Evaluation - question 1

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

My magazine matches various codes and conventions of Rock magazines and also contains conventions similar to those of Classic Rock magazines. On way in which my product has met the conventions of the rock music genre is that the props used in the magazine photo shot, are typical of the rock genre. For example, on the main cover of my magazine, I used a guitar with my main star. This guitar allows people to quickly establish the genre of the music and what the magazine might be about (Music). Down below is an example of a typical rock convention, a Guitar.

Conventional props of the rock genre used during the main
cover of my rock magazine 

We have also used a conventional title/masthead called "AMPED". We have used this title, as it fits the rock genre due to its association with rock music and the fact that its an iconic icon for the rock genre. This is also the reason as to why I used the guitar in my main cover as it compliments the masthead as both sets of equipment go hand in hand. This insures that viewers of the magazine can easily identify what type of magazine they are looking at and the possible content it could contain. This means that it could possible stand out more from a conventional stand point over magazines like kerrang who's title doesn't really fit the conventions of the rock genre. An example of magazine that would stand out to rock fans is Classic Rock as its clearly identifiable due to the nature of the magazines appearance. However, an example of a magazine thats masthead does not suit conventions is kerrang. This is because the masthead doesn't relate to the rock genre, and therefore won't come across as a rock genre unless the front cover image can be associated with rock.

The Masthead of my magazine

My magazine conforms to the conventions of the rock genre by using associated props and titles of the music genre itself. Some of these examples can be clearly identified in the pictures above of my main cover page for my rock magazine. Another way that I have conformed to other rock magazines is that I have put the stars name over the main image. this is commonly done across all rock
magazines especially in Classic Rock magazines.

Classic Rocks magazine cover

My magazine cover for "AMPED"

Another way that I have conformed to other rock magazines is that I have used puffs on my main magazine cover. This convention can not only be seen in rock magazines but the majority of other magazines ranging in topics and genres. I have used a puff to give viewers of the magazine a insight to what some of the content in the magazine is about, which will hopefully catch the interest of the viewer into buying the magazine.

Picture of a puff used in a edition of the Classic Rock
Magazine

Picture of the puff used in my
Magazine

One way in which my magazine has gone against the conventions of the Classic Rock magazine is that my main image doesn't overlap the main masthead on the front cover of the magazine. This convention can be seen commonly throughout Classic Rocks magazine covers as well as Kerrangs and other magazines from different genres. I have decided to subvert this convention for my magazine as I want my masthead to be completely visible so the name of the magazine cane identified clearly.

Elements of my product that match specific conventions are that I have chosen to advertise things about my magazine using the skyline. The skyline is a common convention that all magazines use to advertise events and free gifts like CD'S and posters. The skyline is also used for this purpose in the majority of Classic Rock magazines. Another way in which I have fit conventions is that I have used the cover lines to put a quote from the main star on the magazine onto the front cover. This can be seen throughout the majority of magazines especially Classic Rock magazines

Annotations of my magazine. 

Updated version of my magazine

This is my new updated magazine front cover as I felt that I needed to make improvements as the feedback I received suggested so. I have made changes to the cover lines and skyline as I felt there wasn't much detail and content on the cover of the magazine. I also felt that the layout needed improving and so I moved around some of the cover lines to find a better magazine cover design/layout.

My contents page 

Above this is a picture of my contents page (left hand side) which i have designed around various magazines. One convention i am happy about and  one that i worked hard on is the layout of the images. As you can see, I have took inspiration from multiple rock contents pages but the contents page shown above (Right hand side) was my main guide for the majority of the time when designing my contents page.

As well as the layout for the contents page, I also made sure it matched conventions of the rock genre in multiple other ways. For example, I used specific props like guitars to help the viewer establish the genre by using iconic rock props. This convention can also be seen in the classic rock contents page (right hand side) where you can clearly see a drum kit (another iconic rock convention) and a rock star holding a guitar

My double page spread

I have designed my double page spread around classic rock double page spreads as well as other music magazine double page spreads. I have done this to help me match specific codes and conventions so my magazine appeals to rock and music fans. I have designed the layout of my page so the main image is placed to one side. This is a common convention used in the wide majority of music magazines as it creates more space for the text to go. It also helps make the page look tidy as everything is not all crammed together on one page. I also got feedback on the layout of my text from my class to make the text look smaller and to put into columns so it fits magazine conventions of a double page spread like the image down below. I also had the title in big bold letters placed at the top right and continuing through the middle of the page as this is another common convention of double page spreads.