Evaluation Part 1

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

During this essay I will be analysing the three parts to my magazine, such as, front cover, contents page and double page spread. Throughout my analysis I will be explaining my reasons for using particular aspects and why I think they work well, or in some cases not so well.

Within my front cover, I used the same colour scheme for continuity, along with the other pages, therefore the reader realises all three pages are easily linked together, to the same magazine. The masthead stands out the most for me on this page which is what I want the reader to feel too, this is because I want it to make a statement, and stick in the readers mind. Use of the colour black represents evil or could refer to the unknown. This links to the unknown of what the magazine will reveal, which puts emphasis on the main article which the reader will be dying to read. The font of the masthead links into the Indie/Rock theme of my magazine, as the masthead is outlined with black it catches the readers eye; seems loud and confident. The main sell line has been employed in the centre of the page in a solid red, referring to, danger, blood and love. The use of red contrasts against the black and white image, and other black text. It is placed in the centre of the page to reflect its importance considering the reader is drawn will be drawn to it. I have chosen to put the artists name in red as she is popular and will encourage people to purchase the magazine to therefore read her ultimate interview. The quote gives the reader a taster from the interview and will leave them in suspense, wanting them to read more. I have included certain music artists featured on the front cover which relate to my theme and will appeal to my audience; they too are in red to jump put to the reader. The text featured on the contents page links to the front cover, creating continuity. The two sections “FEATURES and NEWS” and page numbers allow the reader to find a specific page quickly. As it is laid out in a column format it enables to reader to see it clearly. Within in the double-page spread there is a clear heading overlapping the image, clearly stating the artist’s name. This is in red which links to the front cover and is clearly visible against the image. The article itself uses the colours red and black, the use of the colour red allows the questions in the interview to be separated from the answer (in black) which helps the reader understand the flow of the conversation.

The conventions used on the front cover page is, the masthead, main sell line, sell lines, header, footer, and bar code. The use of these conventions helps my magazine look professional and similar to others in certain ways for example, a main sell line which leaves the reader in suspense and relates to the image of the music artist on the page. This enables mine to be a competition to other magazines and appeal to the right audience. Not as many conventions are used on my contents page as it isn’t needed. Title, sections, page numbers and a website is included. This page is meant to be basic as it enables the reader to understand the page and find other pages quickly. Finally the conventions used in my double-page spread are the heading, pull-quote, and column format. This makes it clear to the reader that it is an interview, and the pull-quote is employed larger to attract the reader and make them want to read the whole interview, therefore purchase the magazine.