1. The title of my magazine
For the masthead of my magazine, I used a basic but bold font so that it related to other conventional magazines that I had previously researched such as Billboard and Vibe. I used the font 'Sans Serif' and used a plain white colour so that it stood out to the reader and also emphasises the background image. I positioned the title (masthead), in the top, left hand corner so that it is clear and immediately spotted by the reader. the background image got darker nearer to the top of the cover so by having the eye-catching, white font, makes the reader focus more on that specific area. I altered the size and shape of the font so that it fit around my cover image. I wanted a layered effect and I think this was successful because part of the font hides behind the image itself. This shows that I used my skills with the software Photoshop and got inspiration from the other conventional magazines on layout. The colour white is very appealing and effective on top of the bricks, and the overall colour scheme complements the font as well. The font type and colour works well with the genre of my music magazine as it is straight to the point and doesn't take away the focus of any other features on the cover. The title also relates well to the theme of my magazine because it is based on music and the 'rock' genre because it is about making music louder. I researched musical terms and decided that 'AMPLIFY' would fit in with the target audience (teenagers and young adults) as they are known for playing loud music and enjoy the 'rock' aspect. AMPLIFY complements the genre of my magazine and makes the rock theme clear. I used similar conventions of real media products because the plain, bold font is used in other conventional magazines such as Vibe, NME and Billboard. I didn't challenge the convention as the font I used was quite simple and basic.
The titles on the Billboard and Vibe magazines are very basic and plain. These are where I got my inspiration from as it doesn't take away the focus of any other features on the magazine.
2. Graphology/Page Layout.
The layout of each of the pages of my magazine were inspired by magazines such as Q and Kerrang. I used these as style models to get different features and layout ideas for my own magazine. This helped my magazine look more professional and like a 'real' magazine. I liked the boxes on the contents pages of the Q magazine so I decided to use these and use similar subheadings and conventional features to compare my magazine to others. The front cover 'layered' effect was inspired by other conventional magazines as it shows that I have experimented with the software. I liked the location of the image as it emphasises the different areas of body language that it represents. The cover lines were spread out equally and worked well with the other features on the cover. The contents page followed the same layout as the contents page that I researched, Q. I liked the idea of having one large image and smaller images around the page. The boxes make the page look more organised and easy for the reader to find specific things that they may want to find straight away. The masthead also works well at the top of the page and other conventional features such as the subscription shows the consistency of the layout inspiration from the other magazines that I have researched. The double page spread was inspired by Classic Rock magazine as they normally have one large image that is spread over one page, with text on the other. The heading was located in the top, right hand side of the page so that it was noticed instantly by the reader. The text was set out in equal columns to show the relation to the magazine. This once again made it more organised and professional. I used similar conventions to other magazines as I used the same layout models as each of my pages were quite organised. I didn't challenge the convention because I didn't want to make the layout too complex for the reader.
Here I used a similar page layout from the Q contents page for my own magazine. The boxed layout is effective and makes the page more organised and spread out. The large image works well and emphasises the theme and genre of the magazine.
3. Costumes and Props used to reflect the genre.
Whilst taking the photos for my final magazine, I had to make sure that the clothing reflected the 'rock' genre otherwise the images would not work well with the rest of the magazine. I chose dark, but stylish clothes so that the artist fit in with the colour scheme and target audience. The front cover image was taken outside my garage, and I like the brick background. I chose the navy shirt, white top, black jeans, jewellery and red scarf to use contrasting colours and so that they were eye catching to the reader. I wanted the image to be the first thing that they noticed and the artists pose has many different meanings. The body language reflects many different moods. Some of these include, moody, seductive, bored, thoughtful and many more. This works well because the costumes emphasise a stereotypical 'rock chick'. The brick background just makes her look more rebellious. I also used music equipment to demonstrate the theme further and make it more clear that it was a rock magazine. I used the headphones to highlight that the artist has a strong interest in rock music and that most people that the magazine is targeted to, will listen to similar things. I also took some photos with guitars, drumsticks and an amp. These worked well on the smaller images on the contents page but also the large image on the double page spread was effective as it stood out the the reader instantly. The images with the props worked well and were the most successful because the complemented the background and worked well with the rest of the colour palette of the magazine. By having the odd bright accessory it makes an interesting change in colour. This works well because it emphasises the body language and expression on her face. I got the inspiration from using props from another conventional magazine, Classic Rock. The costumes that I used throughout my magazine on the artist are very conventional. The clothing and accessories that are used could be found in any other music magazine. I used the same convention that other magazines use as the outfit is quite casual and fits the age of the artist. I didn't challenge the convention as I would have had to have made the outfit more unusual and eye-catching.
This image shows the use of props that I used on my double page spread. The drumsticks and headphones worked well together as they highlight the 'rock' genre and makes this consistent throughout the magazine as the other images are quite similar. The image underneath shows where I got my inspiration from. Classic Rock uses a lot of props in their double page spreads which is also effective as they are very eye catching images. The expression of the persons face makes the image stand out more to the reader and the props just continue on the theme of the magazine.
4. Camera work and framing of images.
My photos that I had taken are very conventional. Whilst taking my test shots, I used a variety of different camera angles to test which worked better than others. The Birdseye shots were effective but would not fit in the the 'rock' genre. I also took some photos on close-ups of my artist. These also looked effective but would need to be a large size to work well in my magazine. Different poses and facial expressions were also used to make a variety of different moods. The props made this successful as some photos were more serious than others. I lied the idea of having some shots longer than others. For example the image on my front cover is a lot longer than my other photos. This looks effective as it looks like she is looking down because the camera was slightly lower than her face. The images on my contents page were set up as a photo shoot so some were of the artist sat down. For my test shots I did challenge the convention of using a variety of different camera angles as photos in other magazines are usually mid shots. The choice of pictures for my final magazine were also mid shots so I used the same convention.
This is a picture that I took just before the making of my magazine. It is a long shot with the artist doing a different pose. It works well because the equipment emphasises the genre of the music magazine. The costume also highlights the rock theme well and I like the change in camera angle. I like the setting of these images that I took. The change in pose is very effective and creates a different mood.
5. Title, article, header etc.
I created my title 'AMPLIFY' by choosing a font on
http://www.dafont.com/ and then editing it myself on Photoshop software. I changed the colour of the font by filling it with white and changed the shape and size of it when it was located on the front cover itself. I used the same font on my contents page for a heading which worked well with the other fonts that I used, Rockwell extra bold and Rockwell. This challenges the conventions of other media products as the fonts are normally quite basic and bold. Mine relate to this as they don't take away the focus of any of the other features on the pages. I created a question and answer interview by asking my artist questions that the reader may want to know. This will attract the reader as the questions are appealing to the artist's fans. The cover lines complement the other font because it is also quite basic and bold. The title on the double page spread is very clear and bold and stands out instantly to the reader so this may encourage people to read the article. I used the same conventions as other magazines use as the font is large and bold. I challenged the convention by having two opening statements and not just one.
6. Genre and how the magazine cover, contents and spread suggests it.
The genre of my magazine is made clear through the use of images, layout, vocabulary and font. The images are quite rebellious and the costumes highlight the attitude of the artist well. The main genre of my magazine is rock. This is also made clear through the use of music equipment and styles of fonts and images. The theme is also consistent through the use of the names of actual rock bands which makes it clear what type of magazine it is. The front cover shows a lot of attitude through the facial expressions of the artist. This works well for the rock genre as you can look at the picture in many ways. The layout of the contents page relates to the Q and Kerrang contents so other readers can relate to this. The double page spread is laid out like Classic Rock so this relates to other conventional magazines and makes the theme consistent as they have similar features. The images, fonts, and colours make this genre so clear. I used the same convention as other magazines by having an image on each of the pages that emphasise the rock genre. I developed the convention by including more detail and information on the contents page of the bands that are in the magazine itself.
7. How your artist is represented.
The artist that I used was quite unconventional. You don't see many people like her in other magazines and her costume and the use of music equipment makes her so unique and different. She is represented as an icon and idol to young adults and teenagers who like her music along with other rock bands. The type of images that I chose to use highlight her personality and appearance clearly. She looks like a popular female solo artist and fits into the current music industry. She also represents the theme well because of her 'rebellious' appearance and the brick background of the photo shoot. I developed the convention of having a 'normal' mid shot image, to having a unique pose that expresses the artist's personality. In other magazines, the band or artist usually don't do an unusual pose so my convention is more eye-catching.
This photograph that I took shows the attitude that the artist has and the equipment is effective as it show that it is a music magazine. The unusual pose makes it unique and different from others which shows that the convention has challenged other medias.
8. Colour Scheme.
The colour scheme is very consistent throughout each page of my magazine. The red, blue, black and white work well together and create an effect contrast between each features. Different pieces of clothing in the pictures fit into this colour palette. The font colours were also varied around each page but kept consistent so that the font was still clear. The dark black colour works well as a border for some features such as the boxes on my contents page. The black also emphasises the brighter, vibrant colours such as the blue and red which creates an exciting change to the colour palette. The white works well as a font and is effective with the images on each page. The palette stays consistent throughout each page which makes the colour scheme so successful. The colours I chose also appeal to both sexes and relate well to the rock genre of my theme. Kerrang uses yellow, black and white colours in their magazines so I used this idea but challenged the convention by adding an extra colour. This is the colour scheme that I chose to use and it's different to other medias because not many other conventional magazines use the same colour palette. I used the same convention as other magazines as they usually stick to a 3 or 4 colour, colour palette. My convention shows consistency and doesn't take away the focus on other conventions such as the images. The colours also suit the music genre of my magazine and appeals to both male and female readers.
Overall my media product uses a lot of conventions which relate to other conventional magazines. I have developed key features such as the layout to create my own ideas and take the idea further. The conventions are the main structure of my magazine and without them it would not have been successful. I have also challenged some conventions. For examples adding more colours to the colour palette. These conventions that I have used and developed have came from my research which has helped me developed more ideas on what to include and where to put the features. Q and Kerrang were the main magazines where I got my inspiration from so I developed my conventions from these.
