Evaluation Part (i)

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

My media product is a music magazine of an R&B/Hip-hip genre. The conventions used are similar to the appearance of a real R&B/Hip-hip magazine. During my research, the theme of having “bling” and a “hard look” were very commonly featured. Examples include props like sunglasses, jewellery, designer clothes, hoods/caps/hats, etc. This gave me the incentive to follow such conventions to use on my artist on the front cover so that my audience could see similar evident comparisons between my magazine and professional R&B/Hip-hop magazines. Also, throughout my magazine, the colour scheme consisted of three main colours; black, white and red. This is because red, as being a bright colour, and black as being a dark colour, stand out with a light contrasted colour of the background to create a sense of diversity to highlight the mainstream readership of the magazine. A black colour scheme connotes a dramatic effect whereas a red colour scheme adds passion, excitement and sexiness to the magazine. Similarly, all the fonts/house styles are typical of those used in an R&B/Hip-hop magazine as they are bold and stand out. This may attract a reader to a preferred article. In my magazine, especially the double-page spread, many colloquialisms were used, which is another form used in R&B/Hip-hop magazines. For example, I used words and phrases that would relate to the R&B/Hip-hop industry like, “I guess words can’t describe how much I owe him” and “You gotta evolve.” Furthermore, during my research into R&B/Hip-hop magazines, a typical story was of an artist and their purpose. This is usually portrayed through a medium long-shot of an artist, which most images of my magazine consist of.