My magazine cover featuring my film "One Way Road" uses many conventions of real media products throughout the entire design. All the conventions used have been used for the purpose of attracting the audience into purchasing my magazine over others that are similar. The conventions I chose to use are; Masthead, main image, tagline, issue number, date, unique selling points, barcode, main cover line and other cover lines, a website for media convergence, a specific colour scheme and direct mode of address.
Main Image/Direct Mode of Address/Colour Scheme
The main image is one convention I did not challenge, I discovered that many magazine covers consist of main images of the main characters, usually a close up or medium shot is used as seen in the examples below, and that is to gain as much communication between the product and audience as possible (direct mode of address) and my magazine consists of this particular convention.
Direct mode of address is another convention I decided not to challenge due to the fact it is a major importance for audience communication, therefore I used this as part of my magazine cover design.
One convention I did challenge was the use of colour for my main image. Because I was attracted to a black and white image to give off that classical/special edition effect I drifted from the typical coloured image, therefore I used a black and white filter on my photograph to give it that specific look I was attracted to.
Masthead/Tagline
I used both of these conventions and did not challenge either of them. Firstly my masthead is positioned within the top third, which is where you would usually find you masthead, another feature I did not challenge about the masthead is how clear the font is. On magazine covers the Masthead is the largest piece of text visible, therefore I made that clear and used a large and bold font. My tagline is also another convention I used. My magazine consists of the tagline "THE ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVE" and is positioned at the very top of the design, similar to the example on the right. I decided not to challenge this convention or develop it as it was not necessary. The tagline gives the audience something extra, usually introducing them into something spectacular to persuade them to purchase the product by using buzz words such as "Mind blowing" "Ultimate" and "Exclusive" and by positioning the tag line at the top represents its important to a reader.
Main Cover line/Other Cover lines
The main cover line is the second largest piece of text placed onto a magazine cover as seen in all examples above taken from my research and I decided it was necessary to not challenge or develop this convention. The purpose of the large next is so that it is one of the first features the audience will see. The cover line informs the reader on what are guaranteed to find inside. I wanted to make sure my fonts were large bold and clear so that the audience knew that this edition was specific to "One Way Road" and to represent how large the film was going to become. The other cover lines are generally written in a smaller font, this is so the eyes are not too drawn away from the main cover line and I intended to use this convention also.
Unique Selling Points
Unique selling points are the elements which persuade the audience into purchasing the product, usually offering them something in return. I have not challenged this convention as I feel it is one of the most important as it automatically attracts the audience and retains their attention when they feel they are being rewarded if they purchase the magazine. I used many unique selling points to ensure my magazine was appealing to my audience. My unique selling points included a free poster, a free collectors copy of another version of One Way Roads film poster and the issue also includes the chance to win a holiday to California.
Media Convergence
Media convergence allows an audience to view extra information or the magazine uses technologies. I wanted to use media convergence as it shows my understanding for modern day media products therefore I did not wish to challenge this convention and decided to include a website link somewhere on my design. I ended up placing it within the bottom third in the corner. This is so that the link is visible to an audience however doesn't interfere with the main third consisting of the main image, main cover line and direct mode of address.
Others
Other conventions you will find on real media products (magazine covers) are features such as a barcode, issue number and date of release. All these conventions are necessary features as a barcode allows scanning when being purchased and a issue number and release date is for collectors/ a regular audience purposes, allowing them to know whether they haven't purchased a certain issue. I did't challenge this convention due to that fact that all these conventions are needed on a magazine cover design and are vital elements for continuous buyers.
Main Image/Direct Mode of Address/Colour Scheme
The main image is one convention I did not challenge, I discovered that many magazine covers consist of main images of the main characters, usually a close up or medium shot is used as seen in the examples below, and that is to gain as much communication between the product and audience as possible (direct mode of address) and my magazine consists of this particular convention.
Direct mode of address is another convention I decided not to challenge due to the fact it is a major importance for audience communication, therefore I used this as part of my magazine cover design.
One convention I did challenge was the use of colour for my main image. Because I was attracted to a black and white image to give off that classical/special edition effect I drifted from the typical coloured image, therefore I used a black and white filter on my photograph to give it that specific look I was attracted to.
Masthead/Tagline
Main Cover line/Other Cover lines
The main cover line is the second largest piece of text placed onto a magazine cover as seen in all examples above taken from my research and I decided it was necessary to not challenge or develop this convention. The purpose of the large next is so that it is one of the first features the audience will see. The cover line informs the reader on what are guaranteed to find inside. I wanted to make sure my fonts were large bold and clear so that the audience knew that this edition was specific to "One Way Road" and to represent how large the film was going to become. The other cover lines are generally written in a smaller font, this is so the eyes are not too drawn away from the main cover line and I intended to use this convention also.
Unique Selling Points
Unique selling points are the elements which persuade the audience into purchasing the product, usually offering them something in return. I have not challenged this convention as I feel it is one of the most important as it automatically attracts the audience and retains their attention when they feel they are being rewarded if they purchase the magazine. I used many unique selling points to ensure my magazine was appealing to my audience. My unique selling points included a free poster, a free collectors copy of another version of One Way Roads film poster and the issue also includes the chance to win a holiday to California.
Media Convergence
Media convergence allows an audience to view extra information or the magazine uses technologies. I wanted to use media convergence as it shows my understanding for modern day media products therefore I did not wish to challenge this convention and decided to include a website link somewhere on my design. I ended up placing it within the bottom third in the corner. This is so that the link is visible to an audience however doesn't interfere with the main third consisting of the main image, main cover line and direct mode of address.
Others
Other conventions you will find on real media products (magazine covers) are features such as a barcode, issue number and date of release. All these conventions are necessary features as a barcode allows scanning when being purchased and a issue number and release date is for collectors/ a regular audience purposes, allowing them to know whether they haven't purchased a certain issue. I did't challenge this convention due to that fact that all these conventions are needed on a magazine cover design and are vital elements for continuous buyers.
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