In music magazines there are certain conventions that are consistent throughout, I had to research these thoroughly in order to start designing my own that my audience would recognise of the genre as soon as they saw the product. I decided that I would keep most of the conventions but considered challenging some. For example I initially designed my magazine in landscape format but realised in terms of product placement on the shelves, the magazine would not be as prominent as it would be shorter in height. So then I reoriented my design to create a more conventional portrait magazine.

My audience, due to the style of the magazine is aimed towards the more specialist market of guitar players and guitar aspirers. This enabled me to be more direct in terms of content and research a more limited range of competitors. I realised, from primary research, that my audience wanted an informal style magazine so this gave me a starting point. I could then research the kind of article featured in my competitor’s magazines. Due to the genre of “Guitarist’s” I predominately researched ‘Total Guitar’. I made this my main competitor.

For my double page spread I have challenged the conventions by featuring a guitar rather than a musician or band. Due to the style of magazine being specialist I thought this would be more suited. I have also featured a specification section so that the reader can see a product overview and know what key features the product has. I have gone with conventions with the main body of text.

With my Contents I have mainly followed conventions, although at the bottom of the page I have included a 3D effect shape to make the writing stand out. Also I have not categorised the articles into regulars and features as I thought this would get boring over time. Instead I have put them into categories of the style of article.

The articles that I have included many well-known guitar orientated bands that guitarists would appreciate. I have also included a “learn to play” section so that guitarists can teach themselves well known songs.

For my front cover I have followed the conventions by including my magazine name at the top along with a strapline. Also I have put the cover lines around the sides, which is normal. I have challenged conventions by putting the price as if it was a sticker and rotating the barcode so it is portrait. Over all I have used the conventions to benefit the magazine as the target audience will recognise the format.

My magazine is called ‘Shreddage’, to shred is to play guitar quickly, this is a term that my target audience would be familiar with therefore that would get the title. I thought it was good as it’s a made up word so it’s likely to be unique. My main image includes a guitarist called ‘John Shelley’ i got him to pose in a way that looks like he is putting feeling behind his playing which gives emotion and expression to the cover. The guitar is one of the guitars that I have featured in my magazine; this gives the image purpose and also links to an article. I have got John to dress in casual clothes that would be worn outdoors, so the audience get the impression of an outdoor gig like a festival reminding them of good times, and making them more inclined to purchase the product.

The subject of the main image is representative of my target audience. My product is aimed at someone ages 14-25, working or middle class, earning 15-45k. I think this would be a good demographic for my magazine as the audience would be able to afford products that are advertised or reviewed in my magazine.