Evaluation-Emily Climer

1. In what ways does your media
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real
media products?
Similarities
Differences

2. Placement of cover lines
Model partially covering the masthead Direct address Barcode at the bottom
Layout, e.g. the placement of the main image and main cover line
My background has a pattern, compared to a plain background
Less cover lines My masthead goes across the top, compared to being only in the corner
Shot type

3. How I followed Codes and Conventions
The masthead of my magazine is placed across the top of
the magazine cover, as conventionally only the top part of a
magazine is shown when it is displayed in a shop. This
follows codes and conventions as all magazines have their
masthead at the top of the cover. In addition, my model is
looking at the camera, giving direct address to the audience,
as this draws the audience in and makes the magazine feel
more personal. By doing this I have also followed codes and
conventions as most magazines include direct address within
the front cover. Another way that I have followed codes and
conventions is by creating a bigger and bolder main cover
line and other cover lines that are smaller and off to the side
of the cover. By doing this it makes it very clear what the
main article is within the magazine, meaning that the
audience isn’t overwhelmed with information, but still is able
to see what other articles the magazine contains. The
barcode on my magazine is in the bottom corner, which it
typical for a magazine, as it ensures that it doesn’t interfere
with any other information on the cover.

4. How I developed/challenged Codes and
Conventions
I developed and challenged codes and conventions in
my magazine by using a medium shot instead of a
medium close up shot of my model. I did this to show
more of what she is wearing, as her clothing connotes
the indie genre, and would help the audience to
understand the genre of the magazine. In addition, by
only using sans serif fonts I challenged codes and
conventions, as most magazines use a mix of serif and
san serif fonts on the cover. I did this because I felt
that serif fonts would distract to much from the actual
text and the audience wouldn’t engage fully with the
content of the magazine.

5. Comparison to Drawn Draft
Whilst I did have to make some alterations to my draft I think that overall my
final cover is quite similar. I kept the masthead, the positioning of the main cover
line and the other cover lines, the main image and the direct address within the
main image, the position of my model, and the positioning of the barcode the
same, as I was able to easily transfer these aspects of my design onto my final
cover. However, I didn’t keep the secondary image because I needed more space
to spread out my cover lines. I also added more cover lines along the right hand
side to fill up the white space. In addition,
I changed the font of the main cover line
because it was too thin and didn’t show
up well enough to be seen from a
distance.

6. Layout of the lines and images SubheadingsMix of direct and non direct address
I have an editor’s letter
My contents masthead is bigger than the name of the magazine
Artist names over pictures
My magazine has social media information

7. How I followed Codes and Conventions
The masthead of my contents page is placed in the
top right hand corner of the page, as conventionally
this is where most magazines position it. This is
because the mast head on the cover is placed in the
top left hand corner, so by changing the side that it
appears on, the contents page won’t look identical to
the front cover. Another way that I have followed
codes and conventions is by listing the page numbers
of articles and activities. This makes it clear to the
audience what the magazine contains and what pages
to turn to. I have also included secondary images on
the contents page, which is quite common in
magazines. These images anchor some of the article
titles, meaning that they will stand out more to the
audience. I followed codes and conventions by adding
an editor’s note. I did this because it is the first edition
of my magazine, and therefore I wanted the audience
to understand what my magazine is about.

8. How I developed/challenged Codes and
Conventions
I challenged conventions by adding social media
usernames, as most magazines don’t include social
media links. I did this because my target audience is 16
to 19 year olds, and they will have social media
accounts of their own, meaning that this would be an
effective way to attract and expand an audience. In
addition, four out of five of the images contain direct
address, which is uncommon for a contents page, as it
draws the attention away from the information, which is
the most important part of the contents page. However,
I think that by including direct address on the contents
age the audience will feel that the articles are aimed
towards them and the magazine will feel more friendly
and personal.

9. Comparison to Drawn Draft
Though I did make some alterations to my draft I think that overall my final
contents page is quite similar. I kept the masthead, the images, and the general
layout the same, as I was able to easily transfer these aspects of my design onto
my final contents page. However, I did change the draft by adding the social
media usernames in place of the play and pause signs. I thought that this would fit
better within the space and also give the audience more information about the
magazine. In addition, I also added backgrounds to the images and editor’s letter.
I did this because the page looked quite
jumbled, so by adding rectangular
backgrounds it structured the page better
and also linked the images.

10. Direct address from model
Artist name as title
Drop cap at start of article
Pull quote in different font and colour
Standfirst larger and in a different font to article
General layout, with the main image on the left
and article on the right
Byline in different colour to standfirst
My magazine article has three columns,
compared to two
My main image is only on one page,
compared to going across two
My title goes across both pages

11. How I followed Codes and Conventions
The headline on my double page spread is very large, which follows conventions,
as this is meant to grab the readers attention. Another way that I have followed
codes and conventions is by having columns and a drop cap within my article. This
makes it easier for the audience to read the article, as it splits up a large chunk of
text and also clearly shows where the article starts. In addition, I added a pull
quote, which makes the audience more intrigued by what’s written in the article,
encouraging them to read it. The page numbers are in the bottom outside corners,
which follows conventions, as it makes it easier for the audience to find the correct
page. I also followed conventions by not
including the background of my main image
and adding on a background. I did this to
make the image seem more dream like,
reflecting how the artist described her music.

12. How I developed/challenged Codes and
Conventions
I challenged conventions by using a full shot of my model sat down. Most double
page spreads will include a close up of an artist, and even if they do include the
whole of the artist, it’s usually of them standing up. I chose to use an image of her
sat down to make her seem more relatable, friendly and approachable, meaning
that the audience isn’t intimidated by her before they read about who she is. In
addition, I also challenged conventions by not having a plain background. A lot of
magazines will use a plain background so that they don’t distract from the main
image and article itself. However, I wanted to use a cloud background to again
reiterate her ‘dream like’ music sound and to
relate to the headline ‘the rise of’.

13. Comparison to Drawn Draft
Whilst I did make quite a few changes to my draft I think that the overall look of
my final double page spread is quite similar. I kept the blue strip, the three
columns, the background, and positioning of my main image and artist name.
However, I did change the headline and positioned it over two pages, to link the
pages together. I also took out the album cover because my article wouldn’t have
all fit in with an image interspersed between it. I also moved the pull quote for the
same reason, and to fill in the white space around my models head.