Question 1 (magazine cover)

How does my magazine use, develop and challenge the

conventions of real magazine covers?

What a conventional cover has…

Masthead is one of the main elements of the magazine cover that needs to be included. This is the visual branding of the magazine

Main cover line to explain what is included in the magazine, usually large font and needs to stand out

Main image – centre of the page, sometimes with the model looking directly at the camera. The face needs to be big enough to create an impact on the newstandDateline is also another

conventional element, informing the reader of when the magazine was released and the issue number

Barcode- A standard conventional element there for retailers benefit

My magazine cover- is it conventional?My masthead covers the width of the magazine and does brand the magazine company. Having a white masthead against a dark background and with ‘total’ in red means that the masthead is one of the first pieces of text the reader notices.

I added a ‘tagline/small comment’ before stating the actors name with the cover story involved.

I added a sticker symbol with effects to add texture to the cover and look more interesting.

Including the barcode is one the main conventional elements for a magazine cover. I placed the barcode on the side of the cover like the previous magazine I showed.

The main cover line needed to stand out and be large font. After trying different colours and size of fonts I decided to have Absolution slightly bigger.

The dateline includes the issue number and underneath is the price which the retail company needs.

Inspiration for my magazine cover

I mainly used this magazine cover to design mine. The conventional elements were evident and I thought the main image worked well with all the text around it. I used the same masthead and used a similar banner across the top with other films in the magazine.

Using conventions:

Developing conventions:

I decided for my magazine to have the name of the film I was analysing larger than the main cover line ‘film preview text.’ This is developed from the conventional large bold font that stands out before the reader even knows the name of the film. I decided the name of the film needed to be more prominent than the fact it was a film preview.

However, I believe my magazine does challenge the conventions through the main image. Normally for magazine covers the model is presented with power, as placed in the centre with an intense stare into the camera. However, I approached the image with a different outcome, I intended my model to look vulnerable and upset for the magazine cover. Having the main image so different and allowing the reader to feel sympathetic towards the model means I attract the correct target audience for my trailer.

Challenging conventions:

‘Absolution’ magazine cover- The masthead

• I researched two major film magazine companies looking at their conventional magazine elements and I also compared the visual presentation of the masthead.

• For the masthead I decided to go with Total Film, it looks bold and strong to support the other text on the magazine.

• The total film magazine font was taken from the internet and using photoshop I copied the font, changing the text size and as a layer inserting it into my magazine. I then changed the colour several times to suit the magazine best.

How I changed the masthead to fit the cover…

These main images present the conventional ‘look’ and poste the actor/model goes for…

The photo• The photo is an important aspect of the magazine. It is one of

the first elements that attracts the reader’s attention. Having an interesting main image means the reader will be intrigued to read the rest of the magazine. Here are some of the photos I took: t

The photo• The photo is an important aspect of the magazine. It is one of

the first elements that attracts the reader’s attention. Having an interesting main image means the reader will be intrigued to read the rest of the magazine. Here are some of the photos I took: t