1. How my media product follows conventions
Front Cover
My front cover follows
conventions in many ways. I have
placed a header at the top of the
page with a black background and
pink and white font over the top.
This is so the text will contrast
against the dark background and
stand out to the reader to
encourage them to read it, and buy it according to whether they like the sound
of the artists listed. The header follows conventions as it is straight across the
top of the page where all headers are placed. My masthead also follows
conventions as it is across the top of the page underneath the header in large
black font. I have made the font large so that it will stand out well to the
reader and put it in black font so that it stands out against the white
background. The font I chose is a simple and sophisticated font, in order to
reflect the glamorous ‘pop’ genre that my magazine contains.
I have successfully followed conventions with my main image as I have placed
it in the middle of the page with the eye-line in the hot spot for the main image
so that it will come to the reader’s attention immediately. I have used a
medium long shot, capturing the model from the waist upwards as I wanted to
show the model posing not just the facial expression. Many professional pop
magazines also use a medium long shot for the main image, and place the
image in the hotspot, such as Top of the Pops:

2. This magazine has also used a mask on the masthead which makes the
masthead appear behind the main image, which is what I have also done. This
makes my magazine look more professional as many well-known magazines do
this, meaning the magazine is popular enough for some of the letters to be
hidden.
I have put the barcode in the bottom left hand corner of the front cover, which
is in dead space. This means that it isn’t taking up any valuable space that
could be used by something essential. This is typical and consistent through all
magazines as the barcode isn’t an important attraction or feature of the front
cover. The price of the magazine has been rotated to run up the side of the
barcode, again in the dead space so that the reader can still see it without it
taking up valuable space. This follows conventions as the majority of
magazines place barcodes in dead space, in the bottom corners, like the ‘Top
of the Pops’ magazine.
I have used various cover lines around the picture, following conventions, so
that they don’t block the picture and can be seen clearly. The main cover line
has been placed on the left hand side in larger and bolder font than the rest to
make it clear that it is the main one. One of the cover lines saying, “Ella Fray
single and in the spotlight” anchors the main image to make it clear to the
reader that this cover line is about the model on the front.
Throughout the whole of the front cover I have used a consistent colour
scheme of black and pink. This links in with the glamorous, girly theme I have

3. tried to portray to reflect a pop genre, and this is stereotypical of a pop-
themed magazine – to use feminine colours. The Top of the Pops magazine has
a colour scheme of pink and purple, which are also typical feminine colours
and will therefore attract a female audience. On my magazine, the black with
the pink also makes the magazine appear more sophisticated and professional
as it isn’t too bright and cheesy, making it more appealing to the eye. The only
other colour I have used on this page is white text on top of the header. This
was so it would stand out against the black background. With my cover lines, I
have used various different font styles and sizes. This is so it looks more
interesting and doesn’t look consistent and boring for the audience to look at.
I have also placed a pug on the right hand side of the page just under the
masthead. This is also where ‘Top of the Pops’ has placed theirs; however mine
is slightly higher up than theirs is. Inside the pug I have placed text saying,
“First ever edition” in dark gold writing, against a gold gradient background. I
have done this so that it is obvious to the reader that it is the first edition of
this magazine, and I used the colour gold to make it appear exclusive,
glamorous and luxurious which would encourage the reader to want to buy the
magazine.
I have mostly followed conventions with my front cover; however I have also
challenged some conventions. One of my cover lines is placed in the right hand
corner which is usually classed as dead space and wouldn’t often catch the
reader’s attention. However, I did this as it carries on from the cover line
above, therefore when a reader reads the cover line above, they would
automatically read this one after. ‘Top of the Pops’ have also challenge d
conventions by placing one of their cover lines in dead space as well.

4. Contents Page
On my contents page, I have
followed conventions by placing the
title at the top of the page, however
slightly developing them as I have
placed it further to the right than
the left. I have also used the same
font for the title on the contents
page and for the masthead on the
front cover. This is to keep my
magazine consistent and brand it.
On the ‘Top of the Pops’ contents
page, they have followed
conventions completely by placing it
right across the top of the page in
the centre. My contents list is on the
right hand side, which follows the
conventions for a contents page. On
my contents list, I have used sub-headings
which will help the reader find the page
they want quicker and easier. I have
placed white text on top of a black
background to make them stand out,
again making it easier for the reader to
find which section they want to read
about. The ‘Top of the Pops’ magazine
have also divided their contents list up by
using sub-headings to make it easier for
the reader to find and have used a black,
bold font to make the sub-headings stand
out from the rest of the text. However,
this magazine has developed conventions
by splitting up the contents list all around
the page. This is effective as it separates

5. all the sub-headings, showing more clearly where to find what is under the
sub-heading. For my page numbers, I have made them larger and in a different
colour to make them stand out making it clearer what page number the text is
on.
On my contents page, I have followed conventions by making my main image
larger than the rest. However I have slightly developed conventions by the
position of my images, which is lower down than in the hotspot. ‘Top of the
Pops’ have followed conventions by placing their image in a hotspot at the top
of the page, sending the reader’s attention straight to the main image. I have
carried on my colour scheme through to the contents page by using pink and
black as my two main colours. This gives my magazine a brand. I have also used
the ‘Icon’ logo on my contents page as part of the background behind all the
text. This also gives my magazine a brand as it consistently uses the magazine’s
title, constantly reminding the reader. ‘Top of the Pops’ have also carried on
their colour scheme of purple and pink, which makes their magazine
consistent, therefore giving it a brand.
My editorial has been placed in the top left, following conventions as this will
draw my reader’s attention to it immediately. In my editorial, I have used
colloquial language with pronouns such as ‘you’, which will invite them to read
the magazine. As my target audience is from the ages of 15-18, they will relate
to the language used in my editorial as they will also use words such as ‘pics’
and ‘stuffed with’.
On the bottom right hand corner of my contents page, I have made a section
for a weekly competition that my magazine holds. I have used a pink
background behind white text to make it clear that it is separate from my
contents list. Beside this section is a Twitter logo and a Facebook logo. In my
text is says they can ‘find out more by visiting our twitter or facebook page’.
This will encourage my readers to enter the competition as they are of the
ages where they will be frequently using social networking sites, and this will
help them relate to my magazine.

6. Double Page Spread
On my double
page spread, the
main image
follows
conventions as it
is on the right
hand side page,
and is a medium
close up of the
‘celebrity’
looking directly
into the readers
eyes. This would
encourage the reader as often, readers like to see pictures to go with articles
as they are interested in the celebrity, but also because it involves the reader
and makes them feel as if the model is directly looking at them. The double
page on the ‘Top of the Pops’ magazine have placed their main image right in
the centre of the page. This also follows conventions and is effective for their
Question and Answer style article,
as it places them in the centre of
their answers, involving them
more. The title also follows
conventions as it is in large bold,
black font across the top of the
page. It states the celebrities
name and therefore makes it
obvious who the audience will be
reading about. It will catch their
eye immediately as it stands out
against the white background and smaller text below it. Below the main title,
there is a sub-title, which gives the reader a hint about what the article is
about. It is in smaller font as it isn’t the main title, and is only placed there for
effect to encourage the reader to want to read on. ‘Top of the Pops’ has
followed conventions by placing their title on the left hand side. They have

7. used white text on a purple background, therefore catching the reader’s
attention by standing out. They have also used a sub-heading in which they
have briefly explained what the article is about. This has also been done for
effect in order to encourage the reader to want to find out more!
I have further followed conventions by placing a quote in the middle of my
text, in larger font to break it up. This quote has been picked out from the text
and placed there to catch the reader’s attention, and influence them to read
the article to find out what this quote is about. ‘Top of the Pops’ has also done
this, however they have slightly developed conventions by placing their quotes
beneath the picture of whoever has said it. This is effective as makes the
reader feel more involved as they can see which celebrity said which quote.
I have slightly developed conventions on my double page spread as I have
placed another image on the left hand side. It is a long shot of the model
sitting across the bottom of the page. This would be following normal
conventions; however I have increased its opacity and placed it under the text
to make it appear as a background. I have done this to make the article more
personal to her, and show that it is directly about her. ‘Top of the Pops’ have
also used two extra images. One of them has been placed in the middle of the
text to break it up, and the other has been placed in a separate section on the
right hand side. ‘Top of the Pops’ has also carried on their colour scheme of
pink and purple right through to their double page spread. I have included the
colour black, however I haven’t included the colour pink on this page. I have
carried on my branding, as I have placed the ‘Icon’ logo in the top right hand
corner, consistently showing my audience the name of my magazine, therefore
getting them used to the logo. This will help them to recognise my magazine in
the future.