The document discusses conventions used in magazine design and layout. It provides examples of conventions for the front cover, double page spreads, and contents pages. These include positioning of the masthead, cover lines, barcode/price, and main image. The document then analyzes how the student's mock magazine pages follow or challenge conventions. It is noted that positioning of images and columns are challenged on some pages for aesthetic or content-based reasons. Overall, the student concludes their magazine generally follows conventions to appear like a real media product while incorporating some original elements.

1. Question 1:
In what ways does your
product use, develop or
challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products?
By Amos Mukombero

2. • Conventions in media are acceptance of ways of doing
something. On a magazine there are general conventions such
as:
• Masthead (usually the name the magazine) – This signifies
the magazine, it is bold usually on the top third of a magazine
it is important that the mast head is aesthetic and eye
catching so it stands out from the rest of the magazines that
are sold near.
• A banner (promotional features are an option) – This is like an
advertisement for other mediums, such as new TV shows
starting, events coming up, free give away etc. The banner
usually has some sort of connection to the magazine.
Conventions of a magazine
of a front cover

3. • Main image (so people can have a tease of what content the magazine will
feature)
• Cover lines – Stories that appear in the magazine are cover lines. These
are presented around the magazine; the more important cover lines are
generally bigger, stand out and more ambiguous.
• Strap lines – This is a subheading or another way to advertise.
• Footers – On the bottom of the magazine is the footer. It is continues on
all of the pages. They are usually used for pages numbers. They are the
same as ‘Headers’ but they are situated on the top of the magazine.
• Barcode – This is a legal requirement, it is used for scanning when
purchasing a magazine at a store. It is a code of information encrypted in a
picture format.
• Price – This is another legal requirement. It allows the audience to know
how much the magazine will cost.

4. • Website address – this is just a URL that informs readers the magazine
stories/content can be found on the internet and you are able to do other
things on the internet.
• Serif font – This Is a writing style without flicked ends. It is genre specific
and not always used.
• A clear color scheme – This enforces the magazine to the audience, it
allows them to associate the colors to the magazine.
• Issue number and date – This is another legal requirement is allows the
audience to know how recent the news and stories they are reading.
• Most conventions are genre and target audience specific.
The following slide will give you an idea of the
conventions I used on my front cover...

5. a strip of
featuring
articles
Masthead: The Run
Barcode
and price
Cover
lines
Strap line/footer with
a promotion.
Main
image(s)
- Colin
Fresh
Puff and plug
Banner/Strap line/
header with the
Issue number and a
cover line

6. Generic Construction in
comparison
• Generally a banner and masthead are positioned horizontally
on the top third of the magazine, with the headlines and
cover lines on the left third. This is so people can see what
stories are in the magazine easier when they are stacked up
on a shelf of a store. The image is always in the middle of the
magazine left or right third; depending on the image size and
the editors preference. The purpose of this is to grab the
audiences focus.
• My magazine follows the typical the conventions. The only
challenge to the norm is that I have used is a strip of featuring
pictures on the right to emboss the articles in the magazine.
Whether this works or not will be put to the test when my
product is put out for sale.

7. In comparison to a real media product

8. Conventions of a magazine
of a double page spread
• One main image: The main image should have a direct link to the content
of the page. This give the audience an idea of what the article is about. It
is usually positioned on the left third of the page.
• Paul Quotes: Interesting quotes taken from the article to engage the
reader in. They are usually dropped into the text and wrap around, used as
headlines and can also be dropped onto a picture.
• Headline: This tells the reader what the article will be about. It is usually
the name of the artist in a music magazine.
• Stand first: This introduces the article and is positioned underneath the
headline.
• Columns: Usually 2-3 columns are used.
• Colour scheme: This should be consistent thought the magazine.
• Drop Caps: Indicate to the reader where the article starts.
• Writing size and font: Usually 11pt and aerial font.

9. Masthead
of
magazine
Drop Caps
Paul
Quote
Page
number
Main Image
HeadlineStand first
3 columns

10. Generally, my double page spread follows the conventions of a real
media product.
The main developments from the general I have changed are I have
situated my main image on the right side instead of the left. I put it
there because the stance of the modal is left side focused, this hopefully
will draw the audience to the left side of the page which is where the
article is.
Another development is that I have included a strip of pictures which
are the same but edited differently this is to make my double page
spread aesthetically pleasing for the reader.
Having my headline on the right side is another development from the
generic convention. I put it there as it will allow readers who are not
aware who the artist is to know who it is.
The next slide is a comparison to a real media product.
Analysis of my double
page spread

11. Drop Caps
Main Image
Stand first
2 columns
Quote

12. The Vibe double page spread follows the conventional layout of most
double page spreads. The main image is on the left; in comparison to
mine where I challenge the conventions of a real media product.
There are 2 columns which is different to mine as I have 3. The
amount of content would not be restricted. On this example there is
a quote that is centred on the right page with a graffiti font. This is to
keep the theme running as the artist has graffiti on his face. The
colour scheme is also simple red, white and black. With the text size
11pt with an aerial font. The style of layout matches the magazine it
is, this reinforces the magazines’ profile.
Analysis of Vibe double page spread

13. • A Contents page is used for navigating round the magazine. It
should be user friendly, clear and easy to understand this is so that
the reader can go straight to the article that caught their eye as soon
as possible. General conventions are as follows:
• Page numbers with a description of what is going to appear on the
page.
• Numerous pictures – this is an editorial preference
• Consistent colour scheme
• Title (contents)
• Different size text and fonts – this is to show importance
• Subheadings to break up the different types of pages
Conventions of a magazine
of a Contents page

14. Page title
Page numbers with
page descriptions
(navigator)
Image
Different fonts and
text sizes to show
importance
Subheadings

15. • The contents page of a magazine has no concrete layout. It is solely
on the editors preference where elements go, which elements work k
and which don’t. This is dependent on whether the contents page
fulfils its purpose and navigates the user to where they want to read.
• My contents page does this. It is generic in the sense that all the
important conventions are there but I have constructed it by using
my theme from my front cover as a guide. As the magazine must
have a consistent colour scheme and theme. Using the similar
picture aids this but the model is facing the opposite way.
The next slide gives an example of a real media product that is from
Vibe music magazine.
Analysis of my Contents page

16. Page title
Page numbers with
page descriptions
(navigator)
Image
Different fonts and
text sizes to show
importance
Subheadings

17. Conclusion
• I have come to a conclusion that all of the magazine page I have
created generally follow the conventions of real media products.
However some elements I have cleverly developed with clear
evidence as to why.
• I chose to keep the conventions generic so that my magazine would
sell. Also the distributing company I will present my magazine will
see that as it is generic it will work as a real media product that can
sell.

18. Thank you for viewing my
PowerPoint. Hope you enjoyed!