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

I set out to match the codes and conventions of a normal magazine, by using my research magazines as inspiration. I liked Elle magazine in terms of the way that they made their contents page simple, with a big image as a background and then a white back-grounded text box. I used the box idea for inspiration in my magazine which you will be able to see throughout my magazine pages, as I used the one coloured box as an idea... however, I didn't use the idea of an image spread out across one page, as I did not like the thought of using valuable space.

(Elle contents page)

The title of the magazine:

"String Set" uses the normal codes and conventions of a normal magazine; as it has a name which is able to reel in the audience because of the alliteration which has been used. Also, the language which has been used also refers to music, as it reminds me - and others of an acoustic set. For inspiration of the name, I went to a small music shop in order for me to make my magazine refer to an instrument, as I feel as if it makes the magazine seem to have a musical element to it.

Font style:

For the front cover, I tried to match the codes and conventions of a magazine, which I feel as if I did well - even though the font is more capitalized. Originally this was going to be the font which was to be used throughout my magazine, however, that didn't follow normal codes and conventions of a magazine as magazine use a more "softer" font case. Whilst my font was all capitalized, I was challenging the codes and conventions of a normal magazine, however, I had no apparent reason why I should develop it, therefore I changed it.

Again, when decided upon a font style, I used "Elle" for inspiration because i like the neatness of it and also how it looks simple yet effective, which could also reflect my audience, as they use simple things to make their "look" seem better.

The text used has stuck throughout my magazine, keeping a house style, as I have used the more capitalized font for headings and also captions, then using a more softer approach for the text in my double page spread.

Layout of front cover

The layout of my front cover meets the codes and conventions of a normal magazine in the way that I have used emphatic devices such as bold coloured boxes, which would be able to attract somebody if they were to be in a shop, (in an example) therefore allowing them to come over and contemplate the idea of buying my magazine. An other way the layout of my front cover uses the codes and conventions of a real magazine, is because the front cover includes a pretty girl, who is a size 10 with brunette hair. Again, the idea of this is seen throughout many magazines, which helps to bring in more attention to the front cover.

(You can see an example of this below)

Madonna has been placed on the front of "Q" magazine which with emphatic text stating her name. I have used a similar form as Q, except my model is unknown, mostly like a lot of indie bands. I have then used emphatic devices, except they emphasize what the image is related to.

Music genre and how my magazine suggests it:

On the front cover of my magazine i have articles which read "the life and style of our friend florence" and one which also gives readers the chance to meet Seasick Steve, which only a few people know about. This shows that the magazine has things in common with their audience, generating a connection. The artists which are used are only related to a fair few, as not many others will have heard of Seasick Steve, even though a lot of people will have heard of Florence Whelch - from Florence And The Machine.

An other way in which my magazine suggests the genre is by the clothing which I placed on my model, for instance: not alot of people would wear what she wore, except for people who are my target audience.