In this presentation, I have answered question 2 for my A2 Media Studies coursework.

1. Question 2
How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary
products?

2. To create a successful collection of main
products and ancillary texts, I had to focus on
how to combine them and create a realistic
house theme throughout. Looking at examples
of highly professional magazines, gave me
some insight on how they combine their
products with their themes. When creating my
billboard and webiste, I knew that they would
have to work together with my main product
to promote my magazine and benefit the
reader.

3. Masthead
The masthead plays a key role in connecting all of my products together. It’s aim is
for the audience to recognise it from my magazine, which then helps with my brand
identity. I decided to use a prominent font that connoted the type of magazine I
was creating. I used the masthead on my magazine, the contents and double page
spread, the billboard and the website. With it being on all of my products, allows a
strong house theme to form, and creates synergy throughout my products. By using
the same masthead, creates a professional feel within my products. By having the
name of my magazine as my logo, allows readers to Google ‘Belle’, as they would
remember the logo and then be able to find out information online too.

4. Use of Image
Another effective combination between my magazine and ancillary products, was
the use of my images. Every product has images used from my photo shoot,
however they have small differences. I wanted to use the same images, so my
products maintained the same type of appearance and use of colour, further adding
to my brand identity. Although the small differences could be the pose in which the
model is standing, the camera shot, the clothing or the props used. For example,
my magazine uses a mid shot of my model in a denim outfit, then my website has a
close up of the model in a beige jumper. This adds continuity throughout my
magazine, billboard and magazine, yet each have small changes, which I think is
exciting for the reader to see. It may interest them to go onto my website and see if
there were any different images used compared to the magazine.

5. Website Link
Throughout all of my products I advertised the website link. I think this is
important because it is another side of how readers may want to catch up on the
news. The first place I used the website was on the front cover. I placed it
underneath the masthead, on the left hand side. I did this according to the Rule of
Thirds. This theory is where all of the most interesting cover lines and information
is placed on the left side, because when it is on a magazine shelf, it is the only part
of the magazine that you see- the left third. By doing this, I thought that if a reader
saw the magazine but didn’t want to commit to buying it just yet, then they can see
the website on the front cover, and have a look that way. This may result in more
magazines being sold in the long run. I also used the magazine link on every page
near the page number, this also added continuity throughout the magazine. I
wanted to remind my readers that they can go online and find exclusive news
there, and if they don’t have time to buy the magazine one month, they will
remember that they can online. Again, I placed the website on the billboard so that
onlookers will have the chance to go online too and view what I have to offer.

6. Colour Theme
One of the most important conventions to connect my magazine and ancillary
products is the colour scheme. If the colour scheme is not exactly the same, then
readers may not recognise that they are the same magazine. I chose to use colours
that I knew would attract the target audience. At the beginning of my research, I
chose a theme that included a bright yellow and teal blue, but when it came to
designing, I found that they just didn't go correctly, and it clashed with my chosen
images. The theme I decided to go for was much more neutral pinks, and a dark
purple to add a pop of colour. I found the more neutral I went, the more the images
would be brighter and eye catching. I used the same colours for my magazine and
the pages within it, the billboard and then my website. This definitely helps signify
a brand identity and instantly helps the readers recognised my magazine and other
products due to the colours.

7. Font
Lastly, another important convention that plays a big role in connecting the
magazine with the ancillary products is the font. For the masthead I used Dubiel,
which is a really elegant font that can be seen throughout my products. I wanted to
use a recognizable and classic font for the masthead, so the audience realises who’s
product it is. I also used Basic Title font for some cover lines and I then used it
again for the contents page and website. Furthermore, I used the Roboto font
collection throughout my front cover, contents and double page spread. It was then
used again for the billboard and certain parts of the website. By using the same
type of fonts throughout each piece enhances the brand identity that I am wanting
to create.

8. In conclusion, I felt that the combinations
between my main product and ancillary texts
were successful. All of my products worked
together in a positive way and were able to
promote one another. I felt as though they
combined in a way that was informative
towards the audience, and this allowed my
products to give off a realistic and professional
feel. Overall, I am very happy with the
outcome of my products and their ability to
work together.