Use, develop or challenging conventions

1. 1. In what ways does your media product
use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
By Humayra Suleman

2. Here is an example of an
existing magazine front cover;
where I have analysed it’s
features…

3. Masthead - is in big bold letters
Header - is used to highlight the rare
which suggests the hip-hop, rap
style of music, something that magazine issue due to the word
youngsters may listen to. It’s “Special” in “Autumn Tour Special”.
emphasis of the play on words Suggesting that the reader does not
“NME” are sounded out when normally receive something as cost
said as “enemy”, suggesting effective as this. Producer of the
rebelling. The meaning is magazine has put “16 Page” to make
portrayed through the use of the reader think that they are receiving
red, symbolic to the devil or more than the value of money we are
blood, general hatred is usually paying for. This suggests we are
associated with the colour red. getting the magazine at a
discount, when really we are paying
Flash - is used on the the normal asked price of the
magazine because its different
magazine for the ordinary material
from the background colour
there is to read.
and this makes the few Main image - is of Dizzee Rascal the
phrases on the flash much artist which is featured in this weeks
more important and attention NME magazine. His image is canted ay
grabbing to the reader. The an angle, making the artist look joyous
white bold text on the flash is and happily dominating everything
the first phrase the reader through his music and success. Making
reads, and it excites the reader
the reader look up to Rascal because of
because the details of the
his joyousness and his success in life.
program are smaller but the
name is big and bold, making it Cover lines - The producers of the
interesting to the reader. magazine have included the cover lines
Background - contrasts very saying “Starring” and then the famous
well with the dominated main artists name in bold red and black
image, it has graffiti on the writing, This is to impress the reader as
walls which highlights the artists they are familiar with have been
urban feel to the magazine, as included in the magazine. This Is
urbanized youngsters are different to most magazines as it is a
known to graffiti. The page is music magazine whereas other
made to look very busy and so magazines have gossip quotes or
the use of a chequered floor is fashion tips on their front cover.
used on the image. Making the Pull quote - shows a personal account of the artist, making the
Footer - enables the reader to see the
cover look busy and reader feel a communication with a famous artist. Encouraging the
famous celebrities featured in the magazine
creative, just like graffiti. reader to be like Rascal. It links to the dominating photo where he
on the footer. It allows the reader to look
is smiling and looking to be “Joyous”. It reflects the artists open
forward to reading the rest of the magazine.
armed welcome in the image complimenting his grinning face.
Almost a way to show that he is proving that he really is joyous.

4. Here I have compared the
features to the existing music
magazine, with my own music
magazine…

5. Masthead – in my magazine Header - is used to separate and
the masthead is also bold differentiate itself compared to existing
which gives out a bold magazines. To have the name of “Worlds
statement to its readers. The fastest chart music selling magazine” is a
NME magazine has play-on huge deal comparing themselves to the
words for its music magazine
music magazine market. As well as this
name, however mines is long
the fact that The Times has stated this
yet something the reader
statement shows that the magazine is
would remember. A reason for
this is because rarely any worth more than the money which is paid
people have this type of name for by the customers due to the high
giving out a unique identity as status given by such a top end company
the meaning is the state of “The Times”.
being important; referring back Sell line – This almost challenges the
to the artists. However, I have convention on NME music magazine. Due
used a teal colour because it
to the words "Worlds fastest selling
suggests the mix of the two
magazine” reassuring the readers that it is
genders, as my magazine is
a popular magazine. It challenges the
multi gender.
convention of other magazines as they
Background – I have used a may not be the fastest selling
plain background to make the magazine, meaning that people do not
artist stand out on the page. It like reading them magazines.
does not have anything on it
like the other magazine Main image – is of the artist who is
because I thought too much featuring on the magazine. She is looking
would be going on, on the right at the reader, whereas Dizzee
page. The page is not as busy Rascal was looking away. The concept of
but simpler yet effective with the the image is straight and simple but she is
emphasise on the cover-lines tilting her head, making it look like she’s
and important aspects of the doing it especially for the magazine. Her
magazine. I thought that if it simple look reflects on the main cover
was busy the reader may be put line, because she is not perfect and
off reading the magazine seems to be normal like her fans.
because they think there's too
much to read; portraying the Cover lines – my magazine includes the
magazine to look boring even word “Exclusive” instead of “Starring” on
though its just the front cover. Pull quote – this also shows a personal account of the
artist, making the reader feel a communication with a famous the NME music magazine cover. Similarly
artist. It also links to the photograph because she is wearing the name of the artist featuring in my
casual clothing and she is not portrayed to be a beautiful artists magazine is also in big letters on the page.
which her fans may think. This shows to the reader to say that she The magazine has big letters for the cover
is just like them, and nothing special. lines to emphasise their importance.

6. Here is an example of an existing
magazine contents page; where I
have analysed it’s features…

7. The brief heading and summary of the content is
displayed in smaller text to interest the reader with the
description. As contents pages don’t normally include a
description and a brief idea is formed through the title
name of the individual pages in a magazine. The
producers have used the contrast of colours very well
showing the subheadings importance. As the text is
grey on a white background with red page
numbers, whereas the subheadings are big and bold
white text on a dark grey background. This effect
makes the page look stylish by using the three themed
colours which revolve around NME magazine. The idea
of the page numbers being in read make it really stand
out as the contents page does not contain as much red
and it makes the numbers stand out with the normal
colours which are grey and white.
The magazine has a little section promoting their
previous and future editions . This stands out because
the odd colour yellow is used in big and bold writing to
promote the purchase of the magazines. This stands
out on the page because it is a bright colour and it
connotes to the meaning of being special and a cheap
bargain to the reader. There is contact details on the
page for readers to buy any editions they may want to
purchase. The magazine producers have specifically
used “just” in the advertisement suggesting that the
price is not a lot and it is a special offer for only their
customers.

8. Here I have compared the
features to the existing music
magazine contents page, with
my own music magazine…

9. The text through out the page is shown to be big to
ensure that the reader reads into the magazines
content as the content of the magazine is then
highlighted. The producers of the magazine have
similarly continued the consistency of colour co-
ordination. This is the same as NME as it also has
bigger highlighted subheadings; putting emphasis.
As well as this the page has the traditional features
such as page numbers. In contrast to the NME
contents page this one has a bigger editors
note, putting emphasis of the fact that the writer has
the best interests of the readers.
The contents page I have created does not include
any other information about the previous or future
editions. The simple aspect of the page is used on
the contents for one purpose and that is to guide the
readers through the magazine. There is no third
colour on the page, this is keep the consistency of
the colour for the house style of the magazine.
However, there is a thin strip of read on the males
over head phones. Emphasising and yet almost
highlighting music without obviously hinting it. I had
designed the purpose of the page to specifically help
the reader find the specific pages of the magazine.

10. Here is an example of an
existing magazine double page
spread; where I have analysed
it’s features…

11. Main Image – The main image is of the featured artist that Mis En Scene – This is created by the graffiti wall Byline – These lines are
is on the front cover Dizzee Rascal, and he is dominating one background makes Dizzee Rascal look like he is the credit to the
whole page. Emphasising the pictures importance to the rebellious as he is holding a graffiti spray can, and this journalist and
reader. He is peering over his shoulder whilst holding a spray connotes that he is causing havoc by writing graffiti on photographer and this
can and he is vandalising through graffiti on the wall which the walls. He is acting to be portrayed as a more is normally done on the
is against the wall. His mischievous act is shown through the urbanised troublemaking character. His red jacket looks page of the article or
way he is rolling his eyes to make sure no one is looking at attractive and expensive, relating to the headline giving underneath the
him break the law. the reader a hint that he is now successful after being photograph to label the
the troubled boy he was. photographers photo.
Colour Scheme – This is
continued as It is the same Background – This connotes the
colour scheme as the front area of which Dizzee Rascal
cover and the contents page came from and the influence he
of the magazine. This is was brought up with, there are
good because it maintains a alcohol bottles there which
certain impression of the connotes that he used to go out
artist to the reader. As he drinking. There is also a old
was known to be a trouble boom box which shows that he
maker with bad influences was interested in music since
on his life. Even though it is an early age. The use of graffiti
an informal magazine of suggests that he grew up in a
music and it looks roughs neighbourhood and his
professionally created life was the opposite of his ever-
because of the clear quality growing success. The text side
and spaced out layout of of the article has a less busier
the pages. background suggesting he has
changed.
Main heading/headline – “From Tags To Riches” are play on words derived from the original Sub heading – There is a short subheading
saying “from rags to riches”. We are told a little bit of Dizzee Rascals past from this change as before the article starts, and it’s giving out a
he grew up with bad influence. He committed crimes and was sent to prison meaning he had little bit of information about what he has been
tags. Also he was into graffiti and he used to “Tag” with spray cans, which is an urbanised way up to and the awards he has been nominated
of saying that he used to mark his name using spray cans on public walls meaning vandalism. for. This introduces him because as the story
His bad past is then compared to his current success which then symbolises the phrase goes on the reader notices major
"Riches” as he is making a lot of money through music. improvements on his lifestyle.

12. Here I have compared the
features to the existing music
magazine double page
spread, with my own music
magazine…

13. The main image is the artist I had chosen to do on the front cover. She is The mis-en-scene is shown by the pose of the
similarly dominating the whole page of one side on the whole of the double artist on the page and the simple image placed
page spread. This is to emphasise the purpose of the article and also to relate to onto the page. This suggests importance and
the front cover page. It is a much simple mage with a double mirrored effect status of the artist. Also the washed out effects
behind it. As it has the same image copied twice again which are both washed of the images glow which then indicates and
out into the background. One is flipped showing both photos to be facing each suggesting stardom .
other on the page.
The background is plain white
colour to continue the house
style of the magazine. This is
The double page spread simple and plain layouts. This
has the same colour may influence the reader to
scheme through out the believe that the artist normal
whole of the magazine. and simple like everyone. And
This consists of teal, white she is not superior to anyone.
and the traditional black This links back to the cover line
and white throughout the on the front page, stating her
pages. It is similar to the own personal quote “I’m not
Dizzee Rascal page, as it perfect like my fans think”. The
links the content of the simplicity of the page develops
magazine together. It the colours convention on the
maintains the magazine NME magazine, because the
impression as well. page is clear and seems to be
much simpler. Rather than a
busy page with a busy
background as well a variety of
colours.
The play on words Hit Success Star relate to the image on the double page spread. As well as
the washed out image of the artist, emphasising the star bit of the quote. This is because of
the glow effect given out. The main heading is “Feesa” in big letters. The fancy lettering of
“Hit Success Star” is emphasised by the fancy text on top of the big lettered words of FEESA.
This uses the same conventions of the NME double page spread, where the lettering of the
title is big and bold.