representation

1. How does my media
product represent
particular social
groups?!

2. Representation.
17-25 years old
This age group are
commonly known for
their youth and want for
bright products which
excite them. They are also
known for their fun,
spirited life style as well as
their education and
studies as most people
this age are in college/uni.
26-40 years old
This age group are
commonly known for
their work and casual
lifestyle as they turn into
real adults with real jobs.
They are known for a
more serious attitude but
occasionally a party too.
40+ years old
This age group are
commonly known for
being ‘settled down’ and
are focused upon careers
and family by now. A
music magazine is
something in which few of
the people this age would
be interested in.
MY TARGET AUDIENCE

3. Representation.
MALE
Magazines based on this
audience are
predominately blue or
deeper colours and
consist of more rock
music to fit that ‘manly’
stereotype.
FEMALE
Magazines based on this
audience are known for
their feminine colours and
girly bands such as ‘One
Direction’. The colour
scheme is mainly pink or
other feminine colours.
MIXED GENDER
A music magazine based
on no particular gender
must cater or both,
including the ‘manly’ and
‘girly’. To do this the topics
and colour scheme must
both be gender neutral.
MY TARGET AUDIENCE

4. Representation.
Lower Class
A magazine for this
audience must be of a
low price and also
consist of information
which they can
understand as the
majority of people with
little money may also
be uneducated. In this
case the production
may also be every
other week also.
Working Class
A magazine for this
audience can be
produced weekly at
a reasonable price so
they can afford it.
But because the
audience is working
we can establish a
larger price.
Upper Class
When producing for
this class you should
make the tone more
appropriate and also
may charge more for
the price.
MY TARGET AUDIENCE

6. Gender
I have represented gender on the cover as the colour
scheme is a pink background alongside the colour black
which is a gender neutral colour as it is not associated
with neither men or female. I decided to use these
colours as they are also associated with the main splash
image. Gender neutrality is also suggested in my colour
scheme as it is not full of bright, vibrant colours . The
more mature colours suggest neither sex.
The splash images on the cover show the model in no
suggestive pose and acting natural, which suggests the
audience are mixed gender as it is not focussed upon
one stereotype of gender, ie a revealing image for men
or women. It is not suggestive to any sexuality.
Another point to consider is the varied use of specific
topics, shown on the contents page. This shows a mix of
stories from JUSTIN BIEBER to THE KOOKS showing that
there is something for either gender inside.

7. Social Groups
My product shows the topics in my contents page based
upon events and popular musicians of the moment,
showing that the audience are new and young.
The colour pink of font on the contents page suggests the
vibrancy of the audience as it is a ‘hot pink’ so is bright.
This colour is striking and daring, which is representative
of the possible audience.
The background colours as part of the colour scheme
show that the audience are possibly of an indie social
group as it is casual colours, in comparison to others such
as Goth social groups who have a more prominent colour
association of black for the background in specific.
The topics included, such as the new celebrities and
Leeds festival are also representative of an indie social
group as they are known for enjoying partying and living
the ‘student lifestyle too’.
Also the reference to social media suggests the audience
are of the social class of indie as they use this.

8. CLASS
The images used on my product suggest that the
audience are interested in music events and are
willing to save and spend their money on this too,
possibly suggesting that they have no bills to pay as
they can spend vast amounts on Leeds Fest tickets or
suggesting that they are from a working class
background as the lower class would not be
interested in this as they could not afford it possibly.
The publication frequency also suggests that the
audience are working class as it is more appropriate
to afford a magazine every month than every week.
Whereas if the audience were upper class It would
be suitable to publish every week. This is also the
case for the price too as if the audience were upper
class then the price would be higher but because it is
£2.99 it is suggestive that the audience are working
class.

9. AGE
The colour black is known to represent maturity and power
which fits well with an audience of 17-25yr olds.
The publication of this magazine is every month which
suggests the target audience as younger and majority of
them may be ‘students’ and won’t have full time jobs so will
be living on a budget. This is why the price and frequency of
publication represents age too as it is a reliable price which
doesn’t have to be paied for weekly as this would not be
acceptable if it did as the audience could be students.
You could suggest that the audience are young as the main
cover story is about a new tour, which is something they
would be interested in which is shown in my audience
research as we learn of their interests.
The images show gigs and bands representing that the
audience are young and prioritize these things and are
interested in partying too. The images also suggest that the
audience are young and interested in parties and alcohol as
these are associated with festivals.
The use of social media on the product also links to the age
as it shows that the audience are young enough to
understand and use it clearly.

10. Does my magazine challenge
representation of my target audience?
I think that my product does not challenge the
representation of my target audience. I think that it
supports the representation and the stereotypes
that come with the group. I think this as my product
shows the idea of the audience being interested
widely in new, fresh music and also in the festivals
and tours that come with it. This suggests the idea
of the ‘student lifestyle’ and the interest in music,
partying and also shopping. The magazine shows
the TOP 40 which is a suggestion that the audience
like to be up to date with the new topics too. I also
think I have not challenged the representation as I
have not made the appearance too mature and
have used effective colours/topics for it to be not
centralised around men or women. Another point is
that I have made the magazine appropriate for the
audience and made it reasonable for the audience
to buy too.