Cover Page:

I use the conventions of real media products in terms of the title of my magazine.
'Undisclosed' is quite a bold word that has a catchy feel to it, and therefore would
be easy to remember and stand out to potential consumers. This is similar to
Subbacultcha! magazine that has a title of the same effect. My title also has a
meaning behind it, as it infers that my magazine is about up and coming artists
that are not yet known in the public eye but only to those who purchase the
magazine- further enticing people to buy it. Existing magazines use titles to the
same effect such as 'Top of the Pops' which is catchy due to the rhyme and tells
the reader immediately what sort of content the magazine will contain. The
sizing of the title 'Undisclosed' is very large; it is the largest text on the cover,
which uses the conventions of real music magazines as they too do this in order
to immediately draw peoples attention to the title.

Furthermore, I use conventions of existing music magazines with the font that I
have used. For example, for the masthead I have used the font 'Minion Pro' in
bold. This is quite a bold font and therefore it stands out on the cover page, and
draws attention to it immediately, and this is a technique often used in
magazines. I also use existing conventions by reflecting the style that I want to
be present through my magazine through my use of font. For example, 'Minion
Pro' has a delicate, feminine style to it, so this appeals to my target audience of

females and suits the feminine, understated, elegant style in my magazine. I use
'Times New Roman' for the other text on my cover page as it is a soft and
delicate font, resulting in a simplistic, feminine look. I further use real
conventions as I make the cover lines 'Felicity Wynters' and 'a breath of fresh air'
stand out to potential consumers by differentiating it from the other 'Times New
Roman' text by having these words in italic.

I use conventions of real media products with my main artists name on the
cover, 'Felicity Wynters', as this immediately tells potential consumers the prime
feature of my magazine, drawing their interest. It is also in large text to further
draw attention. The cover line underneath this 'a breath of fresh air' conforms to
conventions as it draws interest as it is flattering the cover artist, making her
sound interesting and special, an up and coming star that the public need to be
aware of, enticing them to buy the magazine so that they can discover more
about her. This phrase 'a breath of fresh air' also reflects the magazines focus on
new, up and coming artists, and there is also a very nature related feel to the
language used which reflects that this issue features indie folk artists (nature is
strongly associated with this genre of music).
Furthermore, I use existing conventions by using a puff on the cover with the text
'the #1 music magazine' as this creates an impressive feel to the product and
potential buyers would be increasingly likely to purchase it if they believe they
have found something special. Magazines such as Q use a similar technique;
their puff is The UKs Biggest Music Magazine. I also use conventions by using a
plug on the cover with the text 'up & coming indie folk artists' to immediately
draw my target audiences' attention, as they would be interested in a magazine
containing these types of artists.
The colour scheme present on the cover of existing magazines with a similar
layout to mine, such as Subbacultcha!, tends to be quite simplistic with black
being the only colour used for framing and the font. This means that I have
developed this convention by using a dark red colour as well a dark brown/a
lighter black tone to add a more feminine feel to my cover- I have done this to
create a more elegant, pretty look that would be more likely to interest my
female target audience.

I have also made use of existing music magazine

conventions in terms of layout, for example mine is
similar to that of 'Subbacultcha!' magazine as I
have used a frame to put my cover image in and
have set out my title, date, header, etc in a similar
way to that of 'Subbacultcha!''s style. This layout is
quite simplistic and understated and reflects the
elegant, indie folk (natural) style that I wanted to
portray.
My cover image is a close-up and this uses the
conventions of real music magazines as they often
have this type of shot on their cover. I feel like the
close-up emphasises the beauty of the artist and
therefore helps to capture potential consumers'
attention. The lighting is quite bright and effectively
defines my artists features; further enhancing the beauty of my model- this kind
of lighting also uses conventions as it is usually used in magazines.
My artist is represented in a style that develops the conventions of real music
magazines, as she is represented as a female indie folk artist with her soft,
feminine look (her styling adds to this, such as her subtle, girly make-up and lace
clothing on the cover) and this genre of artists do not tend to get the prominent
place on the front cover of a magazine. I have done this to try and interest a
female target audience, as my artist is someone that they may aspire to look like
and will perhaps admire. Also, I have used this model to attract potential
consumers that like the indie folk genre, as her styling clearly represents her as
an indie folk artist- she is dressed in a style associated with this genre. I took
inspiration from indie folk artist Florence Welchs fashion sense as well as various
other celebrities.

Contents Page

In my contents page I use a 3 column layout which is a convention common in

existing music magazines, with two columns of text on either side of the page
and a column of images in the centre. I have developed this convention to a
certain extent by having the images positioned in the central column rather than
in one at the side, which is more usual. I have chosen to do this as I feel that it
reflects the simplistic style of the magazine and would draw the readers
attention to the most significant features in the issue. I have placed the page
numbers relating to these artists underneath the images in order to make it
increasingly easy for the reader to find and read these features. I have further
developed conventions by not using a variety of shots for these images and only

using a mid-shot. I feel that with this layout it is more appealing to the eye to
have the same kind of shot with images that are positioned in this manner and in
such close proximity to one another. The models also have similar facial
expressions for this reason.
The title of the page 'contents' is placed centrally above the images and features
listed, this too uses existing conventions as it draws the readers attention to the
title so that they know what page they are on instantly. 'Contents' is also the
largest text on this page for the same reason.
Although the way in which the artist on my cover is presented is unusual for such
a prominent place in a magazine, the way in which my artists are presented on
the contents, and on the cover, to a great extent is in keeping with real magazine
conventions- it helps to create the look that suits the style that I want to portray.
For example, the three models on the contents page are presented in a feminine
way with soft, pretty make-up, wearing pastel coloured, and girly clothing to
create a natural look to suit the indie folk style that I want to be continuous
throughout.
I use existing conventions by using a complimentary colour scheme. For
example, the pastel, light colours that the models are wearing complement each
other nicely and the use of a light pink shade for the background further
compliments this colour scheme. The black used for the text allows for it to stand
out boldly on the page in order to draw the readers attention, a technique often
used in existing magazines, and it also compliments the simplistic colour
scheme, making the page pleasing to the eyes.
I use existing music magazine conventions in terms of the language I use on this
page. I use direct language such as 'you' to involve the reader and to keep them
engaged. I also use the word 'we' frequently to create a sense of community in
terms of 'the company behind the magazine' and to create quite a homely,
friendly atmosphere for the reader. Furthermore, I use quite engaging,
exaggerated, exciting language to keep the reader engaged- such as 'best',
'brightest' and 'better than ever'. I further use conventions by placing
information underneath the subheadings of the features to give the reader more
information about these features and to further engage them and excite them
about the contents of the magazine.
In terms of font I continue to use real magazine conventions as I use it to reflect
the style I want to portray. For example on this page I use 'Adobe Devangari Bold'
and 'Adobe Devangari Bold Italic' for the headings ('features', 'exclusives' and
'reviews' and also the names of the pages listed, such as 'the ultimate gig guide
2015'), this allows for them to stand out for the reader and to draw their
attention to significant items on the page. I use 'Adobe Devangari Italic' for the
information under the features. 'Adobe Devangari' effectively reflects the
simplistic, pretty style I want to present in my magazine as it is quite feminine
and delicate. I develop existing conventions by using the same font ('Minion Pro'

in bold) for the title of this page ('contents') as the masthead on the cover. I feel
like this further draws attention to the title of the page and it helps to ensure a
running theme between the cover and the contents, ensuring a page that is
more appealing to the eyes. I use this font also in the bottom right hand side
corner of the page '06 Undisclosed' as this reinforces the 'brand' of the title, and
makes it stand out somewhat in comparison with little use of this font elsewhere
on the page, also reinforcing the brand.

Double Page Spread

I use existing music magazine conventions on my double page spread. In terms

of layout I once again use a three column layout to ensure that it looks appealing
to the eyes and reflects the simplistic style that I wanted to create. I have used a
border around the pages, which is also a normal feature in music magazines, in
order to further create a simplistic, elegant look. The layout of the text on the left
page slightly challenges conventions as there is quite a large gap underneath the
image to where the introduction of the article starts- I have done this to further

create a simplistic, understated look to the magazine, ensuring that it is not

crowded around where the title of 'Felicity Wynters' is positioned as this is the
text that needs to stand out the most. I have used conventions as 'Felicity
Wynters' is the title and the largest text on the double page spread, attracting
people's attention so that they instantly know who the article is about.
Furthermore, I have positioned one image more prominently (by making it larger)
on the left hand side page to capture the readers' attention, a common
technique used in real magazines. The two images on the right hand side add a
sense of variety as they are different sizes, smaller to that on the left, and help
to keep the reader interested in the pages.
The way my artist is presented here is in keeping with real music magazine
conventions, although this type of artist is not often prominent in a double page
spread. She is presented as very natural with her soft, feminine make-up and
white clothes, and this helps to convey that she is an indie folk artist as this is in
keeping with the style of clothes associated with this genre. The bright lighting
used also helps to create this fresh feel in the images, linking with the genre.
This therefore helps to attract my target audience to this double page spread. I
use conventions by styling my artist in different clothes, this helps to keep the
readers interested as it adds a sense of variety to the double page spread. There
are also a variety of shots (a long-shot, mid-shot and a close-up) to further
ensure this, another existing convention.
The colour scheme used conforms to existing conventions as it is complimentary
and pleasing to the eyes. The pink and dark text used compliments the colours
present in the images. Also, the pink is used occasionally and this allows for,
when it is used, text to stand out against the other dark text. This draws the
readers' attention to key pieces of text that are likely to keep them engaged, and
encouraging them to reader the article, such as 'I've ripped off Shakespeare a
bit'. Also, it helps to sell the artists single, something existing magazines
endeavour to do, as the use of pink makes 'Buy Stardust' stand out. The white
background compliments the models' outfits, and adds a sense of simplicity and
freshness that reflects the indie folk and new artists theme to my magazine.
I further use existing conventions once again to present the style of my
magazine, for example I use the font 'Vani Regular' for the main body of the
article to create a feminine, delicate look to the magazine but also, as it is quite
a clear font, to help people read it easily- encouraging them to read it and
keeping them engaged. Also, I use conventions as I make the title 'Felicity
Wynters' stand out by using a different font to that of the main body of text on
the double page spread, I use 'Times New Roman Bold' to draw the readers'
attention to the title.
I use real conventions once more by using engaging, descriptive language
throughout my article to endeavour to appeal to my target audience. I also use

prominence by mentioning Jake Bugg- an artist that my target audience is

interested in- to keep readers engaged.
Overall, I tend to conform to existing conventions throughout my magazine and
this creates more of an authentic look as it shares some similarities with
professional magazines.