MEDIA EVALUATIONQuestion 1.

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

conventions of real media products?

To discern whether or not my product ‘uses develops or challenges forms and conventions of real media products’, first we must establish these forms and conventions. The following slide is an example of a cover from the same genre of music as my magazine, and is labelled so as to establish said forms and conventions.

A clearly identifiable, short and memorable masthead, making clear the genre and title of the magazine.

Subject can be seen clearly, is looking directly into the camera.

A bright colour scheme, with the same colours repeated throughout for cohesion.

Language techniques used in plugs (alliteration) to lure readers in.

Clearly labelled free giveaways.

Price/Barcode can be clearly seen.

Further indicators of content, teasing/enticing reader.

Clearly shown indicators of content, confined mainly to two of the thirds.

A clearly identifiable, short and memorable masthead, making clear the genre and title of the magazine.

A bright colour scheme, with the same colours repeated throughout for cohesion.

Price/Barcode can be clearly seen.

Clearly shown indicators of content, confined mainly to two of the thirds.

Further indicators of content, teasing/enticing reader.

Language techniques used in plugs (quantifiers) to lure readers in.

Subject can be seen clearly, is looking directly into the camera.

Clearly labelled free giveaways.

Overall, the front cover of my magazine conforms, and perhaps more aptly, uses well, most of the forms and conventions which are repeatedly used throughout the front covers of equivalent music magazines.

Contents Page

Date of publication can be seen clearly.

Shows eye-catching image relating to the main article within.

Once again, a clear and cohesive colour scheme is used throughout the page.

Clearly labelled page numbers, alongside features.

Clearly labelled, eye-catching ‘contents’ section.

Use of language techniques. (proverbs)

Clearly labelled, eye-catching ‘contents’ section.Date of publication can be seen clearly.

Shows eye-catching image relating to the main article within.

Use of language techniques. (quantifiers)

Once again, a clear and cohesive colour scheme is used throughout the page.

Plugs advertising giveaways.

Quotations from main article enticing reader.

Clearly labelled page numbers, alongside features.

Overall, my contents page adheres to many of the major forms and conventions used by magazines. Perhaps the example used is not the best to show this, as further research revealed that many of the contents pages contained the additional conventions shown on my contents page, when compared to the example. Nevertheless, I believe the example used contains the sort of minimalist look I was going for, so is viable for comparison.

Clearly defined questions/answers, using different font style/colours to distinguish between interviewer/interviewee.

Page title at the top left of the page, clearly indicating the content.

‘Main’ image of artist, looking directly into the camera.

Second, contrasting image of artist, showing different side of ‘personality’.

Once again, a clear and cohesive colour scheme is used throughout the page.

Introduction, indicative of article content.

Some text stands out, giving indication of the article, juxtaposed against background.

Author name/details.

Name of artist in large, easily readable font, instantly tells reader what to expect.

Once again, a clear and cohesive colour scheme is used throughout the page.

‘Main’ image of artist, looking directly into the camera.

Page title at the top left of the page, clearly indicating the content.

Second, contrasting image of artist, showing different side of ‘personality’.

Quotations from the article, indicative of content, using most exciting parts to entice reader.

Plug, advertising main feature on page

Clearly defined questions/answers, using different font style/colours to distinguish between interviewer/interviewee.

Author name.

Name of artist in large, easily readable font, instantly tells reader what to expect.

Overall, my double page spread conforms to many of the conventions usually seen in music magazines. My further research showed me that the forms used on the spread, the overall ‘minimalist’ look used; is often perpetuated throughout these sort of magazines. My challenging of the forms and conventions is better examined through the other questions in this evaluation, when taking into account audience and genre.