The document discusses how the media product uses and challenges conventions of real media.
It describes using unconventional layouts, images and placements of elements like the masthead. Research was done on magazine covers to inform design choices. Technologies like Photoshop, Final Cut Pro and blogs were learned to construct the product.
The media product represents a social group of 16-24 year old music fans interested in indie music, fashion and festivals. It would be distributed by Bauer Media due to their success with similar music magazines.
1. In What ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media
In terms of layout I think that my contents page is quite conventional
in the placing of writing , what could be considered unconventional
would be the images, usually DPS in established magazines have an
large picture of the artist which dominates half of the page. Instead I
have combined three images into one , in order to develop my artists
character.
sell-lines and Masthead
Through the research of various magazine covers that the masthead is usually sprawn across the
top section of the magazine. Iv broken away from this convention by placing my masthead in the
top left cornor of the page I feel that I can use the space more efficiently for cover lines and
images. As the masthead is unconventionally small it conveys originality and uniqueness, therefore
reflecting the genre . I also wanted to use the feature image of the front cover to place my sell-
lines , using her hands and the position of her upper body , I tried to use the little space I had
wisely . By moving the sell lines around the cover I was able to come to a decision as to where I
wanted them . After this I could then arrange my images .
The image is quite unconventional of the construction of a music Magazine , Through
analysis it was usual for a music Magazine to have an iconic, influential star who is
immediately recogniseable to fans of a particular genre ,however our feature
individual is not a famous person so it was important that their look and
representation reflected the genre of the magazine. I found that my image is
unconventional in that I haven’t used an instrument ( e.g like a guitar , often suggests
rock music) to expose the theme of the magazine. Iwas able to identify the fashion
and makeup through research in order to create Daisy-Rae
2. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product ?
Having not used a variety of technologies before , I have been
pleasently surprised in what different programmes have enabled social networking
you to do , I have constructed the majority of my coursework on Using blogger was also a different
a mac computer . I found that I had to research how to use even experience, it is used to show case
the basic programmes such as ‘‘Keynotes’’ and ‘‘Pages’’ , there are our coursework , so that its all
an array of different tools and editing options to give your overall interactive. I found the website easy to
product a refined and professional look. Photoshop, I had used access , process all my work on to and
briefly so knew the basic concept of the programme , I know now edit . There is also an array of designs
how to edit lighting , the contrast , cropping effectively , the and templates which can collaborate
sharpness , the highlight and creating a smooth complexion. well with the genre or theme of your
music magazine
Final cut
Photoshop
Final cut Pro was essential in Photography This image was used as a trial to edit.
order to edit our peer
Tutorials which were available
Evaluation videos. I learnt
online also were instrumental in
how to cut out sections
learn basic techniques with the
within the filming which were
camera , I have learnt different
time consuming ( pauses) and
angle types which highligh light or
I was able to abolish sections
conceal shadows which
of the filming we did not
sometimes ruins images.
want , because they were
repetitive or irrelevant
before After
3. How does your media product represent particular
social groups ?
An individual particulary interested within my magazine
would be typically devoted music fans interested in the
indie genre and appreciative of talented musician/
singers .The reader is a regular magazine buyer , a
festival-goer and is fashion concious usually deciding on a
style which is quirky and original regardless if male or
female. The audience of this magazine has a hard work
ethic , currently studying at school, university or
working , they also have exceptional knowledge of music
and the music industry .
Festival- goers
Within the Contents page I have used a space
Appreciative of music to highlight ‘‘Festival’s’’ which are of siginificant
importance for my intended audience , Giggs
have been focused on as have reviews. The
These readers are usually listening/
social group is expecting that these reviews
reading about music as an form of
are from high educated individuals within who
escapism , music is something in which
are knowledgeable in the industry .
they enjoy and have a passion/interest
in . The average ‘’IM’’ reader is keen to
develop their knowledge of up-coming
stars , as well as reading reviews of Ties to fashion
As highlighted in my reader profile
current artists . This is depicted within my audience are interested in fashion
the front cover through the stores like ‘‘Topshop’’ , I have tried to
introduction of ‘‘Daisy Rae’’. use conventional images and fashion
to reflect the style used by topshop
and to ultimately convey my genre.
4. What Kind of media institution might
distribute your media product and why?
This media institution is hugely succesful for distributing media
products, its a UK institituion and serves multiple media . There
are approximately eighty influential media brands spanning a wide
range of interests , including extremely popular music magazines
such as ‘‘Kerrang !’’ , which is influential of my creation . Kerrang is
the worlds biggest selling weekly music magazine and the original
multi-platform youth ( target audience) brand for indie and rock
genres. The success of other music magazine ensures that Bauer
Media have the expertise, knowledge and platform to enable ‘’ IM’’
to survive within the industry . Through research I have found that
the music magazines offered to audiences are categorised as either
male or female , this gap in the market enables my media product
to be something fresh for BAUER MEDIA , and will target an
additional audience. ‘’IM’’ is both male and female targeted with a
age range of 16-24 .
AUDIENCE PROFILE :
Young, individually minded and passionate consumers , defined by
attitude, passion and loyalty.
5. What would be the audience for your media ?
Gender: both male and female Television: interested in both British and American
Age: 16-24 programmes such as; Skins, Shamless , Misfits , The
occupation : part-time full-time student, have inbetweeners , Fresh meat , friends and comedians such as; Jack
weekend jobs in the retail idustry , whitehall and Russell Howard .
supermarkets or within the local circuit of These programmes are not reality and are usually created to
shops ( bakery or butchers ) entertain audiences between the age range of16-24 year olds.
Fashion: Topshop, asos , River Island, Zara, Jack They also focus on issue which involve this age category,
wills and French connection - typically high- especially in Tv Drama like Skins and Shamless
end high street.
Studying : at University ,for A-levels or
currently involved in apprentiships
Music: Independant, indie rock influence of
music , usually consists of bands like Coldplay,
Muse, Boyce Avenue or Snow patrol .
personality: socialises regulary , open to
opinion , friendly and accepting.
Festivals Collage of items which reflect the typical reader of
They are extremely interested in Festivals , as
these events are specifically for bands show ‘’IM’’ magazine
casing live performances , ‘’IM’’ audiences highly
regard bands which can entertain, inspire and
influence young indiviudals through their
performances. The readers also want a plausible
reviewer who can imprint their knowledge on
thousands of readers wanting to be advised on
indie bands , upcoming or established.
6. How did you attract/address Category E subservients
your audience ?
A price which can be afforded by 16-24 year
old , it’s uncommon that individuals within this
contemporary style age group are earning more that £20,000 a
year ( considerably less than that )
Contents page - informal language
more informal language, and a
I created a Contents page which is use of intertexuality that
contemporary, simplistic and eye would appeal to younger age
catching. the use of three colors groups
highlights this simplicity , the
audience are able to read and references to modern
consume information without technology, e.g to download ,
feeling confused , each section has incentives and exclusive
a sub-heading in order to break interviews
the infromation down. I believe My artist is posed so that
that you are able to navigate she intrigues the audience
around this page with ease. The like she is a mystery. Her
image pyramid, also a collage is hands are level with her
attractive and unusual yet visually eyes in order to show that
works well. she is uncovering herself .
Incentives AGE
Incentives are conventionally within succesful magazines
The front cover , contents page and Double Page
Through my audience research, I found that majority of Spread feature artists who are of similar social
participants wanted games or music quizzes within a music group through representation ( stereotypes ) .
magazine. Cash Prizes , downloads and Gigg giveaways are Attracting audiences by finding a model who is
hugely popular especially for those at university who have within the age range of the targeted audience.
low budgets. Exclusive interviews also are regarded as This is conventional for music magazines; Top of
incentives , this ‘exclusivity’ enables the audience to feel The Pops usually feature artists who attract to
priviliedged , and can personally connect with the ‘artist’. their female audience between the ages of 8-11 .
7. Looking back at your preliminary task what do you think
you have learnt in the progression?
During the process of constructing both magazines for The preliminary and main task , I think I
have made progession. I have learnt different tecnologies enabling me to manipulate images
and text . I also have identified that for a succesful magazine there is huge amounts of market
research and study into the characterisitics of a magazine , every intricate detail is important
in ensuring that your magazine has been correctly adapted for the targeted audience. In both
Magazines planning was crucial , yet I found within the Music Magazine semiotic analysis was
more important , studying the usual connotations and characteristics which were
inconventional was beneficial in the construction of ‘’IM’’ magazine.
Photography within My school magazine was basic and I took the picture using a standard
MAC webcam, however within the Music Magazine I wanted the images to convey an polished
look , so invested in a fairly renowned branded camera , I then went on to use editing
programmes such as ‘‘Photoshop’’.
There was little coverlines evident in the school magazine , and were placed with little
thought , In the Music magazine I have progressed by placing sell-lines in unconventional places
using different style fonts and colors . I also found through research that audiences were
enticed through incentives within the sell-lines , audiences were especially interested in
incentives which included tecnological devices or downloads e.g; ‘‘Get your free download
here’’, this is non-existent within my school magazine which dosen’t incoperate pursuasion at
all.
The Contents pages also have progressed , there are additional coverlines and special features
included within my Music magazine and are placed to the right side of the page which is
conventional of a magazine . Incontrast The school magazine is rather simplistic and there are
no subgenres making the information more accesible to consume. There was no research , or
a question formulated within survey monkey for prelim. task that asks the audience what they
would like included , so I made sure that within ‘’IM’’ I used my market research as a basis to
my contents page.