Main conventions

Front cover

·         One main image

Highlights the strength focus on the magazine which is normally the main article in the magazine and it also makes it clear and easier to see.

·         Masthead

This is always at the top of the page because we read top from bottom also magazines in shops are normally stacked one in front on the other so the masthead is always seen.

·         Anchorage

The anchorage is always on the left because we also read left to right. These highlight smaller articles in the magazine and if one isn’t liked there is always a variety. 

·         Price/issue number

Magazines will highlight their price in large text or bright colours to show they are cheap.

·         Barcode

Always at the bottom of the magazine because there not exactly very exciting to the eye.

·         Free gifts

To draw in younger buyers maybe and to also seem friendlier and get more people to buy it but some buyers don’t like this because it may seem desperate.

·         Websites/online details

This is more modern and young. This makes it more interactive to young buyers but not so much older buyers.

Contents Page

·         Page numbers

To inform readers on certain articles or on their most exciting articles.  

·         Range of featured images

This shows what and who is involved in the magazine and what article they link to.

·         Editors letter

This creates a friendly feeling to the magazine and creates almost a personality. It’s normally quite chatty.

The conventions of my magazine

On the front cover of my magazine for my main image instead of using a person I used an object which was a record I did this because I thought it was different and more creative to use than just a person. Also because my magazine is aimed at teenagers I thought they’d like to see something different and new than just the same sort of magazines. My image is a blurry image because my magazine is aimed at teenagers I thought this image would remind them of parties or drunken nights out I thought this would give it a fun feeling to the image. For my masthead I used a font which had music notes on/in it. I thought this was suitable because my magazine is a music magazine and I thought teenagers would fine it fun a quirky and also different. I put my anchorage text in bright colours such as red and orange to make them stand out and make them easier to read for buyers I also thought that these colours went well and matched my main image. My main image and anchorage text clash a little because my image is off a record and my text is all about artists that are quite new and related to our age. Also I didn’t include any other pictures on my front cover to relate to the anchorage text. This price for my magazine was big and bright and stood out I did this because it was the first issue so I thought id make the price stand out to all buyers. For the issue I did that smaller than the price and put it in a dull colour because I didn’t think it was that important. For the gift I chose a free Mumford and son’s poster I pit this in the same colours as the price because it’s bright and stands out. I included the website address but I also put this in a dull font I think I should have done this in a brighter colour to make it stand out to the readers so they would know that this magazine is also interactive.

For my contents page I think I met all the main conventions but it was too female and my magazine is suppose to be for both genders so it wouldn’t sell as well as it should off. I added a editors letter but didn’t include an image, the image from the editors letter make the magazine seem more friendly and also lets the reader feel more involved and could also be more personal. I also need to add much more numbers to my contents page and images because it looks to empty. It could also use some sub headings to make it easier for readers.

I also think my centre spread meets all the main conventions but I do need to fix a few things such as the headline should sound more exciting than just Ed Sheerans name. I also have too many blank spaces around my quotes mostly so I need to add many a few more images of text to fill up the page more. I would have to add more page numbers and image to also make it look more exciting and pull more people in.