1. AS Media evaluation Anna Loyns

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge the forms and conventions of real media products? Like ‘NME’, I have used a clear masthead to hold the title of my magazine. In both titles, the colours used are bold and enticing. Both magazines have used capital letters for the title. Both Magazines have icons within the main image. The images used are central within the front cover, thus demonstrating and signifying their importance. Both images are effective and enticing.

3. Both magazines contain added features as a means of attracting the audience. The addition of stating some f the bands that are included within the magazine will persuade the reader to purchase the magazine, believing it ha more to offer than the other. The text is in block capitals, emphasising the magazine’s importance A contrast between the two magazine front covers is the slightly tiled positioning of the text. More so, my magazine continues with the colour scheme throughout whereas ‘NME’ uses a new colour. Indeed, in both contents pages, there are clear similarities. The titles are both very bold and direct, allowing the audience to immediately establish the information. One difference is the slightly tilted positioning of the text within my magazine. This appeals more towards my target audience.

4. Typically, I have adopted the large image within the contents page. This will engage the reader and will make them want to view more. The image brings about much more excitement to the page, and allows it to look more professional. The anchored text, placed below each image illustrates the topic of the article, again, immediately informing the audience on the issue. One contrast within the two magazines is the inclusion of two more images within my magazine. I feel this is successful in further engaging and attracting the audience. Both double page spread (Gig guides) use images to attract the audience, and to allow them to easily recognise the band . One difference is that I have used more images within my gig guide. This will further entice the reader.

5. Another similarity between the two double page spreads is the structure adopted. Both articles use the typical columned structure. This assists in allowing the page to look more professional. Clearly, my magazine finds large comparisons with already-existing products within the media. The structure is greatly similar to ‘NME’ as is the colour scheme, and use of text. There are however contrasts, in which my magazine slightly challenges the conventions of real media products. This concerns the quantity of images as a means of attracting the target audience. Moreover, the slight tilted positioning of images in my product certainly appeals more to my audience. To conclude, I have mainly followed the typical forms and conventions, but adapted in a sense to appeal more to the wants of my target audience.

6. How does your media product represent different social groups? My media product represents social groups in many ways -I have used many bright, bold colours to attract my audience. As my target audience is aged 15-25, it represents their personality, that is, to try and stand out. -Moreover, as my magazine is aimed at young adults, I felt it was important to not make the magazine seem too mature. In ensuring this, the presentation of the magazine is not perfectly straight. I have used text that is slightly tilted to assist in this. In doing so, it was important for me to not pursue this idea to the extent that it appeals more to a younger audiences, and so that it did not patronize my actual target audience. It was also important that I still allowed the magazine to be enticing in its presentation. -My magazine seems to have much attitude, with the expression from the girl, and the bold colours used, it certainly represents social groups, especially the teenagers and young adults.

7. What type of media institution might distribute your magazine? The media institution that might distribute my band is ‘Bauer media’ I have chosen this institution as it is a very influential brand within the UK. It is very successful in the competitive media It works in a way that considers the social attitude, such as style. I have chosen Bauer Media, as my magazine also works in a way that reflects the attitude of social groups, and takes into consideration the changing trends. “Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewarded as being industry innovator” This suggests that Bauer media is very successful and modern. It can work to improve and gain popular attention, something that would be largely beneficial to a new magazine. “Bauer Media owns more than eighty influential media brands spanning a wide range of interests, including heat, GRAZIA, Closer, MCN, FHM, Parker's, MATCH, Magic 105.4, Kiss 100, Kerrang!” This suggests that the company is diverse, and can work with many interests and genre’s.

8. Who would be the audience for your media magazine? The audience for my magazine would be between the ages 15-25. My magazine is aimed at both enders, as the theme is greatly diverse, and both genders find an interest in indie-rock music. I expect my magazine to be more popular with students and older teenagers. This age group is when trends are important. My magazine will allow people to interact greater socially also. As my magazine will be rather cheap In comparison to it’s competitors with weekly issues, it means teenagers/younger adults will easily be able to afford my magazine. My target audience would ofcouse be those who find an interest with indie-rick music, even those who are in a band, and attempting to become signed.

10. The presentation of my magazine is very deliberate, and, as a result is very effective. As my target audience is of younger adults, my magazine is successful in not seeming to mature.

11. The extra features within my front cover informs the audience that there is much more to my magazine, thus allowing it to out-shine its competitors.

13. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? I feel that I have progressed greatly looking back at my preliminary task. After much exploration and research into typical forms and conventions of already-existing magazine products in the media, I feel that I have familiarised myself with the structures of magazines. I understand that it is important to identify certain codes and conventions in which other magazines have adopted, however, I also feel that it is important to bring about a level of uniqueness to the product. An example of this is the quantity of images I have used in the production of my music magazine. Beforehand, when producing my preliminary task, I wasn’t aware how essential images were to the enticement of my magazine. Moreover, since my preliminary task, I have been made aware of how fluency and symmetry should be displayed. This is in terms of image and text placement. It will both improve the presentation, as well as assist in anchoring the image. I have also used more of my own images. This was more challenging to collect the images I wanted, however, it allows my product to become more original, and allowed me to develop my skills in further technology. The music magazine allowed me to use more of my own creativity and personality. As I have an interest in the genre, indie-rock, I felt I could put much of my own input, as well as researching other products. I have learnt to be more confident and independent in using other technologies. This allowed me to experiment more with hardware, software, and assisting websites. In gaining feedback, I have also learnt that my productive skills have improved, and that I have taken into account necessary structures to allow my magazine to assert itself with real media products.