Evaluation for Question 1

Question 1:

Conventions adhered to:
I am really happy with the way my front cover has turned out as it is better than I expected. I think this is because I adhered to many codes and conventions and listened to what my target audience wanted.

The first way in which my magazine follows but also challenges convention is that on my cover three out of four band members are all looking into the camera - the fourth is not looking into the lens as I felt that it would look more enticing and eye-catching in this way.

On the contents page I have used a picture of a 'celebrity' with their hand up towards the camera making it hard to see them - I wanted my model to look as if he did not want the photograph to be       taken. I felt that this would make a very realistic pose and I believe this to be something that a real celebrity would do in a similar situation where they did not want to be captured - maybe they were not dressed appropriately? OR they were doing something of which they know they should not be doing?

I have taken the colour from Liam's t-shirt and used it for the banners across the top, bottom and under the word smash. I also used the purple to draw the lines under the writing above Luke's head. This creates synergy. And therefore links the band directly to the magazine.

If I could do this again there is nothing I would change other than I would take more photographs in a variety of places, this would give me more of a selection to choose from, and would also give me more interesting shots that would appeal to my audience. I would also use less people so that it is easier to arrange photo shoots and interviews - this is because I experienced these problems myself and it took me a while to overcome them.
 I have used pugs and puffs to draw in my audience. And to make the magazine look more appealing, I believe that this is a good way to sell a magazine and to get it noticed.

I think that the way I have positioned the band will appeal to my audience as it shows their humorous side. Their facial expressions show that they are not completely serious and enjoy what they do. Also, the way that Liam has his hand on his friends shoulders, the band literally holding another member and how close they are to each other shows their relationship and how close they are with each other. This is definitely something that fans would look for, as it portrays a good feeling and creates a role model.





I have included a free cd in my cover, this is also another way to make my audience buy the magazine. I believe that almost anyone of any age will love free things no matter what, so I think that by adding 'freebies' is a great way to sell products and to gain a wider audience.


I priced my magazine at £4.95 as I believed that this was an average price, especially since there is a free cd inside as well, which on its own would cost a lot more.

 I am extremely happy with my DPS and the way that this has turned out and I think that it looks nice a neat. I have kept the red banners and changed some of the text to red so that they link together and create synergy and a brand, I also did this as it links to another band member (Connor) if i was to create more pages for this magazine I would make each page somehow link to one of the band members, this would link the band directly to the magazine - my front cover is linked to Liam, due to the purple colours. Whilst creating the second page I came across a problem, I could not fit on all of the interviews as they were too long and I did not not have enough room to write everything down. I do understand that if this was a real magazine the interview would have run onto another page, in this case, I cannot do that as I do not have enough time therefore I am going to write up the rest of the interviews into my blog.

Developed conventions

It is becoming more popular to include advertisements and links to social media, I think this is because there a so many people these days that use social media and of a variety of ages. 
I have used advertisements such as Facebook and itunes, showing that there are many different ways that the audience could access, get in contact with or listen to Peaceful Panic's music. I think that Facebook is a great way to advertise as there are hundreds of people that are likely to see it, and of a variety of ages 16-60 year olds.  

Manipulated and challenged conventions

One way I have challenged convention is the fact that I have used no pictures of females within my magazine. Although I would like my magazine to appeal to a female audience I have not use any pictures of any females, this will show what kind of magazines they would maybe prefer to read and whether the fact that there are none in the magazine, changes their opinion of whether or not to buy it.
If I was to create this again I would definitely use images of females and female bands, this is so that my magazine will have a direct link to females as well as males. 

Another way in which I have use convention is that I have used puffs and pugs on the front cover which is, from what I have researched, unusual for an Indie magazine. Adding pugs and puffs will help advertise other artists and to give an idea of what is on the inside. It also makes the cover more intriguing, drawing in the audience therefore making them want to buy it. 

A problem that occurred during the making of my magazine was that I originally had advertised of the front cover, 'Arcade fire' 'arctic monkeys' and 'The killers' I realised when checking through what I had done that I had not mentioned these on my other pages. Without realising, I created my own celebrities and instead mentioned them, this meant that my magazine lacked synergy and did not flow since my front cover and contents page did not match. I dealt with this by changing my cover and adding my own celebrities. 

        I changed my banner from this...

                                             ...to this.