Connor Walker submitted his media product, a magazine, for evaluation. The magazine targets rock fans and uses conventions from real rock magazines. It features articles on upcoming artists, reviews of concerts, and interviews. The layout, fonts, images, and content are designed to attract rock audiences. Through research on other magazines, Connor learned techniques for layout, cover design, and content to engage readers. He feels the magazine effectively represents the target social group of rock fans.

1. Evaluation
Connor Walker

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media develop?
• My title page follows the conventions of real media products. I have learnt that certain conventions will attract to
different audiences. All through my magazine I have included many features that will appeal to “Rock” fans. I have
used to route of the eye carefully on my tittle page because I do not want to clutter the layout but I want the
readers to see the main information only, as I want them to buy my magazine. By looking at other magazine of the
same genre I have used techniques from them, and included them onto mine. A good example is my tittle behind
the artists head. Also using different fonts that suit different genre’s will attract readers, as they will connect with
the magazine.
• My contents page follows the convention of real media products, with the use of pictures and layout. After looking
at different contents pages from a variety of magazines, I recognized that the key information is shown in a much
larger font and the less important in a smaller font. I have done this, as to advertise certain pages and get the
readers attention. The picture I have added is a very “Rock” looking picture with the cigarette and “Rock” clothes. I
have done this as “Rock” is associated with a rule breaker attitude and I feel my magazine contents shows this.
• My double page spread also follows the conventions of a real media product. One page is the picture and the tittle
and the other is the interview that is included. I learnt that doing this will give the reader a sense of connection as
the picture was taken during the interview. By putting the question in one color and the answers in another, this is
very professional as many other magazine do this.
• Overall, I feel that after a lot of research and analysis, I have learnt many different conventions from real media
products that will appeal to my audience.

3. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media develop?
• Through out my magazine I use very similar conventions to what many other rocks magazine
would include.
For my tittle I have edited it so
that it appears behind the artists
face. This is a good example of
following the conventions of a real
media product, as ‘Kerrang’ does
this too.
I have used fonts that represent the
genre of my magazine to make it more
professional. I have put large text,
which gives a “rock” feeling to it. I
have done this so it would appeal to
my audience more.
By using props in my magazine I feel this
puts a stamp on what genre my magazine
is. This will make it clear to the audience Here I have included the main features
what my magazine is and what it is about, that all magazine’s include. I have done
as the props added to the magazine are this so it gives the magazine an “official”
essential. look. By adding the new modern barcode
underneath, this will attract readers as it
I have chosen who features on my magazine carefully. I feel this will look more modern.
is a key part to what attracts the readers as they will see this
and chose whether to buy the magazine or not. I feel that
looking at other magazine helped me decide who to add to my
title page.

4. How does your media product represent
particular social groups.
My magazine has a genre of Rock, therefore I have included certain features that would appeal
only to the “Rock” fans.
• On my title page, I have used certain words and conventions that cause the magazine to
appeal to a “Rock” audience.
My font will stand out to my My title is named after a band “Purple Haze”
target audience. Customers I have done this because I felt it is a good
that are interested in classical title, but it will also catch the readers
for example will not look at my attention as “Rock” fans will know who they
magazine as this sort of font is are and will automatically like the magazine
associated with “Rock” and because it is named after one of the ‘liked’
“Punk” so I believe this will bands.
appeal to customers.
The use of ‘exclusive’ will definitely
pull readers in as it is a powerful
word. Readers will see this and
The artists shown on my title
straight away will want to see
page will automatically
because it is exclusive to my
connect with the target
magazine.
audience as his clothing and
props are associated with
“Rock”.

5. What kind of media institution might distribute
your product and why?
I believe that Bauer Media would be the company that would distribute my product. I think this
because many of the products that Bauer Media sell are already the same genre as my magazine
showing what Bauer would prefer to produce. My magazine would meet the demands of Bauer
Media because of the context and layout of my magazine. Research showed me what features
Bauer magazine include and also the layout that they use. I have used these points I have learnt
to shape my magazine around.
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/
I have followed ‘Kerrangs’ layout
by using the effect of putting the
Kerrang has all of its
title of the magazine behind the
main information that
artist’s head.
it wants it readers to
recognised in large
and bold colours, I
have done the same
with my magazine.
Kerrang features artists with a
contemporary rock style and I have also
included this as my artist could as well
be associated with rock.

6. Who would the audience be for your
media product?
My audience for my magazine would be “Rock” fans of all ages. This is shown
clearly though my whole magazine. I felt that doing a “Rock” magazine, the
main thing to do was ‘connect’ with the reader. Many “Rock” fans want to see
latest interviews and concerts. I have included all the reviews from recent gigs
as well as interviews from rising stars which will intrigue my audience and will
keep them interested. I chose “Rock” as my genre because I enjoy designing
magazine’s that have there own house style, and “Rock” allows you to do so.

7. How did you attract/address your
audience?
• I have tried to attract my audience to my magazine with images and
text that will be associated with “Rock”. With the artists that is on
the front cover, he is wearing the clothes you would expect to find a
“Rock” fan wearing. Also on the double page spread he is smoking
which is also associated with “Rock” because of the ‘I don’t care’
motto.
• Another way I have addressed my audience is by mentioning all of
the upcoming artists and bands. By doing this the audience will see
there favorite performers and want to read the magazine and will
wait for the next issue also as they would like the choice of bands.
• Lastly I have given the structure of my magazine a very “Rock”
feeling. By putting the tittle behind the artists head, and “Rock”
font the reader will connect with the magazine because it is in the
style that he/she would want. I have kept this consistent through
my magazine which will keep the reader interested.

8. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
In the design of my magazine I have used a lot of different
technologies to create the finish product.
• Using a MacBook Pro was new to me at the beginning of the year,
but after a while I was able to understand it a bit more and use it to
add certain bit on my magazine.
• Photoshop also was new to me but after trying a few different
magazine’s I saw different techniques that could be used to make
my magazine come across to the audience as “Rock” which is
shown clearly through my product.
• Lastly, I used a camera to add the pictures to my magazine. It wasn’t
as simple as I thought it would be because I found out that different
amounts of lighting in the room or outside can effect the outcome,
so I had to find the prefect area that had the right amount of light
and features to suit my genre of “Rock”.

9. Looking back at your previous task, what do you feel
you have learnt in the progression from it to full
product?
From my first task to this magazine that I produced I feel that I have learnt a lot and it has been
shown in my magazine.
• My first magazine that I produced which was the school magazine I designed on Microsoft
publisher. Publisher has limited amount of tools and because of this I wanted to produce my
rock magazine on Photoshop.
• Photoshop provides more effects and uses that would allow me to make my magazine as
professional as possible.
The background is a key part to the
magazine as it sets the theme of the
magazine. My first magazine on the right
wasn’t thought out well, however, my
new magazine on the left shows I have
thought about it, and planned it to suit
the genre.
The key features in my magazine are shown more
clearly in my new magazine cover. I have used
special features of the font to stand out, where as in
my first one I have not used any features.
There is a more professional look to my new magazine, shown with examples such as the barcode, with the price on. My older one doesn’t look professional at all.