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

Sell line

Masthead

Main image

Features

Tag lines

Anchor text

I used the common convention of using a sell line, this introduces the magazine well and gives the reader an idea of what the magazine is about. Usually situated near the masthead. The use of informing is the uses and grats theory, the white text in front of the black background highlights the text.

Large, bold and placed northerly is the common convention. The text is the top layer of the production, allowing it to be the most visible piece of text on the page. By it being placed on the top of the page, it is the first thing read. However after a few issues, once I have developed a brand awareness I will put it behind the image, thus creating my own developed convention. The bold font and bold colour gains attention.

The common convention of a medium close is broken in my main image, this is because I am trying to get the message across that the magazine isn't about one singular model and instead a DJ can be anyone, thus why the face is blurred. However by there only being one person I am showing how there is a story of a new DJ. I am challenging the idea of the male gaze (mulvey) by having a male on the front instead of a female.

‘Exclusive’ creates engagement, exclusively provided, the effects model, buzz work ‘exclusive’ – informing on the unknown (uses and grats needs model)

Insight into features included for entertainment and informative needs (uses and grats) – left positioning – alternate colours to separate text and top highlight titles – linked with house style –smaller font – not main selling point – contrasts against background.

Other magazines follow these conventions

Name – entices fans, anchored to the image , insight into main story, bold and contrasting, links with house theme, encourages fans to buy.

Black/yellow/white. I chose these colours as they contrast well against each other, meaning the text and image’s will be able to be distinguishable from one another. I suited the models mise en scene to continue the house theme of yellowish colours and blacks. The yellow text highlights the text around it, therefor encouraging the readers to read on. Using black and white is a common convention in a magazine, as shown below.

Masthead

Features

Columns

What’s hot

Social media

Date

Numbering

Images

The date shows informative information (uses and grats) – regular readers can keep up to date – but smaller text as less important –contrasting colours

Eye catching – different font size – breaks down magazine – easy navigation.

Short description of the featured page’s – enticed reader – informing of what's included (uses and grats)

Wide range of features and artists. – shows variety – reflects the different image’s.

Features commonly feature on the left hand side of the page.

Alternative colours following the house theme, allowing for a more eye-catching and desirable piece.

Other magazines that use this feature.

This isn't a convention found in any of the magazines I researched, however I found it to be a relevant feature to include. This is due to the fact that my target audience are the biggest users of social media, therefor they will find this useful and intriguing. It allows me to increase my customer base as well as staying in touch with my customers throughout the month and not just in the magazine. It can also work as advertisement to promote and market the magazine.

The use of a masthead on my contents page allows the reader to subconsciously recognise the content of the magazine as ‘MIXER’ exclusive, thus making people want to buy the magazine over and over again. It also gives the magazine brand awareness as well as giving ‘MIXER’ an identifiable image. To be consistent with my issues I would continue to use this masthead for the rest of my magazines.

Bold, easily readable, easy to navigate, appeals to a younger audience, creates shortcuts, makes the page look more appealing, linked with the future article, informing of what's happens (uses and grats) & continues with the house theme.This convention can be seen in other magazines, for example :

The images I have included are in a thumbnail type format. Include a wide variety. Reflects many genres included. Organised box’s with borders for professional look. No overlapping / not too text heavy for overwhelming approach.

Anchortext

Image

Quote

Tag line

Columns Text

Page numbers

Common convention of altercations between colour of text and background. The text is what gives the information about the article.

Creates engagement – exclusivity provided – text has influence – the effects model – buzzword.

This effect is used in other magazines:

Anchors name to image, intro to article, entices fans, informative (uses and grats) – insight into main story topic – bold and contrasting

Direct mode of addressConnects artist audience. personalRelationships (uses and grats) –Medium close up for personal view.Expression becomes more visualProjection for unique outcomeAttractive to target audienceBrightness on face shows importance

Insight into the rest of the story – creates engagement and questions – personal relationships to those experienced (uses and grats)

Other magazines use the same feature:

I have challenged regular codes and conventions, as normally the artist is placed on the left and the text on the right. This is because the text and headings are considered the most crucial part of the article, and then the image to come second, therefor why its on the right. My image hasn’t been split down the middle, and actually continues throughout both pages. I positioned my text carefully as no important information was placed in the fold in the middle of the double page spread.

Magazine’s that follow the normal common convention are as follow:

Convention developed to be positioned at the top, therefor making it more visible upon eye level. Makes for easier navigation, allows numbers to be separated for text. Continues house theme.