1. EVALUATION QUESTION 1
In what ways does my Media
Product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media
products?

2. FRONT COVER
First of all, I think my media product does not challenge any of the codes and
conventions of a real music magazine as I followed each task to ensure that
all codes and conventions were produced and demonstrated. In relation to
the front cover of my media product, I believe that my front cover image
links with other music magazines as the model conveys a serious attitude as
well as looking laid-back and cool. The model also wears a specific type of
clothing which could be easily recognised as “indie”.
As you can see, my front cover image doesn’t look
that much different to the image on “Q’s” cover
as they are both portraying a serious attitude
which follows codes and conventions; as this is an
ideal way to attract the target audience. In
relation to the clothing, my model wears a shirt
buttoned up to the top followed by a jumper over
it. Meanwhile, the model on Q’s cover is wearing
of what looks like a leather jacket which is seen as
an indie type of clothing too.

3. Another code and convention which is used within my front cover
is the background. Usually, indie music magazines tend to have a
plain background containing one or two colours as this draws
more attention to the image than the background. I think this has
been used because if the background looked busy, it could make
the magazine look over crowded and the target audience could be
put off from buying it.
As you can see, the background to
my front cover uses a contrast
gradient of two different colours
(black and a musty red). This
contrasts with my colour scheme
and makes the image stand out a
lot more. Meanwhile, Q’s cover
also contains a plain background
only they use different shades of
grey as a gradient and this also
contrasts with their colour scheme
which is very similar to mine.

4. Another code and convention which I followed is the title of
my magazine. Realistically, indie music magazines tend to
have a short and snappy title as this makes it easy to
remember for the target audience. Also, the title tends to be
a certain size and font, again, so that its easily recognisable
for the target audience.
As you can see, my title
“STRUM” is in capital letters and
is a bold and wide font just like
“NME” which is a popular indie
music magazine. The actual font
for both titles are one colour
and the background is a
different colour. This is used for
effect and draws attention to
the person who is interesting in
buying the magazine.

5. Moreover, another code and convention which I followed is the cover-lines
which are present on my front cover. All indie music magazines in the
industry today, contain cover-lines simply to intrigue the audience as this
makes them want to find out more about them. It gives them a taste of what
the magazine has to offer and what is inside. For my cover-lines, I used bands
and artists as well as a strip-line underneath which gives a little heading
about that cover-line. This draws the reader in and makes them want to turn
to that page and read all about it. I used fewer words as possible as this is
used to make it brief which draws the audience in immediately.
Q MAGAZINE:
MY MAGAZINE:
As you can see, my cover-lines
contain a band or artist with a
short caption underneath
which gives the audience a
reminder of what the cover-
line represents.
Meanwhile, Q’s cover-lines
have a similar connection and
also give a short description.

6. Finally, a code and convention I followed and used was the
direct address which is usually present on an indie music
magazine front cover. Direct address is used because this
catches the readers eye and creates a connection which pulls
them in. Direct address can be also used to intimate the reader
as if the artist is looking directly at them in some way
encouraging them to buy the magazine.
MY MAGAZINE: Q MAGAZINE:
As you can see, my model is
using direct address as well
as the artist on Q’s front
cover. Even though the facial
expression is nothing
special, it creates a serious
attitude but can also portray
sex appeal too, especially if
the artist is female.

7. CONTENTS PAGE
For my contents page, I followed the codes and conventions by including
features that would attract and appeal to the audience as its full of articles and
information about the bands and artists the readers enjoy reading about. I also
included regulars and reviews as this is to get the target audience familiar with
the magazine and they can easily recognise it next time they read it. My
contents is in columns of three and are in set rows as this looks appealing to the
audience and is laid out evenly so that the readers don’t get confused on what
to read next. This makes it organised and makes the audience feel like the
magazine is approachable and easy to understand.
As you can see, my contents page has the
headings “Features” at the top of the first
column as this is probably the first thing the
audience will read first. In relation to this, Q’s
contents page is very similar as the layout
and structure are pretty much the same. The
page number is printed in red like mine and
the articles are highlighted bold as this tells
the reader what the article consists of.

8. Another code and convention I followed was that my colour scheme was
carried on throughout. This is important as this reminds the audience of
what the magazine is; simply by the colours that are used which are
black, red and white for my particular indie music magazine. This makes the
magazine look neat and professional as well as attracting the audience. As
well as the colour scheme, I followed the convention of using specific images
which are used on indie music magazines. I used a guitar as one of my
images as this can relate to the majority of indie bands. I used a photo of a
member of the band I interviewed as this gives a taster for the audience of
what a part of them looks like before they even look at the article and finally
I have used photos which too place at a gig/concert in which a band or artist
performed.
My magazine and Q have the same colour scheme
as I feel black, white and red are strong colours
which will appeal to the indie audience.
As you can see, the images I used are structured
out neatly as this gives it a professional and
organised look. Meanwhile Q’s content is similar
to mine as this also demonstrates a neat looking
layout of images.

9. Another code and convention which I followed is that
at the top of my contents page, I used an issue number
followed my a web-link and a social networking site
link. This is used to create a bigger fan base for the
magazine and it appeals to the audience as this is
another way they can access the latest music and
information about that specific magazine.
As you can see, I have included
the issue number and used a
web-link and social networking
address directly underneath it.
In relation to this, Q magazine
have also used this on their
contents page.

10. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
For my double page spread, I followed a range of codes and
conventions in which would appeal to my target audience.
For my image, I used a photo which bled slightly on to the
other page which created an effect. I also put a black and
white effect onto the image as this made it look professional
and collective. I also created a red border around my double
page spread as this made it look more bold and made it look
bigger and brighter.
As you can see, my image is not using
direct address simply because its not
designed to intimidate the audience but
because it gives the reader an interest on
watching the band or artist in the image
focusing on something which makes
them feel intrigued to read the article
that goes with it. Contrastingly, Q’s
double page spread is similar to mine as
it uses a leaking image as well as the
same colour sub-title.

11. Another code and convention which is used on my
double page spread is that the headline is the biggest
text on the page followed by the stand first which is
usually the second largest text on the page. This
catches the readers eye as this makes them want to
read the article. The stand first is used as an
introduction to the article as this gives a brief
explanation on what the article is about.
As you can see, I have used a simple but bold title in which this will stand out to the
audience. I have also used a rating in which this attract the audience as they will know
what other people think of the band or artist as well as them. This gives them more of
on opportunity to listen to their music and discover their own personal ratings. In
relation to this, Q’s headline and rating are all very similar to mine as this is probably
one of the most important codes and conventions on a double page spread.

12. The last code and convention in which I have followed is that
I have separated my article into two separate columns as
this makes it look neat and organised as well as looking
professional and making it easy for the audience to read.
This makes it a lot more visual and approachable for the
audience. Also, I have included a by-line in which this tells
the reader who took the photograph and who wrote the
article. The text size for this is a size 6pt. It is important that
by-lines are very small so it doesn’t interfere with photos or
are the articles.
Even though it is very hard to tell; because
its so small; I have used my name as the by-
line which is positioned in the bottom right
corner of the photo. The majority of readers
don’t notice the by-lines but some readers
may be interested in the photographer if
they think the photo is appealing. Q
magazine had exactly the same thing near
their photo aswell.