Most magazines have to portray fluency, and a unique theme. This makes magazines appear professional and pleasing to read for the audience. As you can see I have used a fluent colour scheme, and presented my logo, on each the front cover, contents page and double page spread. I have used a certain type of house style for my magazine, so it appeals to my reader and comes across as professional, again creating fluency. However it can be suggested that my magazine does not fully reach the conventions, as NME usually presents males on the cover of their magazines, I have subverted the regulations and used a female model, as my main topic of my magazine.