The document summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of a magazine front cover created using new media technologies. The front cover utilizes some magazine conventions like positioning of masthead, cover lines, main image, and barcode. However, it also challenges some conventions through its masthead font, larger price text, and fewer exclamation points in cover lines. Strengths include realistic skyline, contrasting backgrounds, and unique text effects. Weaknesses are a large splash graphic, non-distinct masthead font, and oversized price text. The creator encountered limitations in shape and font options using the software.

1. My media product uses the forms and conventions of a magazine in some ways and also challenges them in others.
When comparing my own product to a real magazine it is clear to see that it has a lot of the main features that are involved in a front cover are present on my
product. The masthead of the magazine is the largest font on the page and is positioned at the top, this makes it very noticeable above the rest of the text and
follows the conventions of a real magazine. The main image is giving direct address making the magazine more personal to the individual audience members and
uses the conventions/form of a magazine front cover well. It is also of a person associated with the magazine as it is a college student on a college magazine like the
real magazine has a movie star on a movie magazine so it is relatable to the audience. The cover lines on the front cover of my product are all relatable to the
content of the magazine as the real magazine front cover does, they are also positioned around the main image almost framing it so it does not take any attention
away from the image but are noticeable and easy to see. The barcode uses the conventions of a real magazine as it is placed quite small in the bottom right of the
page so it does not take any attention whatsoever away from the other features that are more important. My magazine front cover however has some features
that slightly challenge the usual conventions of a front cover in which the masthead on the page is not in its own individual font which a real magazine front cover
usually has. The price of my magazine is slightly bigger than most magazines and is more noticeable which challenges the usual conventions. The cover lines on my
magazine are also slightly different than that of a real magazine as the empire magazine tends to have a lot of exclamation marks in front of everything making it
seem like it is announcing it to the audience, my product only has one which challenges the usual conventions.

2. How did you use new media technologies in the construction of your media product?
I used the shape tool for the blue circle that is
the background of the splash. I also used the
same tool to create the red rectangle that is the
background for the positioning statement.
I used the text tool for the masthead of
the magazine and used a stroke effect
around the text to make it unique.
The text tool was used for the cover lines
also in which I made the text larger and
smaller to create a better look.
I used the insert tool to put my image on the
bottom layer so the rest of the features
could go on top of it.
Layering made me able to put text over different
coloured backgrounds – this made it stand out
The text tool allowed me to change the
colour and size of the font making more
important/intriguing features would be
more easily seen.

3. Strengths
My product has many different areas that make it
realistic. The skyline at the top of the page is correctly
positioned and is easy to see as the background is a
separate and contrasting colour to the text that has
been wrote on it making it very noticeable as it is telling
the audience something that may be important and
encourage them to buy the magazine. I used the shape
tool on Photoshop well to create a red background
colour that the text can be easily seen on top of.
The masthead is correctly positioned and the largest
font on the page making it the most noticeable and
easiest to see so it will attract attention to the
magazine. I used an effect on Photoshop to put the
black outline around the text making the magazine look
unique.
Cover lines on my magazine are correctly positioned
framing the main image and does not overlap which
means they do not take any attention away from the
main image, they also give short pieces of information
that will encourage the audience to buy the magazine as
it is relatable to what they need/want. I used the same
effect again on the text to create an outline for a unique
look.
The main image gives direct address inviting the
individual audience members to buy the magazine in a
more personal way.
The barcode is correctly positioned at the bottom of the
page with the price above it.
Weaknesses
My product has quite a few weaknesses that make it
unrealistic. The splash on my front cover was a bit too big
and takes up a lot of the page. On Photoshop I was not able
to create a different shape that I wanted to e.g. spiky shape
so I had to use a shape set on the software.
The masthead is in the same font as the other text on the
page, this is a huge weakness as the masthead font it
supposed to be different to the rest to make it very unique
and easily identifiable. This makes it less noticeable and
makes it blend in more with the other text. The Photoshop
fonts that were available were not as appealing and it was
difficult to make the font look different and unique.
The price of the magazine is placed at the bottom right
above the barcode but is too big and risks taking some
attention away from the rest of the features which it should
not.
Strengths and weaknesses of product

4. Strengths and weaknesses: new media technology
Strengths:
Use of the shape tool – I was able to make some simple
but well used backgrounds to help test stand out above
the rest of the background that may intrigue the reader
more and possibly get them to buy the magazine.
Use of text – The colours and sizes I have set my text to
attract attention to the rest of the text. Using a separate
text box I make the numbers larger than the rest making
then stand out.
Use of effects on the text – I used the stroke effect on
my font to give it a unique look making it specific to this
magazine. It also makes the text stand out above the
background so it is easily noticeable.
Weaknesses:
The font – There was a very limited amount of
fonts that were available so the text for the
masthead is the same as the cover lines which
makes it unoriginal text breaking the usual
codes and conventions.
I did not have an option to make only the
subject smaller as it shrunk the whole image
so the subject is quite large and dominant over
the page.