Evaluation of AS Media

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

2. Using research, I have developed an understanding of the codes and conventions of a music magazine. My research involved looking at hip hop magazines such as XXL, Vibe and Billboard. • My magazine follows the conventions of a common music magazine, more specifically double X L (XXL) and Vibe, with the use of a big block title (Masthead) towards the top of the magazine, which is quite vital as it allows people to establish and acknowledge what the magazine is without such struggle. Therefore I thought that it was important that I followed this technique, to demonstrate the convenience the masthead provides which is commonly found in magazines.

3. Using XXL and the fact that they expose the issue number of the current magazine in their latest magazine (150th Issue) I decided that it would be a good idea for me to follow this, so I added ‘The first issue’. Not only does this reveal the issue of my magazine, but it allows audiences to establish that this is a new magazine and the opportunity for them to buy the first issues, knowing they haven’t missed any. Also, following another convention, I used the idea of having the image in the central position, this allows the reader to focus most of their attention on the image which hopefully appeals to them. I also used the idea of the image looking right into the reader’s eyes. However, I challenged that idea slightly by making him wear sunglasses. This is to portray the idea of paradise, as sunglasses are usually worn in hot countries where people experience hedonism. Thus, the reader doesn’t actually quite look into the artist’s eyes, despite the fact that the artist is staring at him. The reason why common magazines do this, is to appeal to the audiences, making them more likely to buy the magazine.

4. Using XXL again, I followed it’s conventions in regards to the contents page. ‘The A-side’ is featured in both magazines. So is ‘The B-side’ A small description of what’s in the article. Several images of the same rapper.

5. In terms of my double page spread, this does follow conventions used by XXL and other magazines, with a large image on one side, and copy on the other. My article involves a common type of article, being a personal profile. In some instances, a pull quote is involved in a common magazine, so I find that me adding one followed the conventions of a magazine.